Luke Hancock might not have been on Louisville a year ago, but Cool Hand Luke — hitting treys like a young Kevin Love in Atlanta — has been making big plays since he got his first taste of D1 ball at George Mason.
He was recruited there out of Hargrave Military Academy by now-Miami coach Jim Larranga. Hancock saved George Mason's 15-game winning streak multiple times — including scoring eight of 11 points to spark a comeback against Northern Illinois — and culminated the year by sending Gus Johnson into orbit in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, ousting Villanova with the same stroke that methodically broke down Wichita State in the Final Four.
Big-time shooters have a habit of showing up in March. Steph Curry and Gerry McNamara made their names nailing jumpers from range. Whether Hancock is more Curry or McNamara in the future remains to be seen, but it's almost impossible to gauge in this talent-depleted Final Four.
Consider, the one player in this game on Chad Ford's Big Board, Gorgiu Dieng, gave us zero points and four personal fouls.
It wasn't like nobody showed up. Russ Smith kept Louisville steady — while Wichita completely controlled the pace of the game — playing 36 minutes and scoring 21 points, depsite an uncharacteristic 5-12 from the charity stripe. The Shockers were led by Cleanthony Early, a strong favorite for Name of the Tournament, who scored 24, but their main weapon was a stringent 25 minute stretch without a turnover. Louisville was unable to get cheap points from their pressure defense as Wichita went through, around and over their press. The game began to wind down, and Louisville looked out of time.
That's when Hancock made his mark — and there wasn't anything Tim Tebow could do about it. He basically ran up and down the court and refused to lose. Hitting three-pointers, grabbing clutch boards, and doing everything his team needed. He took the game over and finished with 20, 4 and 2. All season Hancock has been playing his position as one of the several role players on Louisville’s team.
But on the biggest stage of his life, he played the biggest game of his life. Sorry, Cinderalla. Hancock has his own date with destiny.
Miss the action? Here's how it went down on Twitter.
Choir from the Ebenezer Baptist Church rehearsing the national anthem on Georgia Dome court. twitter.com/ESPNAndyKatz/s…
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) April 6, 2013
Maybe it's because I just watched season 6 of "Dexter" but Wichita State's Hall reminds me of Mos Def as Brother Sam. jrforasteros.com/wp-content/upl…
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 6, 2013
Wichita state plays physical. Pace favors them so far.
— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) April 6, 2013
Hate it, too RT @cp3: Am I the only one who doesn't like the platform type court??
— reservoirgod (@MIA_Heat_Index) April 6, 2013
Wichita State is selling this team signed basketball on its website. Starting bid? $2,000 say.ly/EQt5xcW
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) April 6, 2013
At the first TV timeout, it's Wichita State 8, Louisville 0. Raise your hand if you predicted this start. Go ahead – we'll wait. #FinalFour
— CBSSports.com (@CBSSports) April 6, 2013
13-13, 13 minutes into the game. #FinalFour #Louisville #WichitaSt
— Alvaro (@Tacobulldog) April 6, 2013
Kevin Ware cheering on Louisville at Final Four game [Louisville-Wichita State] goo.gl/fb/e0tgg
— gifsection (@gifsection) April 6, 2013
Shockers playing an incredibly smart game. Make Louisville play defense.Cardinals shooting awful so far.17-13 Wichita State, 5:25 left.
— Bob Gallaher (@WEAUGallaher) April 6, 2013
Wichita State with just 4 turnovers at 5:25 mark of 1H. U of L has gone nearly 6 minutes without a point.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) April 6, 2013
GIF: This Russ Smith airball is a pretty good symbol of Louisville's offense so far. twitpic.com/chim02
— BuzzFeed Sports (@BuzzFeedSports) April 6, 2013
#Louisville on a HUGE 2-0 run! Can Wichita State answer?!?
— InsideHoops.com (@InsideHoops) April 6, 2013
Damn. RT @normanchad: If Mike Shanahan were coaching Louisville, Kevin Ware might’ve started today.
— Scooby Axson (@ScoobAxson) April 6, 2013
Louisville is 7 of 17 from the field, Wichita State 8 of 26. And both teams are 3 of 10 on 3-pointers.
— Kary Booher (@karybooherNL) April 6, 2013
Say what you want about Russ Smith's start. His two 3-pointers have been Louisville's only points since the 10:45 mark.
— Zach Dillard (@Zach_Dillard) April 6, 2013
“@goodmancbs: Louisville has been abysmal — and the Cards are only down one point.” Great point.
— Darrin Horn (@Darrin_Horn) April 6, 2013
Wichita State's 2011-12 basketball expenses: $4,644,724Louisville's 2011-12 basketball expenses: $15,489,954
— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) April 6, 2013
What kind of score is 20-19 at halftime between Louisville vs Shockers,this game is such a snoozer so far to watch feels like 1940's Bball
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) April 6, 2013
Ugly game so far – lone "highlight" is this Cleanthony Early facial on Blackshear [GIF] is.gd/0WBYCE#Shockers
— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 6, 2013
Wichita State shrank the game. They might not be better than Louisville for 40 minutes, but 20 minutes isn't too much to ask.
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 6, 2013
HALFTIME: #WichitaState 26, Louisville 25. Shockers haven't blinked and are 20 minutes away from a shot at a national crown.
— Randy Rosetta (@RandyRosetta) April 6, 2013
Halftime in Atlanta: Wichita State heads into the locker room leading Louisville 26-25. twitter.com/AndyJ0seph/sta…
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) April 6, 2013
Wichita St. clinging to a 26-25 lead against Louisville. The Shockers are 23-1 this season when leading at halftime: bit.ly/14W8cFR
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 6, 2013
Every time Louisville gets called for those reach-in fouls DRINK! #FinalFourDrinkingGame
— Drunk Coach Cal (@DrunkCoachCal) April 6, 2013
Russ Smith shot 82.4 percent at the free throw line this season. Now 1 of 6 at the line tonight. Cards in trouble.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) April 6, 2013
Wichita State is fearless. Louisville in trouble. Even though Georgia Dome is packed, the fans of both teams making most of the noise.
— Terence Moore (@TMooreSports) April 6, 2013
I said before the game Wichita couldn't win w/o Louisville's help.They got it. We're about 5 minutes away from saying the reverse.
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) April 6, 2013
In the words of Juwan Howard, Wichita State is on the verge of "Shocking the World"
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) April 6, 2013
At this tempo, generating no pace and no turnovers, I'm not sure Louisville can overcome an 11-point deficit. Major pucker time for Ville.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) April 6, 2013
It's getting close to that panic switch for Louisville.
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) April 6, 2013
GAME ALERT! (9)Wichita State 50, (1)Louisville 47, 2nd – 9:21On #CBSbit.ly/13aJCzP
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) April 7, 2013
Wichita State 25 minutes without a turnover.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) April 7, 2013
Incredibly, #Louisville has managed to significantly step up their defense despite the foul trouble. That ain't easy.
— Jackie Pepper (@Jackie_Pepper) April 7, 2013
Five players on Utah Jazz roster are younger than at least 4 players on Wichita State.
— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) April 6, 2013
Tie game. Don't forget who sparked this Louisville comeback: Tim Henderson hit two 3's, cut 12-point deficit in half
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelCBS) April 7, 2013
Louisville been tightening the screws. Looks like a grandstand finish on tap.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) April 7, 2013
Buckle up! Louisville takes the lead, Wichita St answers, up 58-56 with 5:40 left. Great finish coming? apne.ws/10ILqKw #FinalFour
— AP_Top25 (@AP_Top25) April 7, 2013
Smith steals the inbounds after two players collide and coasts in for the layup. #Louisville leads by 2
— ajc sports editor (@ajcsportseditor) April 7, 2013
Louisville is showing lots of guts. Cards now lead 60-58 with 3:50 left to play, which means this could be a classic ending.
— Terence Moore (@TMooreSports) April 7, 2013
After half of no turnovers, Wichita State is deteriorating here.
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzAJC) April 7, 2013
Final: Louisville 72, Wichita State 68. Rick Pitino is one win away from becoming the first man to win national titles at different schools.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 7, 2013
Final: Louisville 72, Wichita State 68. Rick Pitino is one win away from becoming the first man to win national titles at different schools.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 7, 2013
What a game at both ends for Hancock. Louisville fans – is this the best game he's played this year? Great performance
— Jason McIntyre (@TheBigLead) April 7, 2013
