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Stadium: Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall is a multipurpose arena in Louisville, Kentucky on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The maximum capacity of the arena is 19,200 for concerts, and 18,865 for basketball. While it is used to host a variety of events, it is most famous for its use as a basketball arena, most notably serving as the basketball home of the University of Louisville Cardinals, and for one game per season as an alternate home court for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Cardinals started playing basketball there in December 1956 with a contest against the University of Notre Dame, both of whom are now full-time members of the Big East Conference. Their first full season in the facility was the following season. In addition to being the home of the Cardinals, Freedom Hall has hosted NCAA Tournament games ten times, including six Final Fours between 1958 and 1969. The arena has also hosted 11 conference tournaments, nine Metro Conference Tournaments and two Conference USA tournaments — 2001 and 2003. It has also hosted the Kentucky High School State Basketball Tournament (also known as the Sweet 16) 23 times, including every year from 1965-1978. In 1984, the floor of the arena was lowered about 10 feet to increase the capacity of the arena from 16,613 to its current figure. The record basketball attendance for the arena is 20,086, set when Louisville defeated Indiana University on February 1, 2003.
Team History:
The Louisville Cardinals Basketball team is the 18th winningest college basketball team in NCAA Division I basketball history. Currently coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals of the University of Louisville have a tradition of continued success, having been to 33 NCAA tournaments (6th all time). Under Denny Crum, Louisville was one of the premiere teams of the 1980s, going to four Final Fours, winning two championships, and posting the highest NCAA tournament record of the 80s. Louisville's rivalry with the University of Kentucky is considered one of the most intense in college sports, and the basketball game is commonly known as the Battle for the Bluegrass or Dream Game. Louisville also maintains basketball rivalries with West Virginia, Cincinnati and Marquette.
Season Preview:
Steve Kragthorpe thinks back to his two seasons with the Buffalo Bills fondly. They provided him with great experience at football's highest level and were a big reason he grabbed the head-coaching job at Tulsa, after 11 years as a collegiate assistant. But there was one thing he couldn't get used to: the preseason game. Unlike the real thing, these exhibitions were for evaluating young talent and giving veterans a chance to get used to the pace of live action once again.
Official Site:
uoflsports.cstv.com
