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BOX SCORE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – LeAndrew Bass scored 16 points and Will
Campbell added 13 as UAB beat Louisville 74-61 in the opening round
of the Conference USA Tournament Wednesday.
The loss ended the 30-year career of Hall of Fame coach Denny
Crum, who ranks 15th among Division I coaches with 675 victories.
Crum, who led the Cardinals to six Final Fours and two national
championships, announced his retirement last Friday.
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If Pitino's the replacement,
then Bluegrass basketball wins
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LOUISVILLE -- Denny Crum ended his Hall of Fame career in the CUSA Tournament, just days before Tom Jurich, the man who maneuvered Crum into retirement, will fly to Florida to meet with none other than Rick Pitino about replacing the legend.
Nothing is done with the famously fickle Pitino until five minutes after it is done. But this one appears as close to done as it can get. Most of the state is titillated into a tizzy by the possibilities, but two camps are fuming: The hardcore Kentucky constituency and the hardcore Crum supporters.
Both feel insulted. Big Blue fanatics can't believe Pitino could coach their hated rival. Crum loyalists can't believe their guy could be replaced by a man who routinely whipped him and took obvious glee in doing so. (FYI: Pitino and Crum do not get along).
But the big winner in all of this is basketball in the Bluegrass. What better way to resurrect Louisville basketball – and put a nuclear spark into the somnolent Cards-Cats rivalry – than by hiring the game's No. 1 Mr. Fix-It?
Pat Forde, ESPN.com
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"It's been a long career," Crum said. "All I can say at
this point is I wish it hadn't ended here tonight. I think that
at this point I'm happy that I'm going to get to do some things
and spend some time with my family and friends. This job is
very demanding. I've given my life to it. But I don't regret
anything."
Crum will continue to serve the university in various
projects.
"It's been a 30-year love affair (with the University of
Louisville) that is not going to end," he said. "I intend to
still work at the university, but the basketball part for me is
over, and that's OK."
David Walker, P.J. Arnold and Eric Batchelor each added 10
points for the eighth-seeded Blazers (17-13), who advanced to take
on top-seeded Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Senior Rashad Brooks scored a career-high 21 points in his final
game to lead Louisville (12-19), which finished with the
second-worst record in Crum's tenure. Senior Marques Maybin added
12 points in his final game.
UAB outrebounded Louisville 41-38 and shot 56 percent to the
Cardinals' 31 percent.
UAB led by four at halftime and increased the margin to 40-35 at
the 13-minute mark. A 9-1 run put the Blazers up 49-36 with 9:40 to
play and ended the Cardinals' hopes of extending Crum's career at
least one more day.
Louisville pulled to within seven down the stretch but got no
closer. Following the game, the Freedom Hall crowd gave Crum a
lengthy cheer and standing ovation as he took one final bow at
midcourt.
Both teams came out cold as UAB struggled to an 11-10 lead
midway through the first half. After a handful of lead changes,
Ball's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Blazers a 27-23 lead at
halftime.
UAB did most of its damage from the inside, hitting 8-of-14 from
9 feet and closer. Offensive rebounding and long-range shooting
kept Louisville close as the Cardinals pulled down 12 offensive
boards and shot 4-of-13 on 3-pointers.
For the half, UAB shot 46 percent to Louisville's 28 percent,
and each team grabbed 20 rebounds.
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Louisville Clubhouse
Uab Clubhouse
Pitino, Louisville AD set for weekend meeting
Crum done as Louisville coach after this season
Vitale: No yearlong farewell for Crum
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Denny Crum speaks for the last time as head coach of Louisville.
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 Denny Crum is ready to move on and live a "normal" life.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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