2009 marks the third time in Pitino’s 23-year collegiate career that one of his teams has made a return trip to the Elite Eight after losing the year before. In both prior times, Pitino’s team advanced to the Final Four.

“It was definitely disappointing because we were right there and one game way from Final Four,” Louisville guard Jerry Smith said of the Cardinals’ loss to North Carolina last season. “We could taste it almost, it was crazy. We sat in the locker room for about 20 minutes, all of us, and just shook because we fought so hard and left it all out on the floor. … but to get back to the Elite Eight again is great and we are very excited to be back.”

The Cardinals, the No. 1-seed in the entire NCAA Tournament, will get their chance at Elite Eight redemption at 2:20 p.m. Sunday against MSU at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Smith said last year’s loss helped motivated him during summer workouts, leading him to become lighter and quicker. Smith also said the long offseason taught him to seize the moment. Likewise, Terrence Williams said last year’s loss taught him and his teammates that in order to advance they need to play a full game.

“Losing last year, we kind of know what it takes to lose, meaning that last year we didn’t play 40 minutes,” Williams said. “We got down in the first half and then came out in the second half and really played basketball like we know how to play it. This year we know that coming out. To get to the Final Four, you have to play all 40 minutes.”

Samarado’s progress
A big key for Louisville’s success this year has been the development of freshman forward Samardo Samuels, who grew up in Jamaica. Samuels, who is 6-foot-9, averages 12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds a game for the Cardinals.

Even with that stat line, Pitino said for a kid who comes from a country where basketball is just developing, Samuels has a lot more room to improve.

“He’s going to become a better rebounder (and) a better defensive player,” Pitino said. “Next year he’ll play a little more at the power forward spot offensively. He’s had a slow, gradual improvement from the first day of practice until now.”

MSU in Big East terms
Pitino said the Spartans remind him a lot of Pittsburgh, a fellow Big East team which is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“They’re a great rebounding team (and a) great defensive team,” Pitino said of the similarities. “They’re fundamentally extremely sound.”

For the record, Louisville beat Pittsburgh 69-63 on Jan. 17 in the two teams’ only meeting.