Freedom Hall ready for Cardinals' final bow

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -Louisville coach Rick Pitino says he can think of no better sendoff for venerable Freedom Hall than a big game with big-time implications.

The Cardinals (19-11, 10-7 Big East) will close their home for the last 54 seasons on Saturday when they host top-ranked Syracuse (28-2, 15-2). They move to a new downtown arena next fall.

Louisville has won 684 games at Freedom Hall over the years. A victory over the Orange would almost certainly propel the Cardinals into the NCAA tournament. Louisville upset Syracuse at the Carrier Dome three weeks ago.

The Cardinals are planning on honoring their 1980 and 1986 national championship teams as part of the pregame festivities.

Freedom Hall, which hosted six Final Fours, will remain in use as part of the state fairgrounds. Kentucky coach John Calipari has talked about having the Wildcats play at the arena two or three times a year.