Dec. 11, 2004
Shot selection plays an important role in college basketball. In Saturday's Florida-Louisville game, the Cardinals had the right people taking shots at crunch time while the Gators did not.

Give Louisville credit for getting the ball in the hands of the right shooters. Florida had its chances but never could get over the hump after falling behind early. It was the kind of game that the Gators, playing at home, needed to win so they could start believing in themselves.

I believe this will be the last season at Louisville for Francisco Garcia. I think he will enter the NBA draft.

I was also surprised to see Anthony Roberson playing as if he were trying to please people. The talented guard wanted to show he could be unselfish instead of playing his confident game, looking for his shot at the end.

I give a lot of credit to Louisville for winning in a hostile environment. The O-Dome with the Rowdy Reptiles is a tough place to play. The Cardinals came out ready to play, showing the ability to get good looks at the basket and open shots.

Pitino's team is so athletic, and the quickness was a factor. The Cardinals don't have the size inside with Brian Johnson and Otis George sidelined. That could be a factor against bigger clubs.

I love Louisville guard Francisco Garcia, one of the most versatile players in America. He's truly a winner and he can play three positions. With the Cardinals plagued with injuries up front, he also has to rebound more.

I honestly believe this will be the last season at Louisville for Garcia. I think he will enter the NBA draft.

The bottom line is that Pitino is now 6-0 against his former student, Gators coach Billy Donovan. Louisville's lone loss came to Iowa in Maui. The Cardinals have toughness, and on Saturday they had the ball in their shooters' hands down the stretch when it counted. The result was a big W in Gainesville.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.