Final Four information

LINK.
Thanks to my brother for the heads up. He's skipping economics this Friday so that he can attend the Louisville practice. That's very unlike my brother...

Here are the hotels where the Final Four teams will be staying, beginning tonight:
Louisville: Sheraton City Center, 400 S. 14th Street, St. Louis
Michigan State: Sheraton Clayton Plaza, 7730 Bonhomme Ave, Clayton
North Carolina: Adam’s Mark, 4th and Chestnut Street, St. Louis
Illinois: Marriott Downtown, One Broadway Street, St. Louis

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The teams will practice Friday at the Edward Jones Dome. The practice sessions are free and open to the public. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Here are the practice times (approximate):

Louisville: Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Michigan State: 1-1:50 p.m.
Illinois: 2:10-3 p.m.
North Carolina: 3:10-4 p.m.

Darn it, Coach Hall! You're not supposed to say that!

It was a scene that Louisville had not seen the likes of in quite some time. It had taken 19 years to restore the basketball team to Final Four form, and it was done by Pitino, who less than 10 years ago was loyal to the Cardinals' rival school - Kentucky.

But fans have forgiven, especially this year, especially after Kentucky lost in the Elite Eight and Louisville was the lone team from the state playing in the Final Four.

"We as a school are on a great run right now," Pitino said, listing the accomplishments of some of the other Louisville athletic programs. "This is like being a great pianist and getting to play in Carnegie Hall. This is what's it's all about. The town is very excited because this is a pride factor."

Several fans said much of that pride stems from being able to laugh at Kentucky fans for not making it to St. Louis. But Kentucky fans are quick to brush off Louisville. Most said the school is allowed to have one accomplishment, as long as it doesn't make it a habit.

"I think we're all a little jealous now," former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall said. "The real hardcore fans, you know, the ones who don't let their kids wear red - ever, don't want to see them do well, but I think a lot of Kentucky fans will be cheering for them. ... But Kentucky will always be the school. It is nice to see Louisville has come around. It will make things more competitive."

Hall, who hosts a morning show in Louisville with former Louisville coach Denny Crum, said that he would have liked to see an all-Kentucky final, but that the Wildcats didn't get the type of draw in the bracket that Louisville did. He said the Wildcats had a tougher road, playing Utah and Michigan State in the last two rounds, as opposed to Louisville playing Washington and West Virginia.

"I'm just saying that if Kentucky had the draw Louisville had, I think the roles would be reversed," Hall said. "I don't think Louisville needs my cheering, and if I gave advice to Louisville, I'd have to move from Lexington." But some fans in attendance weren't shy about cheering for Louisville, even if it did disappoint those close to them. Katie Parker, a junior from Ashland, Ky., said she grew up in a diehard Kentucky family, but that she cheers for Louisville without any remorse.

Before I go on any further, I root against Louisville all year long but I really like Coach Pitino for what he did for the Kentucky program especially with the 1996 championship. I wanted that all-Kentucky final in my sweet 16 bracket entry. Anyway, I'm off to lunch right now. Oh, and Marc might be seeing Kelly Clarkson and Joss Stone...