Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Louisville's Mangok Mathiang, left, and North Carolina State's Abdul-Malik Abu, right, take the opening tip at the start of the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament at the Syracuse Carrier Dome, March 27, 2015.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

NCSU's Trevor Lacey (1) fights his way past Louisville's guards early in the first half.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Lacey tries to finish a reverse layup with his right hand while Mathiang defends.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Mathiang takes the bench shortly in the first half during a break in play.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Lacey follows through on a shot while the Cardinals' Anton Gill spins in the air in an attempt to defend.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

The Cardinals' pep band cheers on Louisville early in the first half of the team's match up against NCSU.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Abu fights for a loose ball against a trio of Cardinals late in the first half.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

The N.C. State cheerleaders look on while a Louisville player is helped up by a teammate.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino wears a sizable ring during UofL's showdown with MSU. His Cardinals won the 2013 national championship.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

The Cardinals' Terry Rozier, right, cruises past N.C. State's Trevor Lacey, left, while looking for an opening to pass.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Rozier grimaces after finishing a coast-to-coast layup and taking contact, drawing a foul in the process.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

The Cardinal's Montrezl Harrell (24) goes after a loose ball while NCSU's Ralston Turner (22) gives chase.

Chase Gaewski | Staff Photographer

Rozier and Pitino embrace near the end of Louisville's Sweet 16 victory over N.C. State.