It hasn’t been the type of year they were expecting in Kentucky’s “other” school, the University of Louisville. After last season’s Elite Eight and then starting the season being ranked in the top-25, the Cardinals have experienced something of a letdown. Early home losses to teams like Charlotte and Western Carolina, followed by middle-of-the-pack start in the Big East, put the Cardinals’ NCAA Tournament in doubt.

However, after beating Syracuse on the road yesterday, did the Cardinals salvage their season? While that remains to be seen, the win did put them back in Joe Lunardi’s good graces. In ESPN’s latest Bracketology prognostication exercise, the Cardinals are projected 11th seed in East bracket, and while this is subject to much change, beating Syracuse in their own house has earned the Cardinals something of a reprieve.

The unexpected hero in Louisville’s win over Syracuse has to be freshman Mike Marra, who hit a huge, huge 3-pointer with under two minutes to go in the game, which gave the Cardinals a six-point lead at that time. And judging by the way Syracuse had (and blew) a chance to at least tie the game in the closing seconds, everyone of Marra’s 12 points were needed.

Always one to play to the press, Rick Pitino acknowledged his team’s previous poor play, but acknowledged the Syracuse win should help his team’s confidence:

“We didn’t play well at St. John’s but they played great,’” UL coach Rick Pitino said. “We thought we were going to win one or two of these road games. After we lost to St. John’s, I told the guys, ‘Which one would you rather have: St. John’s or Syracuse?’ Here’s your chance to beat a team that is top three in the nation and could win a national championship.”

The question is, will the Cardinals ride the waves of their big win and make a late push in the Big East, while solidifying their currently-shaky tournament standing, or will they backslide, giving us more performances like the St John’s game?

Looking ahead, the Cardinals have six games remaining on their schedule. If they can avoid piss-poor performances on the road against DePaul, UConn, and Marquette, all while protecting their home court, the Cardinals will be dancing in March. If, however, they revert back to the way they played against St John’s, Cardinals fans might want to prepare for the NIT.

Of course, their home games won’t be easy either, because after Wednesday’s game against Notre Dame, their final two home opponents are Georgetown and a Syracuse team that will be looking for a little payback. Maybe Pitino will bust out his white suit to help matters.