Basketball: Shaken Louisville gain coveted Final 4 berth

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: The Louisville Cardinals shook off a shocking injury to reserve guard Kevin Ware to beat Duke University 85-63 on Sunday and claim a coveted spot in US college basketball's Final Four.

The Cardinals reached the semi-finals of the national tournament for the second straight year with the win over perennial powerhouse Duke, whose coach Mike Krzyzewski guided the US men's team to Olympic basketball gold in Beijing and London.

But the young players and Louisville coach Rick Pitino had to set aside their dismay after Ware suffered a gruesome broken leg in the first quarter.

Louisville were the top seeds in their region in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament that yearly captures the imagination of US sports fans who are glued to "March Madness".

They next take on surprise semi-finalist Wichita State, who upset Ohio State 70-66 on Saturday.

The University of Michigan defeated the University of Florida 79-59 to
complete the Final Four lineup. They'll face Syracuse, who beat Marquette 55-39 on Saturday. (AFP)