Davidson ready for Louisville challenge

It took the Davidson Wildcats four seasons -- and a six-hour plane flight from Charlotte to Portland, Ore., on Tuesday -- to get back to the NCAA basketball tournament.

How are they dealing with the moment?

The Wildcats were playing 'Hangman,' the spelling game, in the locker room Tuesday while waiting to take the court for their official practice session at the Rose Garden where they'll meet Louisville Thursday.

"We've got to do something to kill the time," guard Nik Cochran said.

So much for nerves.

The Wildcats may be underdogs to fourth-seeded Louisville, which won the Big East tournament Saturday night in New York City, but they sounded unfazed by the challenge facing them. They know all about Louisville's basketball legacy and coach Rick Pitino's success but Davidson is focused primarily on being Davidson.

"We're going to come out with the confidence we've had all year," center Jake Cohen said.

Will they change the way they play to adapt to the defensive pressure Louisville is likely to employ?

"We're not going to change anything. We're going to do what we've been doing all season," guard J.P. Kuhlman said.

-- Ron Green Jr.