Big man Gorgui Dieng had nine points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Cardinals.
Dieng, a junior center from Senegal, is expected to enter the NBA draft after the season.
Dieng and Siva were honored before the game as part of Louisville's senior day festivities.
They also listen to the team's resident nutrition nut, Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng, who was born in Senegal.
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And who knows what would have happened if Louisville center Gorgui Dieng made more dunks than he missed?
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And after Duke forward Ryan Kelly missed a three-pointer, Dieng drilled a jumper from the top of the key.
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Dieng draped an arm around the shoulders of Smith, who repeatedly wiped at his eyes and shook his head.
Dieng's turnaround jumper on the baseline with 10:33 left gave Louisville a 49-41 lead and started a 10-2 run.
Gorgui Dieng had nine points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Cardinals.
Mr Dieng said the Malian army had a responsibility to "protect all populations, irrespective of their race or ethnicity".
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Mr Dieng welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations into the situation in Mali.
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But Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng said Sunday that going 3-0 will depend on how effective Louisville's press is against Michigan.
Siva sliced into the paint again and handed off a layup to Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, who finished with 14 points.
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Smith got his 21 points, but Louisville guard Peyton Siva had only seven points, and Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng didn't even score.
It was the second straight double-double for Dieng, who only returned to the lineup Dec. 29 after breaking his wrist against Missouri.
"I'm beginning to feel good about the way I'm playing, " Dieng said.
The 6-foot-11 Dieng averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots in leading Louisville to a share of the regular season title.
Russ Smith led Louisville with 18 points, Hancock had 12, all on 3s, and Gorgui Dieng finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Syracuse, which trailed 23-19 after a poor first half, found a way to foil Dieng, Louisville's shot-blocking defensive ace, early in the second half.
The Cardinals took advantage as Dieng sank two free throws and Hancock hit a 3 from the wing for a 47-40 lead at 5:35.
After Triche missed a baseline layup against Dieng, Hancock stole Triche's ensuing inbounds pass and Hancock drained his fourth 3 to break the tie.
Syracuse, which trailed 23-19 after a poor first half, briefly found a way to foil Dieng, Louisville's shot-blocking defensive ace, early in the second half.
Russ Smith led Louisville with 18 points and Gorgui Dieng finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds as the Cardinals overcame a poor offensive performance by point guard Peyton Siva.
After Hancock swished a straight-on 3 for Louisville, Fair hit a spinning layup as Dieng fouled him but missed the free throw and Syracuse trailed 41-40 with 7:34 to go.
Talented center Gorgui Dieng impressed once again in only his third game back from a broken left wrist and coach Rick Pitino finally saw his Cardinals play defense the way he liked.
The Cardinals took advantage as Dieng sank two free throws and Hancock hit a 3 from the wing for a 47-40 lead at 5:35, the biggest edge by either team in the game.
After Triche missed a baseline layup against Dieng, Hancock stole Triche's ensuing inbounds pass and Hancock drained his fourth 3 off a slick pass to the corner from Smith to break the tie.
"Coach said if we learn our lesson from the game against Notre Dame and it helps us to win a lot of games, then it was worth it, " Dieng said of Louisville's inside game.
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