No going-away party for Big East, it's Michigan vs Louisville for NCAA title

Louisville's Luke Hancock, left, and Louisville's Chane Behanan react to play against Wichita State during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

Louisville's Luke Hancock, left, and Louisville's Stephan Van Treese celebrate after the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Wichita State Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Atlanta. Louisville won 72-68. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)

Start studying, Louisville.

Instead of an all-Big East final against a familiar opponent, the top-seeded Cardinals will play Michigan for the national championship Monday night. It will be the first game between the teams since 1978.

Louisville (34-5) had to overcome its biggest scare of the tournament to reach its first championship since 1986, when it won its second title. Down 12 in the second half, the Cardinals rallied to beat ninth-seeded Wichita State 72-68.

Fourth-seeded Michigan (31-7) then held off Syracuse 61-56, spoiling what could have been a grand finale for the Big East in its final season before Louisville and the Orange leave for the ACC.