Greg Echlin | For 90.5 WESA

While the Cardinals (30-5) will play in the title match for the second time in the past three years, the Panthers (33-2) have been sent home after four straight seasons in the national semis.

In its fourth-straight appearance in the national semifinals, the University of Pittsburgh team faces the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center Thursday night in Louisville, Kentucky. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and will be carried by ESPN.

The Fighting Illini lit up the scoreboard for 50 points in the opening half en route to their 89-63 victory, leaving Duquesne shell-shocked in its season-ending loss.

The Duquesne Dukes are preparing to play in a first-round game against Brigham Young University at 12:40 p.m. Thursday.

The Panthers (29-5) have never beaten the Huskers in 14 all-time meetings, including a loss to the Huskers in a national semi two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

To break down the door that leads to the national title match, the Panthers must defeat Nebraska — the tournament's top-ranked team — on Thursday night in Tampa, Florida. The national title match is set for Sunday afternoon.