blogs: Billy Reed's Blog 

Well, at least the 2009-'10 University of Louisville Cardinals didn't screw up the final game at Freedom Hall. That's their epitaph. Of all the 54 U of L teams that played at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds arena, this one has to be the most maddening. Assistant coach Ralph Willard described the team by recalling the Forrest Gump line about life being like a box of chocolates -- you never know what you're going to get. It was apt except for one thing: Any kind of chocolate is good, but this team sometimes was very, very bad. And here's the thing: After following this team through 33 games, almost every one of which since January seemed to be of the “must” win variety, I still can't decide what kind of job Coach Rick Pitino did. On the one hand, you can make the case that because the parts never fit, because nobody ever really stepped up to fill the sneakers of Terrence Williams and Earl Clark, Pitino deserves credit for getting as much out of them as anybody could reasonably expect -- a 20-13 final record, an NCAA bid, and, of course, that glorious final victory over top-ranked Syracuse on March 6, the last home game for the Cards in Freedom Hall. But on the other, you also can make the case that Pitino hurt the team by stubbornly refusing to play Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings together until the end of the season, by never starting Peyton Siva at the point and moving Edgar Sosa to shooting guard, and by erratic personnel moves. How many times did a player have a good game, only to get little or no playing time the next time out? Conversely, Pitino kept giving plenty of minutes to Jerry Smith despite one lousy performance after another. Early on, it was obvious that Smith, for whatever reasons, was going to be more of a liability than an asset this season. His two-of-eight shooting performance in the 77-62 NCAA opening-round loss to California was more or less typical of his season. Too often the Cards became perimeter-oriented offensively when it was obvious their best option was to get the ball to Samuels in places where he could score. Too often the shot selection was horrendous. Too often the Cards gave up easy baskets by not playing defense with the usual Pitino grit. And then there are the intangibles. Only insiders know how much of a distraction the Karen Sypher scandal was for Pitino. The whole season, I never thought he looked relaxed or happy. At times, in fact, he looked downright haggard -- haunted, almost. For the first time since I started covering him in 1989, he rarely seemed to be enjoying himself. As usual, the rumors have started about him leaving. Just the other day, a guy was telling me that Joanne Pitino wanted to get out of Louisville because she felt the family needed a fresh start in a new location. I didn't laugh, as I usually do at Pitino-is-leaving rumors, because it makes sense. Besides, whether Rick was working in Lexington or Louisville, Joanne has remained a New Yorker to the core, declining to get involved in community activities and spending a lot of time away from Kentucky. Already jobs are open that I think make more sense for Pitino than Arizona or Sacramento ever did. I could see him coaching at St. John's or Seton Hall. I could see him going back to the Knicks or even coaching New Jersey. One particularly interesting rumor has Pitino resigning at Louisville and Billy Donovan replacing him. Donovan may be ready to leave Florida, where basketball always will be no better than a distant No. 2 to football, because he hasn't been able to build on his back-to-back national titles in 2006-'07. But this is pure speculation and should be taken for what it's worth, which isn't much. Maybe Pitino's future will depend on what happens when the Sypher case goes to court, if it ever does. Unlike some observors, I see the Cards being better next season. The senior guards, Sosa and Smith, will not be missed. Neither will shooting forward Reggie Delk, a streaky player on a streaky team. And if Samuels returns instead of transferring or -- horrors! -- opting for the NBA draft, the Cards will have more returning experience than most of their Big East rivals. With a potential starting lineup of Samuels at center, either Rakeem Buckles or Jennings at power forward, Jared Swopshire at small forward, Siva at the point, and Preston Knowles at shooting guard, the Cards should be ranked in the preseason Top 20. Kyle Kuric and Mark Marra will be solid reserves at either small forward or shooting guard. George Goode will be back from an injury and Stephen Van Treese could emerge as a useful backup center. The recruiting class right now consists of Justin Coleman, an exciting 6-foot-5 small forward from Huntington, and 5-11 point guard Russell Smith. This is a matter of concern to Cardinal fans who are worried that the guy down the road in Lexington has surpassed Pitino as a recruiter. The good news is that the Cards will be moving into the new, state-of-the-art, NBA-ready downtown arena in November. This should generate a lot of positive national buzz around the program -- in addition to being a helpful recruiting tool. If Pitino needs something to re-energize him, the arena just might be the ticket. Speaking of which, please tell me that the rumors about New Mexico State being the first opponent aren't true. Their place in basketball history is almost invisible. The first opponent in the new arena should be one of the game's great names -- UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Indiana, or Kansas. Or, failing that, I'll settle for Memphis or Cincinnati, who were U of L's biggest rivals in the 1960s' 70s, 80's, and 90s, going all the way back to the Missouri Valley Conference days. When you close one arena by beating a traditional national rival that is ranked No. 1 nationally at the time of the game, you need to open the new one with a game of similar magnitude. Sorry, but New Mexico State just doesn't measure up.

ADD A COMMENT

	Mr. Goodnight   sat mar 20 2010 at 10:58 pm         ·  I, for one, am SO glad to see Sosa leave. He cost us way more games than he won for us. As for Ricky P. losing some cred from us diehard fans, that is so true. Ricky P. may be a hell of a motivational speaker, but when it comes to Xs and Os, then he is average. Rumor has it he will be taking the job at St. Johns. If he leaves, I wouldn't be upset one bit
	(Eric)   sun mar 21 2010 at 8:28 am         ·  If Rick Pitino Left U L. We'd Be Then Saying I'm Happy With Being Ranked 18th. Its Rick Pitino. Thats Like Being a Duke Fan And Saying Oh Idc If Coach K Leaves Were Better Off W.o Him. Rick Pitino Is What Maks The Cards. That Strong Full Court d Comes From Some Where. Also Sosa Is 1 Of The Best Players. He's 1 Of My Favorites. Not Cause He Acts Like Lebron Driving To The Hoop.But He's My Favorite Cause He Plays Cause He Loves The Game. When He Makes A And 1 3 Pt Play Hes Never Pumping His Chest Hardly Showboats. But We All Gotta Give It Up To My Great White Hype Kuric. He Is Gonna Improve Especialy By The Way He Drills The 3's. But NOW Before You Talk About Sosa My Man You Needa Bring Up Swopshire. This Cat Is A Starter... He Needs To BeA Starter Fr The Bench If You Ask Me. He's Way Worse Of a Player Then Sosa Any Day And Night. But U L Didnt Have Many New Players This Year. Next Year There Recruiting Some Real Good Freshmens. This 1 Kid From Chicago Averages I Think 45 PPG IN HIGH SCHOOL... I Give It Up To The Cards Tho. For Making It That Far. You Can't Blame The Coach When You Got A Medioker Team Tho. But They Scraped For There Spot And Earned There Games
	amy :)   sun mar 21 2010 at 11:33 am         ·  A coach can only do so much if he doesn't have the players to pull it off. I've never been almost relieved to see a lackluster Senior class go. There's no big loss there, sad to say. Each player has contributed spotty performances. I think next season will be far better. I love Rick and I hope he stays for years to come. But IF he leaves, a Pitino prodigy like Billy Donovan would be a helluva replacement... (But please don't leave, Rick...)
	Less is more   sun mar 21 2010 at 11:45 am         ·  Pitino did as good of a job as anyone should have expected. The preseason ranking was completely unrealistic for a team that lost the #11 and #14 pick in the NBA draft, not to mention a point guard who was a senior captain. In a rebuilding year in the Big East, 11-7 is really good. You know who else lost their top players to the NBA and Graduation? UCLA, North Carolina, UConn, and Oklahoma. How'd they do this year?
	amy :)   sun mar 21 2010 at 11:58 am         ·  Excellent point and well said!
	tinkerbell tink #323538   sun mar 21 2010 at 12:00 pm         ·  "guess he did about as best a coach can do with the players he had" But it's his job as the coach to recruit the players. He picked them, so there is nobody to blame but himself. I personally think his heart isn't in the game anymore. Retirement might be his best option.
	truejager1   sun mar 21 2010 at 12:26 pm         ·  I am neither a U of L fan, or a Kentucky fan. Ricky P is a great coach. Calipari is a great coach. What people need to start realizing is that the playing field is leveling out. There is enough talent that any team can win or loose. This years tourny has proved it. Of 5.1 million brackets filled out on ESPN, there were only 56 left that were correct after the first day of play. I have not seen anything that says that anyone had the Jay Hawks loosing yesterday. Being a gambling man, I would beat that if the NCAA digs into Kentucky's program, there were some recruiting violations that went on. Just my thoughts. I am an Ohio State fan, so now you may all start to make fun. I am use to it.
	SweetAngel69   sun mar 21 2010 at 3:21 pm         ·  Actually the first game is going to be against Duke...this was said like a month ago
	GtownGuy   sun mar 21 2010 at 5:14 pm         ·  I heard that the Rick was a womanizer as soon as he moved to Louisville - perhaps a reason that Joanne has never even bothered with creating a life in this town. That, plus it may be that the Rick sees "arranged marriages" as a solution to certain problems - like how to get a bimbo off his back, and how to appear a "straight" arrow while enjoying a friendship with, YES!, a brother-in-law! And that brother-in-law's death on 9/11 is when I saw the spark and the drive begin to ebb out of the Rick. As many who mourn a great loss, his priorities seemed to become less about basketball and maybe more about living life & "enjoying the game." BTW, I don't think Karen will be permitted to have any input in her trial. Bet it all will be very cut & dried, no "sensation." Nothing she has to say - or wants to say - will be permissible. And what we already know of her "excuses" for her illegal actions will be both ridiculed and damning.
	(Eric)   sun mar 21 2010 at 6:27 pm         ·  What And The F Does HIs Trial Have To Do With Anything. You Can't Talk Down About Someone Thats Doing Way More Than You In THe Same City. HEs A Legendary Hall Of Fame Coach. And Your Ignoranat Self Is Gonna Talk About How A Blonde Bimbo Tried To Extorant Pitino Cuz She Wanted Pitino Bread And Tried Gettin It On Top Of His Taliwhacker. When Your A Hall Of Fae Coach. BAsketball Is Your Life. His Son Is In Basketball As Well. I Know This Cuz My Cousin Is The Equipment Manager Of The B Ball Team. Thats Like Saying Johnny Cochran Should Have PAid More Attention To His Life Instead Of Being A Multi Millionaire Attorney. Basketball Is A Lifestyle Not A Choice
	SomethingAlways   sun mar 21 2010 at 9:38 pm         ·  Why do you capitalize every word?
	just here   mon mar 22 2010 at 12:25 am         ·  I think Rick did a great job this year with what he had to work with. Sosa really did cost us alot of games and most of you diehard U of L fans must have forgotten last year and the fact that we have been to two elite 8s back to back. We need to back our coach during the bad times just as we did during the good ones.
	Brian8605   mon mar 22 2010 at 12:39 am         ·  Coach Cal is about to take a program that was in the NIT last year to a national title, rick just cant get the recruits anymore, hes been there 10 years 1 final 4, 2 NIT trips a few elight 8's. I think it may be time for him to hang it up
	Mr. Sweat   mon mar 22 2010 at 8:20 am         ·  First off I am not a Louisville fan. But I am so sick of hearing this bashing, negative, and out-right loser attitudes coming from the Cardinal fans. Come on guys, you have to look forward and not back, do you really think they you players do not read the crap you say about them? They certianly do, and if you do not know, they are adversly affected by your comments. Evey little word you say here or anywhere else is found in the media, then it finds it's way to they. you have to have faith in the team no matter what. As for this Talk about this luSypher, gold digging fluzzy, That Rick's business. How in the hell do you associate this with the team? I don't think she slept with the whole team in the resturant(though she is obviously a skank and likely would have given the chance). But this is his problem, he is a proffessional and this will not keep him down for long. But you will break him! It's just like what happened with Kentucky and Tubby Smith, fan complained and gave him all kinds of hell them he left UK in a bind and look what they had to go with for several seasons. You guys need to lay off Rick and his personal life. Unless you are sleeping with him, who he does sleep with is really none of your damn business. Suport your Cardinals! hell! I am die hard UK fan and I am in support of them right now! but listening to you fair-weather fans reminds me of why I am Wildcat fan!
	GDAWG   mon mar 22 2010 at 10:57 am         ·  I'm going to reserve judgement until this mythical #1 2011 recruiting class comes in. With the youth and talent on this years team plus what is expected to sign. Ul should be a top 10 team in 2 years. Couple the talent with Rick not wanting to be upstaged by Calipari he should have a great team...if he doesn't it won't be for a lack of trying it will be because he has nothing left in him. At that point he'll part ways with UL
	GDAWG   mon mar 22 2010 at 12:16 pm         ·  No doubt he's been upstaged already but you best believe Pitino will do all he can to prevent it from happening in the future because he is not one to live in someone elses shawdow for long. If he can't get back on top this time..he's done.
	GDAWG   mon mar 22 2010 at 12:45 pm         ·  I bet you know about vacated final fours, cash in envelopes and cheatng on SAT's <wink>
	SomethingAlways   mon mar 22 2010 at 12:45 pm         ·  So far, the 2011 recruiting class has verbals from the #2 SG and the #3 center in the country.
	dirty d   tue mar 23 2010 at 12:15 am         ·  rick is one of the greatest coaches out there. he is u of l. just like he was uk. id give anything to see him in blue again.
	Mr. Sweat   tue mar 23 2010 at 9:19 am         ·  Excuse me...Rick Pitino never was UK! With all the National championships UK has and all the final four appearances of UK, Rick is only responsible for 3, while kentucky has been to more than every program except UCLA and quickly closing in on them. UK was U K long before Pitino and will be U K long after Calipari. As for him being U of L that is still Deny's title. Rick came in and turned the program around for certian, but U of L was already established they just needed a new tactic! Rick IS that tactic. Come on guys, he's a northerner in Kentucky, they have a tought time adjusting to life in the border state, the women are prettier, the days seem to last longer..... Rick Pitino is alright and so is U of L just have had some disapointments in picks of late, they will be strong very soon.
	dirty d   tue mar 23 2010 at 1:15 pm         ·  he is a great coach and ill always like him. wether he is in louisville, lexington, or back in te nba.