I know this sounds like a terrible title, so let me explain why I think this Louisville sex scandal could make Cardinal basketball better. I certainly don’t think it’s a good thing, in fact, I’m heartbroken by the whole story and ashamed of the possibility that even a small part of the story could have happened.
The news that a local prostitute has attacked our Louisville Basketball program has taken our town by storm. And as bad as it seems, there could be a positive ending. I’m an optimist and here why I think this Louisville Sex Scandal Will Make Cardinal Basketball Better.
Remember back in 2012 when Rick Pitino was dealing with another money hungry female trying to extort money from him? If I recall correctly, that was the first year in history, that our Louisville basketball program had a number one ranking going into the NCAA tournament, and the Cardinals went to the final four that year. Then the following year in 2013, after being dragged through the whole Karen Sypher circus, what happens to Rick Pitino? He won it all and brought home the NCAA championship trophy to Louisville.
Rick Pitino has a way to deal with adversity, and his quotes made Saturday at the Red-White Scrimmage game in the KFC Yum! Center show exactly what he plans to do during this difficult time. He will handle it the same way as he did back in 2012 & 2013. Rick Pitino and the players will work, work!
Coach Pitino said…
“The best thing I can do is just immerse myself and just work, work, work until I pass out, And I’ve got to do that. So certainly, getting in these environments, just thinking basketball and watching basketball is great therapy for all of us.”
“These players had nothing to do with any of this, It’s not their problem. Their problem is to play basketball for Louisville. You had two guys transfer to come here and learn what this is all about, to play at this level, and they’re very excited about it. You’ve got young players improving. You’ve got young guys who are very excited to be here. And we’ve got to make it, it’s my job to make them feel great about what they have. . . . We told them, it’s not your concern. I’ve been told to coach basketball and not do anything else, not get involved in this. And I’ll do that.”
“I spent the whole summer coaching basketball, waiting to get back to this, So, I’d be misleading you if I didn’t say the air was let out of the balloon, I was so excited to get back, then woke up one morning and this all hit. But that being said, the strong survive, the tough get tougher and it’s my job to administer spirit and positive emotion, and make sure people don’t get down. That’s my job, what I get paid for. So we’ll do that. And we’ll move forward in the right way. . . . You own up to your mistakes if you’ve made them. And that’s got to be done, and we’ll take it from there. But right now you’ve seen one side. There needs to be another side, and that needs to come out.”
Coach Pitino isn’t concerned about the fallout with recruits. He said.
“We’ll just show them honesty; We’ll tell the truth. Like I’ve said, only one side has come out right now, and I think the truth will come out. So we’ve just got to be patient, let the investigators do their job, and move forward.”
I believe the book author Katina Powell will be exposed for what she is, and the NCAA will not find any wrongdoing by Pitino or the University of Louisville. I don’t see this negatively affecting recruiting, the recruits are smart, they will see beyond the accusations of a fame-seeking prostitute.
In the end, maybe Rick Pitino will hang another banner in the Yum Center.
