The Louisville Cardinals picked up a huge road win with a stunning, 66-60 upset of the No. 2 Syracuse Orange.
The Cardinals fell behind big from the opening whistle, but they kept their composure and rallied back to take control of the game.
They then nearly blew it in the final minute thanks to missed free throws and turnovers, but were able to eventually put it away.
Head coach Rick Pitino has to be frustrated with how inconsistent his team is, but at least they are showing some progress.
The win gives the Cardinals a key road victory over a very highly ranked opponent, which should help give their NCAA tournament hopes a big boost.
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 4:24 pm by steve
Reports broke out this week that current Louisville coach Rick Pitino was actively pursuing the head coaching position of the New Jersey Nets, who are looking for a full time coach to replace interim coach Kiki Vandweghe.
On Thursday, Pitino spoke out, actively denying the accusations to ESPN.
“There’s not an ounce of truth to it,” Pitino told ESPN.com’s Pat Forde.
“I have no interest, period,” Pitino said Thursday. “I’m done with coaching professional basketball. I’ve put the professional ranks behind me.”
This comes amidst rumors that Pitino may be wearing out on the college basketball game, especially given the harsh reaction he’s received on the road this season. After admitting to an affair this past offseason, WVU fans took it to a whole new level last week by chanting Pitino’s mistress’ name several times throughout the game.
“Because of what happened at West Virginia, I’m worn out?” he told ESPN’s Forde. “I’ve been on the road recruiting, I’ve been working 18-hour days, and I’m worn out because I went into a place where they denigrate everybody?”
Pitino says that he did speak with Nets president Rob Thorn at the funeral for former Knicks player Dick McGuire, but the conversation was funeral-appropriate, not job oriented.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 9:27 pm by bryan
Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino denies rumors that he has been in talks with the New York Nets about becoming their next head coach.
Pitino vehemently disputes the rumors and says that he has been there and done that with regard to coaching professional basketball.
Pitino has already had two stints in the NBA, coaching the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks for a few seasons before he was fired by both teams.
The head coach had made it clear in the past that he was not interested in returning to the NBA, but the attention that has been given to the allegations of infedelity have rocked his family.
He has made it clear that the allegations have been hell for him and his family, and some believe that a move to the NBA would help to ease some of that pain.
It also hasn’t helped that Louisville’s play has been uneven this year while rival Kentucky is roaring with the arrival of head coach John Calipari and top recruit John Wall.
at 6:43 pm by steve
