By Charlie Leffler
Pitino’s Late Night?
Dispite rumors in the media, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino says that he does not plan to give up his position at the University of Louisville to take over Jay Leno’s position on The Tonight Show. The Coach’s television show, in which he is joined by Terry Meiners, has been filled with many antics and attracted a lot of attention in it’s short run. And even though Meiners may resemble Paul Schaffer of the Late Show, the two have no plans on replacing David Letterman either.
“I am having a lot of fun,” said Pitino. “I haven’t had a lot of fun on coaches shows before. I’m having a little fun with this a little bit. We’re going to have Dave Ragone on tomorrow, I’m looking forward to that, a future Heisman trophy winner. Next week I’m going to try to get Sarah Nord to play our point guard one on one and watch how much work we need when she whips his ass.”
Wilkenson Likely to Transfer
Rick Pitino indicated on Saturday night that sophomore forward Mac Wilkinson would likely transfer to another school. “Mac is looking to other schools to transfer. Mac is a wonderful young man who has the misfortune right now of a new program he has Ellis Myles, Luke Whitehead, Otis George and soon to be Kendall Dartez, ahead of him.”
Pitino said that he explained to Wilkinson that because of the depth at his position it was unlikely that he would play at Louisville. “You have the ability to play 32-35 minutes somewhere. If you’re happy here, stay here, graduate, that’ great. If basketball playing time is significant to you, then look, you’re probably not going to play here. We don’t need your scholarship. We’re not going to sign another player. So, you just do what’s best for Mac Wilkinson. I talked to his mom, he said he’d look into other places. I said, this is your home, you’ll always have your home. Personally for me the most important thing is that players play. The most frustrating thing for a young athlete is to sit and not have the potential to play.”
Team Learning Self Discipline
Because of a violation of team rules, freshman point guard Carlos Hurt was suspended from playing in Saturday night’s championship game of the Jim Thorpe Classic. Hurt’s suspension marked the second player to sit out a game so far in the short season. Freshman Brandon Bender was also suspended from the Cards opening exhibition game against EA Sports. Yet, Pitino said that he is not a coach who administers uncompromising discipline with his players.
“Really, I’m not a big believer in sending messages,” said Pitino. “I’m a believer in reality. Whatever rule it may be. I don’t every suspend players, they suspend themselves. It’s clear cut; what I want of people as human beings, what I of people as basketball players, what I want of people as students, it’s clear-cut. And there’s not a whole lot of rules to it. I never suspend a player. They suspend themselves.”
