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Historically, college teams coached by Rick Pitino show adrastic improvement in their second year. At Boston University,Pitino’s second-year squad went 21-9 and made it to the NIT. AtProvidence, his second-year team went 25-9, making it to the NCAAFinal Four. At Kentucky, he went 22-6. One would therefore expectPitino’s second Cardinal team to fare no differently… and thoseexpectations should prove true.
This year, Pitino will combine last season’s determination andfight with a batch of talented newcomers to create a complete team.The coaching staff brought in players to fill all of thedeficiencies that hurt the squad last season. “We now have alegitimate basketball team in terms of numbers,” said Pitino. “Itwill be a lot more fun because we won’t be as limited offensivelyin what we can do.”
The team as a whole will also improve through intensecompetition in practices. Last year, Pitino often did not haveenough talent to test his starters’ skills in practice. That willnot be a problem this season. “Any first year, you’re going to havea limited number of players,” said Pitino. “A player knows hedoesn’t have to go beyond 100% because he’s going to get hisplaying time.” Under the coach’s system, there are no guarantees.Pitino determines who will play by how hard they practice each day.”True competition is when you have no idea if you’re going to play;it’s based on what you do each and every day and how youcompete.”
With the increase in depth and talent level, this year’s teamwill be able to run throughout the entire game and wear opponentsdown. “I think the most striking change in our basketball team isthe way we run the fast break,” said Pitino. “We are great on thebreak. We finish strong. We’ve got terrific athletes. We’re veryquick. We change ends as quick as anybody around. We’re going to bea very entertaining team.”
The greatest challenge this season will be for the Cards to wingames on the road. Last season, Louisville dominated inside FreedomHall, but only won three games away from the arena. With the talentand experience of this year’s squad, the road should not prove asdreary as it did last season.
Guards:
The guard position is the deepest on the team. If needed, theCards can go seven deep in the backcourt. Successful teams alwayshave a senior lead in the backcourt, and Louisville has one of thebest in the nation in Reece Gaines. Last year, he was Mr.Do-It-All, and this season, Gaines will excel from not having to doeverything himself. Without the burden of feeling that he has tocarry the team, Gaines will be free to penetrate and hand out moreassists. “He’s the life of the basketball team,” said Pitino.”Obviously, last year, why you are 19-13 is because of ReeceGaines.”
When Marvin Stone becomes eligible in December, Gaines will havea legitimate inside presence to throw to. “I like to pass,” Reecesaid. “It’s my favorite thing to do. My assist total will goup.”
Senior Erik Brown proved a valuable asset coming off the benchlast year. He will probably start at the beginning of the season,but by mid-December, look for him to once again provide the sparkin relief.
Prileu Davis is expected to start at the point position, and hewill bring junior college experience to the floor. Freshman TaquanDean is a pure shooter who can light it up from all over the court,and he may split time between point and off-guard. He will providescoring; however, his leadership skills still need to developfurther. Coric Riggs is athletic and will become eligible inDecember, but has yet to see action.
Juniors Bryant Northern and Alhaji Mohammed were two players whomost thought would see their playing time drastically decrease thisseason. However, in the Cards’ opening exhibition against EASports, they were the only Cardinals to play well and earn Pitino’spraise. Mohammed’s newfound strength allows him to be moreaggressive driving to the hole. Northern has always providedinstant hustle the minute he steps onto the floor, and as he hasdone throughout his career, he will continue to prove people wrongwhen they say his playing time will fall off. Under Pitino’ssystem, both players know the only limitations on playing time willbe brought on by themselves. “That’s the great thing about Coach,”said Northern. “I started games as a walk-on. Alhaji started gamesas a walk-on. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what’s yourreputation, no matter what you did in high school, it’s what you dohere.”
Forwards:
The forward position is the one that will change as the yearprogresses. Though he will start at center, junior Ellis Myles willmove to the No. 4 slot when Stone becomes eligible. Last season,Myles improved his physicality by trimming down and toning up. Thissummer, he concentrated on his mobility and shooting. “I reallyworked on my footwork over the summer, guarding Reece,” said Myles.At forward, Myles will be able to play his natural position. Hewill retain his rebounding domination while also adding scoring andassists.
Luke Whitehead completely rebuilt his shot over the summer.
Larry O’Bannon was Mister Cool, Calm and Collected last season,a player who quietly provided a steady hand and athletic play.Expect no difference this year. He will still be the player wholets his playing do the talking.
Otis George played sparingly last season, but the 6’9″ sophomorehas been a surprise in early season drills and could add to hisplaying time this year. George provides size and athleticism to thesquad, and his shooting has improved over the summer as well.
Anyone who has seen Joshua Tinch’s athletic ability on thefootball field will be counting the minutes until that season endsand he gets a round ball in his hands. Expect Tinch to show intensedefense and jaw-dropping dunks.
Junior Simeon Naydenov is a sharpshooter from beyond the arc,but his defense was lacking at times last season. This year,Naydenov may play the role of zone-buster to help pull opponentsaway from Stone under the basket.
Centers:
For the first time since the Samaki Walker era, Louisville willbe playing with a legitimate center when Marvin Stone becomeseligible. The ex-UK player should return to his early career formunder the new motivation and leadership of Pitino. “I think I’vegotten more comfortable here,” said Stone. “I think that hassomething to do with me working as hard as I have.” Stone willprovide rebounding, scoring and assists, and will thereby free upthe parameter for the Cardinal shooters.
Junior Kendall Dartez is athletic and big, but he will need toimprove his basketball skills as the season progresses. However, heshould provide welcome relief for both Myles and Stone in themiddle. Both big men have shown that they can run the court, whichwill be vital under Pitino’s full-court press.
