By Glypie Grider
Nearly 700 Cardinal basketball fans got a rare glimpse of what a men’s basketball practice is really like when Head Coach Rick Pitino opted not to partake of traditional Midnight Madness festivities Friday night in Cardinal Arena. Instead he showcased his team battling through suicide sprints, Pitino’s yelling, and hard drills during the first official practice of the season.
“Around the country tonight, teams have had their Midnight Madness,” Pitino told the crowd. “They’ve done dunks, three-point contests and horsing around. These guys have busted their tails tonight for two hours, and it’s not easy.”
Pitino cut the practice short by about 30 minutes because he said the players weren’t in good enough shape yet.
“They’re very sore right now, and they’re going to come in tomorrow tired,” he said. “They’re going to have back pains and spasms, and they’re going to cramp up.”
Senior Taquan Dean, a player who battled mononucleosis and cramps last season, was easily the most in-shape player for the Cardinals. The lone senior on the team, Dean also stepped up his leadership style during practice, pointing out mistakes to the underclassmen and walking them through the steps. Dean cheered and ran alongside freshman Jonathan Huffman when Pitino made him run punishment laps.
Returning players Brandon Jenkins and Perrin Johnson also stood out during the practice, but many of the freshmen struggled to get through the continuous running.
“The freshmen are lost. They’re going to have to get in there and learn it right away, but that can be good,” Pitino said. “If [Juan] Palacios and [David] Padgett were in there, we wouldn’t have to hurry the freshmen along.”
Pitino said Palacios should be back to practice in four weeks, and Padgett in three. Both are recovering from foot injuries. Junior guard Chris Current joined the list of injured when he turned his left ankle Friday during the practice.
Pitino said the team has a “tall task” ahead if they want to be as good as they were last season.
“It is apparent that these five freshmen are very talented offensively, and will be very good, but none of them are prepared for the defensive task ahead of them,” he said.
While many Cardinal fans are eagerly anticipating the Cards’ inaugural season in Big East play, Pitino said Louisville fans shouldn’t focus on them. “Right now we want you to talk football and the other sports. We want to stay below the radar screen. We’ll have our time and our day. Don’t worry about us right now.”
For those fans that can’t help but watch the men’s basketball program, there is another chance this month to catch the Cards in action. The Red-White intrasquad scrimmage is slated for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in Cardinal Arena. Tickets are $7 for U of L students. Call the U of L ticket office at 852-5151 for more information.
