Nothing else matters until after Sunday

by Mike Rutherford on Jan 2, 2009 12:19 PM EST in Basketball Comment 16 comments

I don't think I have to tell you that things suck right now.

It sucks that a team which was justifiably ranked third in the country to start the season is now about to fall out of the top 25 before having played its first conference game. It sucks that we're losing to inferior squads in December for what feels like the 15th straight year. It sucks that there never appears to be a leader when this team takes the floor. It sucks that Terrence Williams still thinks he can win games with his jump shot. It sucks that Earl Clark still feels like he can take 8-10 minutes off every game and think he can get away with it. It sucks that Edgar Sosa still doesn't appear anywhere close to getting it. It sucks that we're getting nothing out of Jerry Smith. It sucks that Samardo Samuels remains convinced that he's 6-foot-4. And it really sucks that all of this is taking place in a year where the Big East is going to be less merciful than it's ever been before.

But the time to debate and discuss all of this is not upon us. When Kentucky is the next name on the schedule, there's nothing else worth worrying about.

Fly the Card flags, bring the noise at work, wear red everywhere.

Go Louisville, beat Kentucky.

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I know it's hard to stay positive

I think we’re going to win big Saturday. There is no way this team is going to shut down. I don’t think we are as far off from where we need to be as everyone thinks. Pitino is getting all of the players attention with these loses. I hope for a similar finish as last year. We have way too much talent not to make a run and Pitino is too good of a coach. 11 conference wins is the magic number. If we can win 11 Big East games, then who knows what can happen.

my prediction:

Louisville 73 UK 59

by DANCARD on Jan 2, 2009 1:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Slump-Buster

UK is going to be that ugly chick that gets us ready for the hot one’s (Big East). Confidence is what we lack and let’s hope UK delivers it to us. Nothing is better than beating your rival and starting a role.

by Pitino's Pal on Jan 2, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and the congregation said...

“Amen!”

by quiet cardinal on Jan 2, 2009 6:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

K Mike...

…how do you REALLY feel? No, seriously, how do you feel about the rest of the season? Granted we suck right now, but…

by JustCards on Jan 2, 2009 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

its all about staying positive...

have any of you read the book Rebound Rule 2.0 by Rick Pitino with Pat Forde????

this isnt a plug to get you to buy it… but I have been reading it and its basically all about positive reinforcement one way or another…

we have to stay positive… we have to believe we will win… we have to believe the “bad” shots will “START” to fall…

i mean seriously… how can teams we play drill shots with guys in thier faces but we cant hit one with nobody near… its confidence… and why he hasnt gotten these kids to believe yet in unknown to me but hopefully soon….

Clifford

by JimmyClifford on Jan 2, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I always think the same thing

Every time I watch a game, the announcers talk about how we hold teams to the lowest percentages of shooting in the nation, especially from the three, and I just don’t see it. The other teams always seem to make just the right shot when they need them, whether or not they’re open (and most of the time, at least from long range, they’re not). I just don’t get it.

by CARD_G6 on Jan 2, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

remember,

in the Denny Crum days they would always start slow and finish strong. They aren’t playing as tough a schedule but they have played a tournament type schedule. I think he’s building this team and luckily he has enough talent to do it. I think the key will be T-wills shot selection and getting TJ going. TJ brings another level of athleticism that most teams can’t match.

by DANCARD on Jan 2, 2009 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

If I were Pitino, whenever I saw Samuels struggling I’d go right to Terrance and tell him that the job can be his if he plays well enough… I mean he can’t be worse

by sam34gtr on Jan 2, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see you all talking up TJen

Over at cbs sportsline, I’m the one touting him the most. Seems like I’m the only one. I think we need his [courtside] beastiality to shake up Patterson. Otherwise Patrick will be pushing Samardo around and getting in his head.

by 97E3LPL on Jan 4, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What are we gonna do

when we face teams like Pitt and G’Town and UConn, with their strong interiors? I think if I was RP I’d be drilling on 3-pointers night and day. Yikes. Did you see Pitt today?

by CardsFanTX on Jan 3, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Settle on a plan, Rick

I’m not all that optimistic about the game, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. I would think that talent will eventually show itself, but it never did in 2007 with the football team. Regardless of tomorrow, I want to see Rick put an end to the Jedi mind games. He needs to reign in Twill’s desire to shoot perimeter shots. I also think Sosa needs to get a chance to redeem himself. I know that’s a controvesial point, but I think he can play. Pitino just has his mind screwed up. Rick also needs to get Jennings into the fray, or stop recruiting guys like him.

Settle on a rotation.

McGee
Sosa
Williams
Clark
Samuals

Sosa, Knowles, Jennings, Delk off the bench.

by Whacker77 on Jan 3, 2009 6:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

jerry? has he fallen that far off the map?

by quiet cardinal on Jan 4, 2009 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops!

I wrote Sosa and meant to write Smith. Sosa should come off the bench.

by Whacker77 on Jan 4, 2009 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let 'em play

I think teams with lots of pure athletic talent and no floor leadership have to be let loose. RP might be overthinking this. Let them play fast and loose and with joy of the game. Not a head full of “in this situation I have to play this role and in that situation I have to play that role.” This just might not be a team that responds to a cerebral style of play. At this point, does anyone honestly think things will get worse if RP backs off and let’s go a bit? I think he runs the risk of shutting them down completely if he goes the other direction.

by CardsFanTX on Jan 3, 2009 11:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Calapari way

eh?

by sam34gtr on Jan 4, 2009 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well yeah

whatever works for this group. Memphis went to (and should have won) a Championship with Calapari. Sometimes I think RP tries to force square pegs into round holes, if you know what I mean. It might be backfiring on him this year.

by CardsFanTX on Jan 4, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs