Providence Deals Louisville Humiliating 90-59 Loss

Pathetic. Embarrassing. I wish someone would please explain why RP is so damn stubborn. 2-3 defense played right into Providence’s hands and let them run down the clock on almost every possession and gave up so many 3s. I screamed at the TV: guard Cotton already! Box and 1? Man to man? What happened to our changing defenses that we started out the year with? Siva is on Planet X. I hope RP figures this one out, but I, for one, am very discouraged.

There is a cancer on this team, and my hunch is that is has to to with Ware. I have never ever liked the drama surrounding this young man, and for the last 4-5 games that he has played, he looked like a square peg in a round hole.
My 2nd hunch is with Russ Smith. Ever since the UK game, and his 30 point outburst this team has look disjointed.
Street ball does not fit this team, and I feel that Pitino is much likke Terry Francona of the Red Sox right now. His team is spiraling out of control, and Im not sure he knows how to regain control.
And to watch him on the sideline tonight….. something is eating at him and his early burst of anger an T tonight set the tone. He gave up.
His team quit on him. They quit on us. Our Cards are in disarray, and Im not so sure that Pitino has the tools to pulll teams together….just not sure that he or the players have the will to do so
Color me Embarassed and very worried

When you make a comment on the UofL FB page about 75% of the team being abducted by aliens in the last 2 weeks and UofL likes it..

They need to figure this funk out and fast..

This may end up parroting Mike/get lost in the shuffle but I just want to get some stuff off my chest.
I’m embarassed to be a Louisville fan right now. It’s gotten so bad UK fans have actually asked what the fuck is going on with our team. I don’t know if the problem is with Ware, with Pitino, with Senior Leadership, or something else, but it’s blatantly obvious to everyone that this team is not right. I know it’s still early, but this is beginning to look like a lost season. One of the more heartening things tonight was seeing Bullet, Hendo, and Nunez work their asses off when they got in the game. If a Louisville team doesn’t win because they’re just not good enough? Fine, I can accept that. If a Louisville team quits, you’re not just letting your teammates down, you’re letting the rest of us down. I don’t say this to pour added pressure on the guys (if any of you are read…Hey Mrs. Henderson!), but I wish they knew how we feel.

It’s time to play for what is on the front of the Jersey. I know what it’s like to not like people you work with, but you’ve got to put your differences aside. We know you’re all better than this, we know what you guys are capable of, and I think that there is some tiny hope you guys will turn it around and give us all the season we had hoped for. If not, at least go down swinging.

Rick Speaks

Can we lock them in Minardi Hall and not let them out until they hug it out? (locking them in the gym to put up shots is step 2)

Looking forward to kickoff on 9/1.

These losses are really nothing new. Remember getting blown out to TCU on the road in the C-USA days? The problem is, while Pitino has shown he can piece the team together in February, he has very little to show for it in March. I don’t like to judge a team based solely on its tourney showing, but if Pitino doesn’t make a deep run this year the calls for a replacement will be justified. #OccupYum

Not talking Pitino, but from within the team. Kuric is a mime, Chris Smith is worried about his bball future, Swop is Swop, Rock is not the same post injury, and I’m almost averaging as many points as Siva over the last few games.

I’m not going to say anything about the 10-15 incoherent “pitino and the team sucks” fanposts that will spring up between now and the next 12 hours.

Go for it, boys. enjoy it.

Normally I’m cheery and upbeat, but this has taken the wind out of my sails…. This needs to be fixed now.

literally not moving and Siva took some questionable shots. It’s almost as if he said screw it if you guys aren’t even going to try to get open I’m just going to shoot

Chris Smith said everyone needs to come together and play harder. You would think being “together” would have happened by now.

Charlie Strong will you please intervene? Or bust some heads? Its whichever at this point.

On a side note I sure am glad I didnt get them Louisville tattoos, wait……..fuck……… Looks like long sleeves till football, dammit. #boneheadecision

the players have to come together. There’s only so much the coaching staff can do. The guys don’t seem like they are comfortable with each other on the floor. I don’t know how that could change so much from the beginning of the year. It starts with Siva. He’s your point guard. He’s your leader. He sets the pace. If he’s clearly not interested and playing stupidly, the rest of the team follows. His 4th and 5th fouls were incredibly stupid. His 5th looked like an excuse to get out of the game. He looked like a spoiled brat on the bench after. I don’t know what’s happening. It’s up to the 15 guys or whatever to figure it out.

I could tell from the tip-off that we were not really there. I’m hate to say it but that’s not a good sign. I watched a couple Denny Crum teams that never could get it together. Flamed out in likewise fashion. Something changed recently. I ‘m not sure what it is but as a troubleshooter by nature it has to be one of the new additions or Pitino trying to make things fit when they are not ready. Anyway, I hope it straightens out or I may be watching a lot of wish-I wasn’t-here games.

When I need to walk away from it all for a while. It is amazing how much I can let our team impact my mood. Going to step back from the site for a few days to try to garner some perspective.

Good insight on tonight’s poor play

place where there are no outside influences. Only the guys and their sleeping quarters. Next you get them plastered and put them in a cricle. Every guy gets a chance to go to the middle of circle and get whatever they want off their chest. They get their chance to talk about whatever they want. These dudes need to open up to each other and build some trust and unity. Fucking cry to each other. Whatever it fucking takes!

we gon’ make it ppl. its rough out here right now, but as fans we HAVE to hold our team up while they’re down. if we quit on them, what excuse do they have then? No Retreat, No Surrender.

I got a TON of emails on Tuesday night after the UofL loss to Providence. I read many of them on the air but not all. so I’m reprinting every email I received, unedited and in the order I got them. enjoy!

Got Pitino? I wish Louisville didn’t.

This team is a pile of crap and there is no one to blame but Mr. 15 seconds. He recruited these jokers. Don’t let anyone tell you this team is deep either. The only reason he can play 10 tens is due to the fact they all have the same level of suckiness.
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OMG!!! What a clown show. All we need is to see Siva, Buckles and Swopshire in a little car with a bucket of confetti and an exploding cigar!!! 11 years of Pitino and this is the best he can do? How can any of these guys earn a college scholarship?????

When does Spring football practice begin?
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Would love to hear you address a few things on the show tonight:

1. Sosa……I mean Siva what happened to him?

2. Why do Zach Price & Angel Nunez get no clock at all even when the rest of the team looks lost?

3. Why would any good freshman EVER come to Louisville after watching what happens to freshman here?

If I were any team recruiting against Louisville my only line would be:

“Show me the last freshman that went to Louisville and had a great first year”
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Was that a promise when Pitino said he wouldn’t coach after his contract is up? What a bad product to sell to the public.

After U of L’s abysmal game tonight, I’m thinking of taking Coach Pitino’s advice and start drinking more wine and going to bed earlier. Do you have any good books you’d recommend I read to pass the time? And please don’t say Rebound Rules: The Art of Success 2.0.
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I am not as concerned with the loss as I am what happens next. The season is now 14 games long plus Big East tourney. How Pitino responds to changes that have to be made, how this team rises to the challenge, and whether he gets Nunez, Ware, and even Blackshear in sooner to help with the scoring will tell us what we have. I will be happy if we win 10 of the last 14 and at least 2 in the conference tourney. Hopefully a 4or 5 seed in the dance. If we can’t get those goals then I will give Pitino 1 more year for a final four or he’s out. This team was over rated early, found where they should be at 14 and now this is where the whole season is in balance. Bottom line there is no reason, no reason for keeping offense on the bench. I would trade 3 for 2 all night long. I think Providence just proved that. I still think the pieces are there for a special team and Rick is a special coach now lets see him motivate and create and think outside the box where he used to be. Glenn from Georgetown KY. P.S. I am a cards fan when they are good and bad they are my team emotion aside they can be really good if they figure out what they are doing they look lost, fatigued, and afraid to lose instead of playing to win.
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I have never called or emailed but am a season ticket paying fed up fan.

Anyway, in 11 yrs Pitino has yet to come close to putting point guard in NBA. I am very curious to see what UNC. UK. KU DUKE etc have done. Not siva or sosa problem… Pitino system problem Bottom line is Pitino has lost ability to get top talent and consistently produce offense.

All that coupled with numerous miscommunication such as he will be out all season, UL will never be out of top 10, xyz player is not ready, so in so doesn’t know scouting report (who cares, can he play and SCORE!).

Grade for 11 yrs when we all were thinking championship when plane landed 11 yrs ago. C- a gift

Porcini’s. At the end of the day, how much did that night cost us-HONESTLY?
12 tourney wins in 10 years….1.2 wins per year….
This team is done with him. The fans are done with him. It’s about time.
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Do you still insist that this a NCAA tournament team? As a 44-year Cardinal fan, I have been saying since last year that this is the least talented group of players since Denny’s last team. Last year’s 25 wins were based on many lucky bounces. This year, those lucky bounces will fall the other way. The worst part of this is the ridiculous hype by local and national media even as the Cards stunk up the place. Kudos to Dick Vitale and myself for calling a skunk a skunk from the beginning.
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Tonight’s Game: Simply an OLD FASHIONED ASS-WHIPPING

Tailspin Tommy, rock bottom, no way to go but up; wait, maybe they’ll stay at the bottom and drown.

I have no ideas.
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Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Brett Farve. All of these men were the best in their sport when they were in their prime. But all of these men could not retire when they should have, and tried to stay in their sport much longer than they should have.

So my question is… IS Rick Pitno in the same position? He was great in his prime, but his prime is past and it’s time to move on?

… Turns out Karen Sypher is the lucky one. She doesn’t get to watch Pitino-ball in the penetentiary!!!!!!

To me it seemed like Rick the game away for Providence in honor of his 1987 Final Four. His tie was gray and black, Providence colors. Pitino’s body language and expressions even seemed different. Its like he gave up coaching going into the second half. Its ironic that yesterday during his press conference he was going on about how his Providence team made him believe he can come back from any deficit and yet tonight he gave up coaching the guys in the first half. He sat on the bench most of the game like a bump on a log.

Louisville fans have no reason to worry. Eric Crawford assured us last April the program is in the best shape it’s been since 1986. Stay calm. There’s nothing to see here.
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Lachlan Rick has lost this team his negativity is ridiculous. I believe his system is wearing on the guys especially siva. When siva made that 5th foul I knew the team was fully done. I’m tired of the excuses 1 final four in 11 years doesn’t cut it and 12 tourney wins total doesn’t either. Before the season it was elite 8 an as cardinal fans we should stick with that. If people believe think Rick is guaranteed to be here then your wrong if Denny can get forced out so can Rick.

This team has shown zero passion lately and their home performance has been shaky against solid teams. They are 13 – 4 and 1 – 3 in the Big East.

Where will the wins come?

Depaul – W
@ Marquette – L
@ Pitt – L
Villanova – W
@ Steon Hall – L
Rutgers – W
UConn – L
@ WVU – L
Syracuse – L
@ Depaul – W
@ Cincy L
Pitt – W
So.Fla – W
@ Syracuse – L

That’s 6 – 8 the rest of the way. 19 – 12 and 7 – 11 in the Big East. That’s not much room for error.

Thoughts?

P.S. – if they lose to DePaul, they’re done.
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Lach Pitino has not forgot the game. You know when they tell someone they are over qualified for the job? Well Pitino has tried to become an “innovator” with stats, scouting reports, deflections & so on. His mentor HUBBIE BROWN does all this stuff in the NBA. Pitino should understand the big difference though? 80something games vs 30something? OVERKILL INNOVATOR!
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It’s obvious Rick’s prime has past him by. Once upon a time Michael Jordan was the best player in the game but he did not know when it was time to move on; I believe that’s where Rick Pitno finds himself now. He was great in his prime, but his prime has past.

Pitino’s favorite quote: “players and fans live in a microwave society”. May be true, but I don’t recall a microwave taking 10 years to cook anything….

Re: Pitino’s Post Game Audio]

Compare that attitude to the attitude of Charlie Strong after the loss where he was furious and ranted about how bad the team was playing and how furious he was with the performance.

Maybe Pitino needs to take losses as hard as Charlie Strong does!

Whoever wants it more will get it and it is obvious that Pitino doesn’t want it bad enough.
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I haven’t heard any of your callers mention the possibility of big locker room issues amongst this team. Didn’t Kevin Ware dad post something on Facebook about “getting Siva’s bum ass off the floor” during/after the Notre Dame game? Of course it’s Rick’s team and I am so frustrated seeing this horrible offense game after game, but the locker room issues (if they exist) may be something even a head coach can’t fix.
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Hey Lach, What will the Louisville fans think when Ky. plays in the Yum center in the NCAA and U of L plays at Freedom Hall on the Ky. painted floor in the NIT.

Re: New Louisville Slogan

“Louisville First, if you turn the Big East standings upside down.”
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The Louisville offense looks like a Gillispie offense with Siva playing the role of Joe Crawford running into the lane and praying that he either gets fouled or finds an opening.

Tubby had this problem at Kentucky. He got good players but they didnt always amount to their full potential. Tubby wanted his style no matter what and ruined a guy like Rajon Rondo that liked to go full speed but instead had to play the half court offense. Rick seems to be doing this with his players. He wants his style no matter what even if its at the expense of a win. This was borderline Gardner Webb for Louisville and with all the players getting hurt im beginning to wonder if Billy Gillispie snuck in the door somewhere.

He has no plays on offense the game has flew by him, hes got to go. This is not an ncaa team and hes got knocked out in the first round two years running if they make it, it will be 3 years. Thats the truth. Kragthorpe jr. He has got to go

-Please take perspective on this year’s team. Dieng is still learning the game of basketball. Buckles knee has never fully healed from his initial injury. Siva is forcing things as well as R. Smith doing the same. We are seeing now how much Preston Knowles meant to this squad. Our fan base got excited off a weak pre Big East schedule. Quit trying to campaign aganist 19 and 20 year kids who play their hearts out every night. They just aren’t finding chemistry. This team requires a team meeting by Kuric and C. Smith to discuss putting their heads together to right the course of the ship. Let Pitino shake up the lineup and things may come with letting Siva come off the bench and start Russ Smith again. Pitino has produced two final Eights and a Final Four in 2005. Being provactive by saying “Pitino is getting negative in his old age” (paraphrased) is just you stirring the pot. He works hard and wants good things. You will being eating crow come March Wahoo. Your alma mater has not seen any Ralph Sampson or Curtis Staples in a few have they…..

You seem to be at your best when you can criticize U of L….it’s like you really enjoy kicking them rather than supporting them…but you know what, I and many many others really enjoy simply turning you off the radio…go back to where you belong A C C
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Crums last ten years at UL and Pitinos tenure at UL are no different. If he did not do what he did at UK he would not still be at UL. Pitino runs the UL.

I’’m a huge fan and I love your show because you cover both teams very well. First off I’m a huge UK fan but at the same time I hate this for UL. Rick has to stop recruiting upper east coast point guards. The reason is the great point guards have developed in other areas and they aren’t all from the streets of the Bronx. Not to be a typical cats fan but Rick would have never looked at John Wall since he was from NC. My second point is Rick devolps a game plan and refuses to change whether his team is up 20 or down 20. Honestly he is a better coach than that but he has to be able to “role with the punches.” I’m sorry but this is the one and done era. Pinto has to realize that UL is not a premiere acadmic institution nor is it a place where a player that is a one and done wants to play because it’s not a place where he will let them play. Coach K can do that becaause he develops players over for years and he has also won a gold medal with pro players in the Olympics. Rick tears them down where they can’t handle 4 years at UL. Is Coach Cal the greatest coach? No, he is no, but at the same time he realizes what he has on his squad and he uses them for the time that he has. Thats why he recruits them because he has execpted this time in college basketball and he can deal with that.Take for example, Daniel Orton’s year. He was a second string 5 man last year and was a first round pick. Players these days wants the money lets be real and if Rick can’t addapt to that then the people of Louisville are going to push him out of the city. If he wants to win THEN PLAY RUSS SMITH he gets them their points. I love your show Lach and I love how you keep a medium in this state

Read more: http://www.whas.com/pages/lach.html#ixzz1j7uPOrLT

It’s insulting to Edgar.

Louisville- 59. smh

very pathetic display of basketball….i do think louisville will get better but man this is year with the expectations of elite 8 to final 4 is back to hoping just to get to the tourney.. again pitino has to go… jurich is a great ad who can get someone in there that can get u guys back on track… pitino is done.. argue it if u want but the man simply is past his prime

Brad Stevens
Wojo
Steve Robinson
7.5 million a year? You dont think we cant get a coach in here? Please.

Louisville baseball starts next month. Thank GOD!!

This burns so bad like that one time I got gonnerhia, however I still feel like we will right this ship, surprise some people & EARN an at large nom. to the tourney & at minimum, make Sweet 16. How? Not sure, but this is my positive spin on negative shit.

Unlike Mike. I think we’ve seen that even faced with the pressure of breaking the gnome, Depaul Day will not falter. It may not be pretty, we may only win by a few points, but it’s Depaul Day, and it’s our holiday.

This team isn’t even close to the team we had last year. We might have a lot of the same players but that is where the similarity ends.

Good Changes from Last year
Chane Behanen

Bad Changes from last year
1. Preston Knowles – Huge hole was left when he left. Our whole way of playing offense changed when he walked out the door.

2. Terrance Jennings – We actually had a back up at the 5 with Gorgui and Van Trese, this year we have no 5 back up and when Gorgui gets in foul trouble we bring in two 4’s to take his place. I see this as a huge deal

3. Mike Marra – Say what you want about this guys shooting being on again, off again but he was a very athletic long player that was a great passer and knew Ricks System really well. He was the back up to the 3 spot and now we have none. Not to mention the heart and passion he played with every game, this team is missing him alot.

4. A point guard that can shoot the ball – Big hole left by preston. Coming in to the season we thought Siva had this down, but this is far from the case. When the Point is not a threat to shoot it makes everything else about our Offense easier to handle by even the basic Defense. Prestons ability to shoot the 3 and the Midrange jumper is what made it possible for guys like Kuric and Chris Smith to get open looks. Those 2 guys don’t have the ball handling ability to create their own shots, but they thrive when shooting off the pass from a point guard that draws the defense. Teams have learned that to stop the cards half court offense all they have to do is stay home on the shooters, force siva to drive, and play physical on the 4 and 5 spot.

5. Coaching – Sorry to say it, but I thought last year was the best coaching job I had ever seen. This year I feel like it’s the worst. Our players don’t seem motivated. Our incoming guys aren’t getting any playing time to develop, we haven’t developed Price into a back up 5 or Angel into a back up 3. Are defense went from looking really good to looking terrible. Our new all star badass recruit was allowed to gain 15 pounds in 2 months. Ware needs experience and confidence at the point and Rick keeps saying Siva needs time to heal his ankle. So why not sit siva to heal and take our lumps with Ware (we are taking our lumps anyways). It really seems like we are getting out coached in a lot of these games (I thought we were against Western also).

Justice, Russ, Chris, Kyle, Gorgui.

Yes Kyle is the 4 in this lineup.
I just want to see us Fight.
Go Cards