Perspective #1:
It was universally believed that when Rick Pitino was named Denny Crum’s successor, he would win another national title for the U of L.
He had already won one. I’ve been to the Final Four more than once. He coached two different NBA teams. He was generally considered one of the best in the business.
Advertisement
Pitino’s first team was thrashed in his second game at Oregon. 63-90. The season ended with an L at home against Temple in the NIT.
The following season, his strengthened Cardinals were crushed in Cincy 80-101. The season ended with a second-round loss for Butler, who beat the Cardinals by running the same high pick and roll on every trip down the court.
In their third season, one that ended with a first-round loss to Xavier, the Cardinals were manhandled at TCU, 46-71.
The Cardinals made their way to the Final Four the following year, but still suffered a seventeen-point loss at home to Memphis State, 68-85.
Capeche?
A dozen years passed until the third.
Advertisement
Pat Kelsey remains a neophyte mentor at this level. As insightful, energetic and innovative as it is, it is still a work in progress. There are gaps in the learning curve.
Their first two squads have been guard/outside, but oriented towards the interior.
Personally, I don’t know if this was intentional or if the Cards just failed in the recruitment/portal wars.
I have complete faith that Kelsey will rise to the occasion. List construction. Game planning.
I’m also sure it will take time and patience.
For his part.
And that of the fans, many of whom are willing to show dismay and disgust at the first missed triple.
Advertisement
* * * * *
Perspective #2:
Because I have access to posting personal takes and game stories, etc., I get asked my opinion on the Cardinals when I’m out and about.
As if he were an expert.
If only.
First I’m a fan. With a lot of experience watching many basketballs throughout my life.
I am not a wise man.
This year, when I’m asked about the Cardinals, I have the same answer. They are a good team, not a great team.
Due to the lack of interior volume and presence, the roof appears to be the second weekend. Not the Final Four.
Despite two dismal losses, Louisville remains in the top 15 to 20 in both computer and human polls.
As I wrote after falling in Kansas at that exhibit, the sky is not falling.
Advertisement
As Lenny Bruce said, “What should be is a lie.”
What is, is.
* * * * *
Perspective #3:
How any fan reacts to the fortunes of their beloved team is a personal choice.
My reactions are influenced by my position in life.
This becomes more acute as the years accumulate.
There was a time when a loss at Louisville would send me into a depression until a scoreboard showed 00:00 and the Cardinals with more points than the enemy.
Now I remember again the vow I made on the morning of April 9, 2013.
“Once upon a time the joke was that my tombstone said ‘He only wanted one’. I have three. From now on, it’s all salsa.”
Advertisement
I still get too nervous.
I notice the phone is silent after last night’s loss.
But at some point I realize that at the bottom of the ice cream bowl of my Cardinal worship there is still whipped cream, nuts, and cold fudge residue.
If there’s another cherry under that, it’s still my beating heart.
— cd kaplan