Rick Pitino says the University of Louisville basketball facilities are the absolute best in college basketball.
“When we show a recruit the 22,000-seat KFC Yum! Center, his mouth drops open and he says, ‘Oh, my God,’
“When he sees the new Yum! Practice Center, the reaction is ‘Oh, my God.’
“When he visits the Billy Minardi Residence Hall, again, ‘Oh, my God.'”
So with all the recruiting shortcomings Pitino has experienced since becoming head coach here, one has to wonder why U of L has experienced more than its share of frustration over the years. The answer is obviously not because of a lack of great venues.
None of the three facilities existed when Pitino arrived in Louisville in 2001. It could be argued that they still would not exist had Pitino decided to accept one of the jobs offered by Michigan or UNLV at the time.