All Entries Tagged With: "Karen Sypher"
A Long Hot Shower May Help
If visiting fans and players feel a little soiled after the trip to Morgantown, West Virginia, consider how it affects the guys blowing the whistles.
- Bob Huggins taunting an official, practically demanding a second technical foul.
- The official feeling the heat, but not having the courage to follow through.
- Student section yelling “Karen Sypher” as if that has anything to do with anything.
- Jared Swopshire clearly getting knocked out of bounds but having a fifth foul called on him.
- Official ducking his head, missing the most crucial play of the game as the ball goes out of bounds.
- Three officials making the wrong decision after seeing a television replay showing the ball going off West Virginia fingertips. Should have been called a jump ball.
- Rick Pitino making the right decision not appearing on his post-game radio show. Difficult to avoid saying anything not fine-worthy about the stripes. Despite his intentions, Pitino may still have succeeded in getting the message across.
Louisville Basketball Off To Wobbly Start … Again
University of Louisville basketball fans have been here before, this very point in the early season, wondering why their team is not performing, losing to teams some would argue have no business even being on the schedule.
Some people hesitating to jump on Rick Pitino’s case, recalling similar starts in other seasons that wound up in Final Four and Elite Eight appearances. Others diving right in, believing Pitino has lost it, calling for the coach’s head.
Patience is a rare attribute among sports fans, especially when they are used to winning. What’s happening now is shocking, occurring eight months after Louisville finished No. 1 in the polls and was selected No. 1 seed in the NCAA basketball tournament.
The alleged reasons for the disappointing start abound. Take your pick:
- Loss of two first-round draft picks in the NBA draft, Terrence Williams and Earl Clark, the top scoring threats from last year’s team.
- Players again slow to comprehend the complexity of Pitino’s offense, but this time complicated by the Ralph Willard wrinkles.
- Pitino distracted by the Karen Sypher case over the summer, players losing respect for him.
- Players competing as individuals, not as a cohesive unit, more interested in upping personal stats than roleplaying.
- Players not that talented, reflecting lack of success in recruiting in recent years.
- Early season injuries … again.
Most likely the disappointing start is a combination of a number of factors. Much too early to start the blame game. Louisville has talented and physically-gifted players with loads of potential. Pitino will work every conceivable angle to get answers. He has been here before, absorbing the early hits, but eventually silencing and winning over the critics.
Louisville Football: Opening Game Memos
Okay staff. The big week has finally arrived at the University of Louisville. The football team is psyched. The die-hards are chomping at the proverbial bit. The fair weathers are even excited. Just a few minor details that need to be taken care of before the season opener:
- To Steve Kragthorpe: No defections this week.
- To Tom Jurich: For making the stadium expansion a reality, thanks. But a little more detail on the projected seating capacity would be nice. Like a number.
- To Howie Lindsey, Louisville Sports Report: Get a web cam focused on Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium expansion. Your office is just across the street for gosh sake.
- To K.C. Scull, stadium manager: Don’t place Porta Pots in the main walkway of the Green Lot. They stink and the lines are too long.
- To Kenny Klein, sports information director: Don’t allow Rick Pitino to goad you into releasing the basketball schedule this week … Hide the plug if anyone wants to hold a spontaneous press conference on any topic other than football.
- To Steve Kragthorpe: No cliches, before or after the game.
Pitino’s Presser May Only Prolong His Angst
Did Rick Pitino believe the local media wouldn’t use footage from the videotapes of his accuser’s interview with the police? Does he think his admonishments of the news media will discourage further exploitation of the situation involving Karen Sypher?
Why am I saying this?
Calls a news conference. Unloads on the local media. Calls the woman a liar again. In the process, reviving a local story that had fallen off page one, refocusing the local and national media spotlight on himself again.
The quickly convened news conference confirmed that Pitino was naive in thinking he would be spared by the media from embarrassing accusations. He was shocked and angry, furious that the local media would not ignore the tapes because everyone thinks the accuser may be more than a little crazy.
That’s simply not the way it works, coach. The media frenzy is going to be repeated every time Sypher makes a nasty accusation during the federal trial. Possibly over and over day after day. The local and national media are going to be all over it, the local stations, especially even if they embarrass themselves as they did today, breaking into regular programming with live coverage of the tapes.
Pitino said he had been told by his attorney not to say anything, told by the university not to say anything, and told by the “authorities” not to say anything. His remarks today may have given Sypher’s defense attorney very strong rationale to request another venue, causing further delay, making the case drag on longer than necessary.
He will regret it if this case is still around in November as he is beginning a new basketball season. Pitino should have heeded the advice, rather than telling the media how to do its job.
Sabbatical For Rick Pitino?
Yes, And Fans Will Like ‘Willie Ball’
By Tom Stosberg
It’s not that I don’t believe Tom Jurich when he says he’s one million percent behind his coach …it’s that you can never be that sure about anything. It’s like the kiss of death.
Okay, take a deep breath, Now let it out slowly. Good. Let’s talk.
It is my personal opinion that University of Louisville fans really are going to like “Willie Ball.” It is a very well-planned offense that focuses a great deal on guard play. It is designed to utilize a lot of outside shooting combined with very quick back door cuts. You will have to adjust to primarily a half court defense.
So now that we have cleared that up, here’s one more thing you will be glad to know: there won’t be any players standing around waiting for someone to do something. It’s fast motion. And the big men will all be going to the boards at the same time on every shot. It’s an extremely disciplined game along the lines of Duke and North Carolina.
Oh …uh …Willie Ball is Ralph Willard’s style of play and this season I honestly and truly think you’re going to enjoy it. Cue the Fight Song.
Never. Out Of The Question
By Charlie Springer
A sabbatical is the furthest thing from Rick Pitino’s mind.
Yes, it could get ugly when Louisville plays basketball on foreign courts over the next few seasons, especially in Lexington. There the big question will be whether UK fans despise Pitino more than they embrace John Calipari. You have to know Kentucky fans.
Like Bobby Knight, Pitino thrives on being the center of attention, preferably for winning basketball games over sex scandals. He’s back in the nation’s consciousness, collecting more ink than when he won a national championship. He’s embarrassed and humiliated, but the drama, oh the drama, and he’s playing the leading role.
Pitino wants to win a national championship at Louisville. He’s getting older. Any time away is wasted, harms him with recruits, and delays what he considers inevitable.
And finally, he will never allow the likes of Karen Sypher, an alledged extortioner driven by dollar signs and apparent contempt for the male species, to get the better of him. A victory over her in the judiciary arena and her allegations in the court of public opinion are now just as important as any win on a basketball court.
