On a day when the attention of basketball fans across the nation was focused on the college decision of a high school player from Huntington, West Virginia, some reminders:
The University of Louisville remains the national champion in college basketball. Being the national champion is what all the fuss is about, whether it be in Hazard, Ky. or Topeka, Kan.
UofL will return all but two players from the team that went 35-5 this past season, seasoned players accompanied by young and talented shooters.
The same coach who led his team to the summit, Rick Pitino, will be at the helm. With the same philosophy, the same game plan, going with players who believe in his system. A successful coach more in love with the game of college basketball than ever.
Players who have been there, tasted success, wanting to be here for a while, knowing what it takes to win a championship, meshing their team’s aspirations with their own, putting Louisville first. No shortcuts, no tipping the scales, no Kelly temps or hired guns, no looking past the present.
Because of its success, Louisville will be tested early and often next season, making the team stronger as the season progresses. No one expects it to be easy, competing for two national championships in a row.
As Gorgui Dieng would remind his former teammates, nothing good ever comes easy. This group of players thrives on demanding goals.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of U of L’s only other back-to-back Final Fours. Should the Cards reach a third straight, they would join a group of six schools who have achieved the feat eight times (UCLA and Ohio State each have two strings of at least three in a row).
Almost feel sorry for those people over at UK, having to start off with so many freshmen/greenies every season. They never really know what they’re going to get, may work, may not. With a coach like Calipari who will self-destruct sooner or later, they’re betting on a loser.