Sad

2009 can't end fast enough for Louisville basketball. The karma in basketball universe seems to have it's middle finger pointed at Pitino's Cards after last season's run concluded with a thud. Some may have found his post-game comments to be a refreshingly honest departure for the infamous spinmeister, but I found them irksome. He seemed to be going for the wizened basketball wizard angle, one who's seen it all and isn't the least surprised with our embarassing start to the season. The team's decline in talent-level should be a concern for the coach, not an excuse for his failure. Isn't ensuring no jarring drops in ability a tad in his wheelhouse? What's worse, Pitino offerred little hope for getting better except for the possible arrival of Marquis Teague in 2011. I don't want to be impatient lest I get slapped with the label of being an unrealistic and overdemanding fan, but I don't think the city is going to be too happy waiting two seasons for the return of solid basketball.

Yes, the talent level is down, but there's certainly enough on the roster to take care of Charlotte and Western Carolina. For whatever reason, the players don't appear to be buying what Rick's selling. In the past the players would talk about Pitino like a cult leader, fully bewitched, fully confident in his formula for winning basketball. And they enjoyed carrying out their orders. This team seems to be tuning out its coach, doubting themselves, their teammates, and their game plan. I don't know what's going on. Most worrying, for the first time, I'm not sure our head coach does either.