Pitino: "Mike's thinking. Preston doesn't think. That's shooting."

On Bullet, specifically talking about his one-on-one drive: "That kid just surprises me every single time I watch him in these games."

Asked why the Cards shot such a bad percentage in the first half and high percentage in the second: "Well because Mike Marra went o for 9. Do the math." (cue laughter)

On Kuric: "I knew he'd give us a Syracuse type of game. I was positive." (cue laughter)

On the schedule: "I really think the schedule is helping us to become a good basketball team. This team more than anything else needed confidence."

On whether his expectations have changed: "I think its a bridge team, like I said. We're building something for the future. But I told you the future could be this year... This team probably has the best attitude of any team since I've been here."

On the team's chemistry: "It's all about "Louisville" on the front [of the jersey]. All these guys are thinking about is playing for Louisville. there's no agenda for them down the road. It's just playing for Louisville... This is the first team I've had where I've seen that. Where the total objective is to put that Louisville uniform on and give the best effort you can give. It's really a lot of fun to coach them."

After waxing poetic about U of L's tradition and describing a new intro piece, he turned to Kenny Klein: "Am I saying this correct? Don't just nod like a puppet."

And for good measure: "They say when you could give up coaching, you need to get out. When you could live without it, you need to get out... Very few actors could live without acting. Frank Sinatra couldn't get off the stage. I was thinking about that, and I want to come back as Kenny Klein. Sit at the scorer's table, with a Maker's Mark and soda, thinking its in a cup with a Diet Coke. That's what I want to come back as. See ya everybody."

Oh Ricky.