Reason why Louisville may have tanked

[lefty]

I got this from my son-in-law who's getting his master's there and works for Nelligan Sports Marketing who does all of U of L's stuff....

"quote"

I just got wind that there was a lot of "extracurricular" activities going on at U of L's hotel. The hotel was a mad house, players breaking curfew, players girlfriends in the same hotel as the team, bars open until 3:30am. I don't think the players were drinking, but obviously that affects preparation.

I was wondering why T-Will didn't play the last five minutes of the first half. Evidentally, there was a real nasty exchange between Pitino and T-Will. The team trainer, who has been with Pitino forever, said he was stunned Pitino let him in the second half because what was said was that bad, and in front of the team. It can't help the halftime adjustments when the coach and sole leader on the team aren't speaking!!

No wonder the 'Ville played so bad in the second half...and Pitino couldn't really do much about it.

[leebiddlecome]

Actually, pros don't really act like that. A lot of college teams have "pros" on their rosters and still win. It's a very gross generalization being made here.

Of course, all of this is hearsay anyway. I don't put much validity to it.

[Da Coach]

There are sources that suggest that Terrance Williams and Rick Pitino had words in the first half that lead to his benching, and that Williams pouted after that. He had possibly his worst game as Louisville lost.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090330/COLUMNISTS01/903300405/1002/SPORTS

[lefty]

Actually, pros don't really act like that. A lot of college teams have "pros" on their rosters and still win. It's a very gross generalization being made here.

Of course, all of this is hearsay anyway. I don't put much validity to it.

I think it's fairly reliable. My son-in-law has been there for the last two seasons...setting up for Pitino's radio show during the week as well as other things with both the football and basketball teams.
They treat those guys like royalty with their own dorms that aare very nicely equipped and there are always alot of women around there..

I'll find out more tonight

[real fan]

There was definitely something wrong as Louisville did not play even close to as hard as usual, how do you do that when you have a chance to go to the final 4?

[leebiddlecome]

I think it's fairly reliable. My son-in-law has been there for the last two seasons...setting up for Pitino's radio show during the week as well as other things with both the football and basketball teams.
They treat those guys like royalty with their own dorms that aare very nicely equipped and there are always alot of women around there..

I'll find out more tonight

I understand your point. But my point more had to do with those things as reasons they lost. Those guys have girls around all time. On campus, on the road. I don't think that would be to out of the ordinary. L'Ville isn't much different in that regard.

Louisville did play poorly that's for sure. But Michigan State also played great.

[mrcoachdude]

There was definitely something wrong as Louisville did not play even close to as hard as usual, how do you do that when you have a chance to go to the final 4?

arrogance?

[Braves4Life]

Louisville did play poorly that's for sure. But Michigan State also played great.

Good points lee. Maybe, just maybe, the incredible play of MSU is what made UL look terrible. Let's give some credit to MSU --the Izzo game plan, and the outstanding play of the MSU kids. I doubt if many of those MSU kids ever played so well in their life. Suton was a STUD, and the MSU 3-point shooting and ability to break UL's press (and ultimately their spirit) was the real key to this victory.

I'm pulling for an MSU/UNC final. To he!! with the Big East

[lefty]

I understand your point. But my point more had to do with those things as reasons they lost. Those guys have girls around all time. On campus, on the road. I don't think that would be to out of the ordinary. L'Ville isn't much different in that regard.

Louisville did play poorly that's for sure. But Michigan State also played great.

Agreed...just not usually with elite eight trip on the line...

I don't think it's the only reason at all by the way. Izzo had MSU well prepared and they played fantastic...

I've been rooting for Louisville in the tourney and actually hated it when they killed AZ.....I had a feeling that could happen.

[mrcoachdude]

Agreed...just not usually with elite eight trip on the line...

I don't think it's the only reason at all by the way. Izzo had MSU well prepared and they played fantastic...

I've been rooting for Louisville in the tourney and actually hated it when they killed AZ.....I had a feeling that could happen.

Lefty I had them as my Champion and when I saw how they were celebrating that W against Zona.....I hated it....taking it for granted..

[amckillip]

I think you'll find that partying/special treatment/attitudes are common at every school, including our own, it just never gets reported... I could cite examples, but it's irrelevant. MSU won because they played better and were outcoached. Izzo never gets the respect he deserves except during the tourney, where he shines. You've played four years for Izzo at MSU? You've got a Final Four ring. Period. MSU, was a number two seed, its not like UL lost to some slouches, they are arguably the most succesful program of the decade. Give MSU their due, they deserve it.

[lefty]

Give MSU their due, they deserve it.

Like I said I'm not trying to take anything away for MSU. The played better...there's no doubt about it.
They are more disciplined on the court and I'm guessing off the court as well.
Izzo would be in my top 3 of favorite coaches

[real fan]

I would not say that Pitino was outcoached, just because Louisville lost does not mean that he was outcoached, Izzo is a great coach but so is Pitino and sometimes your players just don"t perform on a given day.
I have heard the same comments about Les after a loss that he was outcoached, our team is very well prepared before each game and just because you don"t win does not mean he did a bad job.

[southpaw nothin]

This was a well-known problem with Nevada after their Elite 8 run. Despite being a very good team, imbibular activities interfered with their progress/success the next 2-3 years.

But hey, their college kids. Every college kid drinks. I say give 'em a pass.

[IlliBraves]

I don't think that UofL's players are any more out of control than players at any other school. Athletes are all athletes in a sense. I have a few classes with some of the basketball players at U of I, and many of them have that same sense of entitlement.

UofL just looked completely out of synch, like they gave up.