This Friday college basketball season will officially begin as teams all across the country will be allowed to start practice. Our National Champion Louisville Cardinal basketball team will begin practicing Saturday for their upcoming title defense. College basketball moved up the start date for practice by 2 weeks this year. During the next six weeks Coach Pitino will be allowed to have 30 practices including scrimmages and exhibition games. The fans first chance to see the defending champs will be during a Red and White scrimmage on October 5th at 4:00pm in the KFC Yum Center.

This season the Cards will have some new faces on the team and will have some new talent to blend with the returning veterans. I am most excited to see Chris Jones and Terry Rozier. These guys have the opportunity to have a big impact on this season. Both had to wait it out to get their chance to play big time college basketball. Chris in Junior College and Terry in Prep School. These guys are going to be hungry and ready to prove they belong. I also think Agau and Gill could see their opportunities but do think these guys will be developed at a slower pace.
This season will also be first chance for “The Mango” to get his opportunity to see the floor in competition. Mangok has already been heralded by Coach Pitino as one of the fastest guys on the team for his ability to get up and down the floor.
This could be the season when Wayne Blackshear finally puts up the numbers Cardinal fans have expected since he walked on the court. This was the first summer that Wayne has been completely healthy and not held back in workouts by his shoulders. The same could be said for Luke Hancock. We got a glimpse of what he is capable of during his magical Final Four run. He was also able to have a productive summer free of injury and that is bad news for the Louisville opponents.
Montrezl Harrell had everyone talking after his summer performances winning a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Prague. He might be the key to another trip to the Final Four.
I will be anxious to see if “Big Game” Behanan is ready to take his play to the next level and bring it every week regardless of the situation or opponent.
All of Cardinal Nation will be waiting for that moment when Kevin Ware checks into his first game of the season.
Last but definitely not least is the guy who decided to come back for his senior season to give Cardinal fans one last “Russdiculous” year Russ Smith. When Slam magazine ask Russ about his nickname in an interview this summer he had this to say: Smith told SLAM. “Sometimes it brings a negative perception, but I just play basketball and I’m a winner. At the end of the day there are guys with names like Mr. Fundamental, but they don’t have two straight Final Fours and a national championship. I have rings, man.”
I think that pretty much sums up the most charismatic player to ever wear the Cardinal gear. He is a winner and I hope he adds to that ring collection this year.

So much anticipation and excitement surrounding this 2013-14 Cardinal basketball team. They will head into this season with all the momentum in the world and in my opinion playing with house money. Back to back Final Fours, a National Championship and haven’t felt defeat since February 9th last year. The hard work starts Friday and the journey to what could be another very special season will begin.