-Coach Pitino has first meeting with media before Thursday’s Exhibition opener.
Pitino met with the media today in a very informative press conference. It was announced that Coach Pitino would be at UofL through the year 2022. Pitino was ask about many things including his team, his horses, the hurricane, and former player TWill.
Here are some of the highlight quotes:
Thought this was a great one by Tom Jurich: When ask if the contracts financial terms change at all? Jurich: “Of course they will. It’s like playing him in golf. He always wins.”
Pitino on contract: “As long as my health is great and I can do what I do with great passion then I’ll keep coaching; I want to do it as long as possible” “I don’t know if I can live without basketball.” “When I look at the situation I am realistic- 10 years is a long time, but I was born a New Yorker, I want to die a Kentuckian”
Pitino Starting Line-up: For Pikeville and Manhattan “Siva, Smith, Hancock, Harrell and Dieng”, “Basically what we have is three point guards on the court (Siva, Russ, Luke)”, With Siva, Russ and Hancock- “You have three guys who can create their own shot. And we haven’t had that for a long time.”
Pitno on Chane Behanan: “Chane didn’t have the best summer in the world. Didn’t live in the gym like the rest of the guys. He’ll catch up.” “I don’t worry about Chane because Montrezl has beat him out. Now if Chane is ready? Will he beat him out? Who knows.” “You have to tell him to go to the gym, If you tell him he will be there and give you all he’s got.”
Pitino on Siva: “If there is a better point guard in America I want to see it.”
Pitino on Gorgui: “Treats every person the same, and is a very real and good spirit.” “Very poor version of Hakeem Olajuwon; with his movements, has learned a lot about the game.”
Pitino on Montrezl: “Just has to learn the game; needs to work on footwork, passing.”
Pitino on Mangok: “He has has unbelievable speed and quickness, he will be really good, I couldn’t have found a better player.”
Pitino on Zach Price: “Some days I think he’s really got it and some days he’s just not motivated.”
Pitino on Russ Smith: “Russdiculous is an endearing term,” “He’s really, really getting good right now.”
Pitino on Hurricane Sandy: “Lower Manhattan, I have never seen the water come up like that, it hit Jersey hard & those fires. Just devastation.”
Pitino on Horses: “I usually name a horse after the type of person that a player is. I’ll hear a trainer mention a certain characteristic and then it will make of me think of that player.”
Some other things from the presser today. Coach talked briefly about TWill and said that he thought he had the body, passing, and dribbling ability for the NBA. And says that he just needs to find a team that he blends with. We also found out that they will present Elisha Justice with his Final Four ring before the Pikeville game.