Rick Pitino spent two days testifying.

I spent two days reading about it.

Lets do Five for Friday.

1. Did you follow Rick Pitinos testimony during Karen Syphers trial?

Pitino hasnt seemed too affected by the ongoing case. (AP) I followed it in the sense that I read every word written, and the whole thing is equal parts sad and hilarious. Sad because some kids mom is probably about to go to prison for extortion, hilarious because the details are difficult not to laugh at even while recognizing none of this is really funny. Its embarrassing for Pitino, but he put himself in this position, so I would never suggest people feel sorry for him. But what about Joanne Pitino, his wife? And Richard Pitino, his son? This has to be ripping them apart. So each time I start to crack jokes I try to remember that theres a lady in Louisville who must feel incredibly betrayed and shamed, and an assistant coach at Florida whos on the road recruiting while his fathers mistakes are mocked publicly.

Its great theater, sure.

But when you take a step back, its just depressing.

2. You still laugh though, right?

Of course. I mean, theres a future Hall of Fame coach on the stand testifying about how a woman “opened up” his pants, describing how he and Sypher had sex “very briefly” at an Italian restaurant, estimating that the entire encounter lasted “no more than 15 seconds.” Now Im not saying I dont understand how sex could last no more than 15 seconds, Im just saying I wouldnt admit it to the world. Me? Im testifying 12 minutes and, worse comes to worst, taking a perjury charge. Thats got to be better than every opposing student section yelling, “Hey Rick! Fifteen seconds left on the shot clock. But thats plenty of time, right? Hahahahaha!”

Who needs that?

But to answer the initial question, yes, I still laugh.

Like I said, its funny.

Except its not.

(You know what I mean.)

3. Is it surprising that Pitinos life as we know it remains unchanged?

Ive thought about this a lot, honestly, and though I recognize this incident has changed Pitinos life forever, I cant think of a single coach who could come out of this as well as it seems Pitino will. He has admitted to an extramarital affair with Sypher, to financing an abortion for Sypher, to arranging for Sypher to be driven to the abortion clinic in Cincinnati, so on and so forth. And yet Pitino will remain married and the coach at Louisville.

College coaches have been divorced and fired for way less.

Larry Eustachy comes to mind.

Pitinos reputation is damaged, but everything else seems to be as it was before.

Thats remarkable, really.

4. Is this affecting recruiting?

I think well all agree, when we look back in 10 years, that Kentuckys John Calipari did more to hurt Rick Pitinos recruiting than Karen Sypher ever dreamed. Sypher is the worst thing to happen to Pitinos personal life, but Calipari is the worst thing to happen to Pitinos career because having to work 80 miles from Coach One-and-Done is damn-near impossible. Calipari is at the bigger program, he has all the momentum, and elite i genuinely do want to play for him.

Calipari can secure commitments from top prospects early.

Or he can lure somebody elses recruits late.

Doesnt matter.

For proof consider that Calipari will enter his second season at UK with his second straight top-ranked recruiting class, and Pitino simply wont be able to keep up because it doesnt seem like anybody other than maybe Duke, North Carolina and Kansas will be able to keep up. Calipari isnt a big problem to Michigan States Tom Izzo or UCLAs Ben Howland because they operate in different worlds. Pitino, on the other hand, not only operates in the same world as Calipari, he operates in the same state, point being that the bar for Pitino at Louisville will be set wherever Calipari sets it at Kentucky.

And thats a tough gig.

Id be more optimistic if Pitino were coaching at Arizona.

Or St. Johns.

Almost anywhere other than 80 miles from Calipari.

5. So are you saying Pitino can no longer recruit?

Thats not what Im saying at all. Truth be told, I spent much of this month on the recruiting circuit, and theres not one bit of evidence that suggests Syphers trial is harming Pitino with prospects. Im sure they know about the trial and whats being said, but nobody seems to care. I bounced this opinion off Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels and Rivals.com recruiting analyst Eric Bossi just to make sure I wasnt misreading things. Daniels agreed the trial has had no real effect. Bossi echoed that thought.

“Ive not heard a word about the Pitino stuff making a difference on any recruit,” Bossi said. “Not a word.”

On that note, understand that Louisville al most notably Wayne Blackshear (ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2011 by MaxPreps.com). Beyond that, industry sources are calling the Cards the leader to land AAU teammates Quincy Miller (ranked No. 9 in the Class of 2011 by MaxPreps.com) and Deuce Bello (ranked No. 75 in the Class of 2011 by MaxPreps.com) thanks to the hiring of assistant Tim Fuller. So Pitino can still recruit, clearly, but thats not my point. My point is that even if Pitino hauls in what would be a remarkable class all things considered, itll likely still a class that already includes Mike Gilchrist (ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2011 by MaxPreps.com) and Marquis Teague (ranked No. 11 in the Class of 2011 by MaxPreps.com), and could ultimately feature at least two other consensus top 10 prospects.

Fair or not, thats an issue for Pitino because hell forever be compared to Calipari. But who cares about that right now? All thats important at the moment is that Pitino is finished testifying, and it seems like hes going to, against all odds, come out of this mess OK. Most men would be divorced after such a public affair, but Pitinos marriage remains intact. Most coaches would be fired after such a public embarrassment, but Pitinos job is secure.

Is it possible to be lucky while going through hell?

If so, thats what Pitino is doing.

Hes dealt with a lot, no question.

But hes fortunate to have endured it all so unbelievably well.

Posted on July 31st, 2010 by admin
Filed under: NCAA basketball news