ADVERTISEMENT

GYERO

KSR prepped the fans so they knew IMO and tried to soften us up to it.

Didn’t need to be softened up as Pitino to me is on a UK Mt Rushmore.

Seriously though I don’t see any signs of stupid stubborn coaching malpractice with Pope. Because of this I honestly believe with ANY success he could be here for a long long long time!
 
We are back and we ride at dawn mf’rs.
Martin Sheen GIF by Coolidge Corner Theatre
 
As a teenager in the 90’s falling in love with UK bball, tonight was as special as could be.

I hated pitino as much as anybody, but only while he was at Lville. When he went to the Celtics, I rooted for them. When he was rumored to go to Michigan, I would have rooted for them after the cats.

He, mashburn, and Delk were it for me. Time of my life, staying up late, and watching games with my mom while my dad worked second shift at the Toyota plant.

Just win Pope. Stay humble and win and you will never have a worry in the world.
 
Last edited:
I hope that isn't the last time Pitino gets his roses at Rupp. But if it was, I'm so glad it happened. Seeing him hold back tears, you know it meant the world to him. I can't imagine how often he thinks "what if" he never left for Boston. At least he has tonight for some closure.

Pope has been absolutely unreal. What a much needed shot in the arm for the program. Can't wait to tip it off for real.
 
I hope that isn't the last time Pitino gets his roses at Rupp. But if it was, I'm so glad it happened. Seeing him hold back tears, you know it meant the world to him. I can't imagine how often he thinks "what if" he never left for Boston. At least he has tonight for some closure.

Pope has been absolutely unreal. What a much needed shot in the arm for the program. Can't wait to tip it off for real.

Buddy, he’ll be there when we hang number 9. I know this.
 
What a surreal night.

Stoops saying he’s missed this for 12 years.
The players coming in through the fans.
Pope coming in from the nosebleeds.
Doron Lamb being the torch bearer for the 2012 National Championship.
Rick Pitino.


Would have been nice to see a few more Cal era guys since most have touted that Kentucky was still home. Think I only saw WCS, Teague and DLamb (then guys like Malone and Polson)

Finally, keep Cameron off the mic.
 
It was the right time for Pitino's return, and nobody hated / cracked on him more than I did over the years.

What I love is:

Cal envied Rick when Rick was here.

We hired Cal and it enraged Rick. Yet when here, Cal owned Rick.

Now it's Rick's turn to date the King again. It brings it all full circle and is a direct and final goodbye to the Cal Era.

The one constant: over the years, the hired help comes and goes, but our program remains King. Whoever is privileged to partner with it for a few years is admired and envied. But it's THEIR privilege, not UK's. Coach Pope clearly gets that.

Rick Pitino is the current head coach of a major college basketball program, and here he is at OUR BBM, wearing UK gear.

The Pitino - Cal - Pitino arc alone is enough for a movie.

Most storied and successful program of all-time, and it's not even close.

Long Live the effing King.
 
I hope that isn't the last time Pitino gets his roses at Rupp. But if it was, I'm so glad it happened. Seeing him hold back tears, you know it meant the world to him. I can't imagine how often he thinks "what if" he never left for Boston. At least he has tonight for some closure.

Pope has been absolutely unreal. What a much needed shot in the arm for the program. Can't wait to tip it off for real.

Our chakras are finally back in balance.
 
Pitino is still dog shiit in my book. I was way for him leaving before he left. He was never wrong, it was always the players.

I’d love to hear this explained? He was an arrogant bastard but I’ve never heard anything but second and third guesses to his 92 blunder in covering the inbounds or his directions to Feldhaus/Pelphrey.

Other than that and not playing DA I can’t remember WTF you are actually talking about.
 
I’d love to hear this explained? He was an arrogant bastard but I’ve never heard anything but second and third guesses to his 92 blunder in covering the inbounds or his directions to Feldhaus/Pelphrey.

Other than that and not playing DA I can’t remember WTF you are actually talking about.

Well he did fly the bird to TmfH but I think that can be overlooked.
 
Yea but he said he was way in front of him leaving before he left which goes back to his time here.

NO ONE wanted him gone after 96/97 so I’d like to hear what Pitino did to make someone want him gone.
 
Grew up in KY. Was in high school when Pitino arrived. There was a good bit of Michigan and UNLV gear being worn then on our soil. That first Pitino team had a fight in them just like their coach. We knew here was fuel back in the UK rocketship.

Moved to NYC in 95. During any conversation about college ball, once I revealed I was a KY fan from KY, there was an immediate reverence. People were wearing our gear on the streets. Fans of other teams would defer in the middle of trash talk when they found out you were a UK fan. Pitino at UK was magic, even without the internet.

I could say the first five years of Cal was close and that is with the constant exposure of social media fueling it.

To do step into what Pitino did and turn it around so quickly you had to be arrogant and never wrong. An irrational belief in self was an absolute necessity to step into the wreckage of the program and make it what it should be.

I get why he went to UL. He was hoping to get just a fraction of the magic he had down the road.

For me he’s still the GOAT. Came in here during a time when college basketball was loaded with stars and marched us right back to the throne.
 
Man, Pope assembled a great staff, with Brooks being the big catch but love that he brought in Mark Fox too.

Chandler has some shine and the puppy scent. Very intrigued to see what kind of player he turns into.

Brea and Perry can flat stroke it. Snipers

Surprising to me is this was Stoops first BBM he attended? Wth. Guess this was a Cal thing?

Super pumped
 
ACTUAL regrets/things I wish could have been changed/undone re: UK Basketball (in my lifetime)

Not guarding the inbounds pass

Pitino leaving for the Celtics

Rex not going to Louisville

Sean Sutton not keeping his mouth shut about a stupid necklace

Hiring Tubby rather than Billy D
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT