My memory is much different from yours, I guess. If message boards mean anything, there was a good portion of UofL fans who wanted him gone at that point.
Regarding making the Final Four this season, I don't think that will happen. First, I don't think your team has enough interior talent to get it done. Secondly, if there is any justice in the world at all, Rick Pitino will never make another final four in his lifetime.
I don't see how you or any other Cardinal fans can defend this man. I understand still supporting your team, but this man is going to be the cause of many troubles for your program and he believes himself to be more important than your program, and his actions have led you to this point. Open your eyes and see the truth. Or keep your head in the sand if you like. Here's my thing, though, unless you have some kind of inside knowledge or no conscience, I wouldn't be able to defend him, period. Then again, after he committed adultery on a table in a public restaurant, paid to kill the child, paid to hush the woman, paid his assistant to keep her happy, and admitted it all publicly without remorse, he lost me. So, if you can cheer for him after that, buying prostitutes for teenagers is nothing. carry on.