Adam’s Two Cents

Ok Isiah has a point. I can’t believe I said that. Anywho, the Gazelle Group, who are the organizers for the Coaches Versus Cancer Classic, apparently changed the opening round games of Ohio State, North Carolina, Alcorn State, and Thomas’ Florida International. The tourney schedule did have Alcorn State playing North Carolina and Florida International playing Ohio State. That was until Tuesday.

On Tuesday North Carolina gave out a press release stating that their opening game of the 2009-10 season in the C.v.C.C. was against Florida International. When learning this the FIU officials threatened to pull out of the tourney if they weren’t switched back to playing Ohio State. While I said Thomas did make a good point by subtly thinking his team can’t compete against UNC, he’s also contradicting himself at the same time, and that’s where I have a problem.

See Thomas was quoted earlier this month by the A.P. about his opener, and Thomas said “If at some point and time you’re going to be able to play with the big boys, you might as well jump right into the fire and get started.” So what seems to be the problem Isiah? The organizers had Florida International playing Ohio State before you took over at FIU. Then they realized, boy what great attention that would bring if Isiah played against UNC to open the year. Good “business” move on their part, and by saying you might as well jump into the fire and get started pretty much gave everyone the sign that you were willing to play anyone. Now you don’t want to play North Carolina. So you want to play with the big boys, you don’t just want to play with that big of boys is that the case?

What kind of message does that send your team? Now this is just my opinion, but doesn’t every coach go into every game thinking they can win? If so, what kind of message are you giving to the country if you say you’re willing to play with the big boys, but if the competiton is too steep you don’t want to play? I’ll tell you what kind of message that sends the country, the message says that you’re afraid Isiah. While at some point you might get FIU into the Top 25 in your tenure, but you’re not starting out too optimistic.

Who is the real victim in the Rick Pitino story? That’s an easy answer, it’s none other than Joanne Pitino. Joanne has suffered through alot in her lifetime and the one person whom needed to be there for her isn’t even trustworthy anymore.

The Pitino’s have been married since 1976, they have five children, a sixth one died six months after birth due to congenital heart failure. Then Joanne’s brother, Billy Minardi, was killed on 9/11, and her brother-in-law Don Vogt, was killed when a cab struck him in New York City. Now her husband cheats and offers to pay the lady whom he cheated on her with $3,000 for an abortion, and on top of that he might have even paid his equipment manager to marry the mistress.

I really feel for Joanne Pitino, your husband is supposed to be the one you can trust, the one that will be there through thick and thin, and now she can’t trust him and that is tough to deal with.

Now Pitino won’t be fired, though I think he should. Once again this is a case in which wins and losses determine a head coaches fate rather than other issues. In this case I would fire Pitino because what kind of example is he setting for his young student athletes. Basically he showing them that it’s not only ok to fool around on your wife, and lie about it, but it’s also ok to pay people off and when everyone does find out about it, you get to keep your job.

Louisville’s A.D. needs to set a precedence and get rid of Pitino for the immoral issues that he is showing young players, whom most of which have parents that put trust in Pitino to guide them into adulthood. Now he’s steered them into controversy and scandal. I know one thing, if my child wanted to attend Louisville and play basketball for Pitino, I would have to tell him no just becasue I don’t appreciate someone who is self-centered upon their own pleasures, rather than molding a young man’s mind.