For the first time in history U of L is ranked at the top of the AP rankings. Apparently there were no post season polls after the ‘80 and ‘86 seasons when Louisville won national titles.

So, even though it means essentially nada as the Dance commences, it’s a good thing, right?

A few paraphrased comments from The Rick at his Monday afternoon press conference in anticipation of U of L’s opener on Friday in the NCAA:

Jerry Smith started working on his new ball fake maneuver mid season.

Pitino doesn’t think the Cards’ style of play will be affected by officiating styles in the tournament. He did infer that a couple of the Big East might have to alter the MO, but didn’t mention which teams.

After the Notre Dame debacle, he told the team, “You’re not practicing hard enough to be at the championship level.” The players then kicked it up a notch. Pitino never thought the team was capable of reaching this lofty status until the practice habits changed. Then things “kept getting better and better.”

“Preston (Knowles) has no fear of anything.”

Before coming to U of L, Terrence Jennings “never saw a scouting report in his life.”

He admitted that after returning to collegiate coaching after his stint with the Celtics he ratcheted down late season practices and the level of individual instruction. His phrase: “Legs die, minds die.”

Pitino indicated he and his assistant coaches were stunned by how vocal Earl Clark was during the Big East championship game. “Very vocal. He was screaming in huddles, in a positive way. ‘We’ve got to get this done.’”

I would have had some quotes from Andre McGee, but he was called to practice while answering the first question he was asked.

– Seedy K