It was a desperate plea, the email I got this morning from a loyal reader and pal.

Subject line said: “Addict.”

“I admit it. I have a problem. I’m jonesing big time. Do you have ANY U of L Hoops news?!! ANY!”

To my friend, repeat after me, “My name is XXXXXX, and I’m a Hoopaholic.” It’s the first step to recovery. The problem is, as a bluesman much wiser than myself said years ago, “You might get better, but you’ll never get well.”

If no news is news, yes, I’ve got some. Plus I’ll reiterate the rumors floating about.

The No News. (Which I may have already posted here, but, hey, it’s a slow day for innuendo, so I’ll do it again.) I ran into a charter member of The Rick’s posse the other day. I asked if he’d heard anything about who might be named the new assistant coach? The gist of his answer was: No he hadn’t heard Pitino even mention the subject at all. And this is somebody who has traveled recently with the U of L coach.

I have no rumors you haven’t probably already heard. Mark Jackson is one name being bandied about. As the story goes, he’ll announce when the NBA finals are over. Let’s see, from lead team NBA TV color guy to be at the office at 6:00 a.m. 24/7 U of L assistant? You be the judge.

The current rumor, reported online, is that Pitino has asked former assistant Ralph Willard, current Holy Cross coach and father of another former RP assistant, Kevin Willard. Let’s see, from head coach at a school with reasonable expectations to be a 62 year old at the office at 6:00 a.m. 24/7 U of L assistant? You be the judge.

Whether either of these bits of gossipularity have traction is unknown. I do know the names present the conundrum facing Pitino. Hire yet another new up and comer who will recruit 27 hours a day, and stand on the sidelines mute during practice and games. Or, hire an old hand, mature, savvy with XXXXs & OOOOOs, who will actually help The Rick in practice and games and give him somebody on the bench with experience and wisdom.

The answer, according to Napoleon in rags and the language that he used, is blowin’ in the wind.

– Seedy K