It is the best of times. It is the worst of times.

Oh, Ms. Walston would be so proud. I actually remember and can paraphrase some Dickens.

The cities: Louisville and Lexington.

The best/ worst (depending in which city you reside): Rick Pitino’s reputation and John Calipari’s reputation.

The newspapers in Lexington and Memphis have today provided some interesting perspectives on these matters. Rather than paraphrase, I’m just giving you the links. Eric Crawford and Rick Bozich in the C-J have also added salient observations in the last few weeks.

Valerie Honeycutt Spears’ piece provides an interesting perspective from former Pitino assistant Winston Bennett and how his boss helped him with his sex addiction. I’m struck by the reality that often people are able to help others for unacceptable behaviors they may be partaking in themselves.

Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins believes Calipari knew about everything. You can read his take here. Given that most every successful coach is an absolute control freak, I find it hard to believe they don’t know everything going in their programs.

– Seedy K