Monday, June 14, 2004
I'm with Telep
"Louisville made a recruiting statement this weekend." -- National recruiting analyst Dave TelepAfter losing both Sebastian Telfair and Donta Smith to the NBA Draft, Rick Pitino this week inked Kansas transfer David Padgett and two Top 35 Class of 2005 prospects, 5'11" guard Andre McGee and 6'9" forward Amir Johnson. McGee and Johnson are quality players, perhaps future McDonald's All-Americans. Read about 'em in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
The trifecta is significant for both material and symbolic reasons. After losing Telfair and Smith, Pitino was in the dumps. His Louisville project was in jeopardy. Under Rick's watch, the Cardinals have yet to contend for a Final Four, much less a national championship. Without incoming talent, they would be an unlikely bet for the future.
Not anymore. The signing of both immediate and long-term help affirms Louisville's chances and gives a shot in the arm to the image of Pitino as a program builder and national championship coach.
