– The 2012-13 Basketball Tip-off Luncheon

The 2012-13 Basketball team was introduced today at the Tip-Off Luncheon. Head coach Rick Pitino was the featured speaker today at the sold out Luncheon in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott downtown Louisville. The event sold 1400 tickets before they could even go on sale to the general public. I’d say that is a good sign that this fan base is ready for this season full of expectations to start.

Coach Pitino had the players come up to the podium one at a time and introduce each team-mate. Pitino said that he wanted them to do this to show each of them that they can’t accomplish their goals without their fellow players.

-Walk on Logan Baughman was the first up and he briefly talked about the opportunity that had been afforded to him by the Mike Marra injury. He talked about a trip to lazer tag for “The Mango” Birthday party. Jokingly talked about how they couldn’t see Mango shooting them. Logan did a very good job at loosening up the crowd.

-Next up was the young man from Sudan, Africa Mangok Mathiang. He seemed very nervous as he proclaimed to the crowd “Me and Gorgui aren’t related”

-Next was Montrezl Harrell and he really didn’t say much and introduced Angel Nunez saying “he’s not the brightest in the world”

-Angel Nunez reveals Zach Price’s nickname “Lester” and then talks about the boot he is wearing on his foot saying “it’s just a fashion statement”

-Zach Price Jokes with the crowd saying “Yall know me as Gorgui’s back-up, you know I got in at the end of the game” Then introduces Kevin Ware saying he had “the Juice haircut” making reference to the classic 2pac movie. He also talks about how much Ware has improved and how hard he’s worked in the off season.

-Kevin Ware talks briefly about where he’s from before introducing Wayne Blackshear saying “the guy I’m introducing is probably the fattest, sloppiest, McDonald’s All-American to ever put on a UofL jersey” Making light of Wayne’s weight problem while being hurt.

-Wayne Blackshear then comes up and says the “I had to watch the team last year eat ice cream and I couldn’t have any” He also mentioned that he’s lost over 20 pounds. He introduces Chane Behanan as the most energetic person on the team.

-Chane Behanan starts by telling the crowd “Y’all know me I was on the Final Four team,” “I’m not knocking last year’s group, but I like this group more.” He then introduces“Russdiculous”

-Russ Smith (Russdiculous) walks to the podium with what looks like a cup of tea with him. He introduces walk-on Mike Balfour and explains his “Dark Slime” nickname says it means “my dude”. Tells crowd how the two have become very close over the years.

-Mike Balfour doesn’t really say that much and introduces Tim Henderson.

-Tim Henderson talks about how much of a honor it is to be a part of the Louisville program and talks about how much work it is and says “it’s worth it” He introduces Luke Hancock.

-Luke Hancock talks about how its going to feel go to get back on the court after sitting out a year. Says “I won’t have to watch the team fly away, and watch on tv. I’ll be on the court” He then introduces Gorgui Dieng.

-Gorgui Dieng jokingly thanks coach Pitino for bringing more Africans to the team and then talks about how much Coach Pitino has helped him with his game. And talks about how he’s learned to speak English better. Gorgui introduces Stephan Van Treese.

-Stephan Van Treese talks about how he thought about transferring and that he’s “super excited” to be coming back and can’t wait to get on the court. Says his knee is 100%. He introduces Peyton Siva.

-Peyton Siva has a little fun with Coach Pitino as he breaks out his stats from Pitino’s UMass days. “He had 6.5 assist but for some reason his turnovers are not on the stats” He then jokes about the Cards free throw shooting woes stating that Pitino shot 66% from the free throw line at UMass. Says after practice today coach will have to make 12 in a row before he can leave. He then introduces Rick Pitino.

-Rick Pitino answers Siva’s question about free throws with “I didn’t shoot that many” He then talks about the other members on his staff and thanks them for their hard work to the program. He then starts to talk about his team and his program says “I think Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith will be happy that Chane likes this team better, I’ll pass that along” Says that it is “true bliss” to coach these guys. Says “it was not a fluke that we won the Big East Tourney and went to the Final Four, these guys were focused.” Now says this years team must “stay humble” Briefly talks about his discipline and that he doesn’t have a doghouse. Says he treats team like his children and that “if you love your children you discipline them” Says that giving discipline tells kids you love them “so Chane I must love the hell out of you” Says “Russdiculous is the biggest fool in the country, but I know one thing without that fool we don’t make the Final Four last year” Coach talks about how much he loves the game of basketball and how much he loves coaching at the University of Louisville. Says “it the best place I’ve every coached” He talks about being 60 and says “You really don’t care what people think, You realize your window is closing in a coaching career and you better enjoy it” He mentions the evil empire down the road and says that he thinks we could meet them again this season in the Final Four. He then thanks the fans for the support and has a message for us. Says “If we lose a couple of games don’t go off the deep end, and if we win a couple of games don’t be calling into those shows talking about how good we are.” He closes by saying he thinks his players and his team are the best but emphasis should remain on “staying humble”.

The main message from Coach Pitino today was for the fans and the team to stay humble. That will be very hard to do if this team is as good as we expect it to be. Everyone be sure to get those tickets left over for the Red&White scrimmage. Lets sell that thing out Saturday and show these guys we are behind them this season. Go Cards!