By Russ Brown
Special to NKyTribune
LOUISVILLE–Louisville basketball fans who are in the dark about what to expect from a new team aren’t alone. The Cardinals’ coach is just as stymied heading into the 2015-16 season opener against Samford Friday at 7 p.m. in the KFC Yum Center.
“I’m not sure what we have right now,” Rick Pitino said during his pre-game press conference Thursday afternoon. “I’m not sure what our weaknesses are, I’m not sure what our strengths are because I’ve never had a team where the leading scorer returning was four points a game.”
That would be sophomore guard Quentin Snider, who is listed as a probable starter along with transfers Trey Lewis (G) and Damion Lee (F), Mangok Mathiang (F) and Chinanu Onuaku (C).
UofL returns only 17 percent of its scoring from last season’s Elite Eight team and is unranked in the preseason polls for the first time in recent years.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see us in the Final Four, it wouldn’t suprise me to see us have a good season,” Pitino says. “I have no idea what we have. All I know is we have an incredible attitude and I don’t know where certain things will come from. But I do know these guys are a work in progress and every day is a lot of fun for me as a coach and teacher because they give me so much.”
Samford, which is coming off a 13-19 season, isn’t likely to provide much of a test. In fact, Pitino will only get a couple of chances to see how his team stacks up against high-caliber competition before Atlantic Coast Conference play begins in January.
He has scheduled a diet of non-conference lightweights at home, none of whom appear capable of presenting even a moderate challenge — with the possible exception of Western Kentucky. The Cards’ only true road games — at No. 13 Michigan State and No. 2/1 Kentucky — are a different matter.
But they don’t travel to East Lansing until Dec. 2, then have a long break before the UK game in Rupp Arena on Dec. 26. Incredibly, those are the only two ranked teams UofL will face until hosting No. 6 Virginia on Jan. 30.
Pitino points out that this team has some tough acts to follow, noting that the last four seasons have produced a national championship, another Final Four team, an Elite Eight berth, a Sweet 16 appearance, two conference regular season titles and two league tournament crowns.
“We have four years of, I think, outstanding play to live up to,” Pitino says. “Can we do it is the big question. If you believe in people like I believe in this team, I believe it will be done. But we’re going to go through some pains along the way because our growing pains are going to be very large.”
Even though Lee (Drexel) and Lewis (Cleveland State) are experienced four-year college players, they are new to Pitino’s system and haven’t played at this level before.
Pitino says the only two sure things he knows are that UofL will be a good shot-blocking team and that its biggest weakness at this point is interior passing.
“What lies in between right now I don’t know,” he says. “I won’t say I’m nervous. I’m very apprehensive. You just don’t know.”
Pitino said that all three of his heralded freshmen — 6-10 Raymond Spalding, 6-7 Deng Adel and 6-3 Donovan Mitchell — will make significant contributions this season.
“This freshman class is one of our more talented,” Pitino says. “But they all have certain weaknesses that they just need to play themselves out of.”
McMAHON TO REDSHIRT
Pitino said that he plans redshirt 5-11 freshman guard Ryan McMahon because junior David Levitch can do more in that reserve role. “I think David is much better than Ryan is right now, but he’s going to be terrific because he can score and he’s clever. Levitch is a guy you can use at the one, two or three and he never hurts you.”
HUGHES, KING SIGN
Pitino commented on Louisville’s two early signees for the 2016-17 class — five-star wing V.J. King (6-6) and three star Ohio guard Frankie Hughes (6-3), saying that Hughes filled a need for a shooter and King is “the total package.”
“As much as we wanted Frankie, he wanted us right away,” Pitino said. “We didn’t have to do a great selling job. We’re really excited to have him because he can shoot the basketball with great range. We needed a shooter at that position and we got it.
“V.J. is everything you want in a basketball player. He can play three different positions, he’s versatile, he can go outside, he can go inside, he’s a great ballhandler for his size, he’s long, he can score, he can get to the foul line.”
POWELL TO MEET WITH NCAA
There were no questions during the press conference regarding the latest development in the basketball sex scandal. According to an ESPN.com story Thursday citing anonymous sources close to the investigation, former escort Katina Powell plans to speak early next week with NCAA investigators about her allegations.
Powell is expected to provide phone records, journals and other documents that were used in the writing of her recent book, “Breaking Cardinals Rules,” that alleged paid sex parties for players and recruits from 2010-2014 instigated by former UofL staff member Andre McGee.
Powell had previously declined to meet with the NCAA and her decision to now cooperate with the investigation can only mean bad news for UofL since her interview and records will be a major aspect of NCAA investigators building a case against the school’s basketball program.
Russ Brown is a veteran sports writer who has covered University of Louisville athletics for over 30 years. He is a regular contributor to KyForward.com.