Oh, my. Here’s the bad choice of analogy that Rick Pitino used yesterday about Syracuse and Pittsburgh leaving the Big East. The setting was the Big East Media Day in New York.
My problem is not them leaving,” he said. “My problem is you did it in 48 hours. Don’t run away with a girl after one date when you’ve been dating someone else for three or four years. You’ve been dating this woman for 30 years, show a little respect.”
You might have guessed that Big Apple newspapers jumped on the quote, given Pitino’s well-publicized tryst with Karen Sypher (now locked up in a Florida prison) at Porcini’s. Here’s how New York Daily News reporter Roger Rubin reacted:
This is the same Pitino who was embroiled in a scandal before last season for cheating on his wife of 30 years. The woman with whom he had the encounter, Karen Sypher, was sentenced to seven years in prison for extortion after she demanded $10 million from Pitino.
While showing an incredible lack of self-awareness Wednesday, Pitino said there is irony in the defections of Syracuse and Pitt because, while they did it for football money, he believes the invitations were proffered for other reasons.
And Over There In Lexington: There’s a series on the blog Grantland in which five followers of college basketball teams explain how their team is going to win the title this year. Matt Jones pitched in a lengthy piece yesterday, explaining the big reasons he thinks this is UK’s year — that it’s time for John Calipari to win one, that UK is loaded with talent and (seriously) that UK fans deserve it. Karma? Really? It makes no bones about being a homer-piece, but the “pre-Porcini Pitino” reference takes an unnecessary swipe at The Rick, as UK folks are expected to do.
Off the Court:
No Smoke: I don’t believe that the Kentucky legislature will ever really vote on a statewide smoking ban, despite existing ordinances in 30 communities. But I’m glad they’re talking about it Frankfort, where Lexington Democrat Susan Wenstrom plans to introduce a bill on the topic.
Louisville Firm Gets Solar Deal: Earthwell Energy Management won three big contracts, indicating perhaps that big government is getting the idea that we should be doing something about the environment. The company has been picked to install solar panels and upgrade exterior lighting, using LEDs, at the Kentucky National Guard’s training center in Greenville.
We Love L.A.: I got scooped on some big news about LouisvilleKY.com’s own Leigh Ann Yost, who wrote a nice piece about JCPS for us recently. She’s also a dedicated Harbor House staff member and, yes, a recording artist. Leigh Ann’s latest will be released by Gill Holland’s sonaBlast Records Dec. 6. From the news release:
Dividing life between full-time careers as mother, activist and musician, Leigh Ann Yost has multitasking
down to an art. Literally. Her highly anticipated sophomore album, “As I Live and Breathe” will officially be released by sonaBLAST! Records on December 6, 2011. “Basic Needs,” her first self-released work, was mentioned in Louisville Magazine as one of the Top Five regionally recorded and produced records of 2006 by Laura Shine, Music Director at WFPK Radio Louisville.. .
More From US: Please check out our newest writer, TV personality Tara Bassett, who’s taken it upon herself to save Emma the Coonhound who Could.
Finally, It’s Attack Ad Season: And no one running against Jack Conway is going to let him forget that horrible Aqua Buddha ad he ran against Ron Paul.
