The University of Louisville issued a [URL=”http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/042711aaa.html#_”]press release[/URL] this morning that Rick Pitino is backing out of coaching the Puerto Rican men’s basketball team in preparation for the 2011 olympics. Pitino cited “scheduling conflicts” as the reason for his withdrawal.
[QUOTE]”I was so looking forward to coaching the Puerto Rico national team, but too many conflicts arose,” said Pitino. “It is a great disappointment that we cannot take on the challenge to help them qualify for the Olympics. We were hoping to arrange for both the Puerto Rico and our U of L teams to play at the same foreign site, which could not be accommodated. An additional tournament in Brazil would have also kept me from being in Louisville at a key time for the start of the fall semester.”[/QUOTE]
Cat fans were looking forward to another Calipari vs. Pitino showdown as John Calipari had come out recently saying he was considering helping the Dominican Republic team in preparation for the same event. But I’m sure that had nothing to do with Pitino’s decision.
