He sparred with reporters. He defended his record. He brushed off criticism as part of the job.
Louisville already had the bigger names, the better team and some unfinished business after coming up short in last year's Final Four.

A day after his son Richard Pitino agreed to become the next head coach at Minnesota, Rick Pitino proclaimed the 30-year-old up-and-comer “more than ready” for the challenge.

His full-leg cast and crutches aside, Kevin Ware is no different than the rest of his Louisville teammates this week. He's at team meetings. He's going to practice. He's riding the bus. He even put on his jersey to pose for the stock images that will be used during the Final Four telecast.
His full-leg cast and crutches aside, Kevin Ware is no different than the rest of his Louisville teammates this week. He's at team meetings. He's going to practice. He's riding the bus. He even put on his jersey to pose for the stock images that will be used during the Final Four telecast.
Richard Pitino has built a resume as one of the nation's up-and-coming young coaches at Florida International and bears a last name that draws immediate respect in all corners of college basketball.

Cleared by doctors Wednesday to accompany Louisville to Atlanta, the sophomore tells The Associated Press he plans to be a full participant in the team's preparation for Saturday's game against Wichita State.
Minnesota has picked Richard Pitino, the son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, to take over for Tubby Smith.
Kevin Ware is pretty certain how his next few months will play out.