U of L Men's Basketball Practice Opens
October 16, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 16, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino put his squad through a spirited, intense two-hour workout in its first practice session of the season just past midnight early Saturday morning.
"Our guys really worked hard," said Pitino. "This was not a Midnight Madness with an entertainment-type atmosphere. This was Midnight Madness to get ready in five weeks for a very difficult EA Sports Maui Invitational. We got a lot in offensively and defensively. We have a tremendous attitude and good size. We're taking it slow with some of our guys who are coming off of injuries, but the others are ready to play."
It was the first of two practices for the Cardinals on the first day teams are permitted to begin team preparations for the 2004-05 season. The Cards plan to have two practice sessions on Sunday as well and take Monday off before resuming practice on Tuesday afternoon.
U of L will stage its annual Basketball Tipoff Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at noon in the Galt House East Grand Ballroom. Tickets for the event, presented by Anthem and UPS, are $30 each and may be purchased by calling the U of L special events office at (502) 852-1974. The team will also meet with media representatives that afternoon at 3:15 p.m.
The Cardinals have been picked among the nation's top 20 teams by several preseason publications, including No. 1 by Athlon's, No. 14 by Street & Smith's College Basketball Yearbook, No. 15 by SLAM Magazine and No. 20 by Lindy's College Basketball Annual.
