Pending both Pitinos stay where they are, traditional college basketball power Louisville (coached by Rick Pitino) and FIU (coached by Richard Pitino, Jr.) will face each other once each of the next three seasons.
FIU goes to Louisville the first two seasons, including Dec. 19 this year. Louisville, a Final Four team in 2011-12, comes to FIU in 2014-15.
This comes a day after Louisville announced 6-7 forward Rakeem Buckles, who the Cardinals got out of Pace High after an excellent high school career under current FIU assistant coach Mark Lieberman, would be transferring to FIU. Buckles suffered a second torn ACL this past season so he'll be recovering during most of the season he'd be sitting out as a transfer anyway.
A lot of variables in the mix before louisville comes down to play. But hope is a good thing. Buckles is a great addition.
Posted by: JP1990FIU | June 23, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Its a win-win for all parties. Buckles will get the opportunty to rehab 100% and hopefully get a medical waiver and get 2 years here.
Rick doesnt have to avoid not renewing yet another schollie.
And richard gets a former top 50 player just in time to transition into C-USA in 2013.
But, like we just learned from the APR scores under Isaih's tenure, where will we be interms of sanctions once the 2012 season becomes part of the 4-yyr average?
Posted by: chiaPanther | June 24, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I'm sure Mr. Neal thinks the dismal APR scores for men's basketball had nothing to do with Isiah Thomas. But the truth is, even if you could magically reverse Isiah's win-loss record, those APR scores alone warranted his dismissal.
Posted by: SouthPaw | June 25, 2012 at 07:09 AM
DJ Neal - is FIU finally paying its coach???
Posted by: Buc Nasty | June 25, 2012 at 01:45 PM
South Paw, Neal stated pretty clearly that he thinks Thomas was fired for "833, eight wins in one year, 26 wins over three years...there you go."
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/fiusports/2012/06/the-ncaa-released-its-overall-reports-on-academic-progress-rates-for-scholarship-athletes-on-wednesday-i-was-on-furlough-.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: jcalex22 | June 25, 2012 at 04:55 PM
DJ Neal - not just yelling things on the interweb, saw Barry Jackson report an extension with Mario Cristobal was happening. This is my only rooting interest in Florida International, send out some twexts! Suss it out!
Posted by: Buc Nasty | June 25, 2012 at 10:02 PM
DJ Neal - I am this close to loud talking you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJnOEFJ0670&
Posted by: Buc Nasty | June 27, 2012 at 12:04 AM