Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is adamantly denying having any involvement in an alleged prostitution scandal rocking the school's basketball program ... claiming he's completely shocked by the allegations.

 

As for Pitino, he just addressed the media and denied any involvement in the alleged sex plot -- adding, "It's a mild understatement that I'm shocked at these allegations."

Pitino says he spoke with McGee about the allegations -- and McGee denied everything.

 

 

Read more: Rick Pitino -- Denies Involvement In Louisville Sex Scandal Allegations | TMZ.com

 

Are you being obtuse for comedic effect?

FRI afternoon before the Super Bowl? Looks like the hopes are the spotlight will turn toward SF after today and tomorrow.

 

Remember, self-imposed is just that. However, got to assume they had long negotiations with NCAA that if they self-impose X & Y, NCAA might tack on a minor Z (a scholly reduction or fine) to make it look like they're adding something, but not Z, A, B & C. Otherwise, no reason to agree to X & Y, right?

@ MarkEnnis: You'll be tempted to pick from many options today. Nevertheless, if you want to be mad today, be mad at Andre McGee.

 

I agree with that sentiment. I don't think Pitino knew, but the rules say he's supposed to make it his damned business to know and then shut it down. He failed to monitor one of his employees who was trying to be a big shot.

 

And it's going to cost this team, this school, and this town an awful lot of pride and not a small opportunity for this team to do something special.

 

 

I said this about Eddie Sutton, I said it about Denny Crum, I said it about Hal Mumme and I said it about John Calipari when their teams had NCAA violations issues. To a man each one of them denied knowledge of the wrong doing. I for one DO NOT BELIEVE that these otherwise intelligent men were unaware that NCAA violations were occurring under their noses.

 

College coaches want 100% of the credit when things go well and they want none of the blame when things go south. You can't have it both ways. If it's true and UofL is imposing sanctions on themselves, Pitino needs to go.

Has to be the end for Pitino right?

 

I think it will be his decision to make, but I believe UL will have a new men's basketball coach next season.

Absolutely.

 

This was a pretty egregious thing that happened IMO. One year postseason ban would be pretty acceptable if I was a UL fan.

 

I'm guessing they self-impose 1 year to avoid 2?

 

That's the hope, I'd say. And unless the NCAA finds the bloody knife or the smoking gun or whatever, I don't know that there will be more.

 

They're chasing after information on cash transactions between two untrustworthy people. Unless somebody talks about handing over cash, I don't know how this gets higher than McGee and Powell.

I think it will be his decision to make, but I believe UL will have a new men's basketball coach next season.

 

Agreed. Take your money, ride into the sunset, play golf in Boca.

I said this about Eddie Sutton, I said it about Denny Crum, I said it about Hal Mumme and I said it about John Calipari when their teams had NCAA violations issues. To a man each one of them denied knowledge of the wrong doing. I for one DO NOT BELIEVE that these otherwise intelligent men were unaware that NCAA violations were occurring under their noses.

 

College coaches want 100% of the credit when things go well and they want none of the blame when things go south. You can't have it both ways. If it's true and UofL is imposing sanctions on themselves, Pitino needs to go.

 

Under the old rules, it was to a coach's benefit to not know. Plausible deniability had some meaning.

 

Now, you have to make it your business. Regardless of whether he knew or not, if it's enough to derail this season, I agree: it's time for a new man in charge.

And can we FINALLY get rid of Ramsey, too?

As a UK fan I always like to get after my UofL friends, but this is sad.

 

The players involved in this mess are long gone and the current players have done nothing wrong as far as I know.

 

I would like to say that I do respect UofL for going the route and owning up to the mistake and self-imposing the penalty. UNC should take note about how to make the best of a bad situation.

Are you being obtuse for comedic effect?

 

Yes.

So do people believe the Pitino resignation is part of the penalty UL negotiated with the NCAA?

 

:no:

The timing of this is odd. I had assumed that nothing would happen until after the season was over & that a postseason ban would be enacted next year.

 

Why now?

If Pitino is gone like many speculate I hope he announces that today as well. I'm sure he won't but if he is gone he should go on and get that news out of the way as well. The season is over now anyways.

The timing of this is odd. I had assumed that nothing would happen until after the season was over & that a postseason ban would be enacted next year.

 

Why now?

 

I'm guessing to keep incoming recruits at UL.