LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville coach Rick Pitino expects another hostile reception today when he returns to Rupp Arena for the second time as the leader of Kentucky's fiercest rival.
Two years ago, the fans who revered Pitino when he coached the Wildcats from 1989-97 showered him with taunts and unveiled signs with vicious messages. By the end of the Wildcats' 82-62 victory, the crowd was chanting "TUB-BEE! TUB-BEE!" in a salute to Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, Pitino's former assistant.
Pitino said the only thing he remembers thinking about that day was his brother-in-law and best friend, Billy Minardi, who died four months earlier in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
"I was devastated when I walked in there and it wasn't because of all the booing of me. I expected that," Pitino said. "It was just a terrible, terrible time in my life."
On Saturday, Pitino wants his No. 20 Cardinals (6-1) to embrace the chaotic atmosphere, not dread it.
"It's easy playing at home, where everybody cheers for you," Pitino said. "Going into that environment and executing in the toughest conditions, that's fun."
Even if the Cardinals can handle the pandemonium, Pitino still isn't sure they can beat the second-ranked Wildcats (7-0), who've won 27 consecutive regular-season games dating to an 81-63 loss to the Cardinals in Freedom Hall Dec. 28.
"We understand we have a hell of a mountain to climb," he said.
Kentucky took a 20-9 lead in last year's meeting, then collapsed in the second half amid Louisville's relentless defense. The Wildcats shot 34.5 percent after halftime and finished 3-of-18 from 3-point range.
"We just didn't play," Smith said. "It was the worst half we had in a long time."
Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch, who went 2 of 10 in last year's meeting, said the Wildcats haven't discussed that loss this week.
"I really don't even remember it. I think it's good that I don't," said Fitch, Kentucky's leading scorer at 19 points per game.
The Wildcats regrouped immediately, winning their next 26 games. They lost to Marquette one game shy of last season's Final Four.
SNOWED IN: A snowstorm in Salt Lake City prevented Cal State Northridge from making its connecting flight and it's expected to miss today's game at Montana. Coach Bobby Braswell said the team likely is stuck until Sunday. "Boy, the lady at Delta told me she's never seen anything like this," he said. "I've been traveling a long time and I've never seen anything like this. The airport is basically shut down."
