Semi-retired, semi-literate sportswriter. “If it’s the ultimate game, why are they playing it again next year?”—Duane Thomas
Louisville, KY
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#Louisville renaming airport after Muhammad Ali reminds me of a story, likely apocryphal:
Ali boards a flight. Flight attendant says he must buckle his seat belt.
"Superman don't need no seat belt," says the champ.
"Superman," flight attendant replies, "don't need no airplane."
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Parents, in case you missed John Smoltz' Hall of Fame induction speech: "Tommy John is an epidemic. Baseball is not a year-round sport."
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Chris Mack is 13-3 in his first season at College of Charleston. Appears Pat Kelsey did not leave him a broken program and that Mack did not forget how to coach.
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John Calipari's Hall of Fame coaching career is no more impressive than his efforts to mobilize Kentucky fans in times of crisis. Take a bow, Coach Cal.
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When Louisville’s season started, I thought a .500 season would represent real progress. Now, after six straight victories, the Cardinals are clearly on an NCAA Tournament trajectory and moving toward a top-half seed. Take a bow, all.
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If Oregon is the nation's No. 11 team, do we really need a 12-team College Football Playoff?
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Louisville interim athletic director Josh Heird said the New York Knicks waived a buyout clause that helped clear the way for Kenny Payne to take the U of L job.
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Bob Baffert has returned to Churchill Downs, accompanied by his attorney, Craig Robertson. Should be an interesting morning.
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It takes a special kind of courage to run toward the gunfire in times of crisis. Whatever issues exist within the police, we should not lose sight that there are men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of us all.
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Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announces all samples from the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks programs have cleared drug testing.
Can I get an amen?
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Since Louisville had an NCAA title vacated over stripper-related issues with no competitive significance, can Michigan’s CFP title survive NCAA investigation of its improper sign-stealing? If so, a double standard exists. If so, U of L should put its banner back up.
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Universityof Louisville discus thrower Jayden Ulrich will be headed to Paris Wednesday for the Summer Olympics. She is the first U of L track and field athlete to earn a spot on Team USA.
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Breaking news: All of those Courier Journal subscribers who canceled their subscriptions (or claimed to have canceled subscriptions they didn't have) on my account, it is now safe to return to the C-J because I have been laid off. Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, etc.
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Dusty May told me tonight, “I never received any death threats (from Louisville fans) I’ve never receives any threats at all, period.” He said the passion of Louisville fans did not cause him cold feet; “It was one of the things I was most attracted to.” (Stay tuned for more).
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When George H. W. Bush was at Yale and Dodgers’ announcer Vin Scully was at Fordham, they met in a college baseball game. Both men went 0-for-3.
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LeBron James has more class, more conscience, more compassion and more talent than POTUS. And one wife, zero bankruptcies and zero porn star payoffs. POTUS out of his league picking a fight with him.
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John Calipari had to know he had lost his mandate at Kentucky and that a fresh start was best for all concerned. On his way out, though, I hope UK fans appreciate how well and how often he used his position to mobilize Big Blue Nation to help charitable causes.
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Sweeping Virginia for the first time in a decade, the University of Louisville has now won eight in a row after two years of epic futility. A sleeping giant has awakened.
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Jeff Walz asked Louisville and Kentucky fans to contribute water for storm victims before today’s women’s basketball game. And the people responded.
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Deng Adel made an awful mistake at the end of #Louisville's loss to Virginia, but he sat at his locker and fielded every question. A lot of athletes would have made themselves scarce. Few are as accountable.
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Did I miss a reference to the NCAA’s allegations of five Level I violations against Kansas during the game broadcast?
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Whatever you might think of John Calipari as a basketball coach, he recognizes the power of his presence and his platform and consistently uses them for good.
I’m at Pennyrile State Park in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
UK basketball coach John Calipari is out talking to some of the tornado survivors who are living here.
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Bob Baffert inducted into Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Trainer ended his acceptance speech as follows:
“I couldn’t float like a butterfly.
I couldn’t sting like a bee.
But here I am in the same hall
as Muhammad Ali.”
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There was a fitting symmetry to Pete Rose’s life. He was born on April 14, 1941 — the first day of the regular season — and he died on Sept. 30, 2024, the day the regular season ended.
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NCAA's failure to punish North Carolina for decades of academic fraud makes you wonder whether it's time to disband a useless organization.
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“I hope to set the tone that we have to be transparent. If I’m the only one that knows what’s going on, if I’m the only one that holds the cards, if we have not shared information with people, you get bad decisions faster." -- Neeli Bendapudi, the Louisville Cardinal, 8/21/2018
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Have had my share of conflict with Matt Jones, but I fail to see why an undeclared candidate should be taken off the air. Feels like overreach by McConnell camp.
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Louisville women’s basketball’s Mykasa Robinson, who served as a graduate assistant last season after a distinguished playing career, is leaving town to become an assistant coach at Marshall. Selfless, team-first player seemed destined to be a coach. Happy trails.
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Oakland University received a donation from a Louisville fan who annually rewards the school that knocks Kentucky out of the NCAA Tournament. That’s a story worth telling. If you know this person, please send him or her my way.
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This is a bad business if your goal is popularity, but the outpouring of affection for Jody Demling as he battles coronavirus symptoms has been striking. Jody has shown it is possible for a media guy to be well-connected, well-informed and well-liked. Pretty rare trifecta.
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Here’s hoping we soon reach the point with Pat Kelsey that Green Bay reached with Vince Lombardi: the point where you stop referencing the disastrous regime that preceded him and simply savor his success.
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Don't think Louisville volleyball can fill the KFC Yum Center on a regular basis -- even if the Cards should win the NCAA title Saturday against Texas -- but Dani Busboom Kelly's program has outgrown its campus arena and earned a bigger stage.
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Been off the grid for a few days for my daughter’s wedding. And am grateful for the surgeons who enabled me to live to see it.
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Was not there, but if Scottie Scheffler disregarded police instructions to stop after a fatal accident on Shelbyville Rd., that’s on him. That he’s the No. 1 player in the world makes it newsworthy and embarrassing, but his stature is ultimately irrelevant.
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Louisville women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz leaves athletic director listening tour stop early to get on a Zoom call with a 6-5 recruit, saying “People say we’ve got to get bigger.”
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Louisville men’s and women’s basketball coaches Pat Kelsey and Jeff Walz among front-row spectators at Louisville-Nebraska volleyball.
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In Teddy Bridgewater and Lamar Jackson, #Louisville has had two remarkable quarterbacks in a short span. Both have carried themselves with grace and dignity. Worth remembering when the news is not so good.
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Don't know where the road will lead Mike Pegues, but here's hoping Louisville's interim basketball coach lands softly. He inherited a tough situation without head coaching experience, handled himself with grace and humor, and pushed Virginia to the buzzer in ACC Tournament.
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Former Louisville star Butch Beard on U of L basketball: “They have run it into the ground. Right now the basketball program is in the Ohio River, right next to the Belle of Louisville. The Belle of Louisville is going to float. The basketball program is getting ready to drown."
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Louisville interim athletic director Josh Heird says U of L is close to creating a Name, Image and Likeness department to support his No. 1 priority: putting U of L in "best position possible to attract the best talent" in recruiting.
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Would someone please explain how observing speed limits, wearing seat belts and stopping for red lights is any less of an infringement on your individual rights than wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing in a life-and-death battle with a pandemic.
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One year ago today, Dr. Steven Etoch and his team cut me open for an emergency aortic dissection. Am pleased to report my heart is still beating and, therefore, my gratitude is still undying.
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Interviewed Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield in a conference room at Cardinal Stadium. Behind him was a board with U of L’s 2022 opponents. The logo for Kentucky was upside down. Satterfield said this was the work of a graduate assistant. Ah, rivalries.
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Asked Carl Jones about the possibility his son, Carlik, might return to #Louisville next season: "If the NBA ain’t talking about what he’s talking about, I think he will come back. He doesn’t want to go to no developmental G-League, any of that. He wants to play basketball."
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Louisville interim AD Josh Heird has reached out to former U of L star Butch Beard, who asked last year to be disassociated from his alma mater. Beard still has issues with U of L, but Heird's call reopened communication and demonstrated a desire to heal old wounds. Smart move.
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If you’ve been in contact with me recently, do yourself a favor and get a COVID-19 test. I tested positive this morning and can assure Rand Paul it was not because I was being theatrical with multiple masks.
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Louisville’s next men’s basketball coach has to know how quickly fans will return at the slightest sign of hope. Selling $8,000 worth of Oakland T-shirts to Louisville zip codes overnight after Kentucky’s tournament loss a reminder of how much people still care.
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Definition of "presidential" has changed a lot since 2016, but Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear showing the kind of leadership and decency that could play on a larger stage.
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Five years ago today, the U.S. Attorney and FBI announced a major investigation into corruption in college basketball. Five years later, the University of Louisville is still waiting for resolution of the Brian Bowen case. Its IARP hearing ended 99 days ago.
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Louisville athletics reports a recent surge of seven-figure donations totaling $19 million from Alro Steel, Junior Bridgeman, Sandra Frazier, Dennis & Lagara Goulait, L&N Federal Credit Union, Kroger, Louisville Distilling Company, Jim Patterson, Isac Roths & Al J. Schneider Co.
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Tell me again how Florida State and Clemson are too good for the ACC. With a straight face.
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Total offense update:
Lamar Jackson: 4550 yards
Mason Rudolph: 4151 yards
Baker Mayfield: 4056 yards
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Arrived at the Minneapolis airport to find Louisville coach Jeff Walz waiting at the baggage claim (for his son). Walz was kind enough to give two reporters a ride and, like Rainman, is an excellent driver.
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Programming note: Baltimore's Lamar Jackson vs. Denver's Teddy Bridgewater Oct. 3 in Denver. Predicted winner: #Louisville recruiting.
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Saw Bob Valvano's tweet about his trip to the oncologist. Good news: Louisville radio analyst does not have leukemia. Story in the works.
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Temporary cease-fire in the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry: Mrs. Denny Crum helps prompt outpouring of birthday cards for Joe B. Hall's 93rd on Tuesday.
courier-journal.com/story/sp…
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Pretty gutless of Adidas to replace a referee mid-game because she had issues with LaVar Ball. Way to empower a boor and a bully.
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Spoke to a racing insider who doesn’t trust Trakus yesterday, but the saddlecloth sensors show Rich Strike ran 58 feet further than did runner-up Epicenter in the Kentucky Derby. Also, Rich Strike’s top speed of 44.2 mph was two miles faster than any other horse in the field.
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In 16 days since heart surgery, I have missed Louisville's NCAA sanctions, Cards reaching CWS and U2 concert. On plus side, I'm still alive.
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Followed Louisville baseball on the radio Friday and was struck (again) by the smooth and savvy work of Sean Moth (@CardsPA). It's no secret to U of L fans, but he is definitely big-league caliber.
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Louisville's Emily Engstler is one of 12 players invited to Monday's WNBA Draft. Have seen her projected as high as the No. 5 selection.
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Would like to see Gov. Bevin waiting for a weather-delayed bus in the kind of coat a poor family can afford and tell us about how our kids are getting soft.
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Former #Louisville trustee Bill Stone agrees with Rick Pitino that university should fight to restore its vacated 2013 NCAA Championship:
"I think the university owes it to its devoted fan base to develop a strategy to get that banner back. This should still be on the agenda."
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Number of people reporting New Zealand Breakers have approached Rick Pitino about coaching gig. Here's his response: "It's total BS -- someone trying to poke fun at me. . .Lot of comedians out of work."
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Whatever happens in overtime, it's ridiculous top-seeded North Carolina State must play Connecticut in Bridgeport before an overwhelmingly UConn crowd.
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Thirty-three years ago, she said "I do," and my lonely life gained joy, laughter and purpose. Here's to 33 more.
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In separate conversations less than five minutes apart Saturday, two people with strong ties to Louisville hoops told me Bruce Pearl should be U of L’s next coach. Can’t see school overlooking Pearl’s NCAA rap sheet, but many fans more interested in results than reputation.
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If you want to know why the United States led the medal count in Tokyo, a lot of the credit goes to Title IX. U.S. women accounted for 66 of America's 113 medals.
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Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz wants Thursday's cancelation to count as a Virginia forfeit. That would keep U of L even with N.C. State in ACC standings (at 12-1) and prevent possibility of Wolfpack winning conference by playing one extra game.
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Raise your hand if you’re outraged by Joe Biden forgiving student loans but voted for Trump’s tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Then do us all a favor and never say another word about anything.
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Mitch Barnhart blaming the media for the Calipari-Stoops kerfuffle is both predictable and lame. It’s only news because of how Stoops reacted.
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University of Louisville Athletic Association approves contract for new men’s basketball coach Kenny Payne and an extension for women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz.
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Understand objections to naming Louisville airport after a figure as controversial as Muhammad Ali, but would hope (and doubt) same people who have a problem with honoring conscientious objectors are at least equally offended by draft dodging through bogus bone spurs.
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Louisville's All-America setter Tori Dilfer fought back tears during the post-match press conference Thursday night, but said, "I’m incredibly grateful. Can’t thank them enough. Coming to Louisville was the best decision I’ve ever made."
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Well-connected Louisville source told me to expect a big announcement tomorrow morning. Rumors of U of L President Neeli Bendapudi taking the Penn State job just stunning.
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One of my oldest friends, Greg Plasters, is battling COVID-19. If you have room in your prayers, please include him.
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Louisville captain Malik Williams tells U of L tipoff luncheon crowd:, “National championship is the goal and that should be the standard and the expectation.”
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University of Louisville discus thrower Jayden Ulrich has been named to the U.S. Olympic team and will be competing in the Summer Games of Paris. She will be the first U of L track and field to represent the U.S. at the Olympics. Take a bow, Jayden.
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If you have to have emergency heart surgery -- and I did -- can't imagine better or nicer people than those caring for me at Norton.
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Louisville fan wants to know what it will cost to make me retire. My asking price is $2 million. For $3 million, I will sit in a dunking booth while Vince Tyra fires fastballs at the target.
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MIT grad sent me a stat so stunning I had to double-check it: In its #NCAA regional victories over Stanford and Oregon State, the longest run #Louisville allowed was three points. Three!
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Kenny Payne’s Arkansas contract provided him a base salary of $900,000, plus a pair of $50,000 bonuses for the Razorbacks reaching the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16.
And he still has two more years of payments due on his $7.25 million severance deal with Louisville.
Sigh.
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Just learned of the death of Junior Bridgeman, whose post-basketball career far eclipsed his athletic career and whose personal qualities may have exceeded both. RIP to one of Louisville’s classiest acts.
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Thanks to all those who have responded to my COVID-19 positive with kindness and concern. Still not much energy, but my only pain is due to my NCAA bracket.
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Congratulations to Louisville guard Caleb Chandler, who was named first-team All-America by Pro Football Focus as the only Power Five conference guard to earn pass-blocking grades of better than 90%. Take a bow, Caleb.
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Rinse and retweet: If sports are shut down, blame begins with those Americans who refuse to wear masks.
amp.courier-journal.com/amp/…
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Question: Are we to believe Kenny Payne fixed the Louisville program he described as “broken,” clearing the way for Pat Kelsey to succeed?
Answer: Are we to believe the Tooth Fairy does root canals?
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Asked Louisville WBB coach Jeff Walz if Hailey Van Lith's departure were NIL related: "She graduates in May with a finance degree," he said. "(Transferring) Gives her a chance to get Masters degree from another institution. She didn't mention NIL as reason."
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Good to remember there's almost always more to the story than what you see on the surface: Jimbo Fisher's move to Texas A&M not only a money grab. It puts him closer to world-class Houston hospitals. His youngest son has a rare and life-threatening blood disorder.
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Can confirm that Vince Tyra is here at the NCAA Volleyball semifinals. And not close enough to take a swing at me.
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Many thanks to all who have inquired about my emergency surgery on Saturday. Am much improved today and could go home as soon as tomorrow.
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Former #Louisville coach Rick Pitino says he is starting a podcast in conjunction with his forthcoming book (due out on Sept. 4). Long a critic of social media, Pitino even plans to start a Twitter account.
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