Pitino blames UConn loss on storm damage

Louisville coach Rick Pitino said yesterday that his team's disappointing 69-67 loss to Connecticut Monday night can be attributed to Tuesday night's severe weather that caused millions of dollars in damage.

“Unlike the weathermen here in town, this team anticipated there would be severe storms on Tuesday and that widespread damage would occur,” said Pitino, who also announced Will Scott will be named the team's backup trainer. “It's just difficult for young men today to block out storm damage. They don't understand it.

“My old Kentucky teams would have said the hell with blown out windows and fallen trees and beaten UConn by 20 or 25 points. This team doesn't get it, and until they do they will continue to disappoint me and our fans. Storm damage doesn't faze me, but it rattles our players.”