July 19, 2001
Of the most interesting scenarios next season, I can't wait for the first games of Rick Pitino at Louisville and the General, Robert Montgomery Knight, at Texas Tech.

	The 'Curse of the General' is one reason Coack K's kids may not repeat as national champions.

I spoke to the General on Thursday morning and can flat-out say I haven't heard him more excited than when he was talking about the potential of the Texas Tech program. He is ecstatic about the reception of the people, the sellout of every reserved ticket and the cast of new players he is coaching.

In fact, the players' skills have surprised him, but he will not be able to form a true evaluation until he sees them play in a five-on-five game situation. Everything is in place, he said, for the start of a new campaign.

Knight is thrilled to have his son, Patrick, on his coaching staff. The General is also excited to have his other son, Tim, working in the Texas Tech athletic department. And for the first time, the university will have TV shows for the coaches. I told him, "Well, does it shock me? It's the first time they've had the General!"

If he can somehow get Texas Tech into the first division of the Big 12 in his first year, he will receive many votes for Big 12 Coach of the Year. It will not be easy, but Knight's players will play with intensity, emotion and feeling. I know he's excited to prove his system can still prevail and get the Red Raiders into the winner's circle.

Pitino, meanwhile, is dazzling people in Louisville. I had the chance Wednesday to be the featured speaker to over 700 principals and assistant principals and superintendents from the Kentucky association of administrators. I had a blast, talking about Pitino and Tubby Smith coaching in the same state. How lucky the state is to have two coaching giants.

	Rick Pitino won a national title at Kentucky in '96.

Pitino is on a caravan tour with football coach John L. Smith, selling Louisville athletics all over the state. Tom Jurich, Louisville's outstanding athletic director, created the "Cardinal Caravan" to make sure the programs were marketed in a big-time way.

As I told the Kentucky faithful during my motivational speech, Pitino did a fantastic job at Kentucky, creating all kinds of Big Blue hysteria. But Pitino did his job and moved on, and now the Wildcats have a great coach in Smith. There is no question Kentucky will continue to be a top-10 basketball program.

But take this to the bank -- Pitino, by his third season, will have Louisville back in the top 10, where the Cardinals will stay on a regular basis. How powerful is Pitino's name? Think about two of his recruits for next year -- Francisco Garcia of Cheshire, Conn., and Taquan Dean of Neptune, N.J. They committed without even visiting the campus because they wanted to play under Pitino.

However, the best thing Pitino has done at Louisville is sell his system to the most important people of all -- his players. They are buying into the program, baby. It's special to read quotes from Reece Gaines and company about work ethic, conditioning, drills and playing at night. They are ready for Pitino "ups" -- up and down the floor, shooting the trifecta, pressing and running. Louisville basketball should be exciting.

I can't wait to see Pitino and Knight back on the sidelines. Whether you love them or hate them, they are great for college basketball. I'm watching the clock and can't wait until tip-off time.

Who needs the high school kids who want to go to the NBA? Let them go. Consider the passion for matchups like Louisville-Kentucky, Duke-North Carolina and Michigan-Michigan State, with Tommy Amaker now in Ann Arbor. The college game is going to be awesome, baby, with a capital A.