Seedy K’s B-Ball Baubles: 9/22

Is it too early to talk hoops?

No, Bruce (my pal Bruce RIP, not the one mentioned below), my man, it is not.

Especially since September 22 is the new October 15. Because the season actually starts a month earlier than it used to.

I’m advised full on full team practice officially starts today. Like, you know, it used to on October 15. Not sure, frankly, what that means these days. Schools practice in one form or another almost all year round now.

Not aware of any Midnight Madness on the calendar. Which doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

Which mention of course reminds me of Louisville’s one ill-fated MM. I always loved how Denny just started practice. No folderol, etc. While other schools took the hype train hoopla. Started by, I believe but may be wrong, Lefty Dreisell at Maryland. Adopted most famously down the road eastwardly a bit.

U of L never had one, until that ill advised under attended first season under The Rick at Convention Center. The one feature of which I recall is Pitino instructing the smattering of fans there how they were to cheer for three pointers. Which never took. Oh yeah, there was the national ESPN hoops reporter who asked me where everybody was?

I advised, “Midnight Madness? U of L don’t need no stinkin’ Midnight Madness.”

(Which for those paying attention, is the second time today I’ve used that iconic “Treasure of Sierra Madre” reference.)

 * * * * *

There is actually some college hoops news of substance today.

Bruce Pearl has stepped down at Auburn, to become a PR (fund raising) Ambassador for the school.

Nepotism firmly in place, he’s being replaced by his son, Steven.

Who, to the best of my knowledge, has never been a head coach anywhere. Confirming the old adage, it’s not what you know but whom you know. Or, whom you are related to. He is a bestie to Todd Golden.

It shall be fascinating to watch.

 * * * * *

As for my team — that is the University of Louisville Cardinals as if you didn’t know — I need to pump the brakes.

All the videos. The interviews. The national buzz. The preseason acclaim.

An opening exhi in a month against Kansas.

Take it a day at a time, Seedy.

 * * * * *

I trust those reading this are aware that a dust up of some sort occurred when Pat Kelsey and Mark Pope were set to recruit the same heralded recruit in the same time frame.

Plus I got a text from a fellow hoopaholic and recruiting obsessive that the kid — forget his name — is going to another big name program, not U of L or UK.

I don’t pay much attention to recruitment. Peripheral glances now and again.

I’ve said it before and do so again. There have been only two HS players in history that U of L legitimately “had to have.”

Westley Unseld.

Darrell Griffith.

Period.

Not even that hot shot #1 in the ’26 class who now lives in Cali but grew up in Louisville.

We’ll be just fine with whom we get.

Three nattys confirm that.

— c d kaplan