Damien Lee/Trey Lewis press conference

[SUintheVille]

Just about an hour ago, the 2 UofL graduate transfers Damien and Trey gave a local press conference here in Louisville about the situation. They sat and gave a statement and answered questions, while the rest of the team stood behind them in close support and unity.

These guys came to UofL to play in the tournament. They love playing here, even still today they said, and they love the community and fan support. These guys were absolutely devastated early today and were crying. Pitino and their teammates consoled them. In their 15-minute pressor, it is unbelievable the character, positive attitude, and composure these 2 very fine young gentlemen exhibited. Their faith in God will bring them thru this they said and they know it's much more than about them. Damien even joked about 5-10 years from now this group of players will reunite every time one of them gets married. These 2 have wisdom and leadership way beyond their years! They didn't say one negative thing. We can all learn a lesson or 2 from them!

It made me tear up listening to them. It's just such a shame all around. Thought you all would want to know.

 

[Ragman2000]

 

[bballbeadle]

Just about an hour ago, the 2 UofL graduate transfers Damien and Trey gave a local press conference here in Louisville about the situation. They sat and gave a statement and answered questions, while the rest of the team stood behind them in close support and unity.

These guys came to UofL to play in the tournament. They love playing here, even still today they said, and they love the community and fan support. These guys were absolutely devastated early today and were crying. Pitino and their teammates consoled them. In their 15-minute pressor, it is unbelievable the character, positive attitude, and composure these 2 very fine young gentlemen exhibited. Their faith in God will bring them thru this they said and they know it's much more than about them. Damien even joked about 5-10 years from now this group of players will reunite every time one of them gets married. These 2 have wisdom and leadership way beyond their years! They didn't say one negative thing. We can all learn a lesson or 2 from them!

It made me tear up listening to them. It's just such a shame all around. Thought you all would want to know.

Thank you so much for posting this. Those players have done nothing to deserve this, and my heart goes out to them. Whether Pitino knew or not, I don't know, but the players and fans deserve compassion and empathy, especially from the Cuse Nation.

 

[Headmaster 9]

Made me laugh... But they don't deserve this!

 

[690West]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaab/eye...hly-punishes-seniors-with-late-postseason-ban

 

[SUOrangeSU]

I feel bad for those two...again, it's punishing the players who are there...not the ones who went through the allegations

 

[dasher]

Just about an hour ago, the 2 UofL graduate transfers Damien and Trey gave a local press conference here in Louisville about the situation. They sat and gave a statement and answered questions, while the rest of the team stood behind them in close support and unity.

These guys came to UofL to play in the tournament. They love playing here, even still today they said, and they love the community and fan support. These guys were absolutely devastated early today and were crying. Pitino and their teammates consoled them. In their 15-minute pressor, it is unbelievable the character, positive attitude, and composure these 2 very fine young gentlemen exhibited. Their faith in God will bring them thru this they said and they know it's much more than about them. Damien even joked about 5-10 years from now this group of players will reunite every time one of them gets married. These 2 have wisdom and leadership way beyond their years! They didn't say one negative thing. We can all learn a lesson or 2 from them!

It made me tear up listening to them. It's just such a shame all around. Thought you all would want to know.

I don't feel that bad for them. I guess I feel for the players that they left behind to go play the one year at Louisville. They left their schools and picked the wrong free agent school to go to. Harsh but true.

 

[Dave85]

I don't feel that bad for them. I guess I feel for the players that they left behind to go play the one year at Louisville. They left their schools and picked the wrong free agent school to go to. Harsh but true.

Did these guys see any of the action? Oh stop it you were thinking it too!

 

[dasher]

Did these guys see any of the action? Oh stop it you were thinking it too!

LOL who knows.

 

[sabach]

I cried for Rak.

 

[cto]

Their comments also ran on Sports Center on ESPN. It was sad to listen to them...as they obviously were not part of the issue that got UofL in trouble.

What I found most interesting about all of today's comments was what Pitino said on ESPN.

First, he was clearly critical of the school's decision...suggesting he was not part of the process and heard of the decision only after it was made.

Second, in his remarks, he emphasized that his team was a good team that was definitely on its way to the tourney. Then he caught himself before saying "unlike Syracuse last year." Listen to his remarks. That is clearly what he was about to say when he stopped himself.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I don't feel that bad for them. I guess I feel for the players that they left behind to go play the one year at Louisville. They left their schools and picked the wrong free agent school to go to. Harsh but true.

You feel badly that they graduated on time, playing basketball at a D-1 level, then wanted to enroll in a graduate program not offered at their college and play at a higher, non-professional level. You think they are the bad guys? That is a perverse and warped sense of what is and is not important and what using athletics as a means to a free education is all about.

 

[jec1521]

Boo hoo. They could have gotten the same female treatment that incoming freshmen got for all we know.

 

[bballbeadle]

Their comments also ran on Sports Center on ESPN. It was sad to listen to them...as they obviously were not part of the issue that got UofL in trouble.

What I found most interesting about all of today's comments was what Pitino said on ESPN.

First, he was clearly critical of the school's decision...suggesting he was not part of the process and heard of the decision only after it was made.

Second, in his remarks, he emphasized that his team was a good team that was definitely on its way to the tourney. Then he caught himself before saying "unlike Syracuse last year." Listen to his remarks. That is clearly what he was about to say when he stopped himself.

Well, that was true, wasn't it? But he was right to stop himself, because agony is agony whether you have a "good" team or don't. But I understand the we "could have been a contender" mindset.

Now, I wonder how their team will play through that adversity? We have had several teams who have had to do so. Including our team this year.

 

[HoustonCuse]

Why were they paraded out for this press conference, anyway? Clearly Pitino and the school are not on the same page at all. Based on this act, designed only to make the school he works for look heartless and cruel, I predict he will be out of UL very soon.

 

[Shark58]

they should be allowed to transfer and play immediately

 

[SoBeCuse]

Well, that was true, wasn't it? But he was right to stop himself, because agony is agony whether you have a "good" team or don't. But I understand the we "could have been a contender" mindset.

Now, I wonder how their team will play through that adversity? We have had several teams who have had to do so. Including our team this year.

Yeah, seemed to make sense what Pitino was saying and he's right that they were a lock for the Tourney with a good team. He also agreed that he understood he was kept in the dark about it by te AD et all. Of course he was thinking about the SU situation and I was surprised he actually caught himself. I sort of said it for him involuntarily just watching it.

 

[dasher]

You feel badly that they graduated on time, playing basketball at a D-1 level, then wanted to enroll in a graduate program not offered at their college and play at a higher, non-professional level. You think they are the bad guys? That is a perverse and warped sense of what is and is not important and what using athletics as a means to a free education is all about.

get the off your high horse. yeah, I'm sure it was that rigid Louisville grad program that attracted them. They left their teammates to jump to a big time program. That is the risk they took. I never once said they were the bad guys. You really have trouble with your reading skills. Among other things.

 

[dollarbill44]

I feel bad for those two...again, it's punishing the players who are there...not the ones who went through the allegations

Well, that's the system. But, how else do you punish the program? You can't not mete out some sort of punishment, otherwise there isn't any pain to breaking the rules.

 

[SUintheVille]

The point of my OP was the maturity, leadership, and perspective that 2 young basketball players showed on TV after being crushed by a decision. The cynicism expressed by a few on this board is unbelievable. Remember, this just happened to SU.

 

[SoBeCuse]

The point of my OP was the maturity, leadership, and perspective that 2 young basketball players showed on TV after being crushed by a decision. The cynicism expressed by a few on this board is unbelievable. Remember, this just happened to SU.

Agreed on all fronts. Very well spoken young gents as well. It will be interesting to see how UL finish the season.

 

[orangenirvana]

Their comments also ran on Sports Center on ESPN. It was sad to listen to them...as they obviously were not part of the issue that got UofL in trouble.

What I found most interesting about all of today's comments was what Pitino said on ESPN.

First, he was clearly critical of the school's decision...suggesting he was not part of the process and heard of the decision only after it was made.

Second, in his remarks, he emphasized that his team was a good team that was definitely on its way to the tourney. Then he caught himself before saying "unlike Syracuse last year." Listen to his remarks. That is clearly what he was about to say when he stopped himself.

If he was really going to say that then he must be psychic. Syracuse was far from a great team but when the sanctions were announced the team had a 6-3 conference record, 15-7 overall against a Top 40 schedule. After the announcement with no real incentive they finished 3-6. Not to mention no opportunity to strengthen their resume in the ACC Tourney. Who knows how they would have played with the NCAA's still on the line.

 

[Moontan]

Second, in his remarks, he emphasized that his team was a good team that was definitely on its way to the tourney. Then he caught himself before saying "unlike Syracuse last year." Listen to his remarks. That is clearly what he was about to say when he stopped himself.

And he shouldn't say that, because we don't know that. Last year's team lost some spark as well as some will to dig deep to fight back at the end of games. Had there not been an a ban, who knows how it would've turned out.

I wouldn't be surprised to see UL wilt as the season drags on.

 

[Alsacs]

Syracuse did this last year and I was very sad for Rak Christmas but he had been a 4 year player at Syracuse and had been to the Elite 8, and Final 4 previously during time.

He got denied a couple extra games but he didn't ripped off the NCAAT experience.

These kids from UL came to UL to play in the NCAAT. The program must be expecting severe penalties are coming to kill these kids season. If I were Lee/Lewis I wouldn't play another home game for UL and let them make revenue off me. UL has no business profiting off them anymore. The NCAA should give them an extra semester of eligibility at another school.

It is different from Rak as these kids specifically came to Louisville to play in postseason. If they were just Seniors in the program it would be different.

 

[rrlbees]

Syracuse did this last year and I was very sad for Rak Christmas but he had been a 4 year player at Syracuse and had been to the Elite 8, and Final 4 previously during time. He got denied a couple extra games but he didn't ripped off the NCAAT experience. These kids from UL came to UL to play in the NCAAT. The program must be expecting severe penalties are coming to kill these kids season. If I were Lee/Lewis I wouldn't play another home game for UL and let them make revenue off me. UL has no business profiting off them anymore. The NCAA should give them an extra semester of eligibility at another school. It is different from Rak as these kids specifically came to Louisville to play in postseason. If they were just Seniors in the program it would be different.

I don't think the NCAA should give them anything, and they won't. Their lost opportunity is fully on Louisville. The NCAA didn't take anything away from them and their penalties, when they come down, won't impact this season. So them not playing in the ncaa's is 100% Louisville's decision.