The Daily Nole

Louisville’s Rick Pitino: I’m a Big Fan of FSU

Phil Kelly/FSU athletics

If there’s a guy out there who knows a good basketball team when he sees it, it’s Louisville head coach Rick Pitino. Pitino has been to seven Final Fours with three different schools and is the only coach to win national championships at two different programs.

In Tallahassee on Saturday, Pitino watched his Cardinals lose a hard-fought contest to Florida State. Louisville never led in the 73-68 loss and was held scoreless over the final 2:05 after drawing to within one. After the game, the 2-time national champion had high praise for the home team.

“They got great talent, great size, great shooting ability,” Pitino said. “They beat you off the bounce 1-on-1. They have great shot-blocking ability and size. They have a lottery pick as a freshman (in Jonathan Isaac). (Dwayne) Bacon is a first-rounder. There’s really not a weakness. Great attitude, great size, they play hard, great talent.”

Nearly 12,000 people packed the Tucker Center on Saturday as the 10th-ranked Seminoles took down No. 12 Louisville. Leading scorer Dwayne Bacon was held to just 5-for-16 shooting and the deep FSU bench was outplayed by Louisville’s, but 6-10 freshman Jonathan Isaac’s third straight double-double, suffocating FSU defense and a 14-0 run to start allowed the Seminoles to prevail.

“They’re a good team,” Pitino said. “Just an outstanding atmosphere, an outstanding basketball game. I’m a big fan of Florida State.”

After missing the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons, FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton has his program destined for perhaps its best season in decades and maybe since appearing in the national championship in 1972. With the win on Saturday, FSU improved to 18-2 on the season and remained tied atop the ACC standings at 6-1 in conference play.

“I’m happy for Leonard, because he’s in the shadow of football,” Pitino said. “He’s doing it as one of the top teams in the nation.”

Robert Blackburn co-authored this report

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

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