Pitino faces reporters at Big East Media Day

(WHAS11)-University of Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino faced the media blitz of questions in New York City on Wednesday at the Big East Media Day.

On a day when coaches are usually previewing the upcoming season, Pitino’s questions were focused in a different direction.

With the offseason drama surrounding Pitino and the story of his relationship with Karen Cunagin Sypher, reporters took aim at the ramifications that episode would take on the 2009-2010 season for the Cards.

Pitino, who had been rumored to possibly skip Media Day, addressed the questions with the media-savvy answers he has given since his days as an NBA coach.

“In this sport, many times people, when they have great success, get distracted,’’ Pitino said Wednesday.”Many times when they face adversity, they get distracted. It affects you both ways. You’ve got to follow your path and stay focused on where you’re trying to get with your team.’’

Pitino was able to focus things back on basketball, pointing to the game as a haven from the personal problems he has faced off the court.

“You all have tough periods in your life as I do in my life,’’ Pitino said to a large group of reporters.”We all know how to get through tough periods the right way. The best thing about basketball is we’re all so tuned in toward our goals right now. I really just want to focus on basketball. I really do.’’

Pitino continued, “The best thing for me is to put it behind me. You all have had difficult times in your life that you’ve had to get through. I’ve gotten through it. I’m no different than any of you. We’ll get through it. I don’t want to tell you about my difficulties because you guys look in the mirror and ladies look in the mirror, you have difficult times in your lives. I’m no different than you.’’

Pitino promised to keep his off-court troubles from distracting the Cardinals, who the coaches voted to finish fourth in the Big East, during the upcoming season.

“There will be no more distractions,’’ Pitino said. “I owe it to my team.”