Rick Pitino: "In the end, I'll be totally vindicated"

Last week Louisville self-imposed a one-year NCAA Tournament ban as a result of the university’s in-house investigation of a prostitution scandal. Coach Rick Pitino has steadfastly denied any involvement and expressed skepticism that some of the events described in the book Breaking Cardinal Rules ever happened.

He also believes the university should be fined in lieu of any postseason sanctions.

Pitino’s defiance and views aren’t entirely surprising and could be expected from any coach who found himself in a similar situation. But speaking this morning on Mike and Mike, the Hall of Famer offered perhaps his strongest statement yet.

“In the end, I’ll be totally vindicated, and people will understand how it happened,” he said.

It’s interesting to hear such confidence from a man who claims to know so little about the situation. If he truly was naive it’s understandable why he’s so passionate about defending his name. If, however, he’s simply doubling down to protect his own name this seems like a statement that could back to haunt him.

He also claimed he’d forfeit his own salary if it meant his Cardinals could participate in March Madness.

And if you believe that, well, you’re less skeptical than most.

Image via USA Today Sports