Transcript and Video: Pat Kelsey Speaking After Miami Win

Video here.

(Opening Statement):

“It’s a really cool day to honor the 2005 team. Jody Demling interviewed me and told me about the ceremony because I was really interested in how it went. He explained how the amount responded to the introductions of the players there were there. He said it was electric. How cool was it that coach Rick Pitino spoke and the ovation he got? I was able to watch the video before the game and when he talked about the fan base, you could almost hear his voice getting a little emotional. It shows how much he loves the city of Louisville and the fan base. It was clear how much he loved this team in 2005. It is ironic that we honor the team today that I told you at the press conference on Tuesday that when we read about this team and learned more about it, to learn, The hallmark of this team is their togetherness, their mate, theirs, their toughness. I think Rick Pitino said at the time it was his toughest team he ever coached, which is great because all his teams are incredibly tough and cruel. I think this team reflects the qualities of the 2005 team a lot, because when I read it, they didn’t have a million five stars, but just a bunch of hard cruel dudes who fought and competed. That’s what this team, the 2025 edition, Louisville Cardinals is all about. “

“When Chucky went down, we were obviously a little short-handed, and then James (Scott) goes down four or five minutes into the game, but the next man-up mentality was on full view. The guys stepped up and raised the level of their games and made contributions in different areas that they usually do not. The guarded positions that they usually do not. I’m just proud of our team as I’ve been all year round. They were resilient, cruel, hard and found a way. “

(About thanking the fans of the grandstand after the game) “It was time. I always say ‘never delay gratitude’ and I delayed gratitude a little too much. They’ve been amazing. The audience today was phenomenal. I think the ceremony and 2005 and train Pitino’s video gives the arena. Yum! Center was even more electric in the second half. The student organ is the heart and soul of a basketball program. I say all the time, ‘It’s not my program, it’s not the player’s program, but in a fantastic college -basketball program has student body ownership of the program. They were a factor today. They came in large numbers. They were loud. They didn’t just sit there and enjoy the game on their phones. They make a difference. They deserved to be thanked. Perhaps the biggest reason was that I just made excuses to be too busy with things. My mom was at my house and celebrated my daughter’s 16^Th birthday. My mom asked me why I hadn’t been up to thanking the student as you used to do? You have to do it. Yes, Mrs. They deserved what they have been amazing and we need them down on the stretch of many of the remaining big games. But to answer your question briefly because Mom said it. “

(About juggling lineup around the damage) “I call it the benefit of no choice. We had no choice. If we were a pitching staff with the Point Guard position, it would be Terrence (Edwards) and Pray-for-Rain. Terrence accepted it challenged and played for 40 minutes and never got out of the game. He was sensational. He had 27 points and 10 assists and five rebounds. He was amazing. Reyne (Smith) played a million minutes, which was really good for us. J’Vonne (Hadley) played a million minutes for us. It was the other guys who really stepped up. I challenged Kader (Traore), I challenged Khani (Rooths) and Noah (Waterman) because we needed them. There was no one else. We needed them to step up and perform their tasks defensively and these guys responded. Every time I challenged them, they answered the call. Obviously, they contributed from a number of views, but also with the great toughness they showed. “

(By being good at going down 7 & 8 and getting back) “I just think it’s the composition of our players, their competitive character, their players, their winners, you know. I just think you find out what you are. I don’t know who said it, but trains Prosser used to say it all the time: You really find out what’s inside when you squeeze the orange. We are pressed and there is juice in there. And these guys, these guys are winners. “

(On offensive execution) “We did not go in with a being to say that we will have to run more sets than we normally do. It was probably about the same amount. But you saw some of these concepts that you know we were working on and guys were able to, we were able to take advantage of and generate some shots out of some of these things. But we didn’t say, “Hey Chucky is out and we get three feet in a cloud of dust and hug up every time and run nine million sets. We stay and stop and we never say that we will slow it down. Terrence (Edwards) played 40 minutes. Our guys are as well conditioned as someone in the country. I tell you all the time, it’s because our strength and conditioning coach are the best in the country. And moments like this when your rotation is really short, guys have to step up. You know that’s why we work so hard. From June 5 to now, in the weight room. “

(About how close chucky was on playing) “It’s in or out, you know, so I don’t know if it’s how close it is, either you can go or you can’t go. And you know he would play so badly. I mean, he is the ultimate competitor, Katie Creznic, our director of sports medicine or coach, as you know she came with us from Charleston and she was non-negotiable. I got Katie. I got Eli. Now I didn’t have much leverage in the in the negotiation. So Josh could have said no, but I had to have them. And she did an incredible job. I mean, Chucky got treatment around the clock, and it was a kind of decision after shots around that we just didn’t think it was the smart acting and we hope he will be ready for Wednesday. I have no further update. “

(Follow -up at James Scott) Yes, James. I mean, I don’t have many updates right now. You know he has been with the dentist. I don’t know. He is probably not still there, but you know, teeth turn on, his facial injuries and so, so I don’t know anything. I mean I’m probably talking out because I don’t know. I just know he’s with the dentist or he has been there for a long time so we know more when we have some updates ”

(At Khani Rooth’s maturity as a beginner) “Khani (Rooths) was great for us tonight. Gave us good minutes (on) both ends and I say all the time, he is very conscientious. He is studying the game, he is studying our system. He will be so bad. He wants to do the right thing and he’s just on this team with all these older veteran guys and he’s the only beginner. So (he) just keep working, he gets better and better, plays really hard, empties the thought of every possession. (He) just really cares about his teammates and cares about his development. He works really hard. ”

(On if Reyne Smith ever does not have the green light to shoot)

“His light is neon. Name a color of green that is greener than green, he has it. “