Interview: Peyton Siva

Rick Pitino has worked very quickly with the Class of 2009 receiving commitments from Mike Marra, Rakeem Buckles, and most recently Peyton Siva. From Seattle’s Franklin High School, Peyton Siva is currently ranked as the #6 Point Guard for the 2009 class. Siva was nice enough to answer a few questions for me about his choice of U of L, and what we can expect from him when he arrives on campus.

Throwin L’s: You were reportedly considering Arizona, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Kansas, among many other elite programs. What about Louisville gave them the edge over the other schools?

Peyton Siva: I took a visit out to Louisville and I loved it … I had a great time out there and felt it was the perfect fit for me.

Throwin L’s: What influence was Terrence Williams (T-Will) on your decision?

Siva: Terrence was a big influence on my decision. He helped me out on seeing the campus and telling me how much he loves it and how he feels like its his 2nd home.

TL’s: Your Scout.com profile says that your Decision Making and Mid-Range game are two areas that need improvement. Would you agree with that?

If yes, how you plan on improving those areas?

Siva:  I agree with it, I can always improve on all aspects of my game and those two seem to stick out the most so I’ll try to get those areas up to the best of my ability.

TL’s: What would you like to accomplish at the University of Louisville?

Siva: I would like to accomplish getting the team to the Final 4 and just try to get my degree…and finish out school.

TL’s: What can we, the fans, expect from you whenever you step on the floor in Freedom Hall?

Siva: You guys can expect a lot of energy and excitement. I love to play hard and I get into the game a lot kinda of like T-Will. I hate to lose and I love to get pumped on the court.

TL’s: Are there any players on the current Louisville roster that you are looking forward to playing with?

Siva: I look forward to playing with Edgar Sosa and E5 if they stay. They seem like real cool dudes when I met them.

TL’s: Before you committed, Coach Pitino received commitments from Mike Marra and Rakeem Buckles. Have you ever meet or played with either of them? What do you know, if anything, about them or their game?

Siva: I never meet with Mike Marra or played against either one of them but Rakeem Buckles and i just talked recently and meet for the 1st time. He was a really laid back dude.

TL’s: Here in Louisville we are huge on players nicknames (for some strange reason). Ever since you commited I have heard quite a few floating around. Do you have any nicknames? What would you prefer?

Siva: My nicknames that I’m called here are PS3 (not for the gaming system but because 3 is my jersey and also I’m a Christian so it stands for Trinity the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost..) and my nickname forever has been Pey-Pey (pronounced pay…pay)

Earl Clark coming back!

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8042880/Clark-changes-mind,-will-stay-at-Louisville

I have had terrible computer problems since the Final Four (still am), but there is no better news that I could’ve shared than this.

This news absoultely makes my life. I am not kidding when I say that this is in the top 3 days of my entire life. Welcome back Earl, and thank you. I could not be more excited about next years team.

From everything I am hearing DC would like to join Earl on next yaers team but Pitino no longer wants to babysit him. The ball is in Pitino’s court on Derrick’s future.

I Tip my Hat

I know that one day I will hear “One Shining Moment” as the Cards cut down the nets, but we can no longer hope that day will be 2008 . A fantastic season for the Cardinals, and I honestly couldn’t be more proud of their effort against the best team in the nation, and their effort all season long. Thank you David, Tello, and Farley for 4 great years that included a Final 4, and an Elite 8.

Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the better team, this is one of those times. Good Luck to the Tar Heels the rest of the way. I for one figured Psycho T to be overrated, but I can honestly say that he is the best player in the nation, hands down. Maybe the Cardinal 9 will give us something to get excited about before football season gets here.

Ugh . . . football season, doesn’t that make you want to put a gun in your mouth.

Derrick Caracter to go “Pro” after this Season

According to Jeff Goodman at Fox Sports and the mouth of Derrick Caracter he will not be returning to Louisville for his junior season.

“I’m definitely not coming back,” Caracter said.

“The last three years have been difficult,” Caracter said on Wednesday. “Not playing my senior year in high school to the weight issues my freshman year. But I’ve got to stay positive, that things are going to get better.”

As you might guess, I am devastated couldn’t care less. Without Pitino riding him, one guesses that DC will weight 300lbs by August.

Best of luck to Derrick in the future.

Cards advance to Sweet 16

What an amazing weekend. Our Cards haven’t looked this good . . . maybe all season.

 

I would have laughed if someone would have told me that we would beat Oklahoma by 30 points. I watched this team about a month ago play Texas A&M and I was very impressed. The Sooners were visibly confused by Louisville’s defense however, and everyone of our players seemed to learn/remember (Jerry) how to shoot all at the same time. I pray that this continues this week. 

Congrats to Boise State and Oklahoma on great seasons. Both teams have alot to look forward to. Here is a highlight video of the OK game.

So on to Tennessee. The Vols are a program that I have a great deal of respect for. My respect is not echoed by many of my fellow fans, but I’m not going to bash the Vols at all this week. I like UT football, I like Bruce Pearl, and I’ve loved Chris Lofton since he was a senior in high school. Should the Vols win it will be the first time in school history that they reach the Elite 8 and I don’t want to be the answer to that possible future trivia question. 

I said about 30 “thank you god” prayers earlier today when I got an email from the university about this new arrival.

http://store.cstv.com/marketplace/store_contents.cfm?store_id=45&product_id=122811&partner_id=14725

Whoevers idea these shirts were, I salute you.

Go buy the Believes in We/March is a Brotherhood shirt, and lets enjoy this week. Thursday and hopefully Saturday is going to be crazy fun.  

Thursday Morning Pick-Up

It’s dancing time.

Mike & Mike in the Morning

I am by far the biggest Mike & Mike addict in the world. This mornings show was fantastic.

First coach Pitino called in to discuss the game against Boise State. Following the conversation Mike and Mike began discussing how to correctly say Louisville. Ten minutes before the show ended Mayor Jerry Abramson surprisingly called in to help the guys correctly pronounce our city’s name.

Awesome show. The Best of Mike and Mike will be on at 2:30 EST on ESPN 2 if you missed this mornings show. Both interviews should be on so be sure to tune in.

What to Look For: NCAA Tournament Edition

East:

Sleeper:

7 Butler

The Bulldogs fear no one and could easily find themselves in the Sweet 16.

First Round Game I would pay to watch:

This one is kindof tough for the East bracket because it’s fairly top heavy. I think the game to keep an eye on here is the 5 Notre Dame vs 12 George Mason match-up.

Upset Alert:

6 Oklahoma vs 11 St. Josephs.

St. Joseph is no stranger to winning their first round game in the Big Dance.

Potential Game I would pay to watch:

This is a tie for me in the East region. I want to see North Carolina take on Indiana and a Tennessee vs Louisville match-up.

Team to Watch:

Call me biased, but I’m saying Louisville.

 Midwest

Sleeper:

5 Clemson

Clemson pulled off a very impressive upset against Duke to get to the ACC Championship game and can create problems for teams in the Midwest bracket.

First Round Game I would pay to watch:

Easily the most intriguing match-up in the entire first round of the tournament is 6 USC vs 11 Kansas State. Beas(t)ley and Mayo, enough said.

Upset Alert:

7 Gonzaga vs 10 Davidson

Potential Game I would pay to Watch:

2 Georgetown vs 3 Wisconsin

I think the Badgers are extremely underrated. I’m not sold that they could beat the Hoyas, but I would pay to see.

Team to Watch:

I’m going with Wisconsin. I think the Badgers deserved a 2 seed over Duke, but only time will tell if I am right.

South

Sleeper:

4 Pittsburgh

The Panthers are a scary match-up for anyone after what they did in the Big East tournament. Pitt is arguably the hottest team in the country coming in to the NCAA’s.

First Round Game I would pay to watch:

11 Kentucky vs 6 Marquette

The guard match-ups in this game are going to be interesting to say the least.

Upset Alert:

Have to go with Kentucky over Marquette here.

Potential Game I would pay to watch:

4 Pittsburgh vs 5 Michigan State

Team to Watch:

Tie here between 2 Texas and 4 Pittsburgh

West

Sleeper:

7 West Virginia

Joe Alexander is good enough to lead this team to the Sweet 16.

First Round Game I would pay to watch:

The mid-major match-up between 12 Western Kentucky and 5 Drake. 

Upset Alert:

12 WKU over 5 Drake. I, for one, am not yet a believer in the the Drake. That is why I would pay to watch it.

Potential Game I would pay to watch:

1 UCLA vs 4 UConn.

Thabeet vs Love. Fun, fun, fun match-up potentially.

Team to Watch:

1 UCLA

Kevin Love and company seem to have a fast track to the Final Four, but it may not come as easily as the “experts” believe.

Cards draw a 3 seed!

I am more than happy with a three seed. The EAST bracket is a beast with North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Butler, etc but I feel we got a pretty good draw. It isn’t going to be easy, but we are tough enough.  

Big East Tournament: Round 4 - Championship Game

9 EST

1 Georgetown vs 7 Pittsburgh

Final Score: Pitt-74, GU-65

I think I can speak for most Louisville fans when I say I no longer feel to bad about losing to the Panthers. What they were able to do in the Big East Tournament was very very impressive to say the least. This Pittsburgh team is historically hard to beat in the Peterson Event Center, but even harder to beat in Madison Square Garden. I feel really bad for whoever has to face this team in the NCAA’s.