Pitino Preps For New ACC Rivals

As Louisville's first ACC season as approaches, Rick Pitino is not relying on the past.

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He tells the Louisville Courier-Journal that he knows former Big East foes Syracuse, Notre Dame and Pitt well, and getting ready for Duke and UNC isn't that complicated since those two teams are constantly discussed and televised.

The others are problematic. Virginia has emerged as a really difficult team to prepare for, much less to hurry up. Wake is a blank slate for now. Florida State really gets after it on defense and likes really big post players. Clemson can beat you senseless.

Mike Brey offers some concise advice: "I know them a little better now after one way around. The difference is the basketball IQ is very high. The skill and IQ is a high level. The big guys are good basketball players; they have a feel for the game. There's a little more of a skill level than the brute physical level we all experienced in the Big East."

That was always the ACC criticism of the Big East, so it's interesting to hear Brey echo it.