Siva is your Preseason Big East Player of the Year

*The Cards are ranked #2 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll

*ESPN’s Paul Biancardi gives us his 5 observations from a recent Louisville practice

Talent is everywhere on this squad and it hits you immediately at the start of practice. The Cardinals are strongest at the two most important positions on the floor (point guard and center). Peyton Siva has worked hard on his game this summer as he attended the Chris Paul point guard camp. He put a lot of time into his 3-point and mid-range game and will be called upon to produce and lead this club through the ups and downs of a long season. Gorgui Dieng has continued to develop under Rick Pitino, who is one of the game’s best teachers. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Dieng blocks and changes many shots while challenging everything in the lane. In breakdown drills against a live defender, he displayed the post position, footwork and hands to score with his back to the basket. His jump hook over his left shoulder is now his move. He is a major factor at both ends.

*Coach Pitino and Coach Boeheim said each other were full of sh*t, seriously

Speaking about the impact of Syracuse and Pittsburgh’s departure to the ACC next season, Pitino told reporters he doesn’t believe the Big East will lose a step next season, asserting that, “Memphis and Temple will more than make up for Syracuse and Pittsburgh.”

Told of Pitino’s comments, Boeheim fired back at his former assistant.

“Rick is full of sh*t if that’s what he really said,” the Providence Journal reported. “[If] you think those schools are better than Syracuse for the Big East then you don’t know what you’re talking about and I think Rick’s smarter than that. At least I thought he was.”

*Great piece on Siva from WDRB’s Rick Bozich

When Peyton Siva arrived at the University of Louisville from Seattle three years ago, he thought he would be one of those guys. One season with Rick Pitino and the Cardinals – and then gone. Maybe two. Three absolute max.

“Definitely,” Siva said as he made his way back to Louisville from New York City Wednesday. “I knew it would be tough, but everybody thinks that way.”