On Tuesday news broke Cards head coach Rick Pitino would welcome big man Derrick Caracter back on the team for the 2009-2010 season if he met certain conditions. I applaud the coach for this decision. It's not like Caracter has broken any laws or anything like that. He's been immature. And based on the statement Pitino released Tuesday night, the coach is going to proceed with caution when it comes to DC. That's the right move. Let DC prove he's changed. Let's see how badly he really wants to be part of the team. Let's see how serious he really is about schoolwork. I'm rooting for DC. If he doesn't make it back on the team he'll only have himself to blame.

Rick Pitino statement:

"Derrick has come to me repeatedly in the last two months asking to return to our team. I have encouraged him to choose a different path over and over. He came to me one more time and asked for any option available to get back on the team. I have given him the same option I gave Scott Padgett when he played for me at Kentucky. If Derrick is willing to grow up in the game of life and we can help him realize his potential, then we are there to help him. But that's a big if. He will not be a part of our team next year. He will have to measure up in three areas -- as a student, as a person and as a basketball player -- before I will entertain the possibility of him returning to our team for the 2009-10 season. We expect him to get a job, pay for school on his own, get in shape and abide by the other steps I have reviewed with him. If he measures up, then he can earn his way back. But that remains to be seen."

Let me know what you think.

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