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Rick Pitino expects Chane Behanan back ‘in a short period of time’

When Louisville head coach Rick Pitino announced that junior forward Chane Behanan was suspended indefinitely, many wondered when Behanan would be back with the program. At the time of the announcement Pitino stated that the suspension would be lengthy, but how Behanan handled his personal affairs would determine just how soon he’d be able to return.

On Thursday night, Pitino stated during a book signing at Kentucky Wesleyan University that he expects Behanan back with the program “in a short period of time” according to Cole Claybourn of the Messenger-Inquirer.

“The reason he’s suspended and not off the team: He told the truth,” Pitino said. “I said OK. There’s going to be a penalty and a price to pay, but he told the truth. We’ll get through this. Just do the right things and he’ll be back on the team in a short period of time.”

“Short is relative, now,” Pitino said. “I don’t say in the next couple of weeks. He’s doing the right things right now. I was skeptical about a week ago, but so far this week he’s put in everything we’ve asked him to do. It’s not easy for him.

“It won’t be any time in the next couple of weeks, but I expect him back.”


Behanan averaged 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the national champion Cardinals, who have to account for the departure of center Gorgui Dieng and point guard Peyton Siva as they look to repeat. In the backcourt Louisville has plenty of depth, featuring seniors Russ Smith and Luke Hancock and juniors Wayne Blackshear and Chris Jones.

But that isn’t the case in the front court, with senior Stephen Van Treese and sophomore Montrezl Harrell the lone returnees now that Behanan’s been suspended. Louisville can go small given the amount of talent they have on the perimeter, but Behanan’s suspension puts the Cardinals in a position where they can ill-afford significant foul trouble (or an injury) for any of their big men.

We still don’t know just how long Behanan’s suspension will be, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Cincinnati native.

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