The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team begins preseason practice Thursday, but a very big name recently visited the Bearcats and gave a robust thumbs-up via Twitter.

Former Louisville coach Rick Pitino, a mentor of UC head coach Mick Cronin, attended a Bearcats preseason workout recently in the school's practice gym. Pitino lost his Louisville job last year after the latest program scandal, but Cronin has remained in close touch with his former boss.

Cronin was associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisville under Pitino in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Cronin became head coach at Murray State from the 2003-04 season through 2005-06, and he has been UC head coach since the 2006-07 season.

In July, Pitino joined Twitter as @RealPitino. He already has more than 27,000 followers, who were treated this week to a photo of Pitino at UC practice and the former coach's comments:

"Spoke to & saw the @GoBearcatsMBB. Young & hard working group.Talented at 1/2/3 positions. Raw at 4/5 spots, but if they develop, another super season. Jarron Cumberland multi-talented scorer/passer. You know they will bring it on defense. Mick’s new renovated arena is special!"

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Pitino last year was fired on the eve of his 17th season at Louisville, a day after a Justice Department report alleged a Cardinals recruit was paid $100,000 by Adidas to sign with the school.

"My thoughts are with my friend and his family and his well-being," Cronin said at the time.

As the 2017-18 season went along, Pitino was spotted in Florida wearing a UC polo shirt.

"Wonder who sent him that?" Cronin said then, trying to suppress a smile.

Pitino later addressed the UC team in the postgame locker room after a 78-55 win at USF in January.

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Forwards Gary Clark (12.9 points per game last season) and Kyle Washington (11.3) went through graduation ceremonies in April. Guard/forward Jacob Evans III, who averaged a team-high 13.0 points, left a year early and was a first-round draftee by the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Clark signed with the Houston Rockets as an undrafted free agent.

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Junior guard Cumberland is the top returning scorer (11.5 ppg), followed by senior point guards Cane Broome (7.9) and Justin Jenifer (4.8).

The biggest question mark, as Pitino noted, will be inside. Junior forward Trevon Scott (3.1 ppg), junior center Nysier Brooks (2.6) and sophomore forward/center Eliel Nsoseme (0.9) will be asked to do more offensively, as well as contribute to UC's annually stout defense.

Among other returnees, sophomore shooting guards Trevor Moore (3.4 ppg last season) and Keith Williams (3.1) will be among those expected to raise their games.

Offensively, UC will be more perimeter-oriented. Key newcomers include 6-foot-5 swingman Rashawn Fredericks, a junior college transfer (Motlow State CC, Tennessee) who averaged 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. Fredericks was a first-team JUCO All-America last season.

The season opener is scheduled for Nov. 7 against Ohio State at newly renovated Fifth Third Arena.