By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

There's just one fact America's basketball fans need to know about Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

Hint: It's why the Louisville administration is giving Pitino a pass on his despicable affair that reportedly led to an abortion for a woman who wasn't his wife six years ago.

His record at Louisville is 200 victories and only 72 losses in eight years.

In other words, he's a winner, and they are darn glad to have him at Louisville.

He brings credibility to a school known for little else except for having a very respectable basketball team year in and year out.