For Louisville basketball, “leftovers” aren’t so bad

Louisville basketball is likely to build the foundation of a new era with some pieces that have long been associated with its hated rival.

We’ve all been there. You’re eating an unbelievable home-cooked meal; The kind that’ll make you feel emotions that only rival holding your first-born child right after cutting the chord. After lulling your fat ass into a food coma and working up the bravery to take yourself home, the jolt of energy you need is that thoughtful take-home package, perfectly curated for tomorrow’s gluttonous undertakings.

You, your spouse, or others in your life can cook all you want. But there’s something different about going back home. Mom, Dad, grandma– Whoever that special person is that makes meals just a little bit better than anyone else– stuff you to the gills. But, before they send you on your merry way, you get a special to-go plate.

The leftovers.

Leftovers are the foundation and lifeblood of our existence. And, let’s be honest, some food just hits different out of a Tupperware container the next day.

A quick Google search yields that leftovers are so nom because of “the breakdown of proteins to release amino acids such as glutamate and small nucleotides that interact to enhance savory, meaty umami taste, or reaction of amino acids with sugars to”… You know, I’ll save you some time. You don’t care. Leftovers, especially from a big homecooked meal with family just hit differently. And, for whatever reason that is, we should all be grateful.

But what the hell do leftover greens have to do with Louisville basketball?

Listen, we are in for a long offseason. People, especially our neighbors 80 miles east, are going to be talking a lot of trash.

Their season, once again, didn’t end so hot. And in this long offseason, the enemy is going to try to drag you down at every turn. It’s the only ammo they have left.

Kentucky fans are going to tell you about how Louisville basketball is building its program on their “leftovers”. How UofL is settling for their sloppy seconds.

If it hasn’t happened already, it will. I’m telling you now; It’s best to brace yourself for a barrage of hatred.

I’m also here to say: That’s fine. Let them.

Kenny Payne calls Louisville ‘home’

First, new Louisville basketball head coach Kenny Payne is “ours.” He is a Cardinal at heart.

Payne first left home to be a part of the Louisville family and returned to Louisville when his professional career was finished to complete his degree.

While in Louisville, Payne drove back and forth from the 502 to Detroit where he was learning under mentor Larry Brown. He could have completed his degree elsewhere, but he stayed in Louisville.

Payne has since talked about the value that the Louisville community brings to his life. When he coached in Lexington, he says the university embraced him, even as an outsider.

“Understand here now,” said Payne. “The University of Kentucky, what they did was embrace one of yours. They embraced one of yours, more than I could ever tell you, they embraced one of yours. I can’t do this by myself, but what they said to me was this, ‘in order for this state to be great, the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky have to be great’. How powerful is that?”

You borrowed KP. Louisville just got him back.

On the heaping of leftovers to come

Next, Kentucky fans are going to chastise you because a lot of familiar faces from their side of the rivalry are likely to be walking through those doors on Floyd Street.

That starts with former Kentucky assistant Joel Justus, who has been mentioned in just about every conversation surrounding the Louisville assistant positions.

The current Arizona State assistant is considered one of the better recruiters in the country.

The other name generating a lot of buzz is Kentucky de-commit Skyy Clark- A player Justus landed just before his departure.

The long-time commit and signee was locked on John Calipari’s squad dating back to Payne’s days at Kentucky. Now, however, his movements seem to coincide with Payne’s hiring at Louisville. Many in the know have indicated that Louisville and Illinois are the two front-runners for Clark’s services.

The Louisville staff and roster could have Kentucky’s fingerprints all over them. There could be connections out there that we have not even heard about that ultimately land a UK connection on UofL’s campus.

And we should be just fine with that.

Since Payne’s departure, Kentucky’s record has been just north of .500. A legit contender each year since Payne’s arrival, Kentucky has yet to win an NCAA Tournament game since he left. The Wildcats won 6 SEC Tournaments in 10 years with Payne on the sidelines. They’re 1-3 in the postseason without him.

Pieces like Justus and Clark only serve to strengthen that case.

Let people say that Louisville basketball is just getting Kentucky’s leftovers. We’ll just sit back and reap the benefits.