If Louisville basketball loses on Monday night, I fear it is the last straw in the Kenny Payne era.
There’s no coming back from a season-opening loss to UMBC on Monday night for Louisville basketball head coach Kenny Payne.
To begin his second year, UofL’s headman is already up against it. It has been a first year and some change so bad that he has a powerhouse program being trolled by DII teams on social media. A fanbase so up in arms that attendance is the lowest it has been since the invention of color TV.
Still, Payne and his staff will have a chance to turn things around, starting with a season-opener against UMBC.
The schedule is manageable to start, and there is time to right the ship with a solid non-conference performance.
My fear for the Payne era, however, is that the 2023-24 season could be DOA with a loss to the Retrievers on Monday night.
Honoring a legendary legacy
On Monday, Louisville basketball will honor the life of legendary Cardinals coach Denny Crum.
In 30 years as UofL’s head coach, Crum won 2 national titles and guided the Cards to 6 final fours.
He continued his legacy as a pillar of the community for 22 years.
According to the University, Louisville will recognize Crum with a moment of silence before Monday’s game, and will also host a special dedication for his seat at halftime. There will be special giveaways and video tributes throughout the night.
Coach Crum meant a great deal to all Louisville basketball fans. His confidence, kindness, and demeanor were a calming presence during good times and bad for five decades.
People around here will go to war to defend his name and legacy.
That’s why, for Payne, and for this program, it is paramount for the Cards to find a way to win.
Remember when Louisville basketball lost on “Russ Smith Day”? The Cards took an L when former All-American Russ Smith had his jersey retired at the KFC Yum! Center.
A week later, the Cards parted ways with head coach Chris Mack.
I fear the same fate for Payne if he can’t find a way to will his team to victory on Monday.
Those involved have worked far too hard to create the legacy of a top-10 program. Coach Crum is the man most responsible for that legacy and those accomplishments. To lose to one of the worst teams in college basketball on the night when the program honors him would be the ultimate disrespect.
A solid start is crucial
I can’t emphasize enough how important simply winning the first three games of this season could be for Louisville basketball.
We saw how quickly things can spiral out of control last season. Three games. Three one-point losses to perceived inferior opponents.
The next thing you know, Louisville is 0-9 and in desperation mode.
Just getting that taste of victory. The momentum that comes with success. That is vital for this Louisville basketball team.
Conversely, if you drop the season opener coming off a shocking loss to a mid-tier Division II team? That may be too much to overcome.
Louisville could gather some serious momentum in the first three games. But they could also seal Payne’s fate rather quickly against UMBC.
Payne has his team. He hand-picked his guys. He controls his own destiny.
Now, he faces a must-win season opener. If the Cards lose, I fear there is no turning back.
