Give credit where it’s due: Louisville basketball showing improvement under Payne

While the end results leave much to be desired for Louisville basketball, it’s important to give head coach Kenny Payne his flowers.

I am a hater. I’ll admit it- Or, at least, Louisville basketball Twitter will do so for me.

But I am also a Kenny Payne enablist, I suppose. That’s what you might find on Facebook or the message boards.

In a world where anyone’s criticism of a complete stranger can reach local virality in a matter of seconds, I am whatever you want me to be. Whatever fits your narrative.

The reality, however, is that while opinions greatly vary on the job that Kenny Payne has done in Louisville, the program has not come close to meeting the standard set for decades.

I’ve been a major Payne detractor for a while now, and that is exclusively because of the product we’ve seen on the floor. (Although, the innumerable press conference gaffs are certainly not helping either).

Three years ago, we started the Starting Five02 Podcast, discussing all things Louisville basketball. Two seasons ago, we began recording S502 directly after each game.

But when trying to come up with literally anything new to say for 30 minutes while losing over. And over. And over… I guess one could say I became a hater.

The play on the floor was indefensible. The explanations for those issues were somehow even worse. And the negativity was getting to me.

Over the last two weeks, though, we’ve seen something I didn’t expect: A winning product.

Now, I’d argue that Louisville’s three best performances this season- Texas, Indiana, and Virginia Tech- were all in losses. And that is not acceptable.

Nevertheless, I believe that regardless of the end result, it’s undeniable that the level of play from Payne’s squad was nearing an acceptable level.

Showing Gradual Improvements

When addressing the issues with Louisville basketball, it’s paramount to begin with the same reminder each time:

Louisville basketball has national championship expectations. Making the NCAA Tournament is the bare minimum standard. Sweet 16s should happen in an average season. Anything less should not be acceptable.

When you begin with this expectation and then look at Louisville’s record under Payne, it’s undeniable that he and his staff are not meeting or even approaching the standard.

I felt this hit home about the hardest it ever has in ugly victories over New Mexico State and Bellarmine a week ago.

However, when Louisville basketball traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia on Sunday, we saw a different team take the floor- The same one that was a buzzer-beater away from beating a fantastic Texas squad. The team that took regional rival IU to the wire.

Louisville was moving the ball well, executing offensive sets, getting to the basket, and getting teammates open. The Cards were crashing the boards, winning 50/50 balls, and starting to find an identity on defense.

Payne and the staff made adjustments. For the first time in a while, we saw KP utilizing his timeouts well, tightening up the rotation, and getting his players to do their jobs effectively.

I felt the end of the Virginia Tech game took away from the overall narrative. The Cards faltered down the stretch and did not look ready for the moment. Frankly, they looked like a group mostly comprised of freshmen and sophomores succumbing on the road to a junior and senior-laden team led by a former ACC Coach of the Year.

But, I don’t think it should take away from the real story here.

Louisville basketball started well, it gained and kept a lead in the second half. When Tech made a run, Payne’s team regrouped and took the lead back again. And the 14-point road underdogs took a quality team to the wire.

Let me clarify that I do not believe that this is good enough. I think that if Payne wants to keep his job, he has to start winning these types of games.

In the same breath, I will also say that good play needs to be acknowledged and praised when we see it.

This team knows a close loss on the road to KenPom’s 66th-ranked team is not good enough. We all know it. But, to also not acknowledge steps in the right direction would be unfair and unwise.

Louisville basketball has shown things, at times, this season that have made me feel like the kombucha lady meme.

Losing to Chattanooga at home?

Leading most of the game and losing heartbreakingly to No. 16 Texas?

It might be like 4% of me, but I have hope.

Individually, players like Skyy Clark, Ty-Laur Johnson, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, and Tre White are impressing. Collectively, the game is beginning to slow down for this squad.

Will Louisville basketball be a tournament team this season? Right now, that seems highly unlikely.

But, the rest of the season presents opportunities to make a big splash.

If the Cards can build on performances like Texas, IU, and Virginia Tech without the letdowns of a crap game against New Mexico State, we might have something here.

And for that reason, Kenny Payne deserves his flowers.

Keep building, and let’s see what happens.