More dominoes fall for Louisville basketball as signees Eric Van Der Heijden and Bobby Pettiford re-open their recruitment. Why this is good news for the Cards, and what happens next.
The 2021 offseason is going to be the craziest in college basketball history. That is no exception in the case of Louisville basketball.
After the 2020-21 season left Louisville basketball as the first team out of the big dance, head coach Chris Mack immediately began shaking things up. Here’s a quick recap of the changes we already know about.
What We Know
- Louisville basketball assistant coaches Luke Murray and Dino Gaudio will not have their contracts renewed. There are conflicting reports on reasons why the two biggest name assistants on the Louisville staff won’t return. Regardless, this means a fresh start and fresh faces on the Cardinals’ sideline. This should be seen as a good thing. Gaudio is likely to retire and Murray is certain to land on his feet as one of the up-and-coming names in the sport.
- Graduate student Charles Minlend has left the team. He hinted at it on social media a few times, but Mack officially announced that Minlend would not be returning during his presser on Monday.
- Center Aidan Igiehon has left the program. After a two-year career riddled with serious injuries and illnesses, the “Irish Hulk” is looking for a new home.
- Louisville basketball officially announced the signing of Miami transfer Matt Cross.
- There is legitimate mutual interest between Louisville and Western Carolina guard Mason Faulkner. The Kentucky native is one of the better guards in the transfer portal at this time.
What’s New
Louisville’s lowest-rated player in the class of 2021, Eric Van Der Heijden will not be a Cardinal.
This comes on the heels of Gaudio, EVH’s lead recruiter, leaving the program.
According to Jody Demling of Cardinal Authority, EVH was “let out” of his National Letter of Intent.
The No. 197 player in the class cited that he wanted to find a place that was “a family where I am wanted.”
Update: It is now official that Louisville basketball will also be without signee Bobby Pettiford.
“I want them to be happy with their decision and find a place where they can be successful,” Mack said in an official statement through the school.
This is Good News for Louisville basketball
Louisville basketball has to get better talent on its roster if it wants to win now and build toward the future. Losing Igiehon, Minlend, Van Der Heijden, and now Pettiford are all good things for the Cardinals.
Each of these players has potential going forward, but to put it bluntly, they provided little help for Louisville basketball and were holding up three scholarships that could be better used.
What’s Next?
For Louisville basketball, a lot more opens up going forward.
Gaudio and Murray were the lead recruiters as well for Louisville signee Bobby Pettiford. With Carlik Jones wavering on his decision, and guards El Ellis and, potentially, David Johnson returning to the fold, there simply won’t be enough playing time in the foreseeable future for another guard in a crowded backcourt.
Additionally, Pettiford and EVH are buddies who apparently wanted to play at the same school. They will now get that chance elsewhere.
College basketball free agency is coming
The NCAA tabled discussions over a one-time transfer rule in January. However, it is expected to allow players to transfer to any school one time and be eligible to play immediately.
Additionally, seniors like Jones and Malik Williams will be allowed another year of eligibility due to a pandemic-shortened season. Williams and Jones could potentially remain on the roster without hitting Louisville’s scholarship count.
Moreover, the offseason moves are just beginning.
Louisville sits very nicely with Faulker, and should have a really solid chance with a number of high profile players wanting to transfer.
Now, with the departure of Van Der Heijden and Pettiford, Mack has the potential to completely alter the DNA of this Louisville basketball roster next season.
Next: What Mason Faulker would bring to Louisville basketball
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