The Cloud…

[OldhamCard335]

Thy name art Kenny Payne.

So, we have been hearing for years that no decent player wants to come here because of the uncertainty caused by the cloud. These players didn’t want to go anywhere they thought might be excluded from the NCAA tourney. Even if they only had one year to play, they would want to play in the NCAAT.

Many have argued that the cloud handcuffed KP and that is partly/mostly to blame for the mess we now have. So, if this entire “Cloud Premise “ is to be believed, then why do we expect any decent recruit or transfer to come here for next year. If we end up with best case scenario being 8-24, and we retain KP, does anyone really believe we have any pathway to the tourney next year? If so, I’d love to hear the reasoning. Our only hope, IMHO, would be for an influx of top tier talent and I know of no reason any top tier player would want to come play at this dumpster fire as long as KP is the head coach.

We now have a new cloud, and it should henceforth be known as the Kenny Payne Cloud.

 

[KerryRhodes]

I'll be back when payne is in the transfer portal 🙄

 

[TheRealVille]

Thy name art Kenny Payne.

So, we have been hearing for years that no decent player wants to come here because of the uncertainty caused by the cloud. These players didn’t want to go anywhere they thought might be excluded from the NCAA tourney. Even if they only had one year to play, they would want to play in the NCAAT.

Many have argued that the cloud handcuffed KP and that is partly/mostly to blame for the mess we now have. So, if this entire “Cloud Premise “ is to be believed, then why do we expect any decent recruit or transfer to come here for next year. If we end up with best case scenario being 8-24, and we retain KP, does anyone really believe we have any pathway to the tourney next year? If so, I’d love to hear the reasoning. Our only hope, IMHO, would be for an influx of top tier talent and I know of no reason any top tier player would want to come play at this dumpster fire as long as KP is the head coach.

We now have a new cloud, and it should henceforth be known as the Kenny Payne Cloud.

There's no ban and a group of kids do believe they can turn a program around. Now if KP can pull it off with the recruiting is the question.

 

[OldhamCard335]

There's no ban and a group of kids do believe they can turn a program around. Now if KP can pull it off with the recruiting is the question.

What group of kids would that be?

 

[TheRealVille]

What group of kids would that be?

A hypothetical group of highly recruited players. There's still time to sign some for next season. Probably won't, but the point I was making is three 4 to 5 star HS kids could decide to go to Louisville and the turn around could happen in one season. Same thing with transfers.

 

[Thecycle27]

The portal will always have really talented guys. There are no barriers. I think it is completely fair expectation for this staff to kill in the portal next year.

It was not a fair expectation to expect the staff to kill it this year when everyone knew the ruling was coming this year. The timing of it was awful. Negative recruiting was easy they are getting the death penalty or post season ban. A kid that doesn’t follow this stuff is going to believe it when all the coaches are telling the same story. None of us would have sent our sons to Louisville this year especially if they were a grad transfer.

 

[OldhamCard335]

The portal will always have really talented guys. There are no barriers. I think it is completely fair expectation for this staff to kill in the portal next year.

It was not a fair expectation to expect the staff to kill it this year when everyone knew the ruling was coming this year. The timing of it was awful. Negative recruiting was easy they are getting the death penalty or post season ban. A kid that doesn’t follow this stuff is going to believe it when all the coaches are telling the same story. None of us would have sent our sons to Louisville this year especially if they were a grad transfer.

A fair expectation? Based on what? He blew it in the portal this year and has whiffed on every elite player he went after, even after the NCAA decision was announced. I’m not sure he understands the current environment and I don’t think he is the recruiter we were sold on. UK recruited well before him and after him.

And, if you think the negative recruiting is over, think again. The narrative will now change to, “Why would you want to play for this guy? He only won 3 games his first year and his team always looks unprepared and poorly coached. That place is not for you. Come here and play for a winner.” See, if I can do it, every coach around can do it. That’s why I say the new cloud is Kenny Payne.

 

[KerryRhodes]

The portal will always have really talented guys. There are no barriers. I think it is completely fair expectation for this staff to kill in the portal next year.

It was not a fair expectation to expect the staff to kill it this year when everyone knew the ruling was coming this year. The timing of it was awful. Negative recruiting was easy they are getting the death penalty or post season ban. A kid that doesn’t follow this stuff is going to believe it when all the coaches are telling the same story. None of us would have sent our sons to Louisville this year especially if they were a grad transfer.

NC State C/ forward Mirenda is expected to make his season debut tonite.

The irony on a player Payne whiffed out on.

Payne is " the death penalty" sent from the NCAA.

 

[Thecycle27]

A fair expectation? Based on what? He blew it in the portal this year and has whiffed on every elite player he went after, even after the NCAA decision was announced. I’m not sure he understands the current environment and I don’t think he is the recruiter we were sold on. UK recruited well before him and after him.

And, if you think the negative recruiting is over, think again. The narrative will now change to, “Why would you want to play for this guy? He only won 3 games his first year and his team always looks unprepared and poorly coached. That place is not for you. Come here and play for a winner.” See, if I can do it, every coach around can do it. That’s why I say the new cloud is K

A fair expectation? Based on what? He blew it in the portal this year and has whiffed on every elite player he went after, even after the NCAA decision was announced. I’m not sure he understands the current environment and I don’t think he is the recruiter we were sold on. UK recruited well before him and after him.

And, if you think the negative recruiting is over, think again. The narrative will now change to, “Why would you want to play for this guy? He only won 3 games his first year and his team always looks unprepared and poorly coached. That place is not for you. Come here and play for a winner.” See, if I can do it, every coach around can do it. That’s why I say the new cloud is Kenny Payne.

All I am saying there is no excuse for next year not to build a roster. Like it or not he had to deal the the impending sanctions. If you want to blow that off as being minor fine. If you want to say he blew it this year that is fine as well we will just disagree on why he blew it.

In 2023 if he doesn’t build a good roster plus have 2024 commits he will even lose his strongest supporters. He either gets it done or they move on. Your point of him not being a good recruiter will be validated or it won’t.

 

[TheRealVille]

A fair expectation? Based on what? He blew it in the portal this year and has whiffed on every elite player he went after, even after the NCAA decision was announced. I’m not sure he understands the current environment and I don’t think he is the recruiter we were sold on. UK recruited well before him and after him.

And, if you think the negative recruiting is over, think again. The narrative will now change to, “Why would you want to play for this guy? He only won 3 games his first year and his team always looks unprepared and poorly coached. That place is not for you. Come here and play for a winner.” See, if I can do it, every coach around can do it. That’s why I say the new cloud is Kenny Payne.

There's no doubt his struggles this season will be held against him by other programs. That's why I agree UofL should cut the cord now before the program falls deeper into the abyss.

The truth is no one knows if KP will be a good head coach and recruiting can always come out of nowhere and suddenly a bad coach is good. Look at Satterfield. Most fans don't believe he's a good head coach, but is he a great recruiter now after landing five 4 star recruits?

Had he stayed and the Cards went 10 and 2 next year, would he have been called a good coach then?

Most of us know know what a good head coach looks like. Rick Pitino, who would not be 2 and 10 with these same players, but he's not coming through that front door and UofL has to realize they need someone like him, if they want to stop this disaster in its tracks.

 

[achilles992000]

the players should know how to rebound by now. there are youtube videos on how to get in rebound position.
the players simply prefer to stare at the ball, instead of going after it.

 

[EKYCard643]

A hypothetical group of highly recruited players. There's still time to sign some for next season. Probably won't, but the point I was making is three 4 to 5 star HS kids could decide to go to Louisville and the turn around could happen in one season. Same thing with transfers.

There are no highly recruited high school players uncommitted right now.

There's one top 50 player (39th overall) and 5 players ranked between 50-130 that are uncommitted. None of those 6 players are going to come in and do anything at a program like Louisville in the ACC. Neither are the two commits we currently have.

Our only hope is the portal. The same portal the staff absolutely botched at a comedic level and lead to this season's disastrous results. This staff needs to send most of this team packing and bring in 5-6 of the best transfers on the market to have a shot at a decent season next year.

Who thinks they can do that?

There's absolutely no reason to think they can pull that off and there's absolutely no logical reason to not assume a number of the kids with actual options on our current roster won't transfer or try and go pro.

 

[TheRealVille]

I think Withers and Ellis are gone for sure. Hatfield and Traynor will probably stay as will Curry probably.

It's James and Lands that's up in the air but if I was placing a bet, I would bet they leave as well.

Basili could even bolt if a bunch of guards are being pursued.

I don't know how good the two signed HS guys are. 4 stars in hoops isn't the same as 4 star football recruits. KP has to land at least four major grad transfers. Guys who know how to win.

 

[shadow force]

CKP has to sign some guards, especially a competent point guard or two. If Fabio leaves they will have zero guards and the 2 Commits are just 2 more 6'6 wing guys.

 

[EKYCard643]

I think Withers and Ellis are gone for sure. Hatfield and Traynor will probably stay as will Curry probably.

It's James and Lands that's up in the air but if I was placing a bet, I would bet they leave as well.

Basili could even bolt if a bunch of guards are being pursued.

I don't know how good the two signed HS guys are. 4 stars in hoops isn't the same as 4 star football recruits. KP has to land at least four major grad transfers. Guys who know how to win.

I would be floored if Curry stayed. BHH might stay because he's only hurt his draft stock this year and he's already transferred once. Traynor used to play for and is still close to Boo Brewer who is a close friend of Payne so I would imagine he stays. Miller is a walkon so I assume he'll have a spot. I would wager we lose Curry, Ellis, Withers - for sure and then Lands and James are heavily pursued. Basili and Ree are total and absolute projects.... I don't imagine anyone will come after Basili unless he gets a lot better between now and April. Wheeler is another one who seems unhappy and I would expect to bolt.

 

[Thecycle27]

He isn’t fixing next year with High School kids. It will be in the portal.

 

[BPGhost]

He isn’t fixing next year with High School kids. It will be in the portal.

Payne isn’t fixing anything - he’s out of his depth. 2nd chair is his apex - most of us thought it before the hire and he keeps proving us right.

 

[Thecycle27]

You may be right, my point is his only hope is improving the roster thru the portal.

 

[BPGhost]

You may be right, my point is his only hope is improving the roster thru the portal.

We definitely agree on that. I just don’t believe Payne could be as successful here as he should be even with a bunch more talent.

 

[TPACardsFan]

A fair expectation? Based on what? He blew it in the portal this year and has whiffed on every elite player he went after, even after the NCAA decision was announced. I’m not sure he understands the current environment and I don’t think he is the recruiter we were sold on. UK recruited well before him and after him.

And, if you think the negative recruiting is over, think again. The narrative will now change to, “Why would you want to play for this guy? He only won 3 games his first year and his team always looks unprepared and poorly coached. That place is not for you. Come here and play for a winner.” See, if I can do it, every coach around can do it. That’s why I say the new cloud is Kenny Payne.

If KP is the one making Portal decision for 2023/2024 we are already screwed.

 

[CardinalDave]

Kenny Payne is likely shocked that recruits and transfers aren’t lining up to play for him. He fails to recognize that the WWW and Nike ties played a large role in his ascendance to high level coaching positions( and lucrative salaries).
In addition to the frustration and embarrassment of how the team that is his responsibility is performing he is learning that former allies and supporters are no longer in his corner.

 

[Thecycle27]

I thought this year was critical for Louisville football. Well this spring and summer is critical to Louisville basketball.

The transfer portal and 2024 class will tell us if he still has connections, can build a roster and recruit at this level. If he can’t land elite players or top 50 player from the portal or high school he isn’t winning period. No coach can win in ACC with marginal talent.

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

I don't think HS recruiting can help whoever next year's coach is, at this point. The 2023 class is already pretty much done.

The best chance I see to improve is through the Portal. We need 5 or 6 new players. Experienced guards at both positions. It's going to require a heavy investment of NIL money. I'm not optimistic that we will pull it off.

 

[the artist FKA zipp]

All we have done is make a bunch of excuses for poor performance in every aspect of this program the last five years. Look around the nation and see how everyone else is doing.

I suspected it early, but it's obvious to anyone now in hindsight... This school self imposed its own NCAA penalties. And Payne is just a continuation of that. Conspiracy theorists will say it was intentional, but I'm fine just concluding the issue is and has been gross incompetence at managing basketball if not all of athletics.

The important debate now is whether our ridiculous, pathetic situation will change in the future. Take the optimistic side of that debate if you want, but I see nothing telling me that we won't continue to go from one problem to another. Fix Kenny Payne, and it will be something else.

Merry Effing Xmas...

 

[glassmanJ]

All we have done is make a bunch of excuses for poor performance in every aspect of this program the last five years. Look around the nation and see how everyone else is doing.

I suspected it early, but it's obvious to anyone now in hindsight... This school self imposed its own NCAA penalties. And Payne is just a continuation of that. Conspiracy theorists will say it was intentional, but I'm fine just concluding the issue is and has been gross incompetence at managing basketball if not all of athletics.

The important debate now is whether our ridiculous, pathetic situation will change in the future. Take the optimistic side of that debate if you want, but I see nothing telling me that we won't continue to go from one problem to another. Fix Kenny Payne, and it will be something else.

Merry Effing Xmas...

Fu$k Deng Adel, It's All his FFFing Fault (i say facetiously). He stands still and David Padgett is still our head coach today and we're still top 10 despite allegations. simple as that folks. he gave us stability when we needed it, was a pitino disciple so satisfied that fan base, was a local legend, and would have just beat the #1 team in the country, but Deng got happy feet, we lsot on a miracle shot, and then we let him go. thus the karma is still kicking us in the nuts.

 

[TheRealVille]

Hindsight is a bitch. Back then no way anyone wanted to keep Padgett on, but today most everyone wishes we had.

I agree with zipp, we imposed the penalties on ourselves when Jurich and Pitino were fired. In the words of Bob Seger, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then."

But hey, there's football.

 

[Cardiac Red]

Payne is " the death penalty" sent from the NCAA.

Kenny Payne is coming, and death of the program is coming with him..!

 

[Thecycle27]

Here is what we know as of today we currently have a coach that can’t recruit or get players to buy in. That is about as depressing as it gets.

 

[Cardiac Red]

Here is what we know as of today we currently have a coach that can’t recruit or get players to buy in. That is about as depressing as it gets.

Agree. I'm even more depressed now after seeing it in writing.

 

[2330859]

Coaching matters, and watching Iona serves as an effective reminder as to what disciplined preparation with moderate talent can accomplish.

Hubert Davis enjoyed the benefit of Roy Williams mentoring, which is in stark contrast to KP. Payne is an example of just how void Calipari’s coaching ability actually is. Mick Cronin learned from one of the very best, and his success at UC, and now at UCLA is a direct reflection of his study under Pitino.

 

[nccardfan]

Coaching matters, and watching Iona serves as an effective reminder as to what disciplined preparation with moderate talent can accomplish.

Hubert Davis enjoyed the benefit of Roy Williams mentoring, which is in stark contrast to KP. Payne is an example of just how void Calipari’s coaching ability actually is. Mick Cronin learned from one of the very best, and his success at UC, and now at UCLA is a direct reflection of his study under Pitino.

If you were to ask Mick, he got most of his basketball knowledge from his dad and then Bob Huggins. He was only on Rick's staff 2 years... I'm sure though he does attribute some of his knowledge to CRP.

 

[achilles992000]

we need a smarter schedule for next 4 years.
skip Maui, Kentucky, and Maryland games.
there are enough tournament teams in the ACC.

 

[scrumm21]

we need a smarter schedule for next 4 years.
skip Maui, Kentucky, and Maryland games.
there are enough tournament teams in the ACC.

....drop the rivalry game the other side Avoided for decades, (and were berated for nationally).........🙄🙄🙄

geez

participation trophy mentality

 

[the artist FKA zipp]

....drop the rivalry game the other side Avoided for decades, (and were berated for nationally).........

geez

participation trophy mentality

I was an advocate for dropping LPT before our attendance started plunging. Now U of L and the arena need all the help possible even if there are thousands of slapd!cks at the game. It's much needed revenue...

 

[Thecycle27]

It think college basketball has a major problem during the regular season. No one watches. Football is consuming more and more time. With the playoff that could go into late January.

Then add in rosters constantly changing it is hard to get excited about an upcoming year. Play is choppy early on and not fun to watch. Obviously what is happening at Louisville is a disaster but the majority of the country fans aren’t coming to games. Unlike football there isn’t much TV money to absorb lower attendance.

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

It think college basketball has a major problem during the regular season.

The sport is a disaster area due to neglect and kicking the can down the road for any significant issues. Leadership has been poor or non-existent. What we're seeing is the result of all that. The process is pretty much complete.