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Louisville Basketball: One Year After FBI Scandal, Things are Looking Up for Cards

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 28: Chris Mack speaks after being introduced as new men's basketball coach of the University of Louisville Cardinals as interim president Gregory Postel and athletic director Vince Tyra look on during a press conference at KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 28: Chris Mack speaks after being introduced as new men's basketball coach of the University of Louisville Cardinals as interim president Gregory Postel and athletic director Vince Tyra look on during a press conference at KFC YUM! Center on March 28, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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lt’s been a year since Louisville basketball went under FBI investigation. We take a look back at the milestones for the Cards, as the program enters a new era.

Everybody remembers where they were when terrible history-changing events happen.

For Louisville grads, fans, and supporters, they won’t soon forget where they were and what they were doing when both of the scandals broke.

One year ago on August 26th, news of the FBI probe that led to Louisville’s quick firing of Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich broke.

We all remember where we were. And we remember the feeling of knowing that Louisville basketball, and college basketball in general, would likely never be the same again,

Shortly after Louisville’s firing of Pitino and Jurich, the Cards had to start the season without a head coach. Many feared that the program would never recover, and if it did that it would be years down the road.

However, swift action and excellent decision-making from Louisville administration- including new Athletic Director Vince Tyra and President Neeli Bendipudi- put the Cards in a situation many never dreamed of.

Chris Mack Hired

Mack was hired on March 27th, mere days after the Cards finished a tumultuous season under associate head coach David Padgett.

Mack was really Vince Tyra’s only choice to replace Rick Pitino. Getting Mack was an absolute home run hire for the Louisville program. His on-court coaching prowess is top tier, in terms of X’s and O’s. A guy, like Pitino, who can get the most out of his players.

However, unlike Pitino, Mack brings a swagger, positive attitude, and fresh perspective that Louisville desperately needed.

A fresh start.

Mack Retains Majority of 2018 Squad

To date, this is probably still Mack’s most important recruiting pitch.

News of the FBI probe broke the week that practice started. Louisville’s players had no choice but to play the 2017-18 season without the coaches that recruited them and make the most of an awful situation.

It was all but accepted that most of the squad would choose to leave after the season ended- and who could blame them. Would you have stayed?

As expected, wing Deng Adel and Forward Ray Spalding left for the NBA draft a season early, and center Anas Mahmoud was out the door anyways due to seniority.

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Aside from that, Chris Mack came in and sold every player on playing for his program.

This is the most critical move that Mack has made in his short time with the Cards. By making Louisville relevant in his first year, it puts him way ahead of the game. The Chris Mack brand starts now, with a team comprised of talented pieces from the Rick Pitino era that include two McDonald’s All-Americans.

After the loss of seldom-used back up Lance Thomas, Mack added three fifth year seniors to provide depth and experience to his team.

Mack is creating a winning culture in year one at a program still intertwined in multiple scandals.

Nickleberry’s Commit Signifies Change in Culture

Louisville’s first non-Rick Pitino commit since 2000 was a four star guard in Josh Nickleberry.

Even the most optimistic followers thought that Mack was in over his head for the first couple years. Yet, his first commit was a consensus top 100 player in the country.

Since then, Louisville’s class has risen to No. 3 in the country, and shows no signs of stopping.

With the help of Nickleberry and the current team, Mack and his staff have hauled in four top 100 players.

There are still a lot of pieces left to fall into place, but Louisville is shaping up to have a top 10 or even top 5 class when they were expected to barely be able to land in-state walk-ons.

Mack is changing the culture in Louisville. The program doesn’t feel too far removed from scandal, and there is surely more punishment to be levied by the NCAA. Yet, amidst the chaotic vortex of national criticism, Chris Mack and his team are riding out the storm.

Mack is a complete juxtaposition of Pitino. He is a cool customer. He speaks in truths, not absolutes. He is a down-to-Earth family man, with a plan to revolutionize the Louisville brand.

Now, one year and one day after the dismissal of Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich, Chris Mack, his team and their top 5 recruiting class will look to strengthen the future of the program.

Mack’s “Louisville Live” will draw a max capacity crowd to an action-packed, swagger-filled party to kick off the season. There to see the action will be some of Louisville’s most prized and quite possibly program-changing recruits.

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