Chris Mack: College basketball’s new big man on campus

For almost 10 years, Card Nation has watched John Calipari bring in top recruiting classes every year. While Louisville was knocked down in the national media, got knocked down as low as we could go, and were told they would never be relevant again. Enter Chris Mack.

Oh what a time.

Since the hiring of Chris Mack by the University of Louisville basketball program, even the Cardinal fan base has been left in awe. This guy has brought life back into a program that the NCAA had left for dead.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that, since John Calipari arrived at Kentucky, Louisville has played the role of “little brother” without much resistance. A huge part of that was the fact that a young, hot coach with some attitude in Calipari was finding it all too easy to out-recruit the more tenured Rick Pitino.

We watched it happen to Rick, and now all signs are pointing to Mack pulling the rug out from under Cal. From keeping the talent on his current team together and getting them to buy in, to fun culture-changing events like Louisville Live, to a better start to the season than anyone expected (possibly even a coach of the year campaign?). He’s just getting started.

It’s not really necessary to rehash everything that went down over the course of Pitino’s time here versus Calipari. A 2-9 record speaks for itself, and this fan base is WAY too happy right now to go back down that road. From his introductory press conference, we all knew this dude Mack was different. The way he carried himself and was ready to get down to business – he had that look in his eye that nobody better get in his way.

So far, he’s exceeded expectations, and his team has battled with him every step of the way. Let’s do go back a little ways though, to where I believe the beginning of the end for coach Cal well, began.

The Aidan Igiehon Recruitment

Did they, or didn’t they? “They” in question are the University of Kentucky. Did Calipari offer Igiehon? Let’s look at some facts shall we? Because like a lot of things UK basketball related, if it doesn’t go their way, there’s always an excuse.

John Hale, a UK beat writer for the Courier Journal, tweeted this out on September 11, 2018.

Seems odd that Cal himself would be in Aidan’s living room for a visit if there wasn’t at least a mention of an offer. On top of that, mid-September was when Mack and Louisville really started heating up in the big mans recruitment. Which leads right into the next point.

Chris Mack had already made a splash recruiting wise by laying the foundation of the class with guard Josh Nickleberry, pulling local stud David Johnson back in, and getting 4-star forward Jaelyn Withers to pledge to the Cards.

However, Igiehon was easily the most coveted and high profile recruit of this class. It’s funny, because once Louisville landed Igiehon, Kentucky fans high and low swore “we didn’t want him anyway”, and that “he never had an offer.” It’s funny how that works, considering Calipari only makes in-home visits to guys he really wants.

“With their recent history and lack of a solid reputation, Louisville is probably not going to beat Kentucky for a recruit if Calipari really wants him, wrote John Morgan Francis of ASeaOfBlue.com prior to Igiehon’s commitment.

"“With their recent history and lack of a solid reputation, Louisville is probably not going to beat Kentucky for a recruit if Calipari really wants him.”"

Famous last words if I ever saw any.

Chris Mack did beat John Calipari for a recruit, on his way to the current number two ranked class in the nation. And he did it onn his first go around. What’s more, we may hold on to most if not all the guys on our current roster…

Mack Era has Begun

This feels different, because it is. Coach Mack has taken the Louisville basketball program by the horns and has not shied away from handing out some L’s along the way.

He can’t help it, he’s just that cool. All the players, and the fans, love him. His swag is honestly unmatched among coaches today. And the product on the court has backed up his confidence. I mean when you walk out in a cloud of smoke to “Run This Town” wearing the most badass starter jacket known to man – your swag level explodes off the charts.

Calipari is slowly but surely becoming the grandpa on the block, while Chris Mack is the new neighbor with the in-ground pool and outdoor kitchen in his backyard inviting the entire street to his cookouts. Louisville wasn’t a hard sell to begin with, we have the fan base, resources, and facilities to keep up with anyone in the country. Now we’ve got the perfect man doing the selling.

The tide is beginning to turn in our favor Cards fans. If you aren’t a believer in Chris Mack already, get on board now before you’re called out on being a bandwagon later. We’re all or nothing here in Card Nation. We have a VERY good chance to beat UK this afternoon. And even if we happen to lose, don’t sweat it.

We’re going to be loaded next season thanks to Coach Mack’s phenomenal recruiting. It can’t be understated how huge a win would be for Louisville against our arch rival. But if I’m a betting fan, I’m putting it all on Mack and the Cardinals. Louisville basketball has virtually nothing to lose and everything to gain.

A loss for Cal’s kitties in this one would mean the proverbial crap has hit the fan, the fat lady is singing; and UK fans will be calling for someone’s (Cal’s) head before the teams even finish their handshake line. Sure they can deny it all they want, but Calipari did it to Rick while we helplessly watched. We’ve seen this movie before. Now it’s Chris Mack’s turn. It’s Louisville’s turn.

Go Cards. Beat UK.