365 days in and Louisville basketball is ahead of schedule

After a season that was hard to label as a success or failure, it is certain that Louisville basketball is on track to return to an elite level thanks to Chris Mack.

366 days ago, Louisville basketball was broken.

The Cards were less than a week removed from losing in the NIT quarterfinals to Mississippi State. Losing seniors Quentin Snider and Anas Mahmoud were expected, but juniors Deng Adel and Ray Spalding following suit soon after was less so.

There was a tough-to-remove stain left on the program after NCAA investigations led to the subsequent removal of wins, championships, and final fours from Louisville’s record. Louisville basketball was limping along after the loss of long-time Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino, and AD Tom Jurich following another scandal- this time as part of a pay-for-play incident that shook the college basketball world.

The hope of change being around the corner was about all those around Louisville basketball could hope for. The Cards were left with 7 scholarship players, most of whom had never played significant minutes in a Louisville uniform- and all of whom may have understandably transferred.

Then things changed.

Obviously, the hiring of Chris Mack didn’t instantaneously change the Louisville program. But, over time, Mack made Louisville fans believers.

Fast forward one year. Louisville was just bounced in the first round from the 2019 NCAA Tournament. A faction of the fan base questioned Mack’s decision-making down the stretch.. Louisville fans were left to wonder what could have been in Mack’s first appearance guiding the Cards.

But, what a great problem to have. What much of those around Louisville basketball have failed to realize is the blessing that Mack has been for the program. 366 days ago, Cards fans would have been rejoicing at the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament. Fans would have relished the chance to watch Louisville return to the big dance under the leadership of a young up-and-coming head coach.

What a difference a year makes. Of course, as time passes, expectations should change. However, what many fail to realize is how much the Cards have already over-achieved just in 365 days.

Mack’s first job was to just get the guys he already had to stay. Surely, the seven scholarship student athletes left on the roster didn’t sign up to play for Mack. And VJ King, Ryan McMahon, and Dwayne Sutton certainly could not have envisioned playing for a third head coach in as many year. Yet Mack sold those players on his vision. He got all seven guys to buy in and stay to play for a coach that had not recruited them in a system their games were not made for. Victory number one.

Mack and his staff then hit the recruiting trail. Hard. Louisville needed talent, and they needed it in a hurry. Not only for 2019 and moving forward, but right then. Mack had to sell Christen Cunningham, Khwan Fore, and Akoy Agau on his vision as well.

Finally, Mack had enough players to run 5-on-5 in practice. But to compete in the likes of the ACC? A conference that sent 5 teams to the Sweet 16, and fielded 3 of the 4 No. 1 seeds? That was going to take some talent.

Meanwhile, before the season began, Louisville was somehow able to land the No. 1 recruiting class in the ACC for 2019. The “Super Six,” as they’ve come to be known in Louisville, will feature 4 players rated in the top 100. And Mack’s staff had to sell them on Louisville basketball before the Cards could even take the court.

When the season rolled around, Louisville fielded a more than competitive team. Louisville was scary in Mack’s first year. The Cards beat No. 1 seed North Carolina, in Chapel Hill, and did it in such convincing fashion that it is Roy Williams’s biggest home loss ever. Louisville went on the road and took out No. 4 seeded Virginia Tech, they clawed their way to a win against No. 2 seed Michigan State, and had No. 1 overall seed Duke on the ropes.

Say what you want about Louisville’s finish to the season, but holy shirts and pants, Chris Mack can freaking coach. Sure, there were areas to improve upon, and Mack would tell you so himself.

But, to position yourself as a No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament. To take down some of the best teams in the country. To land the best recruiting class in the best conference in the country. And to do all of that with a depleted roster of guys that you didn’t even recruit?

Maybe Chris Mack’s seat is a little hot. But, it’s probably because he’s on fire. Boom roasted.

Here’s to another 365 days just like the last 365. Thank you, coach Mack for saving and transforming Louisville basketball.