Louisville basketball: 3 reasons why Chris Mack struggled on 2020 recruiting trail

FBI Investigation

I know you don’t want to hear this, but you have to understand it is without question playing a role for Louisville right now on the recruiting trail as the notice of allegations have begun to go out the door to other offenders from the NCAA.

Look at the recruiting of the teams who were named in the federal investigation into Adidas. North Carolina State. Miami. Creighton. Kansas. That’s just the beginning of a long list of schools associated with the payment of players that haven’t been able to recruit on the same level as they once did as potential punishment from the NCAA looms large.

While Louisville has yet to receive any sort of formal notice of allegations or anything related to potential punishment, we can’t all act like we don’t know it’s going to come at some point. Right?

Louisville’s involvement in the pay-for-play scandal was widely known and obviously, cost plenty of high-powered people their jobs within the basketball and athletic programs. It’s led to a complete revitalization of the athletic department behind the hiring of Vince Tyra, as well as a makeover of the basketball program, headlined by Chris Mack.

I understand that Louisville’s had these allegations and rumors hanging over their heads for a few seasons now, and while it didn’t impact recruiting last season we all felt like that was more because any punishment handed down by the NCAA was likely a few years away.

We’re now one year closer and for players who dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament and using that stage to build a legacy, they don’t want to risk missing out because of punishment. Not to mention, let’s not act like the other coaches (who all probably are cheating) weren’t reminding players of that at every turn.

There is a chance that nothing ever materializes from the NCAA after Louisville fired everyone involved and Brian Bowen II never played in a Cardinal uniform. However, considering UofL was already under punishment and probation for the previous scandal, it’s very unlikely that the program is able to use a get of jail free card.

Until the day come that punishment is announced or the NCAA moves on and the remaining schools don’t have any more troubles, the ramifications of Louisville potentially having to miss the NCAA Tournament could cause issues on the recruiting trail.