Louisville basketball’s fate out of their own hands

Disappointment in the word of the day surrounding the Louisville basketball program. After a couple weeks of positive tests, contact tracing, and quarantining, the team was set to hit the floor on Wednesday night for a matchup against Syracuse.

That game, however, was called off early Wednesday afternoon.

A new positive test has emerged in the program just as hope of gameday was springing.

You could imagine that this is another significant step back for the program that could postpone more than just the game against Syracuse on Wednesday. More players and coaches will likely have to enter quarantine while the person that tested positive will be forced into fighting off the virus.

Unfortunately, the season is spiraling out of control very fast for this program. In a season that was always going to be a constant battle, Louisville finds themselves amongst those with the most issues as February winds down.

The program has no control over their destiny

The Cardinals are at the mercy of quarantining and contact tracing until further notice. Just when they thought they were out of the woods, another positive test hit the program. There’s no telling when they can get back to playing after their most recent pause held them out of game action for 16 days. One in December held them out for half the month as well.

It could very well be an absent stretch until the ACC tournament depending on which direction things begin to head.

For many, this season was all about just getting through it with success on the floor coming second. At this time, there should be serious question over whether this team can actually make it to the finish line of this season. They have gone from sprint to crawl and now the season is at a complete standstill.

It has to be a trying time for those involved with the program. A circus of emotions and a juggling of the schedule all while attempting to tame a virus that could potentially turn deadly around the team.

Louisville basketball’s fate is in the hands of Covid-19. That much is certain.

In the most difficult season in memory, Louisville has been beat down repeatedly. Just how much motivation remains within the program is a worthy question moving forward.