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How Does Louisville Basketball Compare to Jackson State?

By Cameron Franck

Nov 23, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Jackson State Tigers head coach Mo Williams reacts during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Jackson State Tigers head coach Mo Williams reacts during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The University of Louisville tried to mimic the same hiring strategy that Jackson State University used in hiring a new Men’s Head Basketball Coach.

Jackson State University, a Historically Black College and University, has taken a rather unorthodox and more modern approach to installing new leadership at the forefront of their main athletic programs. It all starts with Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson, who was named the FCS Athletic Director of the Year for the 2021-2022 season and recently signed a contract extension through 2026.

Robinson hired former NFL superstar Deion Sanders as the Head Football Coach for Jackson State University on September 21, 2020, and under his leadership he quickly changed the trajectory of that program as this season the Tigers have gone 11-0 and are now set to take on Southern University in the SWAC Championship today at 3 PM EST.

As for the basketball program, Robinson had the same hopes for success in hiring a former NBA Champion Mo Williams on March 14, 2022 to be the Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball program. Williams was born in Jackson, Mississippi, so not only is he coaching the game he loves, but he is also in his hometown.

However, the JSU Tigers basketball team hasn’t had the same success as the Tigers football team. Starting the season under a first year head coach, their record is 0-6. Their next chance at a win comes today at 3 PM EST against the SMU Mustangs. The Mustangs are heavy favorites to win, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, currently sitting as a 12.5-point favorite.

Williams is much like Louisville’s Kenny Payne in this aspect: both are former players, both are newly installed coaches, and both are searching for their first win.

Head Coach Kenny Payne was hired as Louisville’s Head Basketball Coach only four days after Mo Williams was hired in Jackson, Mississippi. On March 18, 2022, Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird hired Kenny Payne to lead the Cardinals hoping for a return back to an elite college basketball school status.

But, things have not gone according to plan for Head Coach Kenny Payne and the Louisville Cardinals as they currently sit at 0-7 in dire need of some positivity in the locker room. Both Payne and Williams sit in a winless boat and these are two guys who have been synonymous with success in the past so they are floating in new waters.

It seems the biggest issue for both teams is they are unable to stay out of their own way long enough to not beat themselves before their opponents. Jackson State has a combined 95 turnovers through six games with the most coming against the Indiana Hoosiers at 22 turnovers. Whereas the Cardinals have a combined 118 turnovers through seven games with the most coming against the Arkansas Razorbacks at 22 turnovers.

The most consistent player on the floor for the Tigers is redshirt sophomore Ken Evans Jr, who is the only player who has started all six games and averages the most minutes played with 30.5 minutes.

The most consistent player on the floor for the Cardinals is true senior El Ellis who has started all seven games for the Cardinals and averages the most minutes on the team with 34.9. He has also recorded the most points on the team and it’s not even close. His 47 points lead the team with Jae’Lyn Withers coming in second at 19.

The combined turnovers and the major drop off in scoring from Ellis creates a recipe for disaster for coach Kenny Payne. The Cardinals are being outscored by fifty points with 138-188 made field goals.

If Louisville plans to win a game this season, there needs to be a vast improvement in scoring, ball movement, and taking care of the ball. Whereas for the Tigers, the scoring is more balanced with seven players scoring 30+ total points across six games. Ken Evans Jr. leads the way with 94 total points.

Therefore the main critique for the Tigers would be to just take care of the ball more and give themselves a chance to beat their opponents instead of forcing two opponents they have to battle in one game being themselves and the team in the other uniforms.

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