In a rebuilding season, the culture is changing for Louisville basketball
In the debut episode of The Truth with Master P and Mike Rutherford, the two passionate basketball fans discussed the current state of the Louisville basketball program. According to Master P, Louisville guard Hercy Miller’s father, he states that we are indeed in a rebuilding year and we have a great coach in Kenny Payne. Despite what disgruntled fans may think, the attitudes of the players have changed from the beginning of the season and it is evident in the way they carry themselves.
In a recent presser, senior guard El Ellis announced that he was unsure about his future at this time. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound JUCO transfer still has one year of collegiate eligibility left following this season. He could decide to pursue a professional career after the season ends or he could decide to come back to college for one more year.
He assured all Louisville fans that if he does decide to come back to college, then it won’t be anywhere else other than Louisville,
"“I just don’t feel comfortable going to another school. I feel like Louisville is the place for me,” he said. “Even through everything that’s been going on – the coaching change, the records, everything like that – I feel like if I’m going to come back and go to college again, I’m going to come back to Louisville because I didn’t finish the way I wanted to. I want to leave as a winner, and that’s something I didn’t get to do. If college is going to be the next option for me, then I’m coming back to Louisville.”"
During their conversation on The Truth, Master P reitereated this comment by saying that Louisville needs to do everything they can to keep Ellis for one more year. Mike Rutherford chimed in on the topic and verbalized a reality that has been true for decades. And that is the fact that players for the University of Louisville on both the football teams and the basketball teams are treated like ‘gods’ here. Partly because Louisville does not have any professional sports teams, but also because the passion of Louisville fans is unmatched.
For example, the Louisville basketball team is 4-25, but the fan support at the games does not match their overall record. Fans are into it, Kenny Payne is on his feet coaching hard, players are buying into his culture, and there is a lot of incoming talent that will boost this roster next season.
JUCO transfer Koron Davis, four-star forward Kaleb Glenn, and four-star Curtis Williams Jr. will be a huge boost to this roster desperate for help. Louisville is doing well with El Ellis right now, a former JUCO transfer, so if they can have similar success with Koron Davis and keep Ellis for another season, then that would be a great start to a solid backcourt already. Plus, if KP can retain Mike James and Kamari Lands, then the program will begin to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of IARP probation.
Then, if Dennis Evans does indeed commit here like he is projected to, then the potential for the program increases exponentially. Evans, a 7-foot-1 center and a Top 20 prospect in the nation could be the domino to fall that helps boost the recruiting trail for the Cardinals.
Louisville is also on the short list for five-star combo guard Trentyn Flowers and has floated in conversations surrounding five-star Karter Knox and five-star Carter Bryant. If any one of those guys commit here, then not only do the floodgates open but the rebuilding process is expedited greatly.