Louisville Cardinals struggled against Wesleyan ..."/> Louisville Cardinals struggled against Wesleyan ..."/> Louisville Cardinals struggled against Wesleyan ..."/>
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Louisville Falls To Division II School For 2nd Straight Year

By Caleb Hall

Louisville head coach Kenny Payne yells in frustration during the second half. The Cards lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, 71-68 Monday night in the team's final exhibition game. Oct. 30, 2023.
Louisville head coach Kenny Payne yells in frustration during the second half. The Cards lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, 71-68 Monday night in the team's final exhibition game. Oct. 30, 2023. /
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Louisville guard Skyy Clark dives for the ball over Kentucky Wesleyan’s Borja Fernandez n the second half. Louisville lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, 71-68 Monday. Oct. 30, 2023.
Louisville guard Skyy Clark dives for the ball over Kentucky Wesleyan’s Borja Fernandez n the second half. Louisville lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, 71-68 Monday. Oct. 30, 2023. /

Louisville Falls to Wesleyan Kentucky 71-68

The Louisville Cardinals struggled against Wesleyan Kentucky last night and fell 71-68 in what hopefully isn’t a sign of what’s to come.

The Cardinals struggled to shoot the ball with any consistency in the game, and when it came to defensive pressure and stops they extremely struggled in the 2nd half, especially in clutch moments. The Cardinals gave up 45 points in the 2nd half to this team, and it is simply unacceptable. Louisville is a top ten college basketball program and losing an exhibition game to a division II school in back to back years is not acceptable in any circumstance.

Skyy Clark led the team with 22 points, and he was one of the bright spots for this team. Mike James also dropped 16 points as well in the loss. No one else on the team made much of a difference in this game. Even the freshman that looked good in the last exhibition game didn’t do much of anything. Curtis Williams and Dennis Evans didn’t contribute much to the team, and looked lost on the court when they were out there.

One the biggest problems with tonight’s game was that the Cardinals got outrebounded 47-33. The fact that Louisville got outrebounded by a division II school is embarrassing, and the fact that it was by 14 makes it so much worse.

Louisville looked flat starting the game and never seemed to regain focus throughout any point during the game. Kenny Payne did not have his team ready, and has destroyed any good will that he had built up during the offseason with this team. This is mostly all Payne’s doing, and he has to get his team together if Louisville wants to even have a chance at winning any games this winter.

The most bizzare thing to happen last night wasn’t even in the game, but happened in the post game press conference after the game. Payne had this to say about the teams talent and will to win:

Kenny Payne saying “we will never be the most talented team” is a baffling comment to make as the Louisville Cardinals head basketball coach. Does Payne not think that Louisville can or will stop getting top talent? If he does that’s a problem, and if he doesn’t that is a problem. Coaches like Chris Mack and Rick Pitino would never say such a statement, and it is not a good look for a coach that needs the fans on his side.

I want Kenny Payne to succeed, but if he is not the right fit he doesn’t need to be in Louisville.

As of right now everything is pointing towards Payne and the Cardinals not having a good season. Hopefully they prove us all wrong, but it will be an interesting start for Louisville come early November.

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