LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The latest Bluegrass showdown appeared to have more Kentucky blue fans than Louisville Cardinal red, and the visitors made their voices heard as the No. 9 Wildcats cruised to another rivalry victory in enemy territory.
In contrast to expectations of a large blue wave for the state’s most anticipated game, splashes of red around the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night suggested that Louisville fans haven’t given up on the Cardinals’ more difficult-than-expected rebuilding process. However, with the arena nearly empty this season due to head-scratching losses and off-court missteps by embattled second-year coach Kenny Payne, interest has dwindled, and his job was speculated to be in serious jeopardy last weekend.
“We’ve been spoiled,” said Louisville fan and resident Nick Lococo, who proudly wore a Kentucky blue top to Thursday’s game with his wife Cera.
For decades, we’ve had excellent coaches. And, given the current state of the program, it’s not something I would have predicted.”
Payne’s status was clarified by Louisville athletic director Josh Heird, who told WDRB-TV on Friday that he would coach into the new year. Heird did not immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press, but a spokesman for the athletic department confirmed the report via text.
Payne was likely given some breathing room after Louisville’s 85-63 thrashing of Pepperdine on Sunday. The Cardinals must now mine wins from a difficult Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, or the calls to fire him on social media and local sports radio shows will grow louder.
Louisville (5-7, 0-1 ACC) returns to conference action on Jan. 3 at No. 22 Virginia, following a 12-day break that will allow Payne and the Cardinals to regroup. They come in with a 95-76 loss to mull over but an encouraging week to build on.
“For me, it’s more about how I get this team better, how I get them closer together,” said Payne, who is 9-35 at his alma mater overall. “I think we’re getting better. That’s been my focus, and I’m just trying to get by.”
While Louisville’s win total surpassed last season’s historically poor 4-28 finish, growing pains remain for a program that was once considered among the best in the country. Despite a top-ten recruiting class, the Cardinals rank in the bottom half of several NCAA Division I statistical categories and have struggled on both ends of the floor.
Louisville led then-No. 19 Texas 81-80 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and Indiana was late before losing. They’ve also lost this season despite being favored against Chattanooga, DePaul, and Arkansas State at home. The 75-63 loss to the Red Wolves on Dec. 13 was a low point on multiple levels, with a few fans booing before leaving early.
Freshman forward Koron Davis, whose departure earlier that day highlighted the latest drama, was watching that night. Davis’ transfer was announced by the school before the player tweeted that he hadn’t and even posted his grades. Davis, according to a subsequent release, had been
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