Last Updated: October 25, 2023, 00:31 IST
LOUISVILLE, Ky.: A historically bad season left Louisville with nowhere to go however up.
Second-year coach Kenny Payne took main step in that course by touchdown a top-10 recruiting class. That has sparked optimism about making that 4-28 end a distant reminiscence, although he reminds the newcomers and returnees in regards to the depths of that horrid previous as motivation to keep away from a repeat.
“I don’t want us to push it out,” Payne stated. “I want them to know what it was to be in a situation where the players had no hope or didn’t have the confidence to believe in themselves. There’s a lesson in that. This is a totally different team, and for me as the head coach, it’s the first step in me rebuilding this program.”
Louisville (2-18 Atlantic Coast Conference) welcomes eight newcomers together with a number of transfers with at the least two seasons of remaining eligibility. They be a part of a returning core of sophomore guard Mike James (10.1 factors per sport) and forwards Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (6.7 factors, 5.4 rebounds) and JJ Traynor (6.9, 3.8), the few vivid spots again from a squad that started 0-9 on the best way to bottoming out in each means.
That trio and 4 different holdovers even have some years left, giving Payne the nucleus he hopes to maintain. Louisville has a good baseline to construct on, returning 47% of the offense and 57% of the rebounding, and gamers are decided to steer the as soon as-proud program again to respectability.
There figures to be rising pains. But there’s higher expertise, they’ve had extra time to get acquainted and there’s no cloud of NCAA sanctions hanging over like final fall.
LONGER, MAYBE STRONGER
Louisville lacked an inside presence final season, an excuse it could’t make this 12 months with 7-foot-1 freshman Dennis Evans and a much bigger projected position for six-9 sophomore Emmanuel Okorafor. Evans already appears poised to be a rim protector and is embracing bodily play as a part of the training course of.
BACKCOURT DEPTH
Louisville lists eight guards, with James because the incumbent starter. Illinois switch Skyy Clark (7.0 factors, 2.1 assists) seems to be the purpose guard, whereas USC switch Tre White may play a major position after averaging 9.0 factors and 5.1 boards to make the Pac-12 All-Freshman staff. Curtis Williams additionally figures to play key minutes.
TRUST EACH OTHER
The Cardinals struggled to mount consecutive possessions with out turning the ball over and ranked 331st of 352 Division I colleges at 14.9 per sport, 350th in help-to-turnover ratio at 0.63. That figures to be a problem once more, at the least initially, with so many new faces and plans to play faster. On the opposite hand, Payne has gamers in the suitable positions and James is inspired by the creating cohesion.
“The togetherness and chemistry are off the charts this year,” he added. “I think it’ll show on the court. That makes my job easy.”
PIVOTAL PLAYER
Payne cited Huntley-Hatfield as Louisville’s seemingly X-issue. The 6-10 junior missed eight ACC video games with a foot damage however began 21 of 24 video games and led Cardinals rebounding eight occasions. The coach stated Huntley-Hatfield’s conditioning has improved (8% physique fats) and hopes he exhibits that power.
“He could be the difference maker,” Payne stated. “He’s talented, he’s strong. He commands a double team. … He’s got to know that he has to deliver for this team.”
THE SCHEDULE
Louisville opens Nov. 6 at dwelling in opposition to UMBC and faces main exams Nov. 19-20 in opposition to Texas and both UConn or Indiana in New York. The Cardinals open ACC play at Virginia Tech on Dec. 3. They host No. 16 and rival Kentucky on Dec. 21.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
