Amanda Knapp
The Louisville Cardinals, representing the University of Louisville, have a rich history in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team has won two NCAA championships, in 1980 and 1986, and boasts a string of 46 consecutive winning seasons from 1944 to 1990, an NCAA record. The Cardinals have faced setbacks, including a scandal in 2017 that led to the firing of head coach Rick Pitino, and more recently, a difficult season in 2022-23 with a 4-28 record under coach Kenny Payne, who was subsequently fired. Despite these challenges, the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball program remains a prominent force in college basketball, with a long history of success and a passionate rivalry with the University of Kentucky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coach | Mark Pope |
| Returning Players | To be decided |
| Potential Returning Players | Brandon Garrison |
| Amari Williams | |
| Lamont Butler | |
| Koby Brea |
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What You'll Learn
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
The Cardinals have made 42 NCAA Tournament appearances, ranking 5th all-time, and have 15 NIT appearances. They are the only school in NCAA history to have had a Men's Basketball National Championship vacated, along with two Final Four appearances. The team has also faced controversies, including a "pay-for-play" scandal in 2017, which resulted in the suspension and subsequent firing of head coach Rick Pitino.
The University of Louisville signed Kenny Payne as head coach in 2022, but he was fired in 2024 after a poor two-year record. Pat Kelsey was then introduced as the new head coach, signing a five-year contract.
The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry is ranked as one of the best in college basketball, with both schools consistently being among the nation's top men's basketball teams for the last 50 years. The rivalry first began in 1913 but became more intense when the teams met again in the 1983 NCAA tournament, and they have played each other annually ever since.
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NCAA charges Rick Pitino
The NCAA has charged Rick Pitino, the former head coach of the Louisville men's basketball team, with violations related to a prostitution scandal and a 2017 pay-to-play scandal. The prostitution scandal involved allegations that Louisville basketball staff paid for dancing and sex services for players and recruits from 2010 to 2014. The NCAA determined that the allegations were true and charged Pitino with failing to monitor his program and staff members. Pitino could face suspension or other penalties as a result of these charges.
In 2020, months before coaching his first game at Iona College, Pitino was charged with an NCAA Level Two violation, the second most severe type of violation. The NCAA cited Pitino for "failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance" during his time at Louisville, which could result in penalties at Iona. Louisville received a Level One violation, the most serious type, and could face a postseason ban. Pitino has denied the allegations and Iona College has expressed support for him.
The NCAA's Complex Case Unit also issued additional formal allegations of infractions against Pitino, claiming that he authorized a $100,000 payment to the father of former recruit Brian Bowen in 2017. These allegations were made following the release of a book by former Adidas consultant Merl Code, who claimed that Pitino had knowledge of and authorized payments to players' families. Pitino has denied these claims as well.
Overall, the NCAA charges against Rick Pitino relate to his failure to monitor his program and staff members, as well as allegations of improper payments to recruits and their families. These charges have led to potential penalties and suspensions for Pitino and could impact his career as a college basketball coach.
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Kenny Payne's contract
Kenny Payne was signed as the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team on March 18, 2022. Payne signed a six-year contract with the University of Louisville, which paid him a base salary of $3,350,000 through March 31, 2028. Payne's contract made him the fourth-highest-paid coach in the ACC at the time of its approval. Payne's first season with the Cardinals was the worst in modern times for any Louisville team, as they finished with a 4-28 record. He was fired by Louisville on March 13, 2024, after a two-year record of 12-52.
On April 19, 2024, Payne signed a three-year contract as an associate head coach for the University of Arkansas men's basketball team. Payne's contract, which runs through the 2026-27 season, includes a no-compete clause that prohibits him from accepting another assistant coaching job within the SEC. The 57-year-old will be paid $900,000 per year, with the potential for up to $100,000 in annual bonuses. If Payne were to leave for another job, he would owe Arkansas a buyout of 20% of his remaining contract value. Payne's salary is believed to be the highest ever for an Arkansas basketball assistant and is nearly double the previous highest salary.
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The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry
The intensity of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry is fuelled by the proximity of the two schools and the passion for college sports in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Both schools have consistently been among the nation's top men's basketball teams for the last 50 years, with Kentucky ranked #1 and Louisville #26 (including vacated victories) in the list of all-time winningest programs in Division I Men's Basketball. They are also two of the most successful programs in NCAA history, with Kentucky having eight national championships and Louisville three (one vacated). The rivalry has been ranked the 2nd best in college basketball and 3rd best in all of college sports.
The games between Kentucky and Louisville are often highly anticipated and well-attended, with passionate fans from both schools. The rivalry has seen its share of controversies and scandals, with players and coaches from both teams involved in various incidents over the years. Despite these challenges, the rivalry remains a highlight of the college basketball season, with both teams consistently bringing their best and fighting for victory.
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NCAA tournament appearances
The Louisville Cardinals, representing the University of Louisville, have a rich history in the NCAA tournament. They have made 40 to 44 appearances in the NCAA tournament, with 39 of those being official appearances. The Cardinals have officially won two NCAA championships, in 1980 and 1986, with their 2013 title being vacated. They have also made it to eight Final Fours, although the 2012 and 2013 appearances were vacated.
The team's success in the NCAA tournament has contributed to their overall winning record. As of the end of the 2015-16 season, the Cardinals had an impressive 1778-892 record in 102 seasons of intercollegiate basketball. This ranks them 10th in all-time victories and 7th in all-time winning percentage among NCAA Division I schools.
The Cardinals' success in the NCAA tournament has not been limited to just appearances and wins but also includes several notable achievements. The team holds the NCAA record for the most consecutive winning seasons, with 46 straight winning seasons from 1944 to 1990. During this period, they won 20 or more games on 31 occasions.
The Louisville Cardinals' performance in the NCAA tournament has solidified their place as one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation. Their appearances, wins, and achievements have contributed to a proud basketball history for the University of Louisville.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not yet clear who will be returning to the UK men's basketball roster for the 2025-26 season. Mark Pope and the UK basketball staff will be focusing their attention on the next season's roster.
There are a handful of players that are expected to return to Kentucky this fall for a second year under Mark Pope. These include Brandon Garrison, the former McDonald's All-American, and players such as Amari Williams, Lamont Butler, and Koby Brea, whose decisions will be revealed in the coming days and weeks.
Yes, Hardley Gilmore, the former Kentucky WR, is a potential new addition to the UK men's basketball roster.
