Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
{{Short description|NCAA Division I basketball program}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox college basketball team
| name = Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
| current = 2024–25 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
| logo = Louisville Wordmark (2023).svg
| logo_size = 200
| university = University of Louisville
| firstseason = {{start date and age|1911}}
| record = 1,882*–933 ({{Winning percentage|1882|933}})
| athletic_director = Josh Heird
| coach = Pat Kelsey
| tenure = 1st
| conference = ACC
| location = Louisville, Kentucky
| arena = KFC Yum! Center (2010–present)
(Capacity: 22,090)
Freedom Hall (1956–2010)
(Capacity: 18,865)
| capacity =
| nickname = Cardinals
| studentsection = "The Ville'ns"
| color1 =
| color2 =
| color3 =
| color4 =
| colorfootnotes =
| hex1 =
| hex2 =
| hex3 =
| hex4 =
| h_pattern_b = _thinsidesonwhite
| h_body = BD2031
| h_shorts = BD2031
| h_pattern_s = _blanksides2
| a_pattern_b = _thinblacksides
| a_body = BD2031
| a_shorts = BD2031
| a_pattern_s = _blacksides
| 3_pattern_b = _thinredsides
| 3_body = 262626
| 3_shorts = 262626
| 3_pattern_s = _redsides
| NCAAchampion = 1980, 1986, 2013*
| NCAAfinalfour = 1959, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 2005, 2012*, 2013*
| NCAAeliteeight = 1959, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1997, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012*, 2013*, 2015*
| NCAAsweetsixteen = 1951, 1959, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012*, 2013*, 2014*, 2015*
| NCAAroundof32 =
| NCAAopeninground =
| NCAAtourneys = 1951, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012*, 2013*, 2014*, 2015*, 2017, 2019, 2025
| conference_tournament = KIAC
1928, 1929'''
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Metro
1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995
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Conference USA
2003, 2005
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Big East
2009, 2012*, 2013*
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'''AAC
2014*
| conference_season = Missouri Valley
1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975'''
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Metro
1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994
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Conference USA
2005
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Big East
2009, 2013*
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'''AAC
2014*
| below =
}}
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the men's college basketball program representing the University of Louisville (U of L) in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I. The Cardinals have officially won two NCAA championships in 1980 and 1986 (with the 2013 title being vacated); and have officially been to eight Final Fours (with the 2012 and 2013 appearances being vacated) in 39 official NCAA tournament appearances while compiling 61 tournament wins.{{cite web|title=2011 NCAA Men's Final Four Statistics|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_final4/2011/FullBook.pdf|work=2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Statistics|publisher=National Intercollegiate Athletic Association|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426050306/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_final4/2011/FullBook.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=2015–16 Louisville Basketball Guide|url=http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gocards.com/documents/2015/9/30/mbb_1516_guide_sec1.pdf?id=9092|publisher=University of Louisville|access-date=February 12, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310002720/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gocards.com/documents/2015/9/30/mbb_1516_guide_sec1.pdf?id=9092|url-status=live}}
History
{{See also|List of Louisville Cardinals men's basketball seasons}}
="Peck" Hickman era (1944–1967)=
Bernard "Peck" Hickman's 1944 team finished with a 16–3 record and started a string of 46 consecutive winning seasons, which was an NCAA record.{{cite web|title=Louisville Basketball Media Guide|url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010|publisher=University of Louisville Athletic Department|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016222554/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010|url-status=dead}}
File:University of Louisville men's basketball team, 1914.jpg
Hickman led Louisville to its first championship on a national level by winning the NAIB tournament in 1948.{{cite web|title=NAIA Division I Men's Basketball |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2010RecordsUpdate4.pdf |publisher=NAIA |access-date=December 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815235339/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2010RecordsUpdate4.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2010 }} In 1956, led by All-American Charlie Tyra, the Cardinals won the NIT Championship.{{cite web|title=NIT Postseason Tournament Results (1950s)|url=https://www.ncaa.com/content/nit-postseason-history-1950s|publisher=NCAA|access-date=December 27, 2011|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426154257/https://www.ncaa.com/content/nit-postseason-history-1950s|url-status=live}} In 1956 his team was placed on two years probation, to include bans on postseason play, by the NCAA due to recruiting violations.{{Cite web|url=https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1956/05/03|title=The Stanford Daily Archives|website=archives.stanforddaily.com|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404031722/http://stanforddailyarchive.com/cgi-bin/stanford?a=d&d=stanford19560503-01.2.23&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------|url-status=live}} In 1959, Louisville made its first NCAA Final Four appearance behind the play of All-American Don Goldstein.
The Cardinals never had a losing season in Hickman's 23 seasons as head coach.{{cite web |url=http://www.uoflsports.com/genrel/071900aad.html|title=Former Hoop Coach/AD Hickman Dies |publisher=University of Louisville Athletic Department|access-date=December 27, 2011}} He coached 11 20-win teams, appeared in five NCAA tournaments, coached six NIT appearances and finished with a 443–183 overall record, a .708 winning percentage that ranks him in the top 45 all time.
=John Dromo era (1967–1971)=
John Dromo was Hickman's assistant for 17 years and succeeded him at head coach in 1967. In four seasons as head coach, Dromo led the Cardinals to a 68–23 record (.747 winning percentage) and the 1967 Missouri Valley Conference title.
A heart attack during the 1970–71 season forced Dromo to retire. His assistant, Howard Stacey, was named interim head coach for the final 20 games of the season.{{cite web|title=Louisville Cardinal Head Coaches|url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010|publisher=University of Louisville|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016222554/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010|url-status=dead}}
=Denny Crum era (1971–2001)=
Denny Crum was hired as head coach from his alma mater, UCLA, where he was the top assistant coach to John Wooden. It was under the guidance of Crum that Louisville became a college basketball power. In his first season, he guided the Cardinals to the NCAA Final Four, becoming the first coach ever to go to a Final Four in his first season as a head coach. Overall, Crum had six Final Fours with the Cardinals (1972, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986). He is fifth all-time in Final Four appearances.{{Cite web|url=http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/s/2001/0302/1122100.html|title=ESPN.com – NCB – The Denny Crum Legacy|website=ESPN|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=March 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330192033/http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/s/2001/0302/1122100.html|url-status=live}}
The Cardinals won the 1980 NCAA tournament championship by defeating UCLA 59–54. Six years later, Louisville would overcome Duke 72–69 for a second title. Crum is one of only 11 coaches to win two or more national championships.{{cite web |url=http://woodenaward.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/crum_denny00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026221506/http://woodenaward.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/crum_denny00.html|title=Player Bio: Denny Crum :: Men's Basketball|archive-date=October 26, 2006}} He was named National Coach of the Year in 1980, 1983 and 1986.
He took the Cardinals to 23 NCAA tournaments, where they had an overall record of 43–21. While in the Metro Conference, the Cardinals won 12 regular season titles and 11 tournament championships. In its 19 years of naming a champion, the Metro had Louisville as first or second place 17 times. In 1993, Crum became the second fastest coach to reach 500 wins.{{cite web |url=http://hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-denny-crum.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012210512/http://hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-denny-crum.html|title=Official Website of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}
Crum was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1994. He retired in 2001 with a career record of 675–295 (.696 winning percentage) over 30 seasons. He was a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2006.
=Rick Pitino era (2001–2017)=
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2017}}
Rick Pitino was hired in 2001 after four years as head coach of the Boston Celtics, and previously as head coach of Louisville's in-state rival, Kentucky.{{cite web|title=Louisville Hires Rick Pitino As Head Men's Basketball Coach|url=http://gocards.com/news/2001/3/21/Louisville_Hires_Rick_Pitino_As_Head_Men_s_Basketball_Coach.aspx|website=gocards.com|access-date=March 4, 2001|date=March 21, 2001|archive-date=March 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305142910/http://gocards.com/news/2001/3/21/Louisville_Hires_Rick_Pitino_As_Head_Men_s_Basketball_Coach.aspx|url-status=live}}
Pitino guided the Cardinals to the NCAA Tournament in 12 of 15 seasons, reaching the Elite Eight six times and the Final Four three times (2005, 2012, and 2013). His teams won six conference tournament championships and four regular season titles. The Cardinals won at least 20 games every season since Pitino's first season at Louisville. Through the 2015–16 season, Pitino amassed a record of 391–134 ({{Winning percentage|391|134}}) during his time at Louisville.
Pitino was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013,{{cite web|title=The Enshrinement Class of 2013 |url=http://www.hoophall.com/the-class-of-2013/ |publisher=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |access-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430130801/http://www.hoophall.com/the-class-of-2013/ |archive-date=April 30, 2013}} and was under contract through the 2025–26 season.{{cite web|title=U of L extends Pitino's contract|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2015/06/09/louisville-extends-rick-pitinos-contract-through-2025-26/28740761/|work=Courier-Journal|access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426050401/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2015/06/09/louisville-extends-rick-pitinos-contract-through-2025-26/28740761/|url-status=live}}
The University of Louisville self-imposed a postseason ban for the 2015–16 season amid an ongoing NCAA investigation over an escort sex scandal involving recruits between 2010 and 2014. The ban included both the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14721089/louisville-cardinals-basketball-self-imposes-postseason-ban-2015-16-season|title=Louisville self-imposes postseason ban for men's hoops in 2016|date=February 5, 2016|work=ESPN|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205215015/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14721089/louisville-cardinals-basketball-self-imposes-postseason-ban-2015-16-season|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2016/02/05/sources-u-l-imposing-postseason-hoops-ban/79878760/|title=U of L imposing postseason hoops ban|date=February 5, 2016|work=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, KY|author=Jeff Greer|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130040918/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2016/02/05/sources-u-l-imposing-postseason-hoops-ban/79878760/|url-status=live}}
On June 15, 2017, the NCAA charged Rick Pitino for failure to monitor his basketball program which was involved in a sex-for-pay scandal. He was suspended for the first five games of the ACC season in 2017–18.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/06/15/louisville-ncaa-infractions-report|title=NCAA suspends Rick Pitino for five ACC games following sex scandal probe|date=June 15, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|author=Scooby Axson|access-date=June 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005323/https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/06/15/louisville-ncaa-infractions-report|url-status=live}}
On September 26, 2017, federal prosecutors in New York announced that the school was under investigation for an alleged "pay for play" scheme involving recruits at Louisville.{{Cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/09/26/university-louisville-college-basketball-fbi-sting/703414001/|title=University of Louisville college basketball program targeted in FBI investigation|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=September 26, 2017|language=en|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130040931/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2017/09/26/university-louisville-college-basketball-fbi-sting/703414001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/college-basketball-coaches-allegedly-took-bribes-agents-deliver-athletes-n804781|title=College basketball bribery scandal exposes "dark underbelly" of NCAA, prosecutor says|work=NBC News|access-date=September 26, 2017|language=en|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926144539/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/college-basketball-coaches-allegedly-took-bribes-agents-deliver-athletes-n804781|url-status=live}} The allegations state that an Adidas executive conspired to pay $100,000 to the family of a top-ranked national recruit to play at Louisville and to represent Adidas when he turned pro.{{Cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/09/26/university-louisville-college-basketball-fbi-sting/703414001/|title=University of Louisville college basketball program targeted in FBI investigation|work=Indianapolis Star|access-date=September 26, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101151422/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/09/26/university-louisville-college-basketball-fbi-sting/703414001/|url-status=live}} The criminal complaint did not name Louisville specifically but appeared to involve the recruitment of Brian Bowen, a late, surprise commit to the school.{{Cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2017/09/26/university-louisville-recruits-college-basketball-scandal/703820001/|title=University of Louisville scandal: Brian Bowen's mom says she 'didn't know anything'|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=September 26, 2017|language=en|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130040826/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2017/09/26/university-louisville-recruits-college-basketball-scandal/703820001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2017/9/26/16367526/louisville-fbi-investigation-college-basketball-scandal-rick-pitino|title=Louisville basketball has an FBI investigation to worry about while still on NCAA probation|work=SBNation.com|access-date=September 26, 2017|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927111859/https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2017/9/26/16367526/louisville-fbi-investigation-college-basketball-scandal-rick-pitino|url-status=live}} On September 27, 2017, Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich were placed on administrative leave.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20834710/louisville-head-coach-rick-pitino-athletic-director-tom-jurich-out|title=Louisville's Pitino and Jurich placed on leave|work=ESPN.com|date=September 28, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130040840/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.2f70fb173b9000da126c79afe2098f02.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com|url-status=live}}
On October 26, 2017, Rick Pitino was fired as the head coach of Louisville Men's Basketball.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/16/558129077/rick-pitino-fired-as-louisville-basketball-coach-amid-massive-bribery-probe|title=Rick Pitino Fired As Louisville Basketball Coach Amid Massive Bribery Probe|date=October 16, 2017|work=NPR|author=Colin Dwyer|access-date=September 5, 2018|archive-date=September 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905214927/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/16/558129077/rick-pitino-fired-as-louisville-basketball-coach-amid-massive-bribery-probe|url-status=live}}
On February 20, 2018, the NCAA ruled that Louisville must vacate its records from 2011 to 2015. This included 123 wins, the 2013 NCAA title, and a 2012 Final Four appearance.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/20/587219151/louisville-must-vacate-its-2013-national-title-after-ncaa-upholds-ruling|title=Louisville Must Vacate Its 2013 National Title After NCAA Upholds Ruling|date=February 20, 2018|work=NPR|author=Colin Dwyer|access-date=September 5, 2018|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120247/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/20/587219151/louisville-must-vacate-its-2013-national-title-after-ncaa-upholds-ruling|url-status=live}}
=Chris Mack era (2018–2022)=
On March 27, 2018, Xavier head coach Chris Mack agreed to terms on a seven-year contract worth about $4 million annually to become the next head coach at Louisville.{{cite news|title=Sources: Louisville, Mack agree to 7-year deal|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22933563/louisville-cardinals-agree-seven-year-deal-xavier-chris-mack|access-date=March 28, 2018|work=ESPN.com|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041425/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22933563/louisville-cardinals-agree-seven-year-deal-xavier-chris-mack|url-status=live}} Louisville was the first ever school to hire away a head coach whose previous team was a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Mack had a notable start to his Louisville tenure, recruiting a top-5 2019 class that included a 5-star player, four 4-star players, and a three-star player. Picked to finish 11th in the 2018 preseason ACC poll, Mack led the Cardinals to a 20–14 season peaking at #15 in the AP polls and finishing in seventh place in the ACC standings with signature wins over #9 Michigan State, #12 North Carolina, and #11 Virginia Tech and tough losses to #5 Tennessee, Marquette, #22 Florida State, and #2 Duke. Under Mack, Louisville made only one NCAA tournament appearance.{{Cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2019/all-teams/basketball|title=2019 Team Rankings|website=n.rivals.com|access-date=December 18, 2018|archive-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193455/https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2019/all-teams/basketball|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401082475|title=Michigan State vs. Louisville – Game Summary – November 27, 2018 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520161952/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401082475|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/97/louisville-cardinals|title=Louisville Cardinals College Basketball – Louisville News, Scores, Stats, Rumors & More – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=May 20, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520020108/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/97/louisville-cardinals|url-status=live}}
On January 26, 2022, Louisville and Chris Mack mutually agreed to part ways.
=Kenny Payne era (2022–2024)=
On March 18, 2022, it was announced that the University of Louisville signed Kenny Payne to a six-year contract as head coach.{{cite web|title=How Kenny Payne's contract for Louisville men's basketball compares with ACC coaches|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2022/03/18/see-what-kenny-paynes-contract-louisville-basketball-includes/7068695001/|access-date=March 18, 2022|date=March 18, 2022|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426050551/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2022/03/18/see-what-kenny-paynes-contract-louisville-basketball-includes/7068695001/|url-status=live}}
Kenny Payne ended his first season with the worst record in modern times for any Louisville team, finishing the season 4–28.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardchronicle.com/2023/3/7/23629770/louisville-ends-worst-season-in-program-history-with-80-62-loss-to-boston-college|title=Louisville ends worst season in program history with 80–62 loss to Boston College|website=cardchronicle.com|publisher=SB Nation|first=Mike|last=Rutherford|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405141102/https://www.cardchronicle.com/2023/3/7/23629770/louisville-ends-worst-season-in-program-history-with-80-62-loss-to-boston-college|url-status=live}}
On March 13, 2024, Louisville fired Payne after a two-year record of 12–52.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39723489/louisville-fires-kenny-payne-men-hoops-coach-starts-search|title=Louisville fires men's hoops coach Kenny Payne, starts search|work=ESPN|date=March 13, 2024|access-date=March 13, 2024|archive-date=March 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313170924/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39723489/louisville-fires-kenny-payne-men-hoops-coach-starts-search|url-status=live}}
= Pat Kelsey era (2024–present) =
On March 28, 2024, Pat Kelsey was introduced as the 23rd head coach for the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team, signing a 5-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://gocards.com/news/2024/3/28/mens-basketball-cardinals-hire-pat-kelsey-to-lead-mens-basketball-program|title=Cardinals Hire Pat Kelsey to Lead Men's Basketball Program|website=University of Louisville Athletic|access-date=March 29, 2024|archive-date=March 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328192851/https://gocards.com/news/2024/3/28/mens-basketball-cardinals-hire-pat-kelsey-to-lead-mens-basketball-program|url-status=live}}
Notable achievements
As of the end of the 2015–16 season, Louisville had an all-time 1778–892 record in 102 seasons of intercollegiate basketball ranking 10th in all-time victories and seventh in all-time winning percentage among NCAA Division I schools. From 1944 to 1990, Louisville had an NCAA-record 46 straight winning seasons, winning 20 or more games on 31 occasions during that period.
Louisville has made 42 NCAA Tournament appearances (5th all-time) and 15 NIT appearances. The Cardinals have reached the NCAA Tournament 32 of the last 40 years (12 of the last 15, 14 of the last 18 years, 20 of last 25). Since the NCAA began keeping Sweet Sixteen appearance records in 1975, Louisville's 21 Sweet Sixteens are 5th all-time behind North Carolina (26), Kentucky (25), Duke (24), and Kansas (22). The Cardinals have reached the Elite Eight on 14 occasions, including five of the past nine seasons. Louisville is sixth in tournament victories (75) with a 75–41 overall NCAA Tournament record, reaching the Final Four 10 times.
Louisville is the only school in the nation to have claimed the championship of three major national post-season tournaments including the 1948 NAIA championship, the 1956 NIT title and the 1980 1986 and 2013 NCAA championships. Simultaneously, Louisville is the only school in NCAA history to have a Men's Basketball National Championship vacated, along with 2 Final Four appearances.
=By the numbers=
border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="width:45%;" |
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Tradition|Number|National rank}} |
All-time NCAA Tournament titles
|2* |t-9th |
All-time NCAA Tournaments
|39* |8th |
All-time NCAA Tournament Wins
|61* |6th |
All-time NCAA Final Fours
|8* |8th |
All-time victories
|1759* |
All-time winning percentage
|.652* |
Post-season results
=National championships=
==1948 NAIA Tournament Championship==
==1956 NIT Championship==
==1980 NCAA Tournament Championship==
==1986 NCAA Tournament Championship==
{{main|1985–86 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team}}
class= "wikitable" |
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Round|Opponent|Score}} |
First Round
| Drexel | 93–73 |
Second Round
| Bradley | 82–56 |
Sweet Sixteen
| 94–79 |
Elite Eight
| Auburn | 84–76 |
Final Four
| LSU | 88–77 |
Championship
| Duke | 72–69 |
==2013 NCAA Tournament Championship (Vacated)==
=NCAA Tournament Final Four history=
=NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player=
=NCAA tournament seeding history=
The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.
class="wikitable"
!Years → !'79 !'80 !'81 !'82 !'83 !'84 !'86 !'88 !'89 !'90 !'92 !'93 !'94 !'95 !'96 !'97 !'99 | |||||||||||||||||
align=center
| style="text-align:left; background:#e3e3e3;"|Seeds→ | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
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!Years → !'00 !'03 !'04 !'05 !'07 !'08 !'09 !'10 !'11 !'12 !'13 !'14 !'15 !'17 !'19 !'25 | ||||||||||||||||
align=center
| style="text-align:left; background:#e3e3e3;"|Seeds→ | 7 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1* | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1* | 4 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
=Complete NCAA tournament results=
The Cardinals have appeared in the NCAA tournament 40* (44) times. Their combined record is 61–45* (76–45).
class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Year|Seed|Round|Opponent|Result}} | ||||
style="text-align:center;"
| 1951 | Sweet Sixteen | Kentucky | L 68–79 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1959 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National 3rd Place Game | Eastern Kentucky Kentucky Michigan State West Virginia Cincinnati | W 77–63 W 76–61 W 88–81 L 79–94 L 85–98 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1961 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | Ohio Ohio State Morehead State | W 76–70 L 55–56 W 83–61 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1964 | First Round | Ohio | L 69–71 OT | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1967 | Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | SMU Kansas | L 81–83 L 68–70 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1968 | Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | Houston Kansas State | L 75–91 W 93–63 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1972 | Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National 3rd Place Game | Southwest Louisiana Kansas State UCLA North Carolina | W 88–84 W 72–65 L 77–96 L 91–105 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1974 | Sweet Sixteen Regional 3rd Place Game | Oral Roberts Creighton | L 93–96 L 71–80 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1975 | First Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National 3rd Place Game | Rutgers Cincinnati Maryland UCLA Syracuse | W 91–78 W 78–63 W 96–82 L 74–75 OT W 96–88 OT | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1977 | First Round | UCLA | L 79–87 | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1978 | First Round Sweet Sixteen | St. John's DePaul | W 76–68 L 89–90 2OT | |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1979 | #3 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #6 South Alabama #2 Arkansas | W 69–66 L 62–73 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1980 | #2 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Championship | #7 Kansas State #6 Texas A&M #1 LSU #5 Iowa #8 UCLA | W 71–69 OT W 66–55 OT W 86–66 W 80–72 W 59–54 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1981 | #4 | Second Round | #5 Arkansas | L 73–74 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1982 | #3 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four | #11 Middle Tennessee #2 Minnesota #4 UAB #1 Georgetown | W 81–56 W 67–61 W 75–68 L 46–50 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1983 | #1 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four | #8 Tennessee #4 Arkansas #3 Kentucky #1 Houston | W 70–57 W 65–63 W 80–68 OT L 81–94 |
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| 1984 | #5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #12 Morehead State #4 Tulsa #1 Kentucky | W 72–59 W 69–67 L 67–72 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1986 | #2 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Championship | #15 Drexel #7 Bradley #3 North Carolina #8 Auburn #11 LSU #1 Duke | W 93–73 W 82–68 W 94–79 W 84–76 W 88–77 W 72–69 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1988 | #5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #12 Oregon State #4 BYU #1 Oklahoma | W 70–61 W 97–76 L 98–108 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1989 | #4 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #13 Arkansas–Little Rock #5 Arkansas #1 Illinois | W 76–71 W 93–84 L 69–83 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1990 | #4 | First Round Second Round | #13 Idaho #12 Ball State | W 78–59 L 60–62 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1992 | #8 | First Round Second Round | #9 Wake Forest #1 UCLA | W 81–58 L 69–85 |
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| 1993 | #4 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #13 Delaware #5 Oklahoma State #1 Indiana | W 76–70 W 78–63 L 69–82 |
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| 1994 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #14 Boise State #6 Minnesota #2 Arizona | W 67–58 W 60–55 L 70–82 |
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| 1995 | #11 | First Round | #6 Memphis | L 56–77 |
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| 1996 | #6 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #11 Tulsa #3 Villanova #2 Wake Forest | W 82–80 OT W 68–64 L 59–60 |
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| 1997 | #6 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #11 Massachusetts #3 New Mexico #10 Texas #1 North Carolina | W 65–57 W 64–63 W 78–63 L 74–97 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1999 | #7 | First Round | #10 Creighton | L 58–62 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2000 | #7 | First Round | #10 Gonzaga | L 66–77 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2003 | #4 | First Round Second Round | #13 Austin Peay #12 Butler | W 86–64 L 79–71 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2004 | #10 | First Round | #7 Xavier | L 70–80 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 | #4 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four | #13 Louisiana–Lafayette #5 Georgia Tech #1 Washington #7 West Virginia #1 Illinois | W 68–62 W 76–54 W 93–79 W 93–85 OT L 57–72 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2007 | #6 | First Round Second Round | #11 Stanford #3 Texas A&M | W 78–58 L 69–72 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2008 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #14 Boise State #6 Oklahoma #2 Tennessee #1 North Carolina | W 79–61 W 78–48 W 79–60 L 73–83 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 | #1 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #16 Morehead State #9 Siena #12 Arizona #2 Michigan State | W 74–54 W 79–72 W 103–64 L 52–64 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2010 | #9 | First Round | #8 California | L 62–77 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2011 | #4 | Second Round | #13 Morehead State | L 61–62 |
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| 2012* | #4 | Second Round Third Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four | Davidson New Mexico Michigan State Florida Kentucky | W 69–62 W 59–56 W 57–44 W 72–68 L 61–69 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2013* | #1 | Second Round Third Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Title | North Carolina A&T Colorado State Oregon Duke Wichita State Michigan | W 79–48 W 82–56 W 77–69 W 85–63 W 72–68 W 82–76 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2014* | #4 | Second Round Third Round Sweet Sixteen | #13 Manhattan #5 Saint Louis #8 Kentucky | W 71–64 W 66–51 L 69–74 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2015* | #4 | Second Round Third Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #13 UC Irvine #5 Northern Iowa #8 NC State #7 Michigan State | W 57–55 W 66–53 W 75–65 L 70–76 OT |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2017 | #2 | First Round Second Round | #15 Jacksonville State #7 Michigan | W 78–63 L 69–73 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2019 | #7 | First Round | #10 Minnesota | L 76–86 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2025 | #8 | First Round | #9 Creighton | L 75–89 |
=Complete NIT results=
The Cardinals have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 15 times. Their combined record is 16–15. They were the 1956 NIT Champions.
class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}} | |||
style="text-align:center;"
| 1952 | First Round | WKU | L 59–62 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1953 | First Round Quarterfinals | Georgetown Manhattan | W 92–79 L 66–79 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1954 | First Round | St. Francis (NY) | L 55–60 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1955 | First Round Quarterfinals | Manhattan Duquesne | W 91–86 L 66–74 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1956 | Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals | Duquesne Saint Joseph's Dayton | W 84–72 W 89–79 W 93–80 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1966 | First Round | Boston College | L 90–96 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1969 | First Round Quarterfinals | Fordham Boston College | W 73–70 L 83–88 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1970 | First Round | Oklahoma | L 73–74 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1971 | First Round | Providence | L 58–64 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1973 | First Round Quarterfinals | American Notre Dame | W 97–84 L 71–79 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1976 | Quarterfinals | Providence | L 67–73 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1985 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals 3rd Place Game | Alcorn State South Florida Chattanooga UCLA Tennessee | W 77–75 W 68–61 W 71–66 L 66–75 L 84–100 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2002 | First Round Second Round | Princeton Temple | W 66–65 L 62–65 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2006 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Delaware State Clemson Missouri State South Carolina | W 71–54 W 74–68 W 74–56 L 63–78 |
style="text-align:center;"
| 2018 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Northern Kentucky Middle Tennessee Mississippi State | W 66–58 W 84–68 L 56–79 |
=Regular season conference championships=
The Cardinals have won 23 conference regular season championships.
Since the 2014–15 season they have played in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Before that, they belonged to the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from the 1925–26 to 1947–48 seasons, the Ohio Valley Conference for the 1948–49 season, the Missouri Valley Conference from 1964–65 to 1974–75, the Metro Conference from 1975–76 to 1994–95, Conference USA from 1995–96 to 2004–05, the Big East Conference from 2005–06 to 2012–13, and the American Athletic Conference in 2013–14.
They played as an independent school from 1911–12 to 1924–25 and from 1949–50 to 1963–64 (29 total seasons).
;Missouri Valley Conference (7)
- 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mvc/ |title=Missouri Valley Conference Index | College Basketball at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=March 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107154010/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/mvc/ |url-status=live }}
;Metro Conference (12)
- 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/metro/ |title=Metropolitan Collegiate Athletic Conference Index | College Basketball at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=March 12, 2012 |archive-date=May 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515162811/http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/metro/ |url-status=live }}
;Conference USA (1)
- 2005
;Big East Conference (2)
- 2009, 2013 (Vacated)
;American Athletic Conference (1)
- 2014
=Conference tournament championships=
The Cardinal have won 19 conference tournament championships.
;Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament (2)
- 1928, 1929
;Metro Conference tournament (11)
;Conference USA tournament (2)
- 2003, 2005.
;Big East Conference tournament (3)
- 2009, 2012 (Vacated), 2013 (Vacated)
;American Athletic tournament (1)
- 2014 (Vacated)
Rivalries
=Kentucky Wildcats=
The Kentucky–Louisville rivalry has been ranked the 2nd best rivalry in college basketball by Bleacher Report and 3rd best rivalry in all of college sports by Basketball Hall of Fame contributor Dick Vitale.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/dickvitale/story/_/id/7561633/dick-vitale-picks-best-rivalries-college-sports|title=Dick Vitale picks the best rivalries in college sports|work=ESPN.com|date=February 10, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2018|archive-date=March 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319094013/http://espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/story/_/id/7561633/dick-vitale-picks-best-rivalries-college-sports|url-status=live}} Kentucky and Louisville first played against each other in 1913 but stopped playing each other in the 1920s, playing only twelve times between 1913 and 1983. The rivalry was generally dormant with only occasional matchups until the teams met in the 1983 NCAA tournament. Since then, the two teams have met each year in late December or early January.
Much like the Iron Bowl, the Kentucky–Louisville rivalry is all the more intense because the two schools have consistently been among the nation's elite men's basketball teams for most of the last 50 years. Both schools are also two of the most victorious programs in NCAA men's basketball history; Kentucky is #1 on the list of all-time winningest programs in Division I Men's Basketball and Louisville #26 (#10 including vacated victories). Kentucky has eight national championships while Louisville has two (officially; three including the vacated 2013 title) national championships.
=Cincinnati Bearcats=
{{main|Cincinnati–Louisville rivalry#Men's Basketball}}
While predominantly a football rivalry, the proximity and long-standing conference affiliation of Cincinnati and Louisville made this into a key rivalry, particularly in the days of the Metro and Big East conferences. This rivalry went on hiatus in 2014 when Louisville left the American Athletic Conference for the ACC.
Notable Cardinals
{{See also|List of University of Louisville people}}
=Retired numbers=
{{main|List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers}}
{{multiple image
|align =
|total_width = 400
|image1 = Charlie_Tyra_UL.jpg
|image2 = Wes_Unseld_1967.jpeg
|image3 = Darrell_Griffith_(cropped).jpg
|footer = Charlie Tyra, Wes Unseld, and Darrell Griffith, whose numbers were retired by Louisville
}}
class= "wikitable" style= text-align:center
! colspan=6 style= {{CollegePrimaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; | Louisville Cardinals retired numbers | |||||
style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width=40px | No.
! style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width=150px | Player ! style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width= px | Pos. ! style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width=100px | Tenure ! style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width= px | No. ret. ! style= {{CollegeSecondaryStyle| Louisville Cardinals| color=white}}; width= px | Ref. | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
{{center|2}} | Russ Smith | PG | 2010–14 | 2022 | {{cite news |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/01/22/russ-smith-louisville-jersey-retired-kfc-yum-center |title='Russdiculous': UofL retires Russ Smith's No. 2 jersey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122214532/https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/01/22/russ-smith-louisville-jersey-retired-kfc-yum-center |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |first1=Bryce |last1=Shreve |first2=Erin |last2=Kelly |date=January 22, 2022 |work=Spectrum News 1 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |url-status=live}} |
{{center|8}} | Charlie Tyra | PF | 1954–57 | ||
{{center|31}} | Wes Unseld | C | 1966–68 | ||
{{center|35}} | Darrell Griffith | SG | 1977–80 | ||
{{center|42}} | Pervis Ellison | C | 1986–89 |
Louisville basketball has honored five former players by retiring their numbers. Except as noted, these are the last players to wear these numbers for a Louisville men's squad:
- Charlie Tyra #8 – A consensus All-American during the 1956 and 1957 seasons, Charlie Tyra led the University of Louisville to its first NIT title in 1956 and was named the tournament's MVP for his performance. Tyra was named Helms Athletic Foundation All-American in his junior and senior years. One of only five Cardinals to record over 1,000 rebounds in his career, Tyra ranks as the all-time rebounder in U of L history with 1,617. During the 1955–56 season, Tyra pulled down 645 rebounds, a mark that has been bettered by only three other players in NCAA history. He set the Louisville record for most rebounds in a game when he pulled down 38 against Canisius during the 1955–56 season. In his four seasons with Louisville, he helped his teams to a combined record of 88–23 and three straight NIT appearances. Tyra ranks third in career free throws made (448), second in career rebounding average (17.0), fourth in career scoring average (18.2), eighth in career scorers (1,728 points) and eighth in field goals made (640). Tyra is one of only four players in UofL history to score 40 points or more in a game (achieved against Notre Dame when he hit 12 of 16 field goals and all 16 of his free throw attempts). Tyra died on December 29, 2006, at the age of 71. He was drafted #2 by in the Detroit Pistons in the 1957 NBA draft.
- Wes Unseld #31 – When Wes Unseld ended his career with the University of Louisville following the 1967–68 season, he left as the Cardinals' all-time leading scorer for a three-year player. Today, Unseld ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list, but his career point total of 1,686 is still tops for a three-year player. A consensus All-American during his junior and senior years, Unseld is one of only five other Cardinal players to pull down over 1,000 rebounds in his career. His 1,551 career rebounds ranks second behind Tyra's 1,617. Unseld began his senior season with a 45-point effort against Georgetown College, a UofL record that still stands today. Unseld, chosen as second player overall in the NBA draft by Baltimore, was honored on the All-Missouri Valley Conference team all three years at UofL and the Cardinals were 60–22 during his three seasons. During his junior year, Unseld led the Cardinals to a final No. 2 ranking in both wire service polls. Unseld's 20.6 scoring average still ranks as the top scoring average in Louisville history. His 18.9 rebounding average also ranks as the top average for a Cardinal. While playing on the Cardinals' freshmen team, Unseld averaged 35.8 points and 23.6 rebounds, and hit 68.6 percent from the field.
- Darrell Griffith #35 – The 1980 Player of the Year and consensus first team All-American led Louisville to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, winning the 1980 Championship as he had promised when he committed to his hometown Cardinals. Griffith's career 2333 points and single-season 825 points rank first in Louisville history. He scored in double figures in 41 straight games and 111 of his 126 games with the Cardinals. His play earned him the nickname "Dr. Dunkenstein".John Papanek. "[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1124021/index.htm A Rookie Gives The Jazz Pizzazz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026015817/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1124021/index.htm |date=October 26, 2012 }}". Sports Illustrated. December 8, 1980. Retrieved on February 1, 2010. He was drafted #2 by the Utah Jazz in the 1980 NBA draft.
- Pervis Ellison #42 – Ellison won the 1986 NCAA Tournament MOP award after leading the Cardinals to their second NCAA Tournament Championship. A consensus first team All-American in 1989, he is the only Louisville player to score 2000 points and grab 1000 rebounds in a career. His 374 career rejections rank first at Louisville and ranked Ellison third all time in the NCAA when he left in 1989. He was drafted #1 by the Sacramento Kings in the 1989 NBA draft.
- Russ Smith #2 – Smith, the Cardinals' all-time steals leader with 275 and also fifth in career scoring with 1,908 points, was a consensus first-team All-American in 2013–14 after receiving third-team All-American honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Sporting News in 2012–13, when the Cardinals won their since-vacated third national title. His number retirement ceremony was held at Louisville's January 22, 2022, home game against Notre Dame. The number is being worn by Sam Bearden in the 2021–22 season, but will not be issued in future seasons.
=Cardinals in the Hall of Fame=
Louisville has three representatives in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Cardinal All-American and former Washington Bullets All-Star Wes Unseld, who was inducted in 1988, former coach Denny Crum, who was inducted in 1994, and coach Rick Pitino, who was inducted in 2013. Darrell Griffith, a national player of the year and consensus All-American at the University of Louisville, is part of the 2014 induction class for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
=National Player of the Year awards=
- 1980 – Darrell Griffith (John R. Wooden Award)
=All-Americans=
Twenty one Louisville players have earned 25 All American selections. 7 players received 8 consensus All-American selections.{{cite web|title=Division I Consensus All-American Selections|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/Awards.pdf|publisher=NCAA|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=March 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324223441/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/Awards.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Louisville All-Americans|url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010#pg130|publisher=University of Louisville Athletic Department|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016222554/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010#pg130|url-status=dead}}
==Consensus selections==
==Other selections==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- 1956– Charlie Tyra
- 1959– Don Goldstein
- 1961– John Turner
- 1966– Wes Unseld
- 1969– Butch Beard
- 1975– Junior Bridgeman & Allen Murphy
- 1976– Phil Bond
- 1977– Wesley Cox
{{col-2}}
- 1978– Rick Wilson
- 1979– Darrell Griffith
- 1984– Lancaster Gordon
- 1997– DeJuan Wheat
- 2003– Reece Gaines
- 2005– Francisco Garcia
- 2009– Terrence Williams
- 2013– Russ Smith
- 2020– Jordan Nwora
{{col-end}}
=Other major national awards=
- 2013 – Peyton Siva (Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award – top Division I senior no taller than 6 feet/1.83 m)
- 2014 – Russ Smith (Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award)
- 2015 – Montrezl Harrell (Karl Malone Award)
=Honored jerseys=
Louisville has honored the jerseys of 21 former players.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Their numbers remain active.
class="toccolours sortable" style="width:450px;"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}};"| Honored Jerseys | |||
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Number|Player|Position|Years}} | |||
style="text-align:center;"|14 | Alfred "Butch" Beard | Guard | 1966–69 |
style="text-align:center;"|10 | Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman | Guard/Forward | 1972–75 |
style="text-align:center;"|16 | Jack Coleman | Forward/Center | 1946–49 |
style="text-align:center;"|24 | Don Goldstein | Forward | 1956–59 |
style="text-align:center;"|4 | Lancaster Gordon | Guard | 1980–84 |
style="text-align:center;"|13 | George Hauptfuhrer | Center | 1944–46 |
style="text-align:center;"|20 | Bob Lochmueller | Forward | 1949–52 |
style="text-align:center;"|22 | Rodney McCray | Forward/Center | 1979–83 |
style="text-align:center;"|12 | Jim Morgan | Guard | 1953–57 |
style="text-align:center;"|20 | Allen Murphy | Guard/Forward | 1972–75 |
style="text-align:center;"|16 | Chuck Noble | Forward/Guard | 1950–54 |
style="text-align:center;"|13 | Bud Olsen | Center | 1959–62 |
style="text-align:center;"|15 | Jim Price | Guard | 1969–72 |
style="text-align:center;"|13 | Kenny Reeves | Guard | 1946–50 |
style="text-align:center;"|9 | Phil Rollins | Guard | 1952–56 |
style="text-align:center;"|43 | Derek Smith | Guard/Forward | 1978–82 |
style="text-align:center;"|55 | Billy Thompson | Forward | 1982–86 |
style="text-align:center;"|22 | John Turner | Forward | 1958–61 |
style="text-align:center;"|20 | Milt Wagner | Guard | 1981–86 |
style="text-align:center;"|32 | DeJuan Wheat | Guard | 1993–97 |
style="text-align:center;"|45 | Donovan Mitchell | Guard | 2015–17 |
=Conference Player of the Year=
==Key==
class="wikitable"
| style="background:#cfecec;"| † |Co-Players of the Year |
Player (X)
|Denotes the number of times the player has been |
class= "wikitable" |
style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}};"| Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
align=center
| 1973–74 | {{sortname|Junior|Bridgeman}} | SF | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
| 1974–75 | {{sortname|Junior|Bridgeman}} (2) | SF | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}}"| Metro Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
align=center
| style="background:#cfecec;"|1977–78† | {{sortname|Rick|Wilson|Rick Wilson (basketball)}} | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1979–80 | {{sortname|Darrell|Griffith}} | SG | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| style="background:#cfecec;"|1980–81† |{{sortname|Derek|Smith|Derek Smith (basketball)}} | SG | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
|1982–83 | {{sortname|Rodney|McCray|Rodney McCray (basketball)}} | SF | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
|1986–87 | {{sortname|Herbert|Crook}} | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
| style="background:#cfecec;"|1987–88† | {{sortname|Pervis|Ellison}} | C | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
| 1992–93 | {{sortname|Clifford|Rozier}} | C | {{sort|3|Sophomore}} |
align=center
| 1993–94 | {{sortname|Clifford|Rozier}} (2) | C | {{sort|4|Junior}} |
=Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player=
class= "wikitable" |
style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}}"| Metro Conference men's basketball tournament |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
style="text-align:center;"
| 1978 | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1980 | SG | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1981 | SF | {{sort|2|Sophomore}} |
align=center
| 1983 | Rodney McCray(2) | SF | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1986 | C | {{sort|1|Freshman}} |
align=center
| 1988 | SF | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1989 | Pervis Ellison(2) | C | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1990 | SG | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
| 1991 | LaBradford Smith(2) | SG | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
| 1993 | SF | {{sort|2|Sophomore}} |
align=center
| 1994 | C | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
| 1995 | PG | {{sort|2|Sophomore}} |
align=center
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}};"| Conference USA men's basketball tournament |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
align=center
|2003 | SF | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
|2005 | {{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}}"| Big East men's basketball tournament |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
align=center
|2012 |PG |{{sort|3|Junior}} |
align=center
|2013 |PG |{{sort|4|Senior}} |
align=center
! colspan="4" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Louisville Cardinals|border=0|color=white}}"| American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament |
align=center
{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Louisville Cardinals|Season|Player|Position|Class}} |
align=center
| 2014 | {{sort|4|Senior}} |
=1000-point scorers=
{{As of|2015|}}, Louisville has 67 1000-point career scorers, second only to North Carolina for most all time.{{cite web|title=Louisville Basketball Media Guide 2010–11|url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/2011mensbasketball#pg179|publisher=University of Louisville Athletic Department|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=June 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613210253/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/2011mensbasketball#pg179|url-status=dead}}
=Cardinals in the pros=
{{update section|date=January 2017}}
The Cardinals have had 75 players taken in the NBA draft, the most recent being Ray Spalding, who was chosen in the 2018 NBA draft, and Donovan Mitchell, who was chosen in the 2017 NBA draft. 30 former Cardinal players are playing professional basketball, with six of those currently playing in the NBA.
File:Donovan Mitchell Utah 2018 (cropped).jpg
Several other former players have played in the NBA, including:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
- Butch Beard
- Junior Bridgeman
- Jack Coleman
- Wesley Cox
- Pervis Ellison
- Lancaster Gordon
- Darrell Griffith
- Rodney McCray
- Scooter McCray
- Greg Minor
- Dwayne Morton
- Kenny Payne
- Jim Price
- Clifford Rozier
- Derek Smith
- LaBradford Smith
- Felton Spencer
- Barry Sumpter
- Billy Thompson
- Charlie Tyra
- Wes Unseld
- Milt Wagner
- Samaki Walker
- Rick Wilson
- Francisco García
- Terrence Williams
{{div col end}}
Facilities
=Home courts=
==KFC Yum! Center (2010–present)==
Since the 2010–11 season the Cardinals have played their home games at the KFC Yum! Center located along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. {{As of|2017|2|7|df=US}}, Louisville has a 114–14 record ({{Winning percentage|114|14}}) in 6 seasons in the KFC Yum! Center.{{cite web|title=2015–16 Louisville Basketball Media Guide|url=http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gocards.com/documents/2015/9/30/mbb_1516_guide_sec1.pdf?id=9092|publisher=University of Louisville|access-date=February 12, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310002720/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gocards.com/documents/2015/9/30/mbb_1516_guide_sec1.pdf?id=9092|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Louisville Men's Basketball Schedule and Results|url=http://www.gocards.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball|website=gocards.com|publisher=University of Louisville|access-date=February 12, 2016|archive-date=February 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212031026/http://www.gocards.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball|url-status=live}}{{Failed verification|date=February 2017}}
The facility has a seating capacity of 22,090 with 71 suites and 62 loge boxes.{{cite web|title=Men's Basketball Information Guide|url=http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010#pg18|publisher=University of Louisville Athletic Department|access-date=January 14, 2012|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016222554/http://www.guide.provations.com/louisville/cardinalbb2010#pg18|url-status=dead}} It is the third-largest in the nation (behind only Syracuse's Carrier Dome, Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena, and Kentucky's Rupp Arena). Louisville ranked among the top 3 in attendance in the first three seasons at the KFC Yum! Center.{{cite web|title=NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Attendance Leaders Year-by-Year (1970–2011)|url=https://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/e56d5f804b32962ba65bf7d0ae33e5ab/11-12+BB+Attendance.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=e56d5f804b32962ba65bf7d0ae33e5ab|work=NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Attendance Leaders Year-by-Year (1970–2012)|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|access-date=January 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818011820/https://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/e56d5f804b32962ba65bf7d0ae33e5ab/11-12+BB+Attendance.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=e56d5f804b32962ba65bf7d0ae33e5ab|archive-date=August 18, 2012}} The attendance record of 22,815 was set on March 9, 2013, against #24 Notre Dame.
The playing surface at the KFC Yum! Center is named Denny Crum Court in honor of Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum. The University of Louisville first renamed its home court after Crum in January 2007.{{cite web|title = Court at KFC Yum! Center still honors Crum|url = http://archive.courier-journal.com/article/20101010/SPORTS0203/310100029/Court-KFC-Yum-Center-still-honors-Crum |website = The Courier-Journal|access-date = September 18, 2015}}
Since the opening of the KFC Yum Center, the University of Louisville has become the most valuable college basketball team in the nation. In 2012 the Cardinals were worth $36.1 million, up nearly 40% from two years earlier, before the Yum Center opened.{{cite web|title = College Basketball's Most Valuable Teams 2014: Louisville Cardinals On Top Again|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2014/03/17/college-basketballs-most-valuable-teams-2014-louisville-cardinals-on-top-again/|access-date = September 18, 2015|first = Chris|last = Smith|website = Forbes|archive-date = September 30, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150930030756/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2014/03/17/college-basketballs-most-valuable-teams-2014-louisville-cardinals-on-top-again/|url-status = live}}
==Freedom Hall (1956–2010)==
From 1956 to the completion of the KFC Yum! Center in 2010, the Cardinals played their home games at Freedom Hall. Louisville had a 664–136 record in 54 seasons in Freedom Hall (.83 winning percentage). Freedom Hall has been the site of six NCAA Final Fours, four additional NCAA events and 10 conference tournaments. ESPN College Basketball magazine once named Freedom Hall as the nation's "Best Playing Floor."
Louisville ranked among the top 10 nationally in average home attendance at Freedom Hall for 31 years, including the last 28 in the nation's top five (19,397 in 2009–10, third in the nation). In 2010, a new Freedom Hall attendance record was set when 20,135 fans witnessed the Cardinals defeat the #1 ranked Syracuse Orange in the final University of Louisville game in the arena.{{cite news|title=Louisville Surprises No. 1 Syracuse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/sports/ncaabasketball/07men.html|access-date=January 27, 2012|newspaper=New Tork Times|date=March 6, 2010|archive-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328200840/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/sports/ncaabasketball/07men.html|url-status=live}}
File:Louisville Gardens roadwork.jpg as it was September 5, 2007, now named the Louisville Gardens]]
==Jefferson County Armory (1945–1972)==
Jefferson County Armory was the primary home of Louisville Cardinals basketball starting in 1945 when Bernard "Peck" Hickman was head coach until the 1957–58 season, when Freedom Hall became their primary home game site. The Cardinals played 10 of their home games in the Jefferson County Armory in 1956–57 and three games in Freedom Hall. Louisville played one game at the armory in 1958–59.In the 1960s the armory was renamed the Louisville Convention Center. The Cardinals played two games at the Convention Center in 1963–64 and three games in the Convention Center in 1964–65. The last game the Cardinals played there was November 30, 1972. Louisville was 153–23 all time at the Jefferson County Armory which is now named the Louisville Gardens.{{cite web|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20101010/SPORTS0203/310100032/Louisville-basketball-has-had-many-homes-before-KFC-Yum-Center |title=Louisville basketball has had many homes before the KFC Yum! Center | The Courier-Journal |publisher=courier-journal.com |access-date=March 12, 2012}}{{Cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/mbb-1112-mg-entire-guide.pdf|title=pg.145|access-date=March 5, 2012|archive-date=July 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725054037/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/mbb-1112-mg-entire-guide.pdf|url-status=dead}}
==Belknap Gymnasium (1931–1944)==
After playing home games at numerous venues in its early years, the Cardinals moved to the newly constructed Belknap Gymnasium in 1931. The gym housed 600 bleacher seats and the baskets were mounted directly to the wall. Louisville compiled a 56–35 (.615 winning percentage) before moving to the Jefferson County Armory. The gym was razed in 1993 to make way for Lutz Hall.{{cite web|title=University of Louisville Library Digital Collections|url=http://digital.library.louisville.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/uofl&CISOPTR=129&CISOBOX=1&REC=4|publisher=University of Louisville|access-date=January 27, 2012}}
=Practice facilities=
==Planet Fitness-Kueber Center (2007–present)==
Since 2007 the Cardinals have practiced at the $15.2 million, {{convert|60000|sqft|m2}} Planet Fitness-Kueber Center on campus. The Planet Fitness-Kueber Center houses the teams basketball offices, practice facilities, film room and training areas.
The facility was named the Yum! Center, until December 2018 when local businessmen Rick and David Kueber donated $3 million to rename the facility.{{cite web |title=U of L to rename Yum Center practice facility on Floyd Street |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/12/13/university-louisville-rename-athletic-practice-facility/2306020002/ |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en |access-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426050312/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/12/13/university-louisville-rename-athletic-practice-facility/2306020002/ |url-status=live }}
Controversies and scandals
=1956 recruiting violations=
=2015 sex scandal=
{{main|2015 University of Louisville basketball sex scandal}}
A former Louisville player, and then Director of Basketball Operations, Andre McGee, arranged and paid for strippers and prostitutes to perform striptease dances and sexual acts for 17 prospective and former basketball players from 2010 to 2014. On October 3, 2015, the book publisher IBJ Custom Publishing released a book entitled "Breaking Cardinal Rules." Based on revelations provided by the local self-described escort, Katina Powell, the book detailed striptease dances and acts of prostitution that Powell and McGee arranged and organized in Minardi Hall over approximately a four-year period.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/new-book-makes-damaging-sexual-allegations-involving-louisville-basketball-202333537.html|title=Louisville investigating new book's damaging sexual allegations involving basketball team|access-date=June 16, 2017|date=October 2, 2015|work=Yahoo|author=Forde, Pat|archive-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629092200/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/new-book-makes-damaging-sexual-allegations-involving-louisville-basketball-202333537.html|url-status=live}}
During the investigation of the allegations, the university self-imposed a ban on the 2016 NCAA tournament. In June 2016, the NCAA announced that the university would lose four basketball scholarships over the course of four seasons, but there would be no further postseason ban. The NCAA suspended head coach Rick Pitino for five ACC games during the 2017–18 season. The NCAA also ordered the university to vacate all wins from 2011 to 2014 that include ineligible players. The vacated wins include a Final Four appearance in 2012 and an NCAA Tournament Championship in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/former-louisville-operations-director-acted-unethically-head-coach-failed-monitor|title=Former Louisville operations director acted unethically, head coach failed to monitor|access-date=June 15, 2017|date=June 15, 2017|work=NCAA|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508164129/https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/former-louisville-operations-director-acted-unethically-head-coach-failed-monitor|url-status=live}} Luke Hancock's 2013 Final Four Most Valuable Player Award was reinstated by the NCAA because he was found to be innocent of any NCAA rule violations.
=2017–18 NCAA corruption scandal=
{{main|2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal}}
As a result of a corruption scandal implicating various schools including Louisville,{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20834050/the-story-how-fbi-brought-words-corruption|title=The step-by-step process of how the words 'corruption' and 'fraud' came to college basketball|last=Schlabach|first=Mark|publisher=ESPN|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002082405/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20834050/the-story-how-fbi-brought-words-corruption?|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/college-basketball-coaches-allegedly-took-bribes-agents-deliver-athletes-n804781|title=4 NCAA Basketball Coaches, Adidas Executive Charged in Bribe Scheme|last1=Winter|first1=Tom|last2=Connor|first2=Tracy|publisher=NBC News|date=September 26, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926144539/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/college-basketball-coaches-allegedly-took-bribes-agents-deliver-athletes-n804781|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2017/9/27/16366056/college-basketball-scandal-corruption-fbi|title=The FBI's investigation of college basketball corruption, explained|last=Lyles|first=Harry Jr.|publisher=SB Nation|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929195311/https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2017/9/27/16366056/college-basketball-scandal-corruption-fbi|url-status=live}} on September 27, 2017, Louisville placed head coach Rick Pitino on unpaid administrative leave and athletic director Tom Jurich on paid administrative leave.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20834710/louisville-head-coach-rick-pitino-athletic-director-tom-jurich-put-leave|title=Louisville's Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich placed on administrative leave|publisher=ESPN|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002171700/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20834710/louisville-head-coach-rick-pitino-athletic-director-tom-jurich-put-leave|url-status=live}} Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich would then be fired with cause by the university. Two days later, assistant David Padgett, a former star player under Pitino at Louisville, was named as acting head coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20863489/david-padgett-hired-interim-head-coach-louisville-cardinals|title=Louisville turns to Padgett as acting head coach|date=September 29, 2017|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 20, 2023|archive-date=June 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607144922/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20863489/david-padgett-hired-interim-head-coach-louisville-cardinals|url-status=live}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons cat}}
- {{official website}}
{{Louisville Cardinals men's basketball navbox}}
{{University of Louisville}}
{{Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball navbox}}