Kenny Payne credits Louisville for battling through in-game adversity

Louisville basketball finally picked up its first win of the season Wednesday night against Western Kentucky to snap their 0-9 start. Fans cried out in joy, players embraced and rejoiced and Kenny Payne finally was able to crack a smile after winning the first game of his head coaching career. A sweet night in the KFC Yum! Center for the Cardinals.

As for the game itself — well, it was a barn burner, with Louisville hanging 94 points on the Hilltoppers while both teams shot the ball extraordinarily well from behind the arc. The Cards made 13 of 25, easily a season-high in that department. Meanwhile, Western knocked down nine of their own but did shoot a far lower percentage than Louisville.

According to Kenny Payne, that win, Louisville’s first, was not merely a product of a hot-shooting night. No, that performance was far and away their best for a variety of reasons. Most of all, per Payne, because of their fight and resilience.

“I just thought they hung in there,” he said afterward. “We talked about it. We know that there’s going to be adversity in the game. And I just thought when it came and it happened we didn’t let go of the rope. It didn’t go from eight to 15. We chipped away at it.”

Payne also stressed the importance of playing team basketball, without one individual trying to dominate the ball.

“And we did it without one person saying…I got to be the one to get the next basket. I thought that they did it trusting the process, trusting the offense creating extra shots for each other. And that’s what it takes to win. To just trust it.”

Louisville sure trusted Payne’s coaching last night. Perhaps there’s more to chew on with that Cards performance. Or, perhaps, it was just a flash in the pan. Kenny Payne seems to think that playing together and trusting one another is the path towards more outings like the other night.

Still a lot of opportunities ahead for Louisville hoops.