Kenny Payne explains Louisville's collapse against Virginia after hot start

After coming out fighting against Virginia, Louisville head coach Kenny Payne watched his Cardinals collapse against Virginia.

After the game, Payne explained that the team relaxed and when that happened Virginia was able to storm back and win the game in convincing fashion.

“I just think we were locked in and we were focused on what we had to do,” Kenny Payne said. “Then, as the game went on, they got us to relax a little bit. At times, we switched and sometimes we point switched without coming together, without being locked in, giving them angles to the basket, and rotating, and two guys going to one.”

In particular, Kenny Payne felt Louisville did a poor job on Isaac McKneely and Ryan Dunn. McKneely ended up scoring 18 points with two rebounds and two assists while Dunn had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“Switching the one and leave McKneely open for a shot or Dunn cutting to the basket. He’s a phenomenal athlete and there’s a reason why NBA scouts are looking at him.”

In the end, Louisville lost the game 77-53. It was the Cardinals’ fifth loss in their last six games to fall to 5-8 on the season and 0-2 in ACC play. Amid all of those struggles, there have been questions about Kenny Payne’s job security and the future of the program. However, for now, AD Josh Heird has reaffirmed his position with the team.

“Kenny and I have had a number of conversations throughout the last week and Kenny is going to serve as our head coach as we move into the new year,” Heird said. “I’m going to do what I do with every one of our programs, which is evaluate what’s happening throughout the season.”

John Calipari offers passionate defense of Kenny Payne amid job speculation

Amid all of Louisville’s struggles this season, Kentucky head coach John Calipari offered a defense of Kenny Payne.

“Anytime I text him, ‘Coach your team.’ That’s what I send him. ‘Just coach your team. All the other stuff doesn’t matter.’ My guess is he’ll have this program, within a year, where everybody wants it. It’s just the growing pains are miserable. We went through it. We went through it. And all of a sudden, if you don’t shoot 30 threes, ‘What’s going on? The game’s passed you by.’ What? I feel for him,” Calipari said.

“He’s gonna be fine. And I’ll tell you that when they love you that much and how they’re responding to him, it’s just a matter of time. And again, I watched the games. I know they lost a couple bad ones. We did too. We did too.”