Why Rick Pitino's first-year NCAA Tournament push makes Kenny Payne's struggles look worse

One of the top stories in college basketball over the last week pertained to the Louisville Cardinals making a seismic change, parting way with Kenny Payne.

Joining Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3 on YouTube, On3’s Bracketologist James Fletcher III believes the success of a former Louisville leader, current St. John’s Red Storm coach Rick Pitino, actually makes Payne’s struggles with the Cardinals over the last couple of seasons look worse.

“It really kind of highlights, I think, and not to kind of steer left on you here, but it highlights why what Kenny Payne said, in his final press conference, before being fired, was so wrong. Kenny Payne said, ‘It takes three or four years. I need three or four years.’ Rick Pitino showed up to Iona. How many people had heard of I don’t know before Rick Pitino was the coach there? They’re in the NCAA Tournament,” Fletcher III said, comparing Pitino to Payne. “And now here we are (with St. John’s), already.”

Of course, there’s some major differences in Payne and Pitino’s coaching abilities, and that’s been highlighted over the last couple of seasons. Fletcher III went on to wax poetic about Pitino, and the job he’s done with the Red Storm over the 2023-2024 campaign.

“The guy can coach basketball. There’s no question about that,” Fletcher III added. “We talk about some of these different coaches and you know, opportunities should they get. Should they get another chance after whatever NCAA violations or scandals, whatever the case is. If you need a guy who can just coach a basketball team tomorrow, Rick Pitino is right up at the top of the list.

“I don’t think there’s many coaches that you’re taking ahead of him, to get a team into the NCAA Tournament, in his first season.

On Friday, St. John’s will have a gigantic opportunity at their feet, as the Red Storm face the Connecticut Huskies in one of the Semifinal games of the Big East Tournament. Pitino’s squad is already set to make a run in the NCAA Tournament, and they could use the momentum from a potential win over the Huskies.

As for Louisville, their 8-24 season has fans questioning their direction, and where the Cardinals go from here. After Kenny Payne was shown the door, we’ll see if Louisville can get back on track next season, as they look to hire a new leader for their program.