Louisville, Kenny Payne could be going separate ways soon

Kenny Payne is on the hottest seat in college basketball. The former Kentucky assistant has not even made it to the halfway point in year two at his alma mater. After consecutive double-digit losses to DePaul and Arkansas State, there is a lot of noise surrounding the 57-year-old head coach.

Some thought a firing could occur on Thursday. That never happened. Jeff Goodman is reporting that sources are telling him that after Louisville Director of Athletic Josh Heird met with some former players, a firing could occur soon.

Louisville AD Josh Heird met with multiple Louisville players today to get their thoughts on Kenny Payne and entire situation with the program before making decision, sources told @TheMessenger.

Source said Heird leaning towards making a move with Payne “fairly soon.”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 15, 2023

A coaching search at Louisville could begin before the calendar even turns to 2024. Payne is 8-34 (2-19) through his first 42 games at his alma mater. The Cardinals have slipped to No. 203 in KenPom‘s adjusted efficiency rankings sitting one spot behind Illinois State and one spot ahead of East Carolina. The Cardinals (4-6) are projected to finish the season 9-22 (4-16). Outside of a home game against Notre Dame (Feb. 21), UofL is not a projected betting favorite in any remaining game.

According to KenPom, Kentucky would be a 14-point favorite for next week’s rivalry clash.

It’s only a matter of time before Louisville moves on from Payne. Will that move happen before the game against Kentucky? That seems likely at this point.

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