Louisville’s season came to an end on Saturday thanks to a dominating performance by Virginia on Senior Day, as the Cardinals’ self-imposed postseason ban excludes them from participating in either the ACC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament later this month.
As UL says goodbye to transfers Damion Lee and Trey Lewis, undoubtedly the two people in the program most affected by the ban as they had just one season to play for one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs, all focus now turns to the future of head coach Rick Pitino and, also, whether or not the program can hold onto some of its young talent in the eyes of a highly active transfer market.
Athletic Director Tom Jurich, who has reportedly been flirting with USC about taking their open AD position, was the one who levied the ban and, should he stay at UL, will be the one to decide whether or not enough damage has been done to justify nudging Pitino out the door. Should he leave, though, the entire situation becomes much more interesting.
New ADs like to have their guys in place. They especially do not enjoy having to come in and clean up other people’s messes, which is exactly the situation someone walking into UL would be in. Could that spell the end for Pitino?
There’s plenty of time left until we know for sure, but speculation is only going to increase now that the self-imposed postseason ban is in full effect.
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