It's just Payne-ful

Kentucky may have ended the Kenny Payne era at Louisville. We'll see what the school does next. Plus, some A-10 woes, Florida State is unhappy and five teams who are already loving thus season. Also, Southern Miss coach Jay Ladner on the pressures of a former player coaching his alma mater.

Author

Tristan Freeman
December 22, 2023

The biggest news that came out of the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday had nothing to do with the start of games. Rather, Old Dominion coach Jeff Jones suffered a heart attack. He’s in a Honolulu hospital recovering and won’t coach the Monarchs. More important than any result from the event.

Let’s get to the rest of Thursday’s news.

1. Did Kentucky end the Kenny Payne era?

There was little that suggested that Louisville could compete with Kentucky on Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center. That wasn’t the case.

For about eight minutes.

Antonio Reeves and the No. 9 Wildcats turned the rivalry game into a route, leading by 20 at halftime en route to a 95-76 victory. The fifth-year senior scored 22 of his 30 in the first half, while freshman Reed Sheppard had 11 points and 11 assists off the bench.

Kentucky (9-2) looks every bit of a Final Four contender. Even if they ultimately don’t have freshman center Zvonimir Ivisic going forward, this is a loaded roster that continues to get better.

So. About Louisville. Was this it for coach Kenny Payne?

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