Louisville Basketball feels more like the “City’s Team” than it ever has
Mack takes a back seat for the culture, Beshear vs Bevin Round One, links and more...
This week’s edition is coming to you live from the line at Austin’s Franklin Barbecue. Where Gabe is sitting and waiting for meats…
Gabe Duverge
Someone once explained to me that because college teams could never market their players for more than four years, the coaches were the real superstars.
This is undoubtedly true in many programs. At most of the blue blood stalwarts, a white man in a suit is the face plastered across walls and billboards the most. K, Roy, Cal and Self sell the tickets. They’re the connective tissue for their schools.
And you can absolutely argue that the same was the case for Louisville under Rick Pitino. Versace suits, The Godfather theme as he walked onto the court, the General Swag of it all. The Yum Center was the palace Pitino built, and there’s no mistake about it.
After over a year with Chris Mack at the helm, let’s plant the flag in the ground. This thing isn’t all about him. He’s enabling the culture and fabric that weaves this basketball program to take center court...literally.
The root and branch adoption of the Dunking Cardinal logo is exhibit A. The iconic symbol of Louisville’s first era of basketball dominance has been something fans have craved to get more. And they’re getting their wish with the glorious center court location for the upcoming season.
This refocusing of this basketball program was to me no more apparent than at Louisville Live. The incredibly unique event embraces the identity of this City, and it’s love affair with the Cards, unlike any other practice event. It’s nice to attract 20,000 to a scrimmage. But Louisville’s premiere preseason event has taken on a life of its own in two short years.
Louisville has always been the City’s team. Kicking off the season in the heart of downtown, in an open environment, puts them on a pedestal for all to see.
When Team 106 took the mini-court at Louisville Live, Mack introduced was last. But after a short interview, he took a seat. This night wasn’t about him. It was about Louisville basketball, it’s players, and it’s fans. Letting that breathe is incredibly refreshing.
The culture (not Scott Satterfield’s version) won’t help Louisville win a title this year. But it certainly gives the fans a type of ownership over their team they aren’t used to, and that's a good thing. That makes all the difference for some as we move forward in the Mack era.
Local Links (This week with Commentary from Chris)
1. The first debate between Andy Beshear and Matt Bevin was a thing that happened. You can listen to the replay here. A fun game is to see how many minutes you can make it through without having to pause to catch your breath from the conversation and taking that many shots. Good Luck. Generally speaking, I thought things were mostly uneventful. If I had to give an edge to someone it would be Matt Bevin overall simply because it seemed like he connected with the crowd more. However, it’s the Chamber of Commerce and those were his people. It was also about Economic Issues and not social ones. He had to win it.
The most notable exchange of the night was the Uber one. In which, Bevin seems to be perfectly fine with teachers having to drive Ubers to make ends meet because “This is America”.
2. I have thought a lot about former Louisville Cardinal Montrezl Harrell continuing to be barred from University of Louisville athletic facilities. I summed up some feelings in a tweet here. But I wanted to clear up a few more things up. Personally I don't actually have a strong feeling one way or another on Louisville bringing him back. My problem lies in this: If you’re going to promote him on social media because his career his on the uptick than you better be ready to welcome him in all forms. Using someone solely for person benefit isn’t something I ever support. Vince Tyra has been wondeful about exclusiveness with vast generations of pervious sports teams (most notably on the basketball side). Let’s keep that same energy? I’d like to hear your opinion. Y’all know where to find me.
3. We know things have been unseasonably hot and dry in Louisville (though it appears Fall started today?). But, it’s imperative that we hammer how just how hot and dry it’s been in Louisville. Things that have happened? The hottest day in the history of the NWS record book in October twice. September was also quite literally the driest month ever. If nearly 100 degree days in October well after Pumpkin Spice lattes have been out don’t convince people, I’m not sure what can. The Louisville are children will be growing up in will be quite different than the one we see today.
Now everything else…
The second street bridge is opened, painted, and complete. We fucking successfully painted a bridge in Louisville. It’s wonderful. CH
Danielle Lerner’s taco rankings for the CJ are becoming must read. This year is no different. GD
You heard this on the Podcast but if you’ve gotten around to it yet. Biscuit Belly is opening a third location which was a surprise to us both. CH
This week the state revealed the first of its new ratings for public schools. The system uses stars like a restaurant or hotel, but is still quite confusing. The CJ was all over it and this look at JCPS is important. GD
Outside the Snyder
What’s happening at Sports Illustrated is quite literally breaking my heart. Furthermore, people thinking because they are talented, they are entitled to a job is something. Anyways, here’s some background. It’s important if you care about journalism. CH
What’s the next frontier for political bots? Spamming comment boxes for important political issues. GD
“Her parents had abandoned her when she was three, along with her sister and brother, and she grew up on a farm with her mother’s adoptive parents. “I guess she felt like ‘Matthew could have picked anybody, and for some reason he picked me,’ ” her sister, Dusty, said.” This New Yorker piece is great. CH
Since I’m in line to get a meat coma, you can imagine my joy at learning that eating less red meat may not be as bad as it seems. GD
All I’m going to say about this book is a think it’s a pretty nice read for election season in the Bluegrass. Make your own judgement. CH