The day has finally arrived that Louisville fans have feared. The ongoing Katina Powell saga has sprung a new chapter with the press conference that occurred today. The University of Louisville has announced that they will do a self-imposed postseason ban this year for the men’s basketball team. This comes to no surprise after it was released to the press that the press conference today would be a meaningful one.
Background Info
For anyone that lives under a rock or just didn’t know what was announced about what happen; here is a rundown. Katina Powell wrote a book and said that for four years, Andre McGee paid her to provide prostitutes that would have sexual relations with recruits/players. Head coach Rick Pitino has denied any knowledge of the situation. The sexual actions have been claimed to happen with players and recruits like Montrezl Harrell, Terry Rozier, Jordan Mickey, Antonio Blankney, and others.
Damion Lee and Trey Lewis situation
This is the worst part of it all. Louisville is a very young team so of course they will be fine next season, but what happens to seniors Lee and Lewis? They are both fifth year seniors that came to play at Louisville specifically to try their shot at a national championship. Pitino said that they told the team last night, Lee and Lewis were crying with the rest of the team and everyone hugged them. They now only have nine games left in their collegiate careers. The fans loved them, and Lee was obviously the team’s best player. The duo of Lee and Lewis will always be fan favorites in the eyes of many Cardinals fans.
“Damion and Trey have nothing to look forward to. They were hit over the head with a sledgehammer for something they had nothing to do with,” said Pitino.
High hopes for the season
This news comes at a time when Louisville sits in second place in the ACC. They are coming off a huge win against North Carolina. They were a lock for the NCAA Tournament and were a contender for the ACC title. Now, all that has gone away. What else does the team have to play for? Lee and Lewis have nine games left in their career, and Onuaku might be going to the NBA draft. The team should rally around the seniors and try to go out with a bang. It’s very possible that they could still win the ACC regular season crown, win for the seniors. It all starts Saturday against Boston College.
Young team
Louisville will be fine in the future. This is all coming to an end and everyone can focus on the future. There is also a new recruit coming into town next season with the name of V.J King who could be an automatic starter. The young guys will get a ton more minutes this season, and the team should now focus on going 9-0. Louisville will be back next season hungrier than ever, and the college basketball world should be on full alert for the now young and experienced squad.
“We will play the last nine games of the season as if they’re the last nine games we will ever play,” said Pitino.