Watch: Kenny Payne, Louisville Players Preview Clemson; Discuss 2013 Team

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville men's basketball program has looked like a completely different team over the last two games.
While the Cardinals did lose to both No. 19 Miami and No. 7 Virginia, the games were a lot closer than many people imagined it would be. In fact, both the Hurricanes and Cavaliers were on the ropes for much of their respective games until eventually escaping with wins.
"I know they're getting better," head coach Kenny Payne. "I'm just not in a position to be able to sit here and say we've figured it out. It's every day. Every day until the day the season's over, whenever that may be. We're gonna only work on getting better. I'm looking at this day-by-day."
While Louisville's next game isn't against a ranked opponent, Clemson is someone who has already taken them down this year. Since defeating the Cardinals 83-70 back in January, the Tigers have split their last eight games after a 7-0 start to conference play.
"I don't care about their bad games," Payne said. "They lost a game here or there. I'm gonna show the games where they won, I'm gonna show how they won. I'm gonna show the way they play when they beat you, and what they do well."
During the contest against Clemson, Louisville will be honoring the 10th anniversary of the the Cardinals' 2013 national championship team. During the various game-long promotions and recognitions, UofL will also be raising a new banner reading "2013 Final Coaches Poll #1."
"A team that this city loves is coming here to be celebrated," Payne said. "I want them to talk to our guys. I want them to tell them what they experience, their love and connectedness to one another, what it was so that they can hear the passion of what a Louisville basketball team is. They have that, that group that's coming in."
Prior to their matchup with the Tigers, Payne, guard/forward Mike James and forward J.J. Traynor took time to meet with the media. They discussed the previous game vs. Virginia, previewed the upcoming matchup vs. Clemson, touched on the impact of the 2013 national title team, and more.
Below are the videos from their press conference:
Head Coach Kenny Payne
Guard/forward Mike James and forward J.J. Traynor
(Photo of Kenny Payne: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)
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McGavic is a 2016 Sport Administration graduate of the University of Louisville, and a native of the Derby City. He has been covering the Cardinals in various capacities since 2017, with a brief stop in Atlanta, Ga. on the Georgia Tech beat. Also an avid video gamer, a bourbon enthusiast, and fierce dog lover. Find him on Twitter at @Matt_McGavic