Pitt Opponent to Retain Embattled HC
PITTSBURGH -- For a moment, it seemed like the Pitt Panthers and the rest of the ACC would face a Louisville team that had dismissed its head coach prior to the start of conference play.
But as it turns out, Pitt will still face a Cardinals team led by Kenny Payne twice this season. Eric Crawford of the television station WRBD in Louisville, Kentucky reported that Cardinals Athletic Director Josh Heird will stick with Payne as head coach of the men's basketball team, contrary to rumors that he would be dismissed following their game against rival Kentucky this week were spread throughout national media.
“Kenny, and I have had a number of conversations throughout the last week, and Kenny is going to serve as our head coach as we move into the new year,” Heird said. “And I'm going to do what I do with every one of our programs, which is evaluate what's happening throughout the season.”
Payne's record at Louisville moved to 9-35 over the past season and more with a 95-76 loss to the No. 9 Wildcats at home this week.
The Panthers have two games against Payne's Cardinals left on the schedule. They'll visit Louisville on January 6 and host the return game of a home-and-home series at the Petersen Events Center on February 17.
Pitt beat Louisville twice during the 2022-23 season, which was Payne's first with the program. Both wins came by 21 points or more and the average margin of victory was 27.5 points.
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