In a game against Pepperdine, Louisville's Houston Mallett and Michael Ajayi, the WCC’s top two scorers, posed a challenge for the Cardinals. Louisville led 39-25 at halftime and ultimately won 85-63, marking Kenny Payne's 5th win this year, the largest margin in his era. Brandon Huntley Hatfield's standout performance with 20 points and 12 rebounds contributed to the victory. Kenny Payne addressed concerns about his coaching future, stating he wouldn't feel pressured regardless. The team's improved effort and energy were evident, denying claims of quitting on themselves. Pepperdine briefly cut the lead, but Louisville's strong performance secured the win.
Final in Kansas City: Seton Hall 93, Missouri 87 Shaheen Holloway’s faith in his veterans was rewarded with an offensive explosion as the Pirates notch a desperately needed quality win. 3 thoughts, quotes coming: https://t.co/FrOkVbEaRN via @asburyparkpress
Now on @njdotcom Seton Hall earns impressive win over Missouri in final non-conference game https://t.co/2S54zCbPdN @SetonHallMBB
After a wild half in Kansas City: Seton Hall 42, Missouri 38 Pirates shot the lights out but more crucially, the ball movement and shot selection were good. It's amazing how much better a team looks when the ball goes through the net.
Check out some of the best moments from #Louisville's 85-63 win over Pepperdine: (Shot by the PhoJo God @AlyssaKNewton, give her a follow) @WHAS11 #GoCards x #ForTheVille https://t.co/paq06uCDB2
“I didn’t want to feel that way again” #Louisville’s Brandon Huntley-Hatfield was visibly emotional after UofL’s loss to Arkansas State. Today, he had arguably the best game out of anybody with 20 points and 12 rebounds #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/cD6GTjD437
“You have to be focused on why you’re here” Following reports that AD Josh Heird spoke with players this week, Kenny Payne says he has as well. Full quote: #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/2R6SRhJEib
Kenny Payne says he has had conversations with Josh Heird since the loss to Arkansas State, but not about his future at U of L.
Asked Kenny Payne on #Louisville dramatic shift in his players effort and energy vs. Pepperdine “they vehemently denied that they had [quit on themselves]” Full Quote: #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/J13DynUiNv
#Louisville head coach Kenny Payne on if he felt like he was coaching for his job today: “I wouldn’t feel like that no matter what” Full quote: #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/QRooO9qqxs
Louisville defeats Pepperdine 85-63. That's Louisville's largest margin of victory against literally anybody in the Kenny Payne era.
Louisville men's basketball just beat Pepperdine by 22. I wouldn't read much into that result, on any level.
FINAL: #Louisville 85, Pepperdine 63 Kenny Payne gets his 5th win this year, the most of his era. Also, the Payne Era will live to see another day thanks to the best top to bottom performance for the Cards this season. #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/4KUXSAtEaj
Brandon Huntley Hatfield gets a nice ovation as he checks out. The big fella puts up 20 points and 12 boards #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/T1Fe6HUpcB
TIMEOUT: #Louisville 50, Pepperdine 38 Skyy Clark gets a steal and passes it behind the back to Tre White for a dunk in the last possession. Yes, this is the #Louisville Cardinals we are talking about. @WHAS11 #GoCards #ForTheVille
And-1 for Brandon Huntley Hatfield. He's got a double-double with 12-10. #Louisville leads 48-38 with 13:18 to go @WHAS11
TIMEOUT: #Louisville 45, Pepperdine 33 Waves briefly cut the lead to single digits, Mike James fixes that with a trey. He has 13 with 15:45 to go @WHAS11
HALFTIME: #Louisville 39, Pepperdine 25 An admittedly low bar, but the best half of Cards basketball I've watched this year. Body language and energy is night and day from Arkansas State @WHAS11 #GoCards x #ForTheVille
1ST TIMEOUT: #Louisville 11, Pepperdine 5 Cards getting some nice looks offensively, capped off with a really nice feed from Skyy Clark to Tre White. @WHAS11
And away we go. #Louisville tips off with Pepperdine next #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11 https://t.co/54huIcasxg
Pepperdine’s Houston Mallett and Michael Ajayi are the WCC’s best and 2nd best scorers this season. Cards will have to neutralize their combined 35.4 PPG this afternoon #GoCards x #ForTheVille @WHAS11