Watch: Kenny Payne, Louisville Players Preview DePaul
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It's been an up-and-down season up to this points for the Louisville's men's basketball program.
They were able to capture back-to-back wins against New Mexico State and Bellarmine following their winless outing in the Empire Classic, although those outcomes were very much in question down the stretch. Most recently in their ACC opener at Virginia Tech, they had a chance to extend their win streak, but poor late game execution wound up handing them a 75-68 defeat.
"Having the toughness to focus on attention to detail," head coach Kenny Payne said when asked what the next step for the team is to be able to finish down the stretch. "To take a five point lead to a 10 point lead. To focus on getting a good stop when you need it. The attention to detail to execute what your job is at the critical time, and not get frozen into just staring at the ball, and you don't move to an open spot. Or you forget to drive downhill, and when they collapse, you try to be the hero and you shoot the ball, and you don't see the next pass. Somebody breaks down defensively, and they get a straight line drive to the basket. and you're the guy that comes over and you make a play, and it's a winning play. Those plays are hard."
After a few extra days off, Louisville is staying on the road and making a brief return to non-conference play, setting their sights on a matchup at former longtime conference foe DePaul
Prior to their matchup with the Blue Demons, Payne, guard Tre White and forward Curtis Williams took time to meet with the media. They discussed the previous game vs. Virginia Tech, previewed the upcoming showdown at DePaul, and more.
Below are the videos from their press conference:
Head Coach Kenny Payne
Guard Tre White and Forward Curtis Williams
(Photo of Kenny Payne: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)
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