I may not go to the University of Louisville, but I was born and bred a Cardinals fan. My father instilled a love for them in me that has been fostered and grown for the past 21 years of my life. With that, the announcement by the athletics program today saddened me greatly. The self-imposed postseason ban for the Cardinals is a major blow to the program, but that is not why I am sad. No. I feel bad for Trey Lewis and Damion Lee. These two players chose to continue their degrees and come to play at Louisville for their final years of eligibility. They are now left without a chance at postseason glory in their only seasons in Cardinal uniforms.
These two men had no part of the recruitment allegations that have faced Louisville in the past year, yet they are the ones taking the brunt of the punishment. Lee, from Cleveland State, and Lewis, from Drexel, came in to a Louisville team in need of some game experience. This pair came in as top players and neither have played in NCAA tournament. March Madness is a dream for most basketball players growing up. Playing on that kind of stage is unimaginable, and seeing these two class-acts get royally screwed over just pisses me off.
How does it seem fair to punish players who were not involved in the problems facing the staff? This is not the first time NCAA affiliates have self-imposed postseason bans. I never understand the punishment. You hurt the players more than anything. Rick Pitino is not in his first or last season with Louisville. He will have many more years to accumulate postseason victories. Hurting players like Lee and Lewis in a way that can never be repaired is unfair beyond words.
While I see the need to punish a university that breaks rules, I don't see it as reason to hurt young men who did nothing but play a game they love at an amazing level.
Trey Lewis and Damion Lee have been so professional in the eyes of a terrible situation. As a Louisville fan, I would like to take a moment to salute these two amazing players. They have made it an amazing year in Cardinal basketball, and I know they will make the most of these final nine games. Just remember #L1C4.
Watch the painful press conference with Lee and Lewis here.
