Louisville Cardinals vs. Texas Tech Dec 10, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward TJ Holyfield (22) and Louisville Cardinals forward Malik Williams (5) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Remember just a few days ago, when Louisville Cardinals basketball fans were wringing their hands over a bunch of one-point losses to start the season?

What’s happened lately is much worse.

The squad that just last week became the first Louisville team since 1940 to drop three straight home games to start the season, once again found itself on the wrong side of history Tuesday night. The Cardinals were blown out by the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 70-38, in the Maui Invitational.

That drops Louisville to 0-5 on the season, making them the first ACC team since Virginia in 1960-61 to start 0-5.

The 38 points scored is the fewest by a Louisville team since 1948.

This is historically bad. How do you score only 38 points in a game? Start by scoring just 13 points in the first half, as Louisville Tuesday night. Shoot 22.4% from the field and 3-of-18 from behind the arc. Throw in 18 turnovers, which is right on their season average.

Fans were not kind to the Cardinals and head coach Kenny Payne on Twitter.

“I’m starting to think that my ‘LOUISVILLE CARDINALS 2023 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS’ tattoo was a really bad idea,” tweeted Todd Probus.

“Why does KP get a full year of no expectations whatsoever? Why are we getting beaten by 60 combined points in our first real games? How long until we admit recruiting is a problem?” tweeted another fan.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.