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Originally Posted by Empire Lindy
I don't think CFIP was talking about national perception. He was talking in very local terms and - IMO - in a manner which more accurately reflects the fan pulse on the team. That there aren't any stories in the CJ is telling. That the school's athletic website isn't posting news about spring practice schedules, scrimmage results, or spring game events is telling. That LSR and ITV have very few articles from last season and fewer people talking about them in the boards is telling.
And I reiterate that basketball has almost nothing to do with it. We have only played for 4 more days this season than last. That didn't stop folks from talking about football to a much greater extent at this time last season than now.
With a 6-6 season, no more Bush & Brohm, and no supre recruits, buzz is justifiably tempered.
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And in local terms, with a basketball team that this year actually stands a chance at going to the final four (and just maybe winning the whole thing), versus an early round exit last year at the beginning of Brian Brohm's final football season with a new and highly anticipated coaching staff - of course there is less buzz! Everyone is buzzing about basketball right now. If we had've lost to Boise St. you think people would be talking basketball? Hell no! They'd be talking football, football, and more football. Basketball chat would all but taper off and disappear over the next 5 months. I'm not sure what your saying we've only played 4 more days this year than last has to do with it.
The CJ absolutely is not representative of the Louisville fan base. They are writing more about basketball and less about football precisely because THEY predict they will sell more papers by writing about basketball right now. And why wouldn't they? Louisville is in the Sweet 16 against a hyped up TN team containing homegrown Chris Lofton who was spurned by all the state universities.
And the fact that spring schedules, events, and scrimmage results isn't being reported is a sharp turn from last year and has nothing to do with fan perception or excitement about the program. This is Kragthorpe's team now, and it's pretty apparent the staff is content being out of the spotlight when there's work to be done.