Charmaine Tay leaving the Lady Cards

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Sophomore guard Charmaine Tay to transfer

-Busy BIG EAST WBB weekend

-Cards @ Portland...what to expect?

The University of Louisville women's basketball program has announced the decision of Charmaine Tay to transfer from the Lady Cards at the end of the
first semester. Tay was academically ineligible for the Lady Cards first 11 games and sat out the Cardinals' contests. There is no word on whether she
re-gained eligibility this semester...but, it's a moot point...since she's outta here.

Tay was a key for Louisville in the Xavier game

Can't say WE didn't see this one coming.
When it was announced this summer that she wouldn't be accompanying the rest of the team to Oregon and Canada, staying in Louisville to take classes..we figured it was the first step toward a possible departure. Then, when the classes weren't enough to give her eligibility and she was forced to sit out the first eleven games, WE saw it as another footpath to leaving the program. Finally, when she returned home to New Jersey after finals this December...we figured she was gone. Her "tweets" and Facebook entries lately indicated something might be up. We now know. What looked like a log-jam in June, with eight potential back-court possibilities has been pared down to just five players...with Tia Gibbs injury, Monny Niamke going to Lindsey Wilson and Tay's departure. Five very good guards remain, but Tay's ability to slash and drive could have been a boost to the Cards' guard play in BIG EAST competition. 

Tay, in her freshman year at Louisville, played in 30 games. She came on strong during the end of the season, especially in NCAA Second round action at Xavier...when her drives to the basket and success at the foul line helped Louisville pull away late from the Lady Musketeers. Her stat line for the season was 3.4 p.p.g., 2.8 boards, 43 turnovers and 50 assists. She was 4 for 16 from three point range for her freshman year and didn't start any games. 

Yes, there were periods and stretches were she languished on the bench. Six minutes against Tennessee. Four vs. Kentucky. Eight at West Virginia and no double figure scoring efforts until the Xavier game. She was good off the dribble-drive for the Cards late in the season...but faced with the aspect of two talented guards in Bria Smith and Jude Schimmel coming in as freshmen and a already crowded Louisville back court...Tay's prospects for significant playing time were remote. Then, there was that whole messy grades thing.

We wish Charmaine the best of success wherever she ends up. We hope she's learned that academic performance off the court is just as important as athletic performance on the court. And, hopefully, she won't resurface at a BIG EAST school to battle the Lady Cards... 

"We appreciate Charmaine's effort and dedication to our program last year. We respect her decision to return to the east coast, to be closer to home so she can concentrate on her academics. We wish Charmaine the best of luck wherever she chooses to continue her career."  -- Jeff Walz, University of Louisville head women's basketball coach.

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BIG EAST WBB is set for a huge weekend of non-conference showdowns. Last night, DePaul easily handled Arizona State in Chicago 73-55...without Keisha Hampton...who sat out with an unspecified injury. Freshman Brittany Hrynko stepped up huge for the Blue Demons with 25 points.

Saturday offers some very good games...but Sunday features the two best matchups...when Notre Dame hosts Kentucky and Baylor hosts Connecticut.
Here's the breakdown:

Saturday

St.John's vs. Prairie View A&M
Cincinnati vs. Miami
WVU vs. Duquense
USF vs. Univ. of Maryland Eastern-Shore
Seton Hall vs. Stony Brook
Louisville vs. University of Portland

Sunday

Georgetown vs. Xavier
Notre Dame vs. Kentucky
Rutgers vs. Iona
Connecticut vs. Baylor

Will A'dia assimilate another
adversary?

We'll have big interest to see how Matthew Mitchell's squad does on the road against a very talented, top five Irish squad. Also, the heralded showdown between #1 and #2 takes place in the Huskies den. Some great pre-conference matchups!

We'll venture a prognostication here and go with one home team and a visitor in these two big matchups.

Kentucky's faced Duke, who's pretty good...but they haven't played in the likes of a place resembling the snake pit known as the Joyce Center yet. UND's height and guard play tack a "L" on the Wildcats record.


Baylor and Connecticut will be a battle but we believe this Husky squad is better than last year's and the Baylor home crowd advantage won't be enough to matter. Griner vs. Dolson, good match-up!

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Louisville WBB has safely arrived in Portland and is probably still asleep as we're writing this. They'll face the University of Portland Pilots at 5 p.m. this afternoon. The return of Shoni and Jude to their second home...where they played their final years of high school hoops and where their mother is still coaching. What will we look for today?

--Cards in transition. The Louisville squad seems most dynamic when they can get the defensive stops and turnovers and put the fast break, transition game into full usage. Half court sets with intense defensive pressure, like the Bearcats forced upon the Cards Wednesday night seem to confuse and baffle the Lady Cards at times and if the Pilots try to double and triple team Shoni, UofL must recognize, find and get the ball to the open player(s).

Welcome back, welcome back...
welcome back !!

--A case of hometown jitters? We know that Shoni and Jude must be very happy to be playing in front of local fans and family this afternoon, but will it have them a bit nervous and too ramped up to play efficiently? We don't think it will. Shoni is the consummate professional, already ready to take the battle to the foe, regardless of venue and location. Jude has matured quite a bit this season and should be able to handle the pressure of playing in front of her peers and supporters. Let the game come to you, Schimmels'...and have fun!

--Which "big" will step up? We'll watch and see whether Vails, Dyer, Taylor, Warren, Hammond and Slaughter are "on" or "off" for today's contest. They've all had big performances this season at times...but they've also disappeared on occasion this season. Wouldn't it be great to see all six have huge efforts today? Rebound, block out and guard the weak side, ladies!

Will Mercedes drive her Ford to
Portland? Check the oil and tires!

--Visitor in the mix? Lady Cards target Mercedes Russell is from Springfield, OR. Will she make the two hour drive north on Interstate 5 to watch the game?

--WE'VE heard it through the grapevine that two Louisville starters may be sitting out today. Not sure who or why...we'll be watching the starting lineup with interest. Also, Walz and staff went to watch Mercedes Russell play Friday night. She had 29 points, 14 grabs and three blocks in Springfield's win over Willamette. She's just a junior, folks...

We've heard from several readers in the area that will be attending the game. We hope that PDX, Umatilla 23,Terry and the rest of you have a fun afternoon and send us your thoughts and observations on the contest. We hereby deputize you as CARDINAL COUPLE correspondents and assign you the duties of cheering, reporting and representing the LADY CARDS Nation today. Carry on! 

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Another good read on the Schimmel sisters return to Portland:

http://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/pm_29234/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=uYLAw46H



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