How Sweet (16) it is!

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Jenny O'Bryan with the recap of the exciting UofL win that propels the Louisville WBB team to the Sweet Sixteen!)




Photo by Jenny O'Bryan

Louisville Women’s Basketball is headed to Oklahoma City! They earned a berth to the Sweet 16 with a big win over Purdue, 76-63, at The KFC YUM Center on Tuesday night.  The Cardinals played their last game of the season at home in front of 9,236 rowdy fans. 

Each of the last two years the Cardinals have been ousted from the tournament on the home court of their opponent.  It is only fitting that it was their time to turn the tables on the opposition and play at home in front of a very appreciative fan base.

The game started a little slow for both teams.  Louisville committed six turnovers in the first five minutes of the game.   They settled in, went to work, and never surrendered the lead the entire game.    Louisville led by 15 at the half, 38-23.

Bria down after Taylor Manuel's elbow. She would
rise again and finish with seven points

The second half of play opened on a run by Purdue, and the Louisville shots were not falling.   As this team has been known to do, it appeared that the Cards just might give up their lead and let Purdue climb back in to it.   Purdue would get no closer than 10, with the Cardinal lead ballooning to 19 at one point, before the Cardinals finished the game in the win column. 

It was a fantastic game, a real team effort played with a lot heart and energy.  It was not a full 40-minute game for this bunch, but it was the closest they have come to a complete game.  It was also, by far, the best game I have seen out of this team all season! 

Nita and Jude are all smiles!

Sara Hammond was the player of the game with another double double, putting up 21 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.  She had a fantastic game, one much like we saw early season from her.  She picked a great night to return to her dominant ways and lead the Cards in scoring.

Antonita Slaughter has been in a bit of shooting slump the last few games.  She knocked down an early 3, and I knew she was going to have a fantastic game.  She appeared to be playing looser, lighter tonight.  The early bucket had to give her confidence and she set the pace for the Cards scoring 14 of her 16 points in the first half.   Slaughter chased down 3 offensive boards (her own missed 3 point attempts) and hustled all night long with and with out the ball. 

Monique Reid celebrated her 23^rd birthday in style, playing her last game in front of her hometown fans, and scoring eight points and getting six boards in 23 minutes of play.  She played tough defensively and gave the Cards great energy of the bench. 

What we liked: 

-The Cardinals played a great game in the paint!  I do not have the final stats of points in the paint but by the looks of the team Tuesday night, one would never know two of the teams big bodies were sidelined with injuries.  This was the best looking game I have seen of banging the ball inside and getting points. 

- Passing the ball.  These tournament games have also provided us with some of the best passing of the season.  The Cardinals are moving with and without the ball and making good passes and has great ball rotation.

-Toughness and energy.  This was another brutal game, especially for Bria Smith.  Smith took some hard knocks, at least two that could have sidelined her.  She continued on and still gave 110% on both sides of the ball. 

- Jude Schimmel gets better and better.  I am on record early on this season of eating my words and growing to love the game of the younger Schimmel.  I was not convinced her freshman year she had what it took to hang in the Big East.  Am I ever glad to be proven wrong!  She continues to hone her ball handling and passing, all the while proving to be a great defender and a real pickpocket.  I love watching this young woman play defense!

-Shelby Harper!  What is not to love about this former walk-on.  Coach Walz calls a time out with 22 seconds left to get Shelby in to the game for the first time on the night.  She holds the ball in the backcourt, seemingly to let the clock run out.   Not so.  Instead, with 12 seconds left she drives down the lane and lays one in to score with 7 seconds left.  Shelby, you have the heart of a lion in that tiny frame of yours.  CardNation no doubt will miss you!

It is only fitting to me, that this team leaves the friendly confines and heads out to the Sweet 16 in such great fashion.  The crowd was loud and electric all night, and this team did not disappoint.  We have been saying it all season long here, and it bears repeating, that this is an injured squad.  This team has battled adversity all season long, and they have kept their heads up and in the game.  They have remained a top 20 team with 3, sometimes 4, would-be starters on the sidelines injured.  If that does not make you a proud Cardinal Fan, I am not sure what will. 

Photo by Charlie Springer - UofL Card Game.

Congratulations to my favorite team!  Way to go out in style.  You deserve it!

( A wonderful write-up on tonight's exciting win by Jenny! The Cards' task to advance to the "Great Eight" will be a tough one -- no doubt -- with #1 in the nation Baylor next.

Coach Walz commented in the post-game presser that he and the staff would come up with a game plan that would give them a chance against the Bears. Stopping Brit Griner will be no small task....especially since she's 6'8". But, believe....believe...believe. Nothing is impossible.)



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HERE'S THE UPDATED RESULTS FROM THE CARDINAL COUPLE PICK 'EM CONTEST:

43-5   KEITH B.
42-6   JEFF MCADAMS
41-7   NELL J.
40-8   STEVE O., CURTIS F.
39-9   KENNY S., JENNY O'BRYAN, PDX PHIL, ANDY K.

 The rest of us...well, we have some catching up to do...

-- Paulie

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The Cardinals fall to the Huskies

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan with the Cards vs. Huskies recap for Wednesday Cardinal Couple. A good effort by Louisville against #2 in the nation Tuesday night...but Louisville drops to 14-4 with a 14-point loss.) 

Louisville Women’s Basketball took to the XL Center last night to face University of Connecticut.  With a record of 1-11 against the Huskies, not many had any expectations of Louisville other than losing the game.  The question for many was how close would Louisville keep it?  That question was answered when Louisville lost to UConn 72-58. 

The opening half was played well defensively for the Cardinals, except in the early minutes when Stephanie Dolson had her way in the paint scoring 8 of the Huskies first 11 points.   Louisville was disruptive to UConn, creating 12 first half turnovers, while committing 13 of their own.    The difference being UConn capitalized on the turnovers, Louisville did not. 

Louisville gave up a lot of offensive boards in the first half and closed the half with a -13 on the boards , UConn dominating that stat 29-16.  Offensively, Louisville struggled and was not able to get their shots to fall.

Jude Schimmel had a great first half for the Cardinals.  She was poised at the point, took good shots and played without fear.  Jude, along with Antonita Slaughter, played tough for the Cardinals.  Combined, they were my players of the game for this Louisville squad. 

At the half our Cardinals trailed 37-23 with Jude leading in scoring with 6 points, and contributing 3 boards and 1 steal.   A stellar first half for the “back up” point guard.

The second half proved to start much the same way as the first.  Dolson was off to some quick points in the paint, having her way in the paint often moving through the paint completely untouched and at times wide open without a defender near her.    

The defensive effort by the Cardinals seemed to be to clog up the paint, disrupt the Huskies stellar passing, and leave the 3 pointers lightly contested.  (The Cards created 18 turnovers on the night, they were doing something right defensively). This seemed to work well the first half.  As all good players and shooters do, they keep shooting, and the ball will begin to fall.    The shots started to fall for the Huskies in the second half, and other than Shoni, Louisville was offensively cold. 

Bria Smith started shooting some pull up jumpers late in the second half, and started to see her shots fall.  A bit of much too little and much too late for the slashing, getting to the rim guard.  Bria was held scoreless in the first half, and finished the game with 7 points thanks to her late second half mid-range jumpers. 

Slaughter had a great game, giving the Cardinals some offensive punch, some big boards and an overall great effort.  She came prepared to play, and that she did.  She, along with Jude, logged the most minutes at 34 and 35, respectively. 

The Cards were at a huge disadvantage in the paint with the Huskies, and Dolson made the Cards pay.  She and point guard Bria Hartley led the Huskies with 16 points a piece, and 4 of the 5 starters for the Huskies ended in double figures.  Compare that to the Cardinals with only two in double figures, Slaughters numbers bumped high in the last few seconds of the game with a bucket +1. 

Cardinal faithful, we knew this would be an uphill battle.  While many of us wanted our Cards to win, many suspected it would end up in the loss column. 

While I do not have official stats for the game from U of L’s website at the time of this writing I am heartened to see (according to ESPN) the Cardinals ended the game with 16 turnovers.  Considering there were 13 in the first half, they did a good job of taking care of the ball in the second half, but just could not get the shots to fall.  One must give credit to UConn for a tough defensive effort making the shots fall all the more difficult. 

What I liked:
 

Hey Jude- Jude Schimmel played with poise, confidence and a lack of fear.   Playing for 35 minutes her stat line is pretty impressive:  9 points, 6 boards, 2 assists and 1 steal.  Perhaps the best stat of the night for Jude was 0 turnovers.    Playing against the #3 ranked team in the nation, that is pretty impressive for the kid from Oregon known as Shoni’s little sister.  Jude has, and continues, to make her name known.  She isShoni’s younger sister, but she is forging her own game and name on the court, and it looks good!  Keep it up Jude!

Needing Nita - We have been saying here at Cardinal Couple that players need to step up and fill the void left by Dyer’s injury.  Nita seems to be the one doing just that.   Nita had a strong game with a stat line of 13 points, 6 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers in 34 minutes of play.  Keep it up, Nita, your team needs this kind of consistent all around effort from you.  Your game has, and continues to grow, and it is showing on the court. 

Mid-range game- Bria showed she can make these shots, very late in the game.  Last season she was predominantly a slashing, getting to the rim guard.  It is obvious she has worked on her mid-range shot this offseason.  I would like to see her utilize it more in the game, make adjustments in the game when she is not getting to the rim and converting.  This is definitely a point of growth in her game and will make her a stronger player and Louisville a stronger team.  This is a bright spot it just needs to be utilized to full advantage, especially when outsized in the paint. 

Things to work on:
 

-Covered up in the paint-While this was going to be a tough night in the paint due to the size disadvantage, this team has to find a way to stop the scoring in the paint.  I am not sure what the final numbers are with this stat, but it looked like Dolson was schooling the Cards most of the night in the paint.

-Offensive drought- this is going to happen with tougher teams, and tough defensive teams.  I saw plenty of good looks, the shots were just not falling tonight.  When the team works hard to create turnovers they have to capitalize on them.  That did not happen tonight.  It was a tough offensive night.  Credit UConn for making it look so hard to get a bucket. 

-Rebounds-The Cardinals ended up -10 for the night, which does not sound as bad as it some time looked.  At one point early in the game, the announcers stated that UConn had missed 8 shots, and grabbed 5 of their misses.  That is a recipe for a loss.  Again, credit UConn with a size advantage, but this really hurt the team in the first half when UConn was not getting shots to fall.  

The Cardinals fall to the Huskies one more time.  I’d love to see the team beat them before we head to the ACC.  Not sure if another shot at the Huskies will happen this season or not.  Technically Louisville has one more year, as it stands now, to match up during the regular season.    Time will tell if the team will get that ever-elusive win over the Huskies. 

The Huskies have been, and continue to be, one of the best teams in the country.  I’d sure love to see a win, but if not, I like to see a good showing.  Not all our players shined tonight.  If everyone could have a really good game, on the same night, this team just might be able to knock off a top 5 team.  The season is young, there is still time.  We just might see it yet.

( Nice recap by Jenny today on a disappointing but expected by most loss to the Huskies.  The Cards return to the friendly confines of the KFC YUM! Center for a Friday matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip-off is 7 p.m. As Coach Walz indicated, the team would love to see 10-12,000 come to the YUM! for this one. See you there!)   
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Cards win in overtime!

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-CARDS PULL OUT THRILLER OVER RUTGERS IN OVERTIME

(Staff Columnist Jenny O'Bryan provides this excellent recap of Louisville WBB's exciting victory over the Scarlet Knights. )

Louisville Women’s Basketball opened Big East play at home Tuesday evening against a tough, physical Rutgers team who was 9-5, 0-1.  The game started rough, slow and ugly for the Cardinals.  Rutgers defense had the Cards stymied offensively, and once again unforced turnovers made it a painful first half of basketball to watch.

The Cards managed to throw the ball away, walk, double dribble, have a foot on an out of bounds line and get a 3 second violation to create just some of the first half turnovers.  I have to say, Coach Walz has not been joking when he has talked about how hard you have to work to turn the ball over as much as our beloved Cardinals. 

The Scarlet Knights opened the game with strong shooting, combined with the Cards inability to cover in the paint, giving the Scarlet Knights 20 of their first half 28 points in the paint.   They opened the game 8-11 from the field and took a commanding first half lead.   The Cards, on the other hand, could not buy a bucket and went a dismal 3-13 in the first 12 or so minutes of play.   It wasn’t until about 8 minutes left in the first half that the Cards started an offensive run that closed the gap and had Rutgers going into halftime with just a 28-24 lead. 

Mo Reid scored 8 first half points off the bench and Shoni added 5 to help the spark the Cards offensive run.   The Cardinals also lived at the line during the first half going a blistering 10-12 in the first half.  Now that is a Cardinal halftime stat to be proud of!  Rutgers did not get to the line at all during the first half with Louisville only committing two fouls the entire first half. 

Both myself and my immediate neighbors at the game feel like Bria Smith kept Louisville in the game the first half, and throughout really, with her intense defensive effort.  Her final stat line for the game included 7 steals.  This number seems low considering all the deflected balls and interrupted passes that Bria had a hand in.   Were it not for Bria’s defensive effort, which helped to fuel the Cards offense, as well as sidelining Rutgers and limiting shots during their possessions, Louisville would have found themselves in a much bigger hole going in to halftime.  

Rutgers came out of halftime and made their first four shots, seemingly starting the second half much like the first, very hot.  With Bria’s stellar defense throughout the game, the rest of the team’s defensive effort picked up as well.   A strong second half defense from the team, a consistent effort from a stable 5 on the court, was what the Cardinals needed to chip away at the lead. 

The line up for most of the second half for the Cardinals was Hammond, Reid and Slaughter, alongside Smith and S. Schimmel.   Smith spent a fair amount of the second half at the point allowing Schimmel mobility around the court thus creating more offensive opportunities for her.    These five provided the defensive effort, and just enough offensive shooting, to bring the Cardinals roaring back in the second half. 

With under a minute left in regulation and a score of 50-49 (Cardinal lead) Erica Wheeler of Rutgers shoots a long three, which was very well defended, to give Rutgers the two- point lead.   I immediately thought of the UK game, the difference being this shot was well defended.  History would not repeat itself at The YUM Center tonight though, as the Cardinals made their way down court and with what looked like a 3 point shot from Shoni (called a 2 pointer), the game is tied with 7 seconds to go, 52-52.  It was a big time shot from Shoni, and likely was one of the biggest of the night for the sharp-shooter.  Keeping with the theme of the night, Mo Reid stole the inbounds pass and proceeds to dribble around the court trying to burn the clock.  (From our vantage point, none of us could see how the Cardinals got the ball back after Shoni having made the shot to tie it.  It was also obvious that Mo must have thought Shoni’s shot was a 3, thus giving Louisville a 1 point lead, and her intention to run out the clock).  With the bench screaming to shoot, Mo feeds the ball to Slaughter and a whistle is blown and time expires. 

It was a stressful few minutes as the referees congregated and determined it was an inadvertent whistle, putting 2 seconds back on the clock and giving Louisville the opportunity to win it in regulation.  Hammond had the ball slapped away, time expired, and the Cardinals were headed to overtime with the score knotted up at 52.   My neighbors and I were exhausted in the stands by this time and could not imagine how the players and coaches must have felt.

Louisville opened over time play and dominated it, scoring the first two buckets on threes from Slaughter and Hammond.  The Cardinals would go on to shoot from the line 6 more times in overtime.  Slaughter was sent to the line twice, hitting 3-4, Mo twice going 2-4, Shoni once hitting both and Bria once hitting 1-2.  The Cards went on to win the game, in overtime, 66-57. 

What we liked:

-Defensive intensity- The great defensive effort throughout the game was led by Bria Smith, with strong contributions from the team.  Bria led the way defensively in this game and was by far my player of the game.  Her defensive effort kept Louisville in the game the first half, and eventually fueled the Cards victory!  Excellent work ladies!

-Free throw shooting- The Cards made it to the line for 30 shots!  The Cardinals went a sizzling 10-12 in the first half keeping them in the game.  Overall the Cards went 21-30 for a 70% percentage for the game.  Keep this stat rising, it wins games!

-Clean game- The Cards committed only 2 first half fouls and a total of 8 for the game.  Rutgers only got to the line for two shots the entire game, in the second half.  Excellent defense played cleanly will win games, and tonight is a great example of this. 

- Mo Reid!-  Having been battling the flu for what is now two games, Mo has played back-to-back games in excellent fashion.  While I do not wish illness upon her, she has responded and stepped up big when the team has needed her.  Congrats on two excellent games under poor health conditions, Mo!

What we did not like:

-Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers.   Cards were able to get a handle on this, eventually.  The Cards gave it away a total of 17 times tonight.   17 turnovers to 8 assists will not normally win you games.  The Cards pulled it out tonight, but these two stats have to change.

-Defense in the paint-  With injuries, the most recent to Shawnta Dyer,  Mo Reid not at full recovery and Asia still not out on the court, our paint presence has to be able to step up.  It took most, if not all, of the first half to figure out how to stop the interior presence of Rutgers.  This needs to happen quicker.  The UCONNS and ND’s in the Big East will bury you in the first half if this is not figured out sooner.  The good news is it was figured out, just need to get to it quicker.  20 of Rutgers first half 28 points were scored in the paint.  It would have been a whole different game if this were figured out sooner.

The Cardinals got a big win in a home game that had to be won.  It was hard fought.  It was not always pretty, but a win none-the-less.  This team has been battling significant injuries for two seasons now.  There is a lot of heart and a lot of fight in this team.   I am happy for the win, but even more proud of this team for battling the adversity.  Keep at it Cards.

Safe travels as the team heads out to Providence, and then Connecticut.  To use Coach Walz’s language, maybe we can sneak a win in on the road.
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Cards by the numbers...Coach and player comments from Saturday

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-WE look at the numbers from the GWU game

-Player and Coach Walz comments post game

-Watson weighs in on the UC vs. Xavier brawl
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BY THE NUMBERS

-The number that stands out first to us in 27 points scored by the Bulldogs. It's second lowest points by an opponent in Lady Cards history. This ties the total Hanover College has against UofL on Feb 12, 1976. The Lady Cards held Centre College to 26, at Centre, back on Nov. 29th., 1977.

-We also like that the shooting percentage was 28.2% and total point were 27. That doesn't happen a lot - when the shooting % is higher than the point total. For example, Louisville shot 49.3% yesterday and scored 92 points.

LadyBirds entertain during a timeout

-A look at the 40-40-40 stat (did the team grab 40 rebounds, shoot over 40% and hold the opponent under 40%?) shows Louisville accomplished 3 for 3 in these categories...40 rebounds, 49.3% and GWU 28.2%. You'll usually win when you can hit these numbers.

-Six Cards attempted three pointers in the game. Becky Burke an un-normal 0-5, Bria Smith 0-1, Shoni Schimmel 2-8, Sara Hammond 0-1 and Nita Slaughter 7-9. WE like that GWU was 0-7 from beyond the arc.

-No one fouled out yesterday. Sara Hammond had four (in fifteen minutes) but no one else had more than two. 13 total fouls and GWU had 14. The refs let them play yesterday.

-Louisville scored 42 points off turnovers, GWU 3. The Cards got 12 second chance points, the Bulldogs 8. Louisville had 12 fast break points, GWU 0.
The Cards won the assists stat, too with 17 (Jude Schimmel 6). GWU managed only 3 in 40 minutes. Only 3...

Cards take off down the court

-Finally, the starters (Burke, Taylor, Warren, Smith and Shoni) played 89 of the possible 200 minutes available and had 42 of the 92 points. The Lady Cards freshmen logged 49 minutes and contributed eight points. Although Shelby Harper and Jude Schimmel did not score, they only took one shot between them in 29 minutes of combined playing time and did dish out 8 assists. 

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THEY SAID IT: (Unfortunately...some parts of the comments from the players and Coach Walz were lost on Paul's recorder. Change the battery next time, dummy! From what was left, off the top of his head and from memory...here are some of the topics covered:)

-Shoni, Bria and Nita were the players in the post game interview. Nita was asked about her game performance and was pleased with the effort. So were Bria and Shoni. It was mentioned that "it wasn't all about individual effort" but about the team.

-Practice was tough and demanding after the UK game. Rebounding, blocking out and defense were stressed. They did 90 minutes stretches were no offense was run, just the basics of blocking out and going to the boards were stressed.

-FROM WALZ

-He was proud of Nita's performance, noting that she played hard, came into the game with a purpose. She did exactly what he has been asking her to do for the entire season. It wasn't so much about her hitting a lot of threes..but she went to the boards and competed in other parts of the game. "She was everywhere." Walz remarked.

Walz expressed the hope that this would carry over, noting that the team has a big game Wednesday at Cincinnati.

-Walz reinforced the players' comments that the team did a lot of rebounding and defensive drills in practice during the week. He mentioned the placement of "bubbles" over the baskets...so no one could make a shot. He added that they'd continue to do that...emphasizing that they had to get better.

GWU is now 0-8

-Coach also mentioned that the team needed to get better at defending the dribble drive. Team needs to do a better job of stopping the ball from going to the middle of the floor. Team gets beat on the weak side of the board a lot. Just guarding the ball isn't going to get it done, he accepts the responsibility for getting the team to improve on defense. 

-Monique is fine, health wise. Coach thought she played well today and he was excited to get Asia Taylor some more time today at the "4" spot. Was please that Mo had eight points, eight boards, an assist and no turnovers in eight minutes.



GWU coach Rick
Reeves sorta looks
like a bulldog...

-BIG EAST is going to be a battle. Game on Wednesday night will be a battle. Cincinnati is 7-1 right now. Guards for Cincy playing extremely well right now. Hollis (a transfer from Michigan) and Revis.



-No question in his opinion that the BIG EAST is just as tough this year as it was last year. Hopefully, as the team continues to grow and mature, they'll come to play every night...because there are no BIG EAST opponent you can "just show up for and expect to win." 

-Walz started Taylor looking for some more rebounding, more aggressiveness at the defensive end and thought she did those things for the team yesterday. "She's a hard working player. She'll get out there and defend for me. That's what I need her to do. I'm trying to find a combination where it's not just everybody who can score...gotta find somebody who can guard the ball, somebody who can defend and rebound."

-Coach talked about competitiveness...that it wasn't just a one game thing and he would find out when the team travels to Cincy if the team would compete again.

-Walz talked about the large amount of away games the team had played this year...mentioning that they were at Cincy, then jumping on a plane and going to the west coast to play Portland and Washington State. He remarked that the Cards were 8-2 and had played only four home games. He challenged us to find anyone else who is ranked in the top 20 that has had only four homes and has their next three on the road.

( I took the challenge and did some research...here's what I found.)

Four teams in the top 20 meet the criteria of 2 losses...Texas, Georgetown, Penn State and Tennessee. Out of the four, Georgetown is the only one that meets the challenge. 

Georgetown (8-2). Has had four home games, six on the road and plays three out of their next four on the road. This pretty much meets the challenge, except that they play two on the road, come home for one and then go back out on the road for one.  

Penn State (7-2). Has had five on the road, four at home and but their next three are at home...

Tennessee (6-2) Seven at home, one on the road and their next four are on the road. 

Texas (6-2) 4 each at home and on the road. Next five at home. 

Walz concluded his post game remarks discussing how he felt about the team "some days good, some days bad..." and how he was looking for a player who would step up and be the leader, the vocal one...mentioning that Tia Gibbs had those qualities. Looking for a player that would "demand"...demand that the players go hard every day in practice, demand that they play hard in every game.

He briefly touched on scheduling, playing home and home schedules with in-state teams, and learning on the road. The team took two days off after the UK game. Will take Sunday off and then prepare for UC. He was asked about Slaughter again and discussed her briefly, how she made more shots in one game than she did in the entire season. She's becoming more than just a shooter. Walz is looking forward to the game where he can have Becky, Shoni, Antonita and Bria all show up with good shooting on the same night. He commented that it hasn't happened yet.

LOUISVILLE returns to action Wednesday against Cincinnati. No mention has been made on when and if Charmaine Tay will be eligible.

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(David Watson is a special correspondent for Cardinal Couple. He comments today about the brawl at the end of the Cincinnati vs. Xavier's men's game yesterday.)

First off, I almost missed it. Was about to turn the channel and surf for more hoops. Then, a shove, a swing, a bench clearing and I was mesmerized. 

There is no place for this in college basketball. Or in any sport except MMA or boxing. Yancey Gates should be tossed off the team. So should anyone who threw a punch, stomped somebody or shoved. No place for it in a sport. A game. This isn't Call of Duty. It isn't US Troops in the Middle East. It's basketball. I don't care who said what, who responded or who started it. It's unacceptable. 

Mick Cronin said the right things in the post game interview. There is no room for "gangster" in college basketball. Let them go up against Tony Soprano and his crew if that's what they think they are. They are supposed to be college student-athletes. They are receiving a free education because they are good at playing a game. They are the fortunate ones. How many kids out there are holding full time jobs trying to get an education. No place for this "thug-boyz" agenda.  

Sadly, it won't be the last time this happens in college sports. Until strict penalties are enacted and enforced for fist-swinging, taunting and un-sportsmanlike conduct...it'll continue. 

And, that hurts the spirit and intent of athletics. Grow up, guys and gals. 

(David Watson, you're right on the mark...)

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Future Lady Card shines in All-Star game.

(Another smaller person whose powers were greatly underestimated. Go get 'em, Polly)

One of the areas where the University of Louisville women's basketball team had difficulties this past season was finding a scorer to augment Monique Reid's efforts. A combination of injuries and inexperience hobbled the Cards at times in offensive execution. If incoming freshman Polly Harrington's performance in the
Midwest All-Star Classic is any indication of the future, Louisville has at least one player on the way that will help solve that problem.

Harrington was named co-MVP of the game and contributed 18 points for the West Squad.
Harrington, a 6'0" power forward from Kansas City, may seem smallish for the position but plays a lot taller than her height. Think of Victoria Dunlap from UK. She has the ability to get to the boards and her strength and aggressiveness allow her to be a force inside. She's had to deal with coaches trying to switch her to guard because of her height but her game is best served when she is inside and creating on both ends of the court.

Antonia Slaughter, another UofL signee, played for the winning East squad in the game and picked up eight points and six boards. We like Slaughter's all over the court hustle and intensity. She'll be a force for the Cards and at 6'2' a rebounding asset.

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Speaking of all star games, isn't it time the Derby Classic folks woke up and brought in a girls' Classic game for the weekend? There is a ton of women's talent in this area and too few girls' All-Star games offered to the deserving players out there.

The game could be played before the boys' game on Saturday...or it could follow the Night of the Future Stars on Friday. I'm sure the attendees wouldn't mind being moved for the competition to the downtown arena for both of the 2 days.

Time to get the upgrade here and make this local event a "must play" for the best male and female high school players. And, while you're at it, do something about those garish coats that the Derby Festival officials wear each year. Strutting around like a peacock in a Rodney Dangerfield type outfit...yeah, we all just love that. Elitism really impresses the majority of us, correct? The sad thing is, they think they look really cool and stylish...but we're all laughing behind your backs when you walk away. Maybe I should break out my old leisure suits and polyester, flowered shirts and pants...Or not.

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The Women's Final Four has two teams that have punched their ticket for San Antonio last night and each game was a thriller to the final buzzer. Baylor went on a game ending 10-0 run to defeat Duke in the first contest 61-57. The Bears' freshmen, especially Brittany Griner, upset the apple cart on the veteran Dookies. At 6'8", Griner has changed the way opponents play defense (prayer and triple teams don't even work) and the shot swatting, inside scoring abilities of the towering freshman are just darn fun to watch.

Unless you're playing against her.

The nightcap was just as exciting. A towering Xavier team took it to #1 West seeded Stanford all night long in a see saw battle that went to the final buzzer. Twin towers Ta'Shia Phillips and Amber Harris sent Stanford All-American Jane Appel (anyone else think that she looks like a young Jane Curtin of Saturday Night Live fame?)to the bench before the game ended and Xavier looked to be on the way to springing the upset. Then, the fun really began.

Jeanette Pohlen drove the length of the court with 4.4 seconds remaining and tossed in a layup at the buzzer for the 55-53 win. This followed two misses on two straight plays at the other end, unguarded and under the basket by Xavier's Dee Dee Jernigan that would have given the Muskies the lead. Tough to say that any three plays can be considered the difference between a win and a loss...but Pohlen's mad dash to the hoop for the win and the two blown opportunities by Jernigan were game changers.

UConn plays tonight..expect another 20-30 point walk in the park win for them. UK vs. Oklahoma will be the one to watch as the Cats see if the glass slipper fits in Kansas City.

Written by Paul
3/30/10 (Happy birthday, sis-in-law Anita! Go out to dinner!)