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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Tay ruled ineligible for Fall semester

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:


SPECIAL CARDINAL COUPLE REPORT:

-Charmaine Tay ruled ineligible for Fall Semester.

-Getting to know...Cierra Warren

Tough news for Lady Cards fans...sophomore guard Charmaine Tay has been ruled academically ineligible for the fall semester at UofL. She failed to meet the academic requirements the NCAA holds for freshmen.

WE noticed that she did not dress for the Lindsey Wilson scrimmage on Sunday. A question posed to a University of Louisville spokesperson returned an answer that she "had some work to do" in the classroom.

Tay did not accompany the Cards this summer when they visited Oregon and Canada. She was on campus taking classes.

Jeff Walz comments on the situation:

"This is disappointing for all of us, including Charmaine. She has fallen short on her academic responsibilities and is aware of what needs to be done in order to improve her academic standing with the university and our basketball program. At the same time, we feel that this could be a positive learning experience for her." 

Tay was a reserve guard on the 2010-11 team who stepped into prominence late in the season. Her 11-point performance against Xavier in the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament late in the game secured the win over the Musketeers. 

Louisville has a wealth of guard talent on the current team. Shelby Harper, Jude Schimmel, Shoni Schimmel, Bria Smith, Becky Burke and Tia Gibbs all looked good against Lindsey Wilson. 

(Parts of this article are re posted from the UofL Sports website and Cardinal Sports and Howie Lindsey.)

For the best daily coverage on men's sports at UofL check out http://www.cardinalsports.com/ today! To keep up on the Cards, check out http://www.uoflsports.com/

We also recommend Charlie Springer's daily observations over at UofL Card Game. http://www.uoflcardgame.com/ Charlie is kinda "daddy" to us...we cut our journalistic teeth over at Card Game and he still lets Paul write about football from time to time. Bold man, that Charlie...

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We love this collage of CI...created by Charlie
Springer, of UofL Card Game fame.

After Cierra Warren's assault on the Lindsey Wilson front line Sunday afternoon in the KFC YUM! Center, we've had several e-mails wondering where the sophomore center has been hiding the last year. The 6'4" Rancho Cucamongo, CA. native had to sit out the 2010-11 season due to NCAA transfer rules. That didn't stop her from punishing Cardinals Keisha Hines, Sherrone Vails and Asia Taylor in practices, though. Those of us who saw her play predicted great things for her in 2011-12. So far, so good.

The college odyssey began for Cierra two years ago when she decided to take North Carolina up on a scholarship offer and headed to Chapel Hill to play for Sylvia Hatchell.  She appeared in 31 games in the 2009-10 season, averaging 4.2 points per game and 2.6 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per contest. The paint was packed at UNC and Cierra was looking for more time on the court.

Jeff Walz knew of her, tried to recruit her when she was a senior at Los Osos High School, and showed interest when she was ready to transfer. Here's a few fun facts about the dominant paint prowler that you may have not known:

The talent I would most like to have:
Juggle

My goal for this season:
Play and win in Denver

I model my game after:
Kobe Bryant

My nickname:
CI

Something about you that would surprise people?
Both my parents are short.

WE'LL look forward to watching "42" work in the paint this season and help lead the Lady Cards to win after win. From what WE'VE seen so far, we'll say:

"Si, Si...CI, CI !"


nochoiceisachoice

Sancho Lyttle's buzzer beater stops Fever...Charmaine Tay..what role will she play?

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CARDINAL COUPLE WEDNESDAY

-Atlanta knocks off Indiana 92-90

-WE look at...Charmaine Tay.

Sancho saves another one for Atlanta

The Atlanta Dream rallied from a six point deficit with under two minutes to go last night and knocked off the Indiana Fever 92-90 in Indianapolis  Atlanta. A steal by guard Armintie Price led to a pass to Sancho Lyttle who drained a jumper with 0.9 left and broke the 90-90 tie.

Louisville's Angel McCoughtry led all scorers with 28 points. The Dream improves to 16-13 with the win and is arguably the hottest team in the WNBA as the league rolls into its final few games before the playoffs begin.

Atlanta led 23-19 after the first quarter but found themselves trailing by three at halftime in Philips Arena. Indiana (19-10) still held a 73-69 advantage as the teams went into the final quarter. Other Dream scorers in double figures were Price with 16, Lyttle...who had 14 points and 11 boards and Lindsey Harding with 11.

Atlanta plays Washington back-to-back next...at the Mystics on Thursday 9/1 and back in Atlanta on Friday 9/2.

(Thanks to the several readers who corrected us on the game location. We have demoted Co-Co from proof-reader/fact-checker and sent her back to banana inventory responsibilities...which is probably a huge mistake.)

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WE'VE been looking at some of the Lady Cards on Jeff Walz's roster for the 2011-12 season and today we turn our attention to sophomore guard Charmaine Tay. One of the top five in the state of New Jersey at Bloomfield Tech her senior year, Tay headed to Louisville as part of the highly regarded and ranked 2010 recruiting class. Out of the six girls that arrived on the UofL campus in the fall of 2010, we'd say that Tay's performance over the 2010-11 season was second best...behind Shoni Schimmel's electrifying freshman year. 

Tay came off the bench for 30 games for Louisville last year...averaging 3.4 points per game and 15.6 minutes of playing time. It wasn't till the end of the Lady Cards season, though...that Tay's impact really began to be felt. Without a doubt, her steady point guard control and free throw shooting helped seal the win over Xavier in the NCAA Tournament. A strong performance in the NCAA game against Vanderbilt preceded that and quality minutes and nine points against Notre Dame in the BIG EAST Tournament showed Cardinal fans that she was a fearless and capable point guard who had no fears in driving to the basket or setting up her teammates .

Freshmen respond in different ways to their first year of college basketball. Some are like Shoni Schimmel, who come charging out of the blocks like Tyson Gay and never slow down. Others take time to develop, discover their roles on a team and fulfill them. Some realize that what they thought might happen isn't going to and they move on to a different venue to achieve their dreams. In Charmaine's case, the learning curve took a little time to develop...but once it did, Cardinal fans discovered a talented and fearless point guard who you wanted directing from the point late in tight game situations.

Charmaine Tay will battle for a point guard role.

How will it translate to the upcoming season? Obviously, the guard positions at UofL have more depth and options than a kid in a superstore candy outlet or the menu at Wendy's.
Playing time on Denny Crum Court is going to be earned by hustle, defense and play making abilities...especially when rugged BIG EAST conference play rolls around in January.

Early on - especially against some of the weaker opponents on Louisville's non-conference schedule - Cardinal fans will see a myriad of player combinations and situations as Coach Walz formulates a blueprint that will ensure success against Connecticut, Rutgers, Notre Dame and DePaul. A capable, productive point guard that can feed the many scoring options on the court and that can create opportunities on defense and in the transition game will be a priority.  WE expect that patrons in the KFC YUM Center seats will see plenty of Tay, Jude, Bria, Shoni and even Shelby early on...directing the offense and vying for court time. It may end up being a case where no one player gains a distinct advantage of the others at point guard...but Charmaine Tay certainly has displayed the skills and talent to try and claim the title. We'll look for consistency and chemistry out of whoever guides the ball across the timeline...and if Tay can build upon her season-ending accolades...don't be surprised to see her on the court in the late season battles that lay ahead for the Lady Cards.

Louisville will depend heavily on the "Sho and Mo Show" this season...and Cierra Warren looks to be the beast of the post. Asia Taylor had an impressive Canadian trip and has proven she can rebound and score..but, remember...someone will need to dish, distribute and create scoring opportunities for the terrific three & the talented Taylor. Charmaine Tay has her application in for that position. Let's see how she does. 
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Crowded back court could pay big dividends for Lady Cards

Here's hoping things are doing well for our Cardinal Couple readers
as Sonja and I take a few days away from the website and enjoy

summer vacation. This burro was happy to see CARDINAL COUPLE on their road trip and greeted us to Custer State Park in South Dakota. HE got even more excited when Sonja fed him. The badlands of South Dakota are an incredible site to behold.  David Watson weighs in today on your favorite subject...women's basketball...

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The first time I actually sat down and took a look at the guards that Jeff Walz has on the UofL roster, my first thoughts were about the incredible talent level and also flexibility he
has at his disposal. Look at this list of guards-that DOES NOT include wing players-and I think you see why the excitement exists.

Shoni Schimmel. She's a returning starter from last year as a freshman and second leading scorer on the team. Comfortable at either the "1" or "2", Schimmel is a dangerous threat to create a play any time the ball reaches her hands. Recall your own favorite Shoni
memory from last season. I'm going with the torching of Xavier in the second half of the NCAA tournament game.

Tia Gibbs. Another one who got the call as a starter last year and logged plenty of minutes as a sophomore transfer from Vanderbilt. Gibbs maybe the best defensive guard returning
for last year and there's no doubt about her ability to shoot the three, create in transition or go to the basket.

Becky Burke. She's enters her senior season as an on again/off again starter for the Lady Cards.  Once known for just her three ball ability, Burke has broadened her game and is now a capable defender, one who can lead the transition game or hurt an opponent with the short jumper. Her court time could take a hit this year with the wealth of talent present but she is still a dangerous threat.

Charmaine Tay. We've seen that she can run an offense from the point and also successfully get to the basket for layups or draw trips to the charity stripe. She's an aggressive player who has a bit of  swagger and strut to her on-court presence and she'll
figure heavily into the rotation if she can manage to stay out of the Walz doghouse during her sophomore year.

Shelby Harper. The blond blur will most likely see the least playing time of the stellar guard crew but she has a ton of experience. Going into her junior year, she can drive the ball down the court quickly, will provide pressure defensively on the opponent's point guard and
she can be successful from three point range despite last year's struggles from there. It'll be interesting to see how Walz uses the diminutive spark plug.

Five impressive returning players that any coach in the nation would drool over. Then, you add the freshmen.

Bria Smith has the ability to be a game changer. One of those guards, like a Skylar Diggins or Sugar Rodgers, who takes over and dominates. She'll go through a freshman adjustment period, like they all do in Walz's system, and early on it could be her willingness and ability to play defense that will determine her playing time. If the press clippings and hype translate into what everyone thinks is possible out of her, though, I don't see how you keep her off the court.

Jude Schimmel. Although a bit shorter than her sister, Jude makes up for it with all-over-the-court intensity and is a leader. She's also a scorer who overwhelms taller opponents with her quickness. She could be the surprise out of all the guards and if Walz goes with a speed-based attacking off transition offense, don't be surprised if Jude sees tons of minutes in that format.

I'm going to borrow a movie title from the sixties to describe these guards. Let's call them the Magnificent Seven and one of the great things about this group is that any of them are capable of taking over a game at anytime.

Lady Cards win was sealed from the stripe

GREAT WEDNESDAY (WE SAY)...AT CARDINAL COUPLE

(The freshmen sensations...Ms. Schimmel and Tay)

-CARDS win...by the numbers

-Watson writes on Louisville victory

-Softball vs. UK today

-Sideline reporters challenge continues

Charmaine Tay sank seven out of eight free throws in the final 1:15 of the game and Louisville made twelve out of fourteen total in the final 1:23 to take a 10 point win back to Derby City in the 85-75 victory over #5 in the nation Xavier. During that 1:23 stretch, Xavier had three crucial turnovers, went 2-4 from the foul line and hit only 1 of 5 three point attempts...a meaningless three by Amber Gray with 3 seconds left in the game. The Cards had three steals in that fateful 1:23...two by Tia Gibbs and one from Tay.

Can't say enough about how well the fearless freshman from Bloomfield Tech in New Jersey played in the final eleven minutes of the second half. Her second half stats were very impressive...nine points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists...all in just twelve minutes of second half action. Louisville, meet your new Energizer bunny...

Schimmel, the Cards other freshman guard, was lights out in the final twenty minutes as well. 17 points, three steals, a block, two assists and three boards in the second half. Rounding out the Cards second half assault were Monique Reid (8 points, 1 steal and rebound) and Becky Burke (a three and free throw). Keisha Hines battled the Xavier twin towers with all her might for 19 of the twenty final minutes...scoring a basket and getting a block and steal. Louisville got 24 points off of turnovers in the final twenty minutes...an amazing stat...Xavier just 2...

The Cards went 28-53 from the field for the game (52.8%) while Xavier shot 50% (27-54). Louisville connected on nine of sixteen three point attempts (56.3%)while the Musketeers put up a season high 30 three balls, hitting 14 of them (46.7%). The Cards were deadly from the foul line...going 20-25 (80%) while Xavier sank seven of twelve (58.3%). Louisville actually tied the Muskies in rebounding with 28 grabs (Tay 6). The duo of Amber Phillips and Ta'Shia Phillips had 15 of the Xavier rebounds. The Cards had a very credible 20 steals while Xavier managed seven.

Louisville had a very low 12 turnovers in the contest, Xavier doubled that with 24. Despite the obvious height disadvantage...the Cards swatted 4 Xavier shots away and the Muskies had 8 blocks... Phillips with five and Harris with two. Louisville and Xavier both had 8 points off of fast breaks, the Cards with 12 second chance points compared to Xavier's 16 and both teams had 24 points in the paint. The telling stat...the Lady Cards put up 33 points off of turnovers, Xavier just 12.

Individually, Schimmel led all scorers with 33. Reid finished with 13, Gibbs added 12, Tay was good for 11 and Burke rounded out the double figure producers with 10. Hines was the only other Cardinal to score...with six. Harris led the Musketeers with 20, Tyeasha Moss finished with 17 (4 for 8 from three ball range) Katie Rutan added 15 (5 for 14 from deep) and Phillips rounded out the Xavier double figure scorers with 11. Special Jennings played a hard fought and gutsy game for Xavier at the point guard....playing 39 minutes and getting eight points, seven assists and four rebounds. Katie Rutan was the only player who fouled out on either team...Hines collected four for Louisville and Harris 4 for "X" .

Reid and Schimmel logged 38 minutes for Jeff Walz, Tia Gibbs played 37 and Keisha Hines saw 33 minutes on the court. Tay had 22, Burke 17, Asia Taylor 7, Sherrone Vails (hampered by a strained calf) with 7 and Shelby Harper, Polly Harrington and Rachel Story got in for the final 19 seconds of the contest.

Louisville's freshmen accounted for 44 for Louisville 81 points...all from Schimmel and Tay. They shot 14-22 from the field, 6-11 from three point range and 10 for 14 from the free throw stripe. 10 rebounds and 6 steals...all from Tay and Schimmel.

In a game that looked to be evolving into Xavier's hands with five minutes left, the Cards...behind the magic of Schimmel and clutch charity tosses at the end...take the win and move on to Spokane. We probably haven't seen the end of Harris or Phillips's basketball careers, though. Any WNBA team that passes on the chance to grab one or both of these powerful post players hasn't done their homework. And, they'll probably both make some serious $$$ in Euroball, too. But, it was "youth be served" on Tuesday night in the Cintas Center in a game that Lady Cards fans will remember for a very long time.

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Tia Gibbs had the best player quote in the post game presser, about Schimmel:

"Now you know why we call her the 'Show'. When the stakes are high and the lights come on..she's shows up."

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Second best quote, by Monique Reid, about Schimmel's 33 points:

"Hey...don't forget who was her host when she came here to visit. She's here because of me. I take full credit for the recruiment and signing of Shoni and deserve half of those 33 points tonight...(Laughter)."

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DAVID WATSON sent in his game report at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning. Sounds like Watson...I presume...took his time driving back from Cincy and got a nap in afterwards...He writes:

Paul may have hit it on the head when he renamed Sho-Time Schimmel to Judge Schimmel. She did rule the court Tuesday night in the Cintas Center. Check the BIG EAST highlight film of the game over at bigeast.org. Three and three and steal after steal. Is there anything this freshman sensation can't do? Wouldn't surprise me if she didn't drive the team bus back to Louisville. If not, Charmaine Tay probably did. Freshmen sensations, indeed.

As I sat directly behind Paul (without his knowledge) during this epic battle, several rows up and surrounded by Cardinal crazies, I went through a myriad of emotions. Elation at the start of the game when Louisville rolled out to a 5-0 lead. Nervousness when X took a seven point lead late in the first half. Hope when the Cards knotted it up at 56-56. A sinking feeling of doom when Xavier promptly hit two 3 balls in a row to go up 62-56. Despair when the Musketeers led by six and five minutes remained. Giddiness after Schimmel put Louisville up to stay 73-70 with a three that had the entire Cardinal section in a frenzied state of celebration. I even saw the usually sideline stoic Paul give a vigorous fist pump when the Oregon Oscar winner nailed the bomb. And pride and joy, with another dash of nervousness tossed in, when the Cards sealed the deal from the line late. If a manic/depressive syndrome sets in with me come Wednesday, you'll know full why. And, that had to be the longest 1:23 in the history of

women's college basketball. I swear..I grew a "five o'clock shadow" in that final 83 seconds. What were the refs doing for so long over at the scorer's table? Watching the UConn game on ESPN2?

A team that had Jeff Walz going crazy for the vast majority of the season because they had no "killer instinct" just committed a major homicide in the Queen City. Let the murdring spree continue on the West Coast. Louisville's version of Bonnie and Clyde are Spokane bound.

I-70 is one lonely road at midnight. Thank God for classic oldies, a patronizing younger daughter and the recruiting techniques of a certain coach who may be the first coach in history to get a technical for stuttering. I can say one thing, he'd make an effective alarm clock. His theatrics provided a wake up call to a Cardinal team that was about to slip into a coma in the first half.

It's 3 a.m. It's time for bed. Louisville put Xavier to bed 5 hours ago. Just call me 'Mr. Night Owl'.

DAVID WATSON is a special correspondent for CARDINAL COUPLE and is treating anyone who wants to go to an all-expenses paid trip to Spokane this weekend. Just kidding, but the enthusiasm and pride he has for the Lady Cards program will be there in spirit with them.

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Cardinal Softball today at the Ulmer and it's a big one...UK comes to town. Kats come in at 19-6 and ranked #24 in the nation. Chandra Bell the big arm on the mound for UK. Game is at 6 p.m. Come out and have a ballpark dinner and catch this one. Admission is $5. Expect the outfield "grassy knoll" to be rocking...Most likely, the torrid Tori Collins will draw the assignment for Sandy Pearsall's squad. Let's hope the predicted isolated rain chances tonight are isolated somewhere else besides the UofL campus.

The Cards are getting strong at bats from Chelsea Bemis (.394 and four homers), Alicja Wolny (.394 and 27 RBI's) and Colby Wherry (.382 and eleven runs scored). Louisville (18-9) has lost to top 15 ranked teams six times this year. In UK, they'll face a team that just won 2 out of three on the road at LSU.

CARDINAL COUPLE will be there...and providing a full and live report on the battle.

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In the battle of Sideline announcers, Erin Andrews sent Heather Cox to the showers (can we watch?) convincingly and moves on to the FINAL FOUR. Today's match up is surprising Tony Siragusa vs. upstart Allison Williams. Let us know if you need to know which picture here is who. We'll get right back to you. Paul is backing Allison, or at least hoping to back in to her. Sonja in the Williams camp, too. Watson will weigh in later, we suppose and Bill the Goat is in full support of "the Goose".. It's an animal thing, we're guessing. Comments section can record votes or e-mail it in @ cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

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Lady Cards romp Mississippi Valley State 96-37

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Lady Cards roll over the Devilettes 96-37.

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Track and field @ Southern Illinois.

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Volleyball Friday afternoon

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Purdue vs. Louisville: Part Deux

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Shoni Schimmel (pictured here) is either calling a Cardinal inbounds play or is scratching her ear. As far as we're concerned...she can do whatever she wants on the court and it'll probably turn out good.

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This one tonight was like that old 1960's V-8 gas guzzler my Dad used to drive the family around in. It started kind of rough at the beginning but once it got warmed up, it hit on all eight cylinders and ran to perfection. Almost five minutes into tonight's game, the score stood at 6-6 and Louisville was still sputtering out of the driveway.

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Enter Shelby Harper and the Cards shifted into high gear and rolled out the next 15 points over the next six minutes.

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Shelby had a little help. The Cardinal defense turned up the pressure, Monique Reid comes in the game and adds eight quick points and Shoni Schimmel nails a three...well, you get the picture. Sometimes it takes a village to get it done.

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Add another 18-2 Cardinal run and this one was pretty much one for the record books. Louisville went in at half up 44-15...10 Cardinals had played, seven had scored and they had allowed a mere 16 Devilette shots in twenty minutes...10 of those from three point range.

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They went ahead and played the second half anyway.

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Louisville outscored Mississippi Valley State by 30 points in the second stanza and everyone scored but Rachel Story. Five Cardinals end up in double figures, led by Schimmel's 15. Monique Reid added 12 in 14 minutes, Antonita Slaughter pushed in 11 second half points, Polly Harrington 10 in the final twenty minutes and Tia Gibbs totaled 11.

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Other things to like about tonight's romp:

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-The Cards shot 14-16 from the charity stripe. When asked about improvement from the line from previous games...Jeff Walz joked:

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"It's all about getting good free throw shooters to the line."

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(At least I think he was joking.)

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-Louisville went 10-23 from three point range. Schimmel and Slaughter with three each. 6 for 11 in the second half...Slaughter is almost automatic when she can set, square and release.

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-10 rebounds for guard Charmaine Tay, all in the second half. Add six assists to that stat and you begin to get an idea why Jeff Walz was so crazy about her out of high school.

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-Louisville held MVS scoreless for the opening 7:45 on the final half. By then it was 63-15 and Louisville would go on to hold a 81-24 lead with seven minutes to go.

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How does it all translate out as far as a preparation game for Kentucky on Sunday? Coach Walz pointed out that he was pleased with the defense and the way the Cards stopped the screen off the ball, a play UK runs effectively. The open shots weren't too prevalent for the Devilettes and Louisville ran the transition game as good as they have all season long.

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It will be her first time experiencing the UofL /UK rivalry game but Shoni Schimmel wants to help her seven teammates that weathered the UK bombardment last year get a little payback.

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"It means a lot to me. I'm going out, playing as hard as I can and doing the best I can against them. We won't worry about what they can do, we're just going to play our game and make it about us." the sharp passing freshman commented.

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Monique Reid turned up the intensity level tonight and showed a lot of hustle in her 14 minutes tonight. She even commented that she's OK with coming off the bench and contributing to the team that way.

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That's good...because it's a role that Jeff Walz doesn't see changing anytime soon. According to Walz, if she can provide a solid 15-20 minutes without getting tired or slowing down and add 12-14 points...then it's 'job accomplished' for now.

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The University of Louisville's track and field teams open the 2010-11 indoor season Friday at Carbondale, Ill. in the Southern Illinois Fast Start Invitational.

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For the women, two-time weight throw national champion D'Ana McCarty will look to put up big tosses in the event. McCarty is also the BIG EAST indoor weight throw two consecutive years.

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The Cards will compete against national Division II power Lincoln (Mo.), Southern Illinois, South Florida and Belmont. Toss away, Cards!

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At 5 p.m. Friday afternoon, the volleyball Cards begin the quest to win the NCAA Championships with a match against Middle Tennessee State in West Lafayette, IN. Winner of this one gets the victor in the Purdue vs. Kentucky match. MTSU has defeated Louisville the last two times the teams have met in the NCAA Tournament. Not today, Blue Raiders...Spike 'em, Cards!

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Got a e-mail from CARDINAL COUPLE reader Dan Wallace about the Go Cards Beat Purdue legacy. He was in the student section the night of the event. He writes:

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Paul and Sonya:

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Great story and a classic on the Purdue sign.

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What actually happened was...which ever opponent UofL was playing the student section called out that school's name in the cheer. It was the next home game after the Purdue game and the cheerleader used the backside of the Purdue sign to write the name of the opponent the Cards were playing that night. The cheerleader happened to have turned the sign over and upside down to write the name of that night's opponent. So, as the cheerleader is holding the sign down against her body..."PURDUE" is being shown to the student section.

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We all chanted PURDUE before she could place the sign over her head. And a tradition was born.

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Thanks for bringing back the memory!
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Thanks for the eye witness report, Dan! Now... if we could only resurrect the Cardinal Bird bungee jumping from the ceiling of the YUM Center....

Charmaine Tay gets the point

If fast break basketball with a point guard that gets a team into the transition game and distributes the rock is your thing...you're going to love Charmaine Tay. The incoming freshman, who finished her high school ball at Bloomfield Tech in New Jersey excels in all of the above and can go to the glass and put up the shot as well.

Tay is a true point guard, a position Louisville had their difficulties with last season. She can get the team into offensive sets, has no trouble handling one on one or zone press pressure and is more than willing to pass on a shot and set up a teammate for a score.

At 5'10", she rebounds surprisingly well and will adapt to "Walz" ball easily. Defensively, she's an agressive stopper that will get her share of steals and deflectons. Her range is a little suspect from beyond the arc...but this Louisville team will have 3-4 long range bombing specialists and can use a distributor of the orb.

Tay will challenge the redshirt Dez Byrd, Shelby Harper and Rachel Story for time directing the offense. Byrd, who was converted to point, might very well return to the "2" where she seems a little more comfortable and effective. One thing is for certain...the Cards won't have a lack of guards.

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29 points and 10 rebounds for Angel McCoughtry against Tulsa Tuesday as the Dream etch out a 96-90 win. Angel looks to be a lock for the WNBA All-Star game and if there is anybody playing better in the league right now...point her out to me.

Sure, she may turn it over occasionally or miss the open player now and then...but the good she does on the court far outweighs the occasional miscue. Remember, gang...she's only in her second WNBA season.