Sunday Cardinal Couple -- UofL vs UofK Recap

Louisville 80 Kentucky 77

-Cards get 6o points from Siva, Smith and Behanan in win.
 

Louisville's Chane Behanan blows a kiss goodbye after his late dunk sealed the deal for UofL

The final score was much closer than the game as a whole. Louisville proved they were the better team, despite the fact that UK nearly clawed back to take a late lead. Louisville's patented defensive pressure forced UK into 14 turnovers, the most important of which led to a Chane Behanan slam with 17 seconds left to seal the game. However, give credit to Ryan Harrow who stayed under control the entire game for the Wildcats and managed to avoid turning the ball over at all. 

The game got off the a fast start with both teams trading punches. Kentucky opened an early 7-4 lead behind and Archie Goodwin and-1 and Nerlens Noel put back. Louisville found a way to answer though, as a Peyton Siva jumper was followed by a Russ Smith defensive board which he took past four UK defenders for an easy lay-up. This gave Louisville an early 8-7 lead at the 15:21 mark.

Louisville continue their mini-run as Russ Smith contorted in the corner to find Wayne Blackshear for an easy dunk. However, Kentucky answered on the other end as Ryan Harrow found Kyle Wiltjer open for a three. Wiltjer drained the three, causing Rick Pitino to call a full timeout at the 13:58 mark with the score tied 10-10. 

The crowd roared as Gorgui Dieng collected an offensive board and finished with a slam dunk to put the Card up 12-10 with 13:48 left in the first half. However, the excitement was short lived as UK went on an 8-0 run capped by an Alex Poythress three pointer to put UK up 18-12.

After this juncture the first half was all UofL, a Peyton Siva lay-up was followed by a Harrell tip-in that forced Calapari to call a full timeout. That timeout was followed by a Russ Smith foul and the official TV timeout. 

Louisville quickly forced three straight UK turnovers, two of which resulted in easy baskets giving Louisville a 20-18 lead with 7:44 remaining. 

Louisville would go on to finish the half on a 16-10 run that saw them take an eight point lead into the half. Peyton Siva hit two threes during said run to really give Louisville major momentum going into halftime. 

End of 1st: Louisville 36 Kentucky 28

Louisville played the majority of the first half without Gorgui Dieng who had to sit with foul trouble. Gorgui played great in his first action since Louisville beat Missouri, but it's obvious he still has a ways to go on the defensive end to get his timing back. Chane Behanan had 11 points to lead the Cards in the first, he scored in  a number of ways and seems to be the Chane Behanan of last March again.

Louisville jumped on Kentucky early, starting the half on a 5-0 run to take a thirteen point lead 41-28 with 18:04 left in the 2nd. Louisville and Kentucky traded punches after that point as the two teams scored on their next 6 possessions. Louisville got the edge though as they took a fourteen point lead, 48-34 into the first official TV timeout of the half.

Louisville pushed their lead out further after a Peyton Siva made free throw was followed by a Russ Smith steal and score. This gave Louisville their largest lead of the game at seventeen points, 51-34. The celebration was short lived though as Kyle Wiltjer hit back-to-back threes to cut the lead back down to eleven, 51-40. This forced a Rick Pitino full timeout with 13:58 left in the 2nd. 

The two teams again traded punches, a Kyle Wiltjer three at the 10:59 mark was followed by a Peyton Siva made jumper to stretch the lead back out to 10, 57-47 with 10:44 left. 

Then the worst case scenario for Louisville happened, Peyton Siva picked up two quick fouls in the span of about 30 seconds. This forced Rick to sit Peyton who now had 4 fouls. After a Chane Behanan dunk pushed the Louisville lead to 61-49 with 9:35 left, Russ Smith picked up his fourth foul. 

Kentucky went on a 12-2 run from this point on, as a Ryan Harrow jumper at the 5:35 mark pulled UK within two points, 63-61. Louisville responded with a 10-3 run which saw them take a nine point lead with 2:20 remaining in the game. 

However, two Peyton Siva free throws were sandwiched in between Goodwin and Mays three pointers. This left the Louisville lead at five points, 75-70 with 1:44 left in the game.

The two teams went scoreless for the next minute before a Nerlens Noel turnover led to a Chane Behanan breakaway slam. This pushed the lead to seven points with only 44 seconds remaining and seemingly sealed the game. 

Archie Goodwin proceeded to drain a three with Peyton Siva providing seemingly great defense. But, Siva was whistled for his fifth foul on the made three. Goodwin made the resulting free throw and this brought the game to 77-74 with 35 seconds left. 

Russ Smith was fouled immediately and made one of two. This gave Kentucky the ball down four with 33 seconds remaining. Chane Behanan jumped the lane on an Archie Goodwin pass, he strode down the court and delivered a one-handed tomahawk that brought the crowd to its feet. A meaningless Archie Goodwin three made the final score 80-77. Louisville got their first win over a John Calapari coached Kentucky team.

-Donny Yaste

Final: Louisville 80 Kentucky 77   

Russ Smith loves waffles and scoring against the Wildcats, he has 51 points combined points in the last two regular season meetings against UK

.
..
...

Saturday Cardinal Couple -- A McCoughtry wins twice on Friday

.
SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Atlanta Dream defeats New York Liberty


-A McCoughtry wins at Belmont


A unique double yesterday in the world of sports. Trainer James Jerkins took Rick Pitino's filly A McCoughtry to Belmont Race Course and she won the second race of the day. The WNBA's New York Liberty traveled from the home of Belmont Race Course to Atlanta and fell to A. McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream 100-74. 

As for the thoroughbred A McCoughtry, she broke alertly from the starting gate, had some early bumping issues with race favorite Jova Real, but got to the lead and went wire-to-wire on the sloppy track conditions to win the $75,000 maiden special weight race for 3 year old and up fillies and mares over 1 1/16 miles. Kinda like the hoops Angel, a claim of foul was lodged against her for the start of the race bumping...but it was disallowed and the order of the finish remained the same. (We know our #35 never fouls, right?) 


She was ignored by the bettors, going off at 14-1 and returning $28.20 to win. It is her first win in three lifetime races and the furthest distance she's been asked to run in her short racing career. 


Rick always likes to point out he tries to get his basketball players in the best condition possible so they can compete in games. Looks like some of his teachings have worn off on his three year old filly. 


*******************************************

The Atlanta Dream got 23 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds from Angel McCoughtry yesterday in a 100-74 win over the New York Liberty in WNBA action. The Dream were tightly locked into battle with the Liberty in the first quarter at 18-16...but went on a 10-2 run and never looked back. 


Atlanta is now 1-1 on the season and the Liberty drop to 0-4. 


A great day for the McCoughtry's!  We wonder, though...how the Pitino McCoughtry would look driving down the lane to hit a jumper or how Angel would have handled the sloppy surface at Belmont yesterday. 


*******************************************


WE hope everyone has a safe, successful and fun Memorial Day holiday. WE also hope you remember why we have this holiday and join us in paying respect and saying "Thank You" to those who have served and given their lives for our country and those who still serve to keep us safe. 

Sometimes, we complain about the way things are in our economy and in our lives. We are living in a country here in America where we still have our basic freedoms, no tyranny and no civil wars. We have soldiers and sailors dedicated to defending those things and serving each day to protect us. 


To my Uncle Martin, who died at Pearl Harbor, my father who served in WW II and in Korea, my wife and my friends who have served...thank you and God Bless You. 


I'd have no qualms or hesitations, either...about defending my country in any way they needed me to again. I'm able to sit here in front of my computer, sip coffee and listen to the birds chirping and see the sun beginning to rise without the fear of bombs exploding around me or soldiers storming down my street in combat. I appreciate that.

Our friend Norma and her brother Ron served our
country. Thank you! 

Whether it's a backyard cookout, trip and travel, a visit to the cemetery  or just enjoying an extra day off work...have a great weekend, everybody! Locally, it's supposed to be a scorcher here. 


-- Paul, Sonja, David, Jenny, Sandra and the staff chimps.



.
..
...

.
MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Cards sweep Georgetown series with Sunday win to go 25-0 at home. 


-Another McCoughtry

(Photo by Sandy Walker) UofL Softball team watches
highlights video on scoreboard.

The University of Louisville softball team said farewell to three seniors Sunday in the final regular season home game of the year and defeated Georgetown 3-0 to go to 47-2 on the season and 17-2 in BIG EAST play.

Collins delivers a two
hitter in five innings.

Senior Tori Collins pitched five innings of two-hit softball and Louisville put up a run in the third, fifth and sixth innings to defeat the Hoyas...who drop to 19-32 and 3-15 in the BIG EAST. 


A pitcher's duel through two and a half innings before Louisville broke the ice when Katie Keller singled with two outs in the bottom of the third and scored on Alicja Wolny's triple to give the Cards a 1-0 advantage.

Coach P 25-0 in Ulmer
in the regular season.

Louisville added their second run when freshman Whitney Arion led off the inning with a single and eventually scored on Jennifer Esteban's infield single.


The Cards increased the lead to 3-0 in the sixth. Maggie Ruckenbrod singled and Kirsten Straley came in to pinch-run and advanced on a ground-out and steal... touching home when Taner Fowler singled.

Louisville turned three
hits into three runs Sunday

Collins gave Louisville five strong innings after a shaky start when Georgetown had runners on second and third in the top of the first and just one out. She got Taylor Koenig on a play at the plate when Macensey Carter tapped a grounder to third baseman Kayla Soles. The throw to home and Ruckenbrod got the second out of the inning and Collins struck out the next Hoya batter to get out of the jam. 


Collins had five strikeouts on the day and sophomore Chelsea Leonard picked up her ninth save of the season with two innings of one-hit relief. 

Ruckenbrod's tag out at home kept
the Collins shut-out intact. 

Besides Collins, utility player Tesha Paysen and outfielder Kristin Austin graduate for the 2012 Cardinals. They discuss their career at UofL with Cardinal roving reporter Jared Stillman at the link below. Austin leads the BIG EAST with a .420 batting average going into today's game.




LINK:
UofL Softball seniors discuss their careers at UofL

Cardinal softball seniors Kristin Austin, Tori Collins
and Tesha Paysen

The #9 Cards travel to Knoxville for a game against #6 Tennessee Wednesday ( Hey, Fox Sports South...how about picking this one up for broadcast?) and finish up the regular season Derby weekend with three games at St. John's on May 5-6. Then, it's BIG EAST Tournament time in South Bend starting Thursday, May 10th...where the Cards hope to be the #1 seed. 


*******************************************

We wonder if Rick would let
this McCoughtry ride his
McCoughtry?

We all remember the exploits of Angel McCoughtry on the court for the University of Louisville women's basketball. The Atlanta Dream WNBA star prepares for the start of the season in just a few days and will help pursue USA Women's Basketball's goals of bringing home the gold later this summer in the Olympics. 

We doubt the McCoughtry horse
can do much at the charity stripe...
even though the old Herb Crook
tongue move is in place.

There is another McCoughtry out there as well. This one is a 3 year old filly owned by Rick Pitino and trained by James Jerkins, Jr. called A.McCoughtry who ran today at Belmont in her second race ever. Despite starting dead last in the six furlong race, jockey Sam Camacho, Jr. got her motivated in the stretch and she finished a closing 4th in maiden special weight company out of nine runners. Back on March 25th, the filly from Overbrook Farms was a closing third at Aqueduct Race Course in her first race ever.


A.McCoughtry has won $9500 in two races and won't be running in the Kentucky Oaks obviously this Friday at Churchill...but is being kept in maiden special weight company -- which means no one can claim her out of a race and purchase her. (You know John Calipari...he'd probably try to pull off the dastardly deed.) 

Rick could start a stable of horses named
after Cardinal basketball players.  Would Kyle
Kuric or Asia Taylor make the cut? 

Pitino, the primary owner of RAP Stables, has also mentioned he was naming a couple of his young charges Gorgui and Peyton...after a couple of his current Cardinals. 


Hey, maybe the Cardinal coach will make a habit of it. Anyone up to seeing future Pitino fillies named M.Reid, T.Gibbs or S.Schimmel take the oval at Churchill Downs down the road? 
.
..
...

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE -HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

.
SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE WILDCAT WRAP-UP


(Dear readers...for the last couple of years, we've run a parody of the blog on April's Fool Day. WE scared a lot of people last year with it...so be advised that the following articles ARE parodies, NOT TRUE and just our annual April Fools Edition. We have added a brief paragraph or so after each entry with an ACTUAL real summary of the event.)


Enjoy.


-PITINO fired after loss to UK


-LADY CARDS Softball disbanded after DePaul loss


-CARDINAL COUPLE to shutdown


*****************************************************************************


Popular UofL Coach fired after eight-point loss to UK
-New Orleans, LA.

"I never should have
replaced you, Denny."

Hours after the University of Louisville lost to Kentucky 69-61 in the semi-finals of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, head coach Rick Pitino was fired by athletic director Tom Jurich in what can only be described as a bizarre incident. 


Standing in the middle of Bourbon Street Sunday morning and wearing a World War II General's uniform, Tom Jurich made the announcement to a shocked and surprised throng of party-goers celebrating in the aftermath of Saturday night's games. 

"I always wanted to be a pirate
with a parrot on my shoulder." 

"It is my great and esteemed pleasure to announce that I, Tom Jurich, being of sound mind and body and in no way affected by the Hurricanes I've been drinking since 9 p.m. this evening...well, I've canned Rick Pitino as the coach of the Cardinals. It was that or just shoot him. I can't get a prison charge this way, so Ricky...you're outta here! See ya and wouldn't want to be ya! Adios amigo!"


After shouting the words through a bullhorn in front of popular nightclub establishment PAT O'BRIENS, Jurich dramatically raised a hand in the air, stuck his thumb out and pointed down the street.

"One more pitiful bowl appearance and
I'm hiring you back to replace that idiot
Charlie Strong" 

"Tell your story walking, pal...because your new title is EX-UofL coach!" Jurich bellowed and then suddenly sat down on the curb, appearing unsteady and wobbly on his feet. "I'm gonna tell all of you something, see...and you damn well better listen good, pal. This whole week has been a total abomination. WE can't do this against Kentucky, we shouldn't be in the Final Four, WE couldn't shoot the side of a barn with a shotgun. I'm running out of boxer shorts...I'm just sick and tired of it all!" 


Jurich then staggered to his feet again and started wildly waving his arms in the air, nearly striking sportswriter Howie Lindsey...who was standing next to Jurich and dressed as the character Bluto from the comic strip "Popeye". 

"Fans like these two make me want to give up this
job and go dig ditches. Hillbilly trailer trash..."

"And it's all Rick's fault. All of it! I build a big, freakin' arena downtown and he can't even beat South Florida in it! Even Walz beat South Florida and that man couldn't coach his way out of a parking spot on a bicycle! So...Farewell. Good bye. Auf Wiedersehen. Adieu! I love that song! I wanted to be in that movie but...no! Tommy has to be athletic director. Tommy has to be a placekicker. Tommy has to TAKE OUT THE STINKIN' GARBAGE!" 


Jurich then lurched forward and started walking down the street, singing the popular song from The Sound of Music...stopping only briefly when Lindsey asked who would  replace Pitino.

"I should be in this cast photo. With my arm
around Julie Andrews." 

"Congratulations, big boy! You've got the job." he snarled and disappeared into the crowd, singing loudly and high-fiving UK fans. 


Coach Pitino was informed of the news as he got out of a limo in front of the Krystal on Bourbon Street and asked for his reaction. 

RICK AND HIS ASSISTANT
COACHES SPOT A UFO
FLYING INSIDE THE KFC YUM
CENTER AND TRY TO ESTABLISH
COMMUNICATION.

"I could care less." Rick chuckled. "I've got more money that most third-world countries. I'll just go sit at the big table with Charles Barkley and those other CBS bozos. Maybe I'll build a boat and sail around the Keys...playing Jimmy Buffett music and pretending I'm a pirate. Maybe I'll take Gorgui and Chane with me and we'll smuggle cigars out of Cuba. I might grow my hair out and join Journey. I love those guys. Don't stop believing...Hey, whose up for burgers and shakes? My treat!" 


(The University of Louisville lost a hard fought game against Kentucky Saturday night 69-61. The Cards overcame several double-digit deficits and tied the contest at 49-49 after a Peyton Siva 3 with nine minutes to go. UK responded with a 8-0 run, though and held on for the win. A great coaching job by Pitino last night. Peyton Siva had 11 points, Chane Behanan 10 and Gorgui Dieng grabbed 12 rebounds and had four blocked  shots for Louisville. And, Rick Pitino is still the Louisville head coach this morning and Tom Jurich the best athletic director in the world.)


**************************************************************************

A humiliating loss to a
school that doesn't even
play football

The University of Louisville's softball team lost their first game of the season to DePaul University 7-1. A second game was scheduled, but Sandy Pearsall took the team to the locker room after the first contest and read a statement to media and fans over the Blue Demon public address system shortly thereafter.


"Hello there ladies and gentlemen! As of five minutes ago, I have disbanded the University of Louisville softball team and have accepted a position as assistant head usher at Stonybrook Cinemas. I told the team before the season began that if they lost a game, I was going to give them all bus fare and send them home to their mamas and daddies. Well..it look them a long time to lose one...but now that they have...it is now the end of 12 years of CARDINAL SOFTBALL. 

"We've tried to teach her for four years to stand up. "

"We've had it rough over these past twelve years. We play on an antiquated, turf- bare sandlot that doesn't even have toilets or a concession stand. We started selling beer this year. I've never see so many AARP- aged people run out of a place, scratching their heads and wondering where they could go relieve themselves after a belly full of suds in my life! It snows here until May. You tell me how you play softball in 20 degree weather and my outfielders are building snowmen and throwing snowballs at each other in the third inning." 


"It's more than that. Jurich told me he'd slashed the budget 90% from last year. Said he had to pony up some more bucks to keep Charlie Strong here. Told me I could buy the team bats and gloves at the thrift store. Took all the seats out of the stadium and sold them to a revival preacher in Biloxi. He even sold the tarp we use to cover the field to a travelling circus." 

"It's bad enough I have to coach in a back alley
near the Interstate...then I get people like
this showing up to watch games..Jeezz!"

"So, I've decided to just get out of this whole deal and collect tickets at the cinema. It's a great job. You take the ticket. You smile at the customers and you tell them to enjoy the movie. When they're all seated and the movie begins, you sit in a comfy chair and eat popcorn and Goobers until the next movie starts. And, I'm making $2 more an hour than I was at UofL. I've enjoyed my time here on campus. Yeah. Right. I'd rather go through a root canal a day with no Novocaine."


After her remarks, Pearsall put 'Sweet Caroline' on the PA system and did cartwheels across the field before leaving in a exhaust-belching 1991 Ford Pinto. A collection of remaining players, support staff and some of the 3rd grade girls from Jesuit Day Grade School eventually took the field and defeated DePaul 4-3 in the second game. They named themselves the Arthur Street Assassins and plan on joining the Sunbelt Conference once they return to Louisville. 


(Louisville DID lose their first game of the season to DePaul yesterday 7-1 in the first game but came back to take the nightcap 4-3. DePaul jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning on a Katelyn Braget home run and built up a 4-0 lead before the Cards got their lone run in the top of the sixth when Kristin Austin tripled and came home on a Katie Keller sacrifice fly. The Blue Demons added three runs in the home half of the sixth for the final 7-1 score. Tori Collins (13-1) took the loss, giving up four runs and four hits in four innings.


The Cards jumped on DePaul early in the second game with two runs in the first inning. Jennifer Esteban singled to start the game and scored on a Austin single. Austin got to the plate on a Keller single. 


After DePaul tied the contest in the bottom of the first, the teams remained scoreless until the top of the fifth. Esteban and Austin pounded back-to-back doubles off Blue Demon pitcher Bree Brown....Esteban scoring. Austin reached the plate to make it 4-2 on a Hannah Kiyohara single. DePaul would score the final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Caralisa Connell got the win for Louisville, going 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. Chelsea Leonard finished the sixth inning for Connell and Tori Collins came on to relieve Leonard in the seven and got the Blue Demons out in order. 


***************************************************************************************

Maybe we could sell the website to
this guy and he could post articles
about what kind of burger toppings he likes.

It's been a fun two and one half years being the fan voice of UofL women's sports, but WE decided Friday that we were going to shut down the website and concentrate on driving around the metro area and looking for potholes. It's pretty easy stuff...you drive down a street and if you see a pothole...first you avoid it and then you write down the address where you saw it. Then, you call the road maintenance guys and they come out and fill it. 


We're not sure if we can get paid for this or not...but we're not getting paid to do CARDINAL COUPLE either and this will give us a chance to get out, drive around and look at pretty flowers and see what's happening in different neighborhoods. Maybe stop for a coffee or ice cream or a walk through the park. Maybe we can get the city or state to just give us a tank of gas every three or four days. That would work. 

(Sonja to Paul) "If  you write another article about Becky Burke
I swear to the Holy Jesus that I'll cut
off your fingertips while you sleep. Let the poor girl
graduate and get on with her life, OK? "

We wanted to wait until the basketball game was played to tell you readers about this. We weren't going to bother and tell any of our contributing writers about it...all they do is complain that Coach Walz doesn't play Sara Hammond enough and pester us for PANERA Cards three of four times a week. And the upkeep of a bunch of unruly chimps and having to drag Bill the Goat out of perilous situations every week....who needs it? All the moronic e-mails and comments we get daily and spam artists, phishing and stupid bots out there that want us to refinance a mortgage that we don't have or try Viagra, tropical berry juices and off-shore casino gambling. 

A picture of the only readers we had in the month of March
Some of them can't even stand up on their own.

Hey, we're tired and my fingers bleed constantly from typing up this drivel for an unappreciative, illiterate and gaseous readership. Blah, blah, blah. 


We'll still leave the site access up, so those with writing and administrative privileges can log on and putter around here if they want. We'll see how that goes. Most of them couldn't write a two sentence paragraph about walking across the room and putting a plate on the table...but, most days we can't either...so what does it really matter? 


David Watson is the worst...Sonja spends hours going through the stuff he sends our way, running spell check and removing all the obscenities, profanities, bigoted references and death threats he puts in about Obama and Col. Sanders in each article he submits.  The man is dumber than a box of rocks and less interesting. He asks trees for advice. Seriously. We don't think he knows what periods or paragraphs are...much less how they should be used. 

Paul wants to form a speed metal band
with these three guys and give
up writing. Hello, Detroit!!

It's been great, CARDINAL COUPLE readers. Go check out some other website...we really don't care...or maybe turn off the laptop and do something productive like reading a book or performing volunteer work. 


Last person on the site please turn out the lights when leaving. We're off to the Ford Taurus and the open road, baby! 


(Fear not, readers. We aren't going anywhere. WE feel blessed and fortunate to have a website that started with a few friends and Google searchers reading and now receives an average of more than 2000 hits a day We marvel on how we have great writers like David, Jenny and Sandy. WE also appreciate all of our readers -- even the ones in Connecticut -- and the comments and great Internet finds from people like Commish Mark, Ellis and Shirley, PDX Phil and so many more of you. 

You are CARDINAL COUPLE. If it's wasn't for you...there would be no CARDINAL COUPLE. You (and us) are the fans. And, that's what this site is about. 

Thanks for riding along with us this far and we hope you'll continue the journey!


And, thanks for reading the PARODY April Fools Edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. See ya tomorrow! )
.
..

BIG 12 waiting on naming additional members...Golf rallies to finish 5th...Pitino gets 19 point win over Pikeville

.
THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-BIG 12 waiting on naming new conference members

-Women's golf finishes 5th in Vegas

-Men's Basketball downs Pikeville

Maybe they actually asked the remaining members which school(s) they'd
like to have join. Maybe Mitch McConnell, in raincoat and sunglasses, visited

Has the honorable Mitch McConnell boxed the Eers? 

the midwest. Maybe our article from yesterday got through to someone. Maybe 6 is 9.

In another wild and wacky twist to the soap opera known as conference expansion...the BIG 12 has put off a decision to add WVU to the gang and is now waiting to see if Missouri is going to join the SEC. The crawl line on ESPN
was cryptic and terse. WVU's move is on hold. Rebel forces from the Ohio Valley have made inroads on the main front and strongly object to the decision concerning the Mountaineers uniting forces with the allies. Louie the Cardinal Bird was seen strolling the Belknap Campus in a beret and humming "Country Roads." The I-64 bridge between Ashland, KY and Nitro, WVa. has been barricaded with couches and furniture in the east bound lanes...

Someone bring in General Patton.

Rick...please quit popping off about Owls and Tigers !

Someone put a gag order on Rick Pitino..who keeps singing the "I love Memphis and Temple" mantra. Just coach your team, coach. We don't need no stinking Owls messing things up. 

Really, Rick? Maybe you'd like to try your hand at global warming next. Or climb Mt. Everest. Maybe Charlie Strong should send Clint Hurtt and Pat Moorer over for a visit.

Maybe the BIG 12 rattle-shakers talked to a few folks who aren't real big fans of Morgantown mania on Football Saturdays. Like Pittsburgh or LSU. Like the rest of the staggering BIG EAST football members. Like anyone outside the state of West Virginia.

Maybe Missouri is having second thoughts about making the plunge into the SEC. (Maybe Missouri is crazy if they are...).

This, of course, circumvents the previous BIG 12 statement that WVU was in just as soon as formal approval was reached.

Formal approval...now there's a vague and nebulous phrase. (Hey, Pop..can I borrow the car? Son, you'll have to ask your mother - or the BIG 12 - for formal approval..) 

So...today's words to drool over are:

BIG 12 informs West Virginia that expansion plans are on hold.

"Hey, LOU! Who's in the BIG 12?"

Climb down off the bridges and tall buildings Cardinal football fanatics. The fat lady hasn't sung yet (she can't get the microphone away from Pitino) and looks like we'll go through another weekend of intrigue, speculation, heresy and rumor. 

Meanwhile, in Morgantown...couches are ablaze and any Cardinal fans thinking of making the journey there to watch Louisville play them in football on Saturday, Nov 5th. better make the journey in a Hum-V and carry an assault weapon for protection.

That's Breeders Cup weekend. Stay home and watch the ponies. By then, maybe we'll know if McConnell's on first, if Jurich is on second and if Pitino's on third. BIG 12 informs West Virginia that conference expansion plans are on hold. Say it with me one time. Sounds like the rejection form letter I got in the mail years ago when I applied for a job at Ford....

Meanwhile, in stuff we really care about...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO UofL head women's baketball coach Jeff Walz. If you see him at the Cardinal WBB kickoff luncheon tomorrow, bestow your blessings. He may be the only one left out there with any common sense...when it comes to decision making and avoidance of sticking foot in mouth.

******************************************************************

The University of Louisville women's golf squad rallied on the final day of tournament action in Las Vegas and finished fifth in the Las Vegas Inter-collegiate challenge. The final tallies: 

Tara Lyons                    final round 75     222 total     tied for 20th.
Anna-Karin Ljungstrom   final round 72     225 total     tied for 26th.
Emily Haas                   final round 79     226 total     tied for 31st.
Katie Petrino                final round 76     " " " " " "     "  "  "  "  "  "
Maria Castallanos         final round 82     227 total     tied for 36th.

The Cards also had three players competing as individuals in Vegas:

Sara Karlsson              final round 81     232 total      tied for 55th.
Maike Klein                 final round 84     "  "  "  "       "  "  "  "  '' " "
Candice Wiley             final round 82     242 total      tied for 80th.

Thus endeth the fall gold schedule for the Lady Cards. They'll swing back into action on Feb.20th. back in Nevada...at the UNLV Spring Tournament. Vegas, baby...wonder if any of them need a caddy?

******************************************************************

Cardinal men's hoops started the exhibition season out in the right way with a 74-55 defeat over Pikeville University. This one was over early...the Cards streaking out to a 16-0 lead to start the game. Pitino has some talented "bigs" on the team this year...freshman power forward Chane Behanan with 16 points, center Gorgui Dieng 14 points and 15 boards and tall guy Zach Price with several nice follow up tips for scores.

Maybe the season's start will keep Rick's mind off football for awhile....

nochoiceisachoice

Pitino, Lolla, Kordes and Ferguson-Dayes headline Cardinal Caravan

.





THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE



-Coaches, Jurich headline Cardinal Caravan



-Soccer at EKU tonight



-Walz pleased with Canada trip



A large crowd of Cardinal fans enjoyed Thursday afternoon/evening at Captain's Quarters...hearing athletic director Tom Jurich and several other coaches speak.



WE like the coverage and photo Charlie Springer, over at UofL Card Game came up

with at the event and encourage you to check out his story of it at http://www.uoflcardgame.com/







No football coaches at the meet and greet...understandable since the season begins in two weeks

and preparation is at Defcon 5 to get ready for the home opener. Charlie Strong probably didn't

want to discuss the brewing issue with assistant coach Clint Hurtt and his days at Miami anyway.



Karen Ferguson-Dayes made the trip despite women's soccer opening tonight at EKU and

volleyball coach Anne Kordes, a never-ending first year ball of energy, relayed information on her squad...which is ranked #1 in the BIG EAST.



Reports back to us indicate that the food was plentiful and delicious, the beverages a welcome relief on a hot afternoon by the Ohio River and the Ladybirds dance team are as alluring as ever.



WE like the comment Rick Pitino made when on stage...indicating that he thought it might be possible that the women's basketball team might win a national championship before his players. No pressure, Coach Walz...just keep 'em healthy and motivated.

*************************************************************************************



UofL women's soccer kicks it off tonight in Richmond, KY. to face Eastern Kentucky University. Let's hope the possible rains and thunderstorms hold off. Up to 6 inches of rain in St. Louis last night and Louisville usually gets what they do...straight down I-64.

*************************************************************************************

The Courier-Journal's Jody Demling with some nice tidbits via conversation with Jeff Walz about the Canada trip in Friday's Courier Sports section. We've said it for awhile now...and Walz confirmed it when the topic turned to freshman Jude Schimmel. She may have been the least heralded of the three freshmen arriving on campus but the younger sister of Shoni definitely has game. Jeff Walz isn't a coach that pleases easily...enjoy the read at the link below:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110818/SPORTS02/308180089/Louisville-women-s-basketball-team-s-trip-Canada-met-all-Walz-s-expectation?odyssey=nav%7Clead

.

Rockcastle County down Manual in O.T. for title

SUNDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

-Rockcastle Co. takes 2011 Kentucky Girls Basketball State Championship.

-Softball splits Saturday.

-McCarty, Abdullah in NCAA Championships.

Lacrosse vs. Jacksonville

.

Sideline reporters contest.

Tough loss for Pitino's Cards.

Congratulations to Rockcastle County, winners of the 2011 Kentucky Girls Basketball High School title. They came from behind to down Louisville Manual 62-60. (Photo by Joe Imel, AP).

Senior point guard Angie Lawrence hit an off-balance runner down the lane with under two seconds left in overtime for the two point win. Rockcastle County had trailed by as many as nine in the third quarter. Lawrence finished with 18 points and All-American senior post Sara Hammond had 26 points and 11 boards against the Crimsons. Leasia Wright had 19 for Manual. It is the first state championship in history for Rockcastle County.

"She had that look in her eye, like she was ready to take over and win this thing...so we just got out of her way and let her go to work." Sara Hammond commenting on Lawrence's winning score.

They got there with a semifinal win over Calloway County 57-38 Saturday morning. Hammond had 15 points and 13 grabs for the Rockets and Lawrence 12 points. Manual made the finals by edging out Marion County 56-54 in the semis. Kyvin Goodin-Rogers totaled 20 and Makayla Epps 18 for Marion County in the close loss.

.

************************************************************************************

Louisville split in two games yesterday at Ulmer Stadium in the Louisville Softball Classic. Michigan won the opener 4-1 and the Cards edged WKU 3-2 i the nightcap.

.

Michigan used a three run top of the seventh inning to grab a 4-0 lead. The Cards were in a position to tie in the bottom half of the inning. After Chelsea Jordan scored to make it 4-1, the bases were loaded for Alicja Wolny but she grounded out to end the game. Tori Collins (7-4) took the loss for Louisville. Michigan goes to 24-0 with the win.

.

The Cards grabbed an early lead against WKU in the second game and the teams battled back and forth before freshman Taner Fowler smashed a two RBI double in the sixth inning to put Louisville on top to stay 3-2. Carlisa Connell started on the strip and went 4 innings before Collins came in for the relief and the win. Freshmen Fowler and Katie Keller had two hits each for Louisville in the win.

.

Louisville plays two more today...Michigan at 1 p.m. and WKU at 3 p.m. Looks like a beautiful day for it, get out and get some!

.

************************************************************************************

D'Ana McCarty finished ninth in the finals of the women's shot put at Texas A&M in the NCAA Indoor National Championships. Khaldija Abdullah also competed but did qualify for the medal round.

*************************************************************************************

Louisville Lacrosse defeated Jacksonville 17-7 on the road yesterday. Bergan Foley with five goals, Emily Dashiell added four for the Cards. Louisville held a narrow 4-3 halftime lead before the second half surge that improves the Cards to 4-0 on the season. Freshman Ashley Herbst had 10 saves at goalie for UofL. The game was held at a Georgia high school football field and it was the first ever Division 1 field hockey game played in the state. Louisville extended their streak of scoring at least 10 goals a game to 14 games.

.

*************************************************************************************

.

Alex Flanangan survived a late voting charge for Bonnie Bernstein and advances to the round of eight in the CARDINAL COUPLE Sideline Reporters Contest. Today's match-up pits Pam Oliver against Stacey Dales.

The heavenly looking Oliver (pictured left) does foosball for Fox Sports and was the one who originally broke the story that Donovan McNabb was leaving the Philadelphia Eagles. Stacy Dales (formerly Stacy Dales Schumann) was an excellent college hoopster and does both basketball and football for ESPN. She's seen here keeping Maryland's Ralph Fridgen from the team buffet at a college football game. Feel free to vote in the comments section here (which few of you ever do) or e-mail us at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com (which many of you do) with your choice. Paul is Oliver smitten, Sonja likes Dales and David Watson voted for Ralph...

.

*************************************************************************************

.

Tough loss for Pitino's Cards last night to Connecticut in the BIG EAST finals 69-66. Can't understand why people are bashing Mike Marra over this and making him the goat. Louisville had a chance to take it to overtime and Preston Knowles had a good look at the three ball, it just didn't drop. Can't blame Marra for the intercepted in-bounds pass earlier (it was tipped) or missing the second of three free throws with a chance to tie and 4 seconds on the clock. Louisville will receive a great seed in the NCAA Tournament and the Cards won a lot of hearts and minds out there in college hoops land with their frenetic style of play and the guts and determination of this squad...that battled back from double digit deficits to lead late two nights in a row.

.

You win as a team and lose as a tea. Wouldn't surprise US in the least if Marra comes back and has a fabulous NCAA Tournament. Kemba Walker is a warrior, no disgrace in losing to him and the Huskies.

.

Softball pounds Morehead, Girls Sweet Sixteen

THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY...at CARDINAL COUPLE!

-Softball Cards win 12-1 in five innings.

-Sweet Sixteen Thursday Games...

-The Sideline reporters Sweet Sixteen.

-Marra, Knowles advance the CARDS in BIG EAST and David Watson comments.

Chelsea Bemis (pictured here) and Maggie Ruckenbrod had the hot bats on a cold day at Ulmer Stadium...driving in four runs each in Louisville's 12-1 win over Morehead State. The Cards (12-6) got three strong innings from starting pitcher Carlisa Connell who allowed one run on three hits and Tori Collins threw two innings of shutout relief for Louisville. Connell is 4-2 on the season.

Louisville started the scoring in the first when Jennifer Esteban singled and came home on a Ruckenbrod double to give the Cards a 1-0 lead. Louisville would add five runs in the second. Hannah Kiyohara began the inning with a single and scored on a Esteban double. Bemis doubled to score Esteban. After Alicja Wolny reached first on a base on balls...Ruckenbrod took one deep to left for a three run homer...making it 6-0.

The Eagles got their lone run in the top of the third when they loaded the bases and scored on a Louisville fielding miscue. Connell was able to retire Morehead, though, with no further damage.

Lousiville struck again in the bottom of the third. A Chelsea Bemis triple got Katelyn Mann and Katie Keller to home plate and Bemis reached there when Wolny singled to make it 9-1.

The Cards lit up the scoreboard for three more in the bottom of the fourth. Louisville loaded the bases with two Morehead fielding errors and a walk. Christina Roberts tapped a fielder's choice that Tanner Fowler scored on, Sarah Anderson came home on a bases loaded walk and Roberts completed the Cardinal scoring when Bemis grounded out.

Louisville returns to action at Ulmer this weekend in the Louisville Softball Classic. Michigan and WKU come to town and Louisville will play each team on Saturday and Sunday.

.

************************************************************************************

.

First round action in the Kentucky Girls Sweet Sixteen concluded with four games yesterday:

-Sheldon Clark advanced over Boyd County 74-59. Three Sheldon Clark players hit double figures, including Carla Booth. Sheldon never trailed in the contest.

.

-Calloway County got past Newport Central Catholic in overtime 62-57. West Virginia signee Averee Fields had 30 points for the winners. NCC missed a chance to win it in regulation as time expired.

.

-Rockcastle County moves to the "great eight" with a hard fought win over Madison Central 55-52. Louisville signee Sara Hammond had 23 for Rockcastle. Madison led 32 -31 at the half and this one went back and forth until Angie Lawrence hit a jumper with 28 seconds left to make it 54-52 Rockcastle County. She was one of three in double figure scoring for Rockcastle.

.

-Clay County used a strong fourth quarter to get past Owensboro Catholic 61-48. They held a 40-37 lead after three quarters. Sophomore Becca Greenwell, the state's leading scorer had 28 for Owensboro in the loss.

.

*************************************************************************************

.

Tony Siragusa sneaks by Suzy Kolber in first round action in the CARDINAL COUPLE Sweet Sixteen of Sideline Reporters. Today's matchup is Jeanine Edwards vs. Allison Williams. Jeanine (pictured left) is a veteran sideline reporter and seems to find controversy everywhere she goes. Former UK head basketball coach Billy Gillespie embarrassed her on national TV during an 'at the half' interview. Then, this year...former ESPN announcer Ron Franklin used a slur and obscenity when referring to her during a production meeting during college football bowl season. Franklin was fired for the remarks. She also covers horse racing (never go with her selections...she's a horrible handicapper!) Allison Williams is the "next big thing" on the sidelines and has drawn rave reviews for her BIG EAST and SEC Women's tournament reports. She's pretty easy on the eyes, too. I know which one I'd rather have explain "deep penetration by the post" to me...

You can vote in the comments section or e-mail it to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

.

To those who raised questions and offered protests about yesterday's guy vs. girl matchup...objection noted and over-ruled. And, there will be another one down the road as well when Eamon McAnaney goes up against Sam Ryan. We're equal opportunity and objective here at CARDINAL COUPLE. To those who are upset that ex-Pittsburgh Steeler and NFL sideline reporter Lynn Swann didn't make the sweet sixteen...get over it. I'm upset that Fern Creek's girls basketball team didn't make the Kentucky High School Girls Sweet Sixteen but you don't see me shedding any tears over it. (But thanks for the comments...).

.

************************************************************************************

.

Mike Marra and Preston Knowles led Louisville's men's basketball team to a win over Marquette last night. Marra had (6) three pointers in the 81-56 romp. The CARDS get Notre Dame tonight in the semi-finals. Game time is 9 p.m. on the four letter network. Rick Pitino says that this has been his favorite team to coach since he had eight future NBA player at Kentucky in 1996. David Watson says this about Rick Pitino:

.

Rick spins another win. All the worry about the mighty Marquette, Buzz 'the best young coach in the league' Williams and 'not deserving' the win last time against the Golden Eagles in the"Miracle on Main Street" went out the window in a flurry of Louisville threes and Marquette's dead legs. Rick wants none of this double bye stuff for the BIG EAST, you see. If the Cards hadn't received this dreaded double bye, though, they'd have the same problem going into the Notre Dame game tonight that Marquette had last night. Dead legs. According to Rick, none of the BIG EAST coaches, that holy grail of men in suits (and Huggins), wanted a double bye. I personally think that all this tournament stuff is way over-hyped and it serves to wear teams out before the NCAA. I'm told I'm wrong, I'm crazy and I don't realize the strength and resiliency of today's college athlete. All I know is I saw a bunch of worn out Golden Eagles in the last five minutes of last night's game. And, I won't be picking Marquette to advance in the NCAA Tournament, provided they get in and I think they will. Hey, this is my spin. If Rick can do it, so can I. The difference being that people listen to his and not mine.

.

DAVID WATSON is a special contributor to CARDINAL COUPLE and we think he'd enjoy taking 'spinning' lessons. Maybe he and Rick can enroll together...

.