Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Final Four Bound!!!

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Cards headed to the Final Four!

(Jenny O'Bryan with the byline on the thrilling Lady Cards victory that puts them in the Final Four Sunday night against California.)

Wow, where do you start?  This team is absolutely peaking at the right time.  Good coaching?  Believing?  Hard work finally paying off?  All of the above?  Whatever it is, it looks good on these Cardinals!

Louisville Women’s Basketball pulled off yet another shocker in the world of women’s basketball.  Defeating Baylor on Sunday night was a shock like none other in this game.  Everyone questioned how Louisville and Coach Walz would rebound from that emotional outing.  Question answered!  Louisville takes down Tennessee to make only their 2^nd ever Final Four appearance.  This could not have happened to a better group of young women. 

Louisville started the game with a bang.  Hot out of the gates the Cards were passing nicely, hitting some shots and causing all kinds of turnovers for Tennessee.   Tennessee looked dazed and confused.  Louisville was crashing the boards, especially the offensive boards, better than I have ever seen during the first half.   Louisville takes a 41-26 lead into halftime. 

The Cardinals came out of halftime and opened with a pass to Mo Reid down low under the bucket for an easy 2.  After a turnover, the Cards hit back-to-back 3’s to grow the lead to 20 points.  It seemed too easy.  Well, easy it was not.  Tennessee was not going away quietly.  Senior Taber Spani got hot in the second half and slowly helped to chip away the lead Louisville had built.  From about the 12 minute mark until the 3:00 minute mark, it looked like Tennessee just might catch the Cards.    It was not to be.  The Cards sparked a scoring spree, led by a lay in by Shoni Schimmell that saw the  

lead balloon back up to 12 with just under a minute to go.

The Cardinals held on and won, 86-78. 

Shoni Schimmel was named the Regions Most Outstanding Player, and with good reason.  She has found her groove this postseason and led the team in scoring in both the Baylor game (22) and the Tennessee game (24). 

While S. Schimmel has really stepped up her game and is deserving of the award, overall, all of the Cardinals are playing incredible ball this post season.  Coach Walz has said it all season long, we have said it here, if this team could all play well on the same night, they can compete with anyone in the country.  That is exactly what they are doing this postseason. Every one of these players has upped their game!

From crisp passing, crashing the boards, stellar defense and an onslaught of offensive options the Louisville Women’s Basketball team is putting it all together at the right time.  They are playing hard and having fun and winning.  What more can you ask for? 

The Cardinals will head to the Final Four for just the second time in the history of the program.  Both appearances in the Final Four have been led by Coach Jeff Walz.  Louisville is just the second 5 seed to ever make it to the Final Four. 

This is also only the 10^th time that the same University has both its men’s and women’s team both in the Final Four.

This has been no walk in the park for Louisville Basketball.  Louisville has played and beaten a #4 seed (Purdue), a #1 seed (Baylor) -- the overall #1 team in the country and prohibitive favorite to repeat as National Champions -- and a #2 seed (Tennessee). So much for your seeding theories, NCAA.

Louisville will face the #2 seed California Golden Bears in the semifinal game on Sunday evening in New Orleans.  Should the team win that game they will face another #1 seed in either UConn or Notre Dame.   It should be noted that Cal is making it to the Final Four for the first time in their programs history. 

Coach Walz said it best in his interview after the game.  “We are the ugly ducklings of the tournament.  No one wanted or expected us here.  But our journey continues”. 

So it does.  My room is secure in New Orleans.  I anticipate securing my tickets to the games early   Will you be headed to New Orleans to ride this wave with our beloved Cardinals? 

 

Congratulations Coach Walz, and the entire coaching staff.  You have given this team every opportunity to grow as players, and they have risen to the occasion.  You have given this team the belief and confidence that they can win, and they have.  You have given this team every reason to believe that there are still 2 wins left to be had.   Excellent, excellent coaching!  Congratulations. 

 The media is calling this team Cinderella, I simply call it Louisville Basketball!

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Just a quick thought.   I have said it, the media has said it, Coach Walz has said it, Cardinal Couple has said it…just think what this team could do if it were healthy.   With 3 would be starters on the bench, just how good could this team be if they were healthy? 

We will never know the answer to that questions, but….

This is the second season that Louisville Basketball has battled significant injuries.  Due to those injuries, Bria Smith and Sara Hammond got thrown out of the frying pan into the fire their freshman year.  Due to injuries this year, Jude is getting more time, and Antonita Slaughter has had a break out year.  Injuries are a part of the game.  Every program deals with them.  Perhaps Louisville Basketball is as strong as it is because of these injuries.   The growth of the aforementioned players has been critical in getting the team to where they are today.  Maybe, just maybe, the injuries have helpedthis program.

I have my opinions.  What are yours?  Let us know in the comment section.  

-Jenny O'Bryan

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In a season where the Lady Cards have through the benching of Shoni for a half, a thumping by Syracuse to end the season and by Notre Dame to end the conference

tournament...plus the death of two of the players' grandmothers...the adversity, injuries and conflicts are all now water under the bridge.

Jeff Walz is headed to Lou Orleans. 64 entered, four remain.

Celebrate with other Cardinal fans tonight at Ulmer Stadium as Louisville plays UK in softball at 6 p.m. We have confirmation on the report that the team will be arriving back today at 12:45 p.m. at the Student Activities Center. 

-Paulie

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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Cards WBB prepares for MTSU -- Softball splits with Oklahoma

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

IN GAME UPDATES - LIVE FROM

-Update 4:31 p.m. 74-49 FINAL Shoni with 20, Mo with 15.

-Update 4:24 pm. Shelby Harper in with 2:45 left. 70-47 Cards 

-Update 4:17 p.m. It's 66-44 with 4:17 left. Deines in.  The Blue Raider just got raided.

-Update 4:10 p.m. Cards now lead 58-44 Shoni with eight second-half points. 6:08 remains in the game

-Update 4:01 p.m. Cards take off on a exciting run. 49-40 with 9:05 left. Shoni and Mo with ten combined second half points.

-Update 3:53 p.m. Cards clinging to a 38-35 lead, Shoni with 11 points. Refs are making some very interesting calls...

-Update 3:44 p.m. It's now 34-33 UofL with 15:59 to go The "horse of a different color" is charging down the stretch at Churchill Yum!

-Update Half 34-27 Cards. Nervous time..

-Update 3:10 p.m. Louisville up 32-24. Elie has three threes for MTSU and Louisville shooting 45%. 2:03 left.

-Update 3:03 p.m.. Got a 24-13 Cardinal lead. Offense getting a bit stagnant. TV time out and Walz preaching.

-Update 2:54 p.m. It's 20-8 and Walz is about to have a stroke on the sidelines. Elie has two threes for MTSU, Shoni with five points for us and three others with four each. Jude, Mo and Walton have seen action off the bench so far.

-Update 2:47 p.m. Make that 18-3. Five different players have scored and Louisville on a 14-0 run. Blue section in 102-103 rather quiet.

-Update 2:44 p.m. Cards 9 - MTSU 3 16:55 left Vails has four !


-Update 2:28 p.m. 7:09 until tip. Cards still warming up. MTSU just came back out. They got a good crowd here, the Blue Raiders do. Overall, looks like we may have 8,000 in here. Gaps in the end zones. Upstairs curtained off. Play ball, already!

-Update #2. 65-32 Boilermakers putting out the Liberty Flames. Sonja getting drowsy, must be a blow-out. Coutrney Moses with 21 for PU. Quick, little guard. 

-Update from the YUM! Purdue 33 - Liberty 17 at the half. Looking like the Cards will have Boilermakers on Tuesday if this keeps up.-  

-Cards look to Middle Tennessee, Rowe

-Media Day at KFC YUM!

-Softball splits with #1 Oklahoma

-Pick 'Em Contest -- nobody's perfect


(Quentin Voigt has the preview of the Middle Tennessee Radiers in the Sunday Edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. It isn't too late...get your tickets today and get out there for the
2:40 p.m. tip --- or the noon tip for Liberty/Purdue!)

Congratulations to the Lady Cardinals on achieving a #5 seed in the 2013 NCAA Women's Tournament. They will take on the #12 seed Sun Belt Conference champs -- the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders at approximately 2:40 p.m. Sunday (or 30 minutes following the Liberty/Purdue game). By no means new to the NCAA Tournament, MTSU is making their 5th. consecutive appearance in the "Big Dance".

Coached by Rick Insell, MTSU comes to the tournament with an impressive 25-7 overall record and 17-3 Sun Belt Conference slate. They won the regular season and conference titles. Teams they have played include losses to Tennessee by seven -- in overtime -- and a 22 point defeat by the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. Other losses include Iowa by six, South Dakota State by seven, FIU by seven, Troy by four and UARL by eight. In Coach Insell's words:

"Louisville is a good matchup for us - it's good for our fans. It'll be good for our team. It will help keep us in our routine for when we travel on the road and a three-hour drive isn't bad at all."

Let's hope our Lady Cards can do something to move Coach Insell out of his comfort zone when the game commences.

Leading rebounder (11 rpg) and point-maker for the Blue Radiers in Lexington, KY junior 6'1" Ebony Rowe. She's started every game for MTSU and has played an average of 39.2 minutes a contest. Next is 5'9" senior guard Kortni Jones with 16.4 ppg and a team high 4.5 assists per game. Icelyn Elie, a 6'1" senior, contributes 13.9 ppg and 7.3 rebounds. Jones and Elie are the three-point threats.

As a team, the Blue Raiders typically score 67.7 points a game, make 41.3% of their shots (30.3% from three range) 71.0% of their free throws, 15.9 turnovers a game and get 9.1 steals. They average 4213 fans a home contest. Coach Insell's success has probably been a result of the chip he seems to carry about recruiting:

"We are going after the best players in the state of Tennessee every year. If Tennessee or Vanderbilt is after them, then Middle Tennessee is going to be after them, too. We will recruit alongside of them. We are not going to be intimidated, nor will we back down because they are in the Southeastern Conference, We are Division I, they are Division I. We are going to use all of our contacts." 

10 of his 13 players this year are from Tennessee.

If the Lady Cards can defend the Lady from Lexington and force her into a sub-par performance while firing on all cylinders themselves then I think UofL will "survive and move on."


-Quentin Voigt


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I headed to the KFC YUM! Center after our Saturday Morning Confusion Radio show on Crescent Hill Radio to attend Media/Practice Day. Got there just in time to catch the press conference for Liberty University. Carey Green is a likable coach who builds his basketball philosophy around two things. Rebounding and Jesus Christ. The players know if they shout out things like "Block Out", "Rebound" or praise Jesus in the huddle or in practice, they are fulfilling the goals he has for the team. The Flames flew into Louisville and actually did a little sight-seeing --getting a tour of Churchill Downs before heading to the YUM! Center.

Let's hope they didn't run into Tommy Boy or Bread Boy out there. I doubt they placed any exactas or pick 4's either.

They're here to win and are not intimidated by the facility or Purdue. When I went out to the Denny Crum Court to watch them practice after the presser, I did catch several of them looking around at the interior of the KFC YUM! Center with open mouths and looks of wonderment, though.

Welcome to the big time, Flames. Good luck.

I had a little "down" time before the next presser and hit the media buffet. I heartily recommend the loaded potato soup and hope it makes a re-appearance today. It was also good to see Brad Knoop again, back in the YUM! as the moderator for the press conferences. Where you been, boy?  The likable and affable Knoop has always been a Paulie favorite. Other media were present...no major names...the usual Courier-Journal, AP and the always stand-offish, brown-nosing Jody Demling from Cardinal Authority. (If you read this, Jody...just kidding. WE steal some of our best material from your site.) Everyone was anxious for the Walz presser to begin, since a rather important event was taking place in Lexington in a few hours and most of these local guys were headed there.  

Coach Walz, Bria Smith, Shoni Schimmel and Sara Hammond took the podium at 2 p.m. The players answered questions, Walz threw in a few barbs and jokes and talked about the upcoming game. Five things from the presser I feel are print-worthy.

1) Walz says he has no idea who the other two teams are in town. He is solely focused on MTSU. I don't fully believe that...but I like the dedication and focus to the immediate task at hand. As he said, "We're all quite aware that it's one and done time."

2) Walz feels whoever scores the most points will win. He delivered that pearl of wisdom when I was asking Sara Hammond about negating the +4 margin MTSU has on opponents this season. It's refreshing to know that Coach still remembers the basics of the game. Most points...yeah, that's the ticket.

3) Walz isn't concerned about the pace or tempo of the contest. He'll be happy with "an ugly win" as compared to a "great loss". Yep, Jeff was on his "A" game yesterday.

4) Bria Smith says she can play any of the guard spots but feels she can best help the team at point. We're having a "good citizenship" trophy ordered for her. All three players are very team-focused and that's a good thing.

5) Strangest question I've heard at a presser lately. Whoever the lady was with the rapid-fire approach asks Walz a rambling question how who would win if the coaches had to go one-on-one against each other in the tournament. Walz used the opportunity to recall his own playing career at NKU. A career that spanned 2 1/2 seasons and featured absolutely no defense, except for hand-checking. His early retirement from the hardwood was a sad day for all fans who love the "get me the ball, I'll shoot it and defense, no way..." type of ballplayer. Walz, Iverson, Maravich, Barry and Angel. All legends.

After that, it was time to go. Important stuff coming up in Lexington, you know...

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Louisville Softball split with the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners yesterday in softball. It is the first time the Softball Cards have ever defeated a #1 ranked team.

Caralisa Connell tossed a four-hitter (Good Carl!) in the opener and Taner Fowler had two RBI's in the 5-1 win. TF's double in the top of the fourth made it 4-0 and she later scored on a Katie "Killer" Keller single.

The second game was a 9-1, five inning affair. The Sooners rocked Rachel LeCoq for seven hits and produced six runs in the fifth inning to blow the doors off the Cardinal bus.

Taner Fowler drilled a pitch over the left field fence for Louisville's only score in the top of the fifth. Her second base-cleaner of the year.

They were to meet again today at 1 p.m.
It's been cancelled due to inclement weather in the midwest. (thanks to Jeff McAdams and asst. SID Lori Korte for the news.)
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Nobody got all sixteen games correct in the first day of the CARDINAL COUPLE WBB Tournament Pick 'Em...but Nell J. got awfully close with 15 out of 16 correct. She's followed by seven contestants that went 14 for 16 in their picks...including CARDINAL COUPLE staff columnist Jeff (Zach) McAdams. Jenny's in a group of six that finished 13-3.

As for Sonja, Paulie, Bill the Goat and David Watson...we'd rather not talk about it. Colorado's loss to Kansas and Syracuse's fold to Creighton seemed to be the games that tripped most of us up.

Good luck in Day 2! We'll be back later today with a game report on the hoops and COME TO THE YUM! for the games today!!!

COME TO THE YUM!

-Paulie

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Cards ready to host 1st/2nd rounds of NCAA Tournament

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Staff Columnist and radio personality Jenny O' Bryan with today's report and a good one it is...the Selection Monday for WBB at the KFC YUM! Center! She also did the photos that you'll find in today's article. They would not allow her or Jeff in the bouncies, however...)

Fans waiting for Lady Cards autographs!

One of the many things I love about Louisville Women’s Basketball is how attending a women’s basketball event is such a family affair.  Selection Monday at the YUM Center was no different as the team welcomed fans, young and old, to a watch party as the NCAA Bracket was revealed. 

From the onset fans were greeted by the team set up in the lobby of the main concourse providing season posters and autographing them for the Cardinal Faithful.  Many waited in line to greet, chat with and get autographs from their favorite players. 

The lobby was filled with not only opportunities to meet the team, but free pictures with Louie the Cardinal Bird, face painting and a giant bounce house and slide greeted the young at heart.   I found myself spending much of the hour prior to the bracket unveiling snapping pictures and talking to friends who love this women’s program. 

When I finally found my way into the lower bowl and found my seating, I was delighted to see such a good turnout for the night.  My unofficial guestimate for the night would put the crowd between 300-350 Cardinal Faithful. 

Shelby Harper signs for the fans

Fans would have to wait until the final region of the bracket was revealed to learn who our first round opponent would be.  That is not to say that it was a long night of waiting by any means.  Cardinal PA announcer Sean Moth spent the commercial breaks between each regions unveiling speaking to several members of the Cardinal team.  Bria Smith, Coach Cameron Newbauer, Sara Hammond and Coach Jeff Walz all got a few minutes at the mic.  Shelby Harper also seemed to be put on the spot and given the mic just a few minutes before the show began.

One of the themes of the night, from anyone given an opportunity to speak, was the fan support of this team.  All three players and both Coaches mentioned one of the best things about playing/coaching for Louisville Women’s Basketball is the fan support.  Coach Newbauer apparently was told early on, in this his first season with the team, that even in a bad game fans woud number 8,000+.  He mentioned that being one of the many things that stand out to him from this season.  The players, too, were all very appreciative of the fan support and are grateful to play the 1^st (and hopefully 2^nd) round of the tournament at home in front of such great fan support.

Hammond, when asked about the transition from her freshman to sophomore year, commented on the pace and physicality of the game.  As an incoming freshman one comes in and is just “wow’d” by how much faster the game is.  She was better prepared for that after a season under her belt and off season workouts to improve her game.  Smith commented on an already physical game getting tougher in the post season.  Both are grateful for the home comforts that hosting the first rounds provide. 

Bouncies for the kids!

Coach Walz commented after the show on being pleased with the draw.  All three teams coming to the YUM Center Middle Tennessee, Purdue and Liberty all travel well and are very close in proximity.  All can and will bring fans with them to the YUM Center.  It is of utmost importance for any Cardinal fan out there who has been waiting to get their tickets, to do so now.  Now that the bracket is established, fans of other teams will be securing their seats as well.  Coach Walz would love for the Cardinal Faithful to fill the lower bowl and continue to support this team. 

I went in to the evening hoping Louisville got a little unfair treatment from the Bracket Committee, as in years past, and maybe got seeded a little lower than they deserved, and would be pushed down to a 6 seed.  Much like one of the readers here at the Couple commented recently, a 6 seed would have pushed us in to the lower half of the bracket and matched us against a potential 2 seed in the regionals instead of a 1 seed.   Instead, a very reasonable 5 seeding for the team gets the team the likely 1 seed if they make it to the Sweet 16.  In this case, Baylor. 

Before I go too far down that road, though, the team first has to be ready for 1^st round action on Sunday around 2:30 p.m. as an estimated tip time.   It’s win and survive, or lose and go home. 

The NCAA Tournamnet kicks off in Louisville on Sunday around 12:10 for first round action of Purdue (4) vs. Liberty (13).  Following that game is our hometown favorite Cardinals (5) vs. Middle Tennessee State University (12) with an estimated tip off at 2:30 p.m.

Allie ready to celebrate after face-painting

Not only can we not overstate the need to buy your tickets and get your butts in the seats for our Cardinals game, but a strong attendance for both games will go a long way in helping to secure future bids for hosting touranments.  It is not enough to show up just for Louisville.  Get there early and watch back to back games and see just what is in store for our team when they make it to the second round against the winner of the first game. 

Cardinal Faithful, this is your call to action!  Be there.  Support your local team. Support your hometown seniors Monique Reid and Shelby Harper as they play their final games at KFC Yum Center. 

Editor note: Great recap of the event, Jenny! Be sure to listen to Cardinal Couple Radio on Saturday for interviews with Julie Hermann, Sean Moth, Cam Newbauer, Al Greener, Asia Taylor and fan reaction to the Cards seed and
opponents....

HERE'S A INFORMATIVE READ ON LOUISVILLE'S FIRST ROUND MATCHUP:

http://www.goblueraiders.com/content.cfm/id/66889

 

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I apologize for the lack of detail, but, wanted to inform the readers that the Softball Cards lost on Monday to Iowa 6-2. 

A positive note for softball, though, is that junior catcher Maggie Ruckenbrod was named Big East Softball Player of the Week.  Congratulations Maggie, keep digging them out of the dirt and pegging them off at the bags!

Editor's Note:  The Cards were in trouble early in this one, but for once is wasn't Caralisa Connell in hot water. Rachel Le Coq drew the start but didn't make it out of the first Iowa at-bat before Connell came in to relieve.

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Lacrosse Cards crept back in to the rankings at #20 this week after adding two more wins on the season.  Check out the latest news out of the lacrosse camp:

http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/031813aaa.html

Also, congrats to Katie Oliverio for being named to the Big East Honor Roll!

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I would be remiss to not mention this news on Louisville’s incredible Athletic Director Tom Jurich.  He has been named as a finalist for Athletic Director of the Year award. 

Tom Jurich has led this Univeristy in ways that I can not even begin to mention.  Check out the attached article to really understand some of the many things he has done, and continues to do for the athletic programs at U of L.  Of particular note this past winter was securing a long term contract with the highly sought after Coach Charlie Strong of football.  If that was not enough for one man’s job, he also steered Louisville out of the soon to be defunct Big East Conference as we know it, and secured a spot for the University of Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). 

It is my humble opinion that Mr. Jurich is highly deserving of this award.  Congratulations to a very deserving man.  In Tom we Trust!

http://www.gocards.com/genrel/031813aab.html

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Friday Cardinal Couple -- The return of Watson and Louisville softball

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-He's back...David Watson on Cardinal WBB

-Softball prepares for Louisville Softball Classic

( CARDINAL COUPLE Columnist emeritus David Watson returns today with his views on the Louisville WBB season...so far. One thing about David we've always loved...there is no grey area in his columns...you either agree whole-heartedly or I get e-mails complaining about him. You're on the tee, Dave-O...fire away!)


I am pleased to be front and center once again here at CC in today's edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. I haven't missed submitting bi-weekly articles here; life has been fast and furious for me for the last few months and I did go through successful hip-replacement surgery, so there has been a brief convalescent period as well. Nevertheless, typing on these pages again bring back some very fond memories and some bitter-sweet ones as well.

If you are relatively new to Paulie's whirling dervish here, my name is David Watson and I used to be a semi-regular columnist on these pages. Back in the early days. When Sonja still wrote here and before the days of Cardinal Couple Radio (A show I really like). There was no columnists "Q" or Jeff. I like their work, by the way, and Jenny and Sandy's as well. I may not contribute but sporadically anymore, but I do read almost every day. I'm happy to see the site have the successes it has. I'd like to think I'm responsible for it in a very small portion. Paulie tells me differently. But, he also told me the world was flat and that he can communicate with squirrels.

When he asked me to contribute this week, he gave me a few topic ideas. There was only one way I was going, though, and that was to write about the University of Louisville women's basketball team. What's left of it.

I looked forward to the start of this season with great anticipation. Jeff Walz had a stable of runners that looked like they could seriously be the fly in the ointment for UConn and Notre Dame's domination of BIG EAST supremacy. I was ready to see the all-court hustle of Tia Gibbs. Knew that Asia Taylor would continue her board mastery and when she faltered that Shawnta Dyer would be there to help Monique Reid score inside and rebound.

As we know, none of this either happened or lasted very long. There were plenty of things to still excite me, though. Shoni's aerial attacks on rims across the nation. The strong-willed, determined approach of Sara Hammond in the paint. I expected Nita Slaughter would finally become a consistent and steady contributor to Walz's wards and that Sherrone Vails would regain the touch that made her a freshman on the rise. Bria Smith's driving ability excited me and I knew she could become a point guard in time. I looked forward to the contributions of the freshmen Walton and Deines and hoped that Jude Schimmel and Shelby Harper could become valuable contributors off the bench.

And, for the most part -- I got what I wanted in this area of Cardinal women's basketball.

I also wanted the Cards to finally prove to me that they were a steady, unshakable team when it came to road games against good opponents. This is where they let me down.

I attended the debacle at South Bend. Barely able to hobble into the Joyce Center and having to stand for long stretches because of hip pain, the bombardment the Irish laid down hurt almost as much as my throbbing hip. One Irish fan even commented to me that I must really be a dedicated fan, standing in support of my battered Cardinals for the long stretches. I didn't correct him.

The loss at UConn was definitely expected but disappointing to me after the Cards had won a tough one at Providence. Falling at DePaul was a big surprise. Equally perplexing was the unexpected (by me) victory at Tampa over USF and then losing to them in the Roman Coliseum/KFC YUM! Center. I was also surprised by Louisville's final regular season folding of the tent at Syracuse. All in all, though -- a 11-5 record in the BIG EAST isn't anything to gnash my teeth about in angst. I thought 13-3 was achievable, but I do tend to wish for the moon and settle for moonshadows.

One thing I've noticed, however, is the lack of a definite team leader. The great teams have one. Diggins at Notre Dame. Griner at Baylor. Mathies at Kentucky (your hate mail can be sent to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com). Dolson at UConn. Alexander at Syracuse.

Angel.

Who will step up for Louisville NEXT year and be the girl? I'm relenting that it's too late this year for a candidate to emerge to assume the position. Louisville will skate through their two home NCAA games, probably end up in Baylor's bracket and eventually be sent home by 'Grinder' Griner and Sims. Or Stanford. Or UConn or Notre Dame.

You see it in the great teams. Siva on the men's team. Taurasi on the championship UConn squads. Parker at Tennessee. Adams at A&M a few years ago. Mercedes Russell will be a leader. Why she ended up in the backwoods of Tennessee playing for the third best team in the SEC is beyond me. Maybe she didn't get the memo that Pat retired and her son abdicated the throne and went to Milwaukee.

Who will lead? It's got to be a player who sees significant court time and can motivate others. A player who understands the game, isn't prone to emotional outbursts and can converse with the volatile Walz on the sidelines without breaking into tears or sulking when he does his sideline lecturing. Who is that player who can lead by example, hard work, dedication and rallying her teammates into spending the extra hours in the gym?

Who do I recommend? She may have zeroes on her back, but she's a 10 when it comes to hard work and leading by example. Take over, Sara and take this team to the final four in 2013-14.

So, dear readers, I wish you the best and we'll see you down the road again here. Make someone smile today. It'll do you both good.

Paulie, you owe me a "cold one" and if you find any good 8-tracks at yard sales, give me a call and I'll see if I have it or not.

--David Watson

( Editor's note. David Watson has over 5500 8-track cassettes and hopes someday to set a Guinness World Record for owning the most. I've seen the collection. He likes nothing better than to sit in his garage and pop one in his 8-track player for you that you've probably never heard of the artist before. )

WANT ANOTHER TAKE ON CARDINAL WBB? GO TO THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/6086

Thanks to Sandy Walker for the find and share!



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Louisville softball begins the four-day Louisville Softball Classic today and the Cards will get in four games over the duration. They play two today (North Carolina at 3 p.m. and Eastern Michigan at 5 p.m.) at Ulmer. They also engage Wisconsin on Sunday and Iowa on Monday. They get Saturday off...given the power of the Cardinal bats lately, one can only hope they're flying to the Cubs spring training camp and offering some pointers to my beleaguered Cubbies.

#11 Louisville is 21-3 on the season and is 9-0 at Ulmer this season. The Cards are batting .345 as a team. Katie Keller is fourth in the nation at .500 and has defeated two top 25 teams this season...LSU and Michigan. The Classic schedule below:

FRIDAY

10 a.m.   Wisconsin vs North Carolina
12:30 p.m   Wisconsin vs Eastern Michigan
3 p.m. LOUISVILLE vs North Carolina
5 p.m. LOUISVILLE vs Eastern Michigan

SATURDAY

10 a.m.   Ball State vs Wisconsin
12:30 p.m.  Eastern Michigan vs Wisconsin
3 p.m.  North Carolina vs Ball State
5:30 p.m.   North Carolina vs Eastern Michigan

SUNDAY

10 a.m.  LOUISVILLE vs Wisconsin
12:30 p.m.  Iowa vs North Carolina
3 p.m. Iowa vs Ball State

MONDAY

11 a.m.  Ball State vs Iowa
1:30 p.m. LOUISVILLE vs Iowa


Plenty of chances to get out and see your hard-hitting, nationally ranked Softball Cards in action. We'll recap the Cards' results here at the Couple and discuss the Friday play on our radio show Saturday on Crescent Hill Radio.

www.crescenthillradio.com

Word gets to me that co-host Jenny O'Bryan will be unavailable to us for the Saturday show...so it looks Jeff and I will be donning the headphones and carrying on...unless Boy George takes me up on my invitation to join us in the studio. Or Sandy Walker replies to my invite.

We have a great show planned, though...with an exclusive interview with WBB head Coach Jeff Walz and recaps of the BIG EAST Tournament and Louisville's impending foray into the NCAA Tournament. Plenty of exciting softball and lacrosse action to discuss as well and Jeff will be ready to deliver his version of Danny Boy with Merl, Daryl and Bill the Goat in celebration of St. Patrick's Day...just in case it all falls apart and we're desperate for filler time.  

Paulie

Cardinals fall to the Irish

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan with the autopsy on the UofL vs. Notre Dame game in the semifinals of the BIG EAST WBB Tournament last night. As mama used to say, the Cards got taken out to the woodshed by gramps and received a good whuppin')

Louisville Women’s Basketball played in the semifinal game in the Big East Tournament Monday night.  Notre Dame is a tough team that had only lost one game on the season, to Baylor.  I have been of the mindset that the Cardinals needed to have a flawless game to have any chance at knocking off the Irish.  Flawless it was not and the Cards fell to the Irish with a final score of 83-59.

The game started slow and sluggish for the Cardinals, seemingly playing tentative and unsure of themselves.  The Irish led 12-0 before the Cards were able to get a bucket and get on the board.  The first 5 possessions by the Cards ended in 3 turnovers and 0-2 shooting.  Sara Hammond finally put one in the hole around the 16-minute mark to get the Cards started.

The Cardinals spent the rest of the half battling out of the early hole they dug themselves with some tough defense and spurts of offense.  For a moment the Cards tied the score 16 all, before the Irish found their shooting ways again. The Cardinals went in to halftime only down 6 points with a score of 32-26. 

Sara Hammond had a strong first half for the Cards scoring 10 of her 12 points in the first half. 

If you were hopeful coming out of halftime, it did not last long.  The Irish went on a  34-9 second half run  to put the game out of reach for the Cardinals.  The Irish lead expanded as high as 31 points when the Cardinals started to chip away at it.  With roughly 6 minutes left in the game, Coach Muffett McGraw emptied her bench presumably to give her starters a rest for the Championship game on Tuesday. 

The Irish starters would spend the remaining time watching from the sideline as the Cardinals chipped the lead down to 18, only to have it expand back up to a 24 point win. 

Not an unexpected outcome at all for the Cardinals.  I think if fans are being honest, they expected this one to fall in the loss column with the hope of it being a more competitive game than the last outing.  Much like the late season matchup, this game was never in question and while the Cards played a respectable first half, the Irish were too much for this squad and owned the Cardinals in the second half of play.  

Sara Hammond had a great tournament for the Cards with a career setting performance in the first game and a very respectable showing against the Irish. 

Next up for fans of this squad is the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, March 18, when the NCAA bracket is outlined and the Cardinals will find out who they are playing at home in The YUM Center to open the NCAA Tournament.    If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?   

Louisville Women’s Basketball invites you to The YUM Center next Monday, March 18^th for a Watch Party as the brackets are unveiled.  It is a family friendly affair with bouncies and face painting for the kids, an opportunity to meet the team and get autographs.  The doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00.  Be there, Cardinal faithful, as our favorite women’s basketball team learns their opponent in the opening round of the tournament. 

The last note on the Big East Tournament, as expected, the Irish will be playing the Connecticut Huskies for the tournament championship on Tuesday evening.  It should be a great game.  The two have met twice this season already and both games have been thrilling.  Be sure to tune in to see who wins the tournament title. 

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Congratulations to senior first baseman Alicja Wolny as she was named Big East player of the week in softball!   The Softball Cards went 4-0 on the weekend with Wolny drawing 8 walks and going 5-7.  You can catch a free game of softball on Tuesday at 5:30 at Ulmer Stadium as the Cardinals host the Western Kentucky.  



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Seven CARDINAL COUPLE PICK 'Em contestants remain undefeated at 13-0 as we go into the final game. Here are the "Magnificent Seven" ...listed by the first entries received to the last...

Curtis F  (has Notre Dame as champ)
PDX Phil (has UConn)
Jenny O  (has UConn)
Sonja (has Notre Dame)
Nick B (has UConn)
Quentin V (has UConn)
Andrea S ( has UConn)

So, if Notre Dame wins Tuesday night, Curtis Franklin is your winner of the Chili's Gift Card. If UConn takes the title, PDX Phil is your champion. We also had six of you go 12-1 so far, so nice work all of you!

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