Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- UT next UofL

GAME REPORT -- GAME REPORT -- GAME WON!

Guess who is headed to the FInal Four in New Orleans?

Your LADY CARDS! Louisville defeats Tennessee 86-78 in Oklahoma City tonight to gain a Sunday 6:30 p.m. berth against Cal. Shoni and Jude Schimmel spectacular at the end!

Jenny O'Bryan with much more later...but it's Lou Orleans again in 2013!

UofL...they never believed they couldn't. And, they did.

They've ruined the prom. They're the unvited party guest. And Coach Walz loves it.

Shoni with 25, Jude with 15 and Mo...god bless Mo...32 minutes and 13 points. Five in double figures as Louisville led by 15 at the half...20 in the second half and saw that lead drop to three with 4:28 left in the second half. A determined UT effort falling short due to the Schimmel(s) wizardry, Mo and Jude's free throws and grit, determination and refusing to lose. As Coach Walz says...it's all about the kids...but given enough time...I honestly believe he could devise a plan to end world hunger, erase the national debt and clear the streets of crime.

Kim Mulkey, how do you like us now?

-Paulie

"We ruined the entire party. We're the ugly ducklings that ruined the party. No one gave us a chance and we shocked everybody. It's a journe and we're going to continue."

-- Jeff Walz



TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Talented Tennessee next for Walz's Wonderkids



So...how do you send the Volunteers home after putting the Bears into hibernation? Unlike Baylor, which had two definable targets in Griner and Sims, Tennessee has seven players who can potentially be game-changers and make an opponent pay.

Meghan Simmons (who Cardinal fans may remember from her breakout performance in the KFC YUM! Center the last time UT came to town) leads Tennessee in scoring with 17.0 points a game. The flashy, quick guard also is UT's leading three-point threat...with 65 out of 177 trifectas on the season.  Bashaara Graves is next in line, averaging 13.2 ppg and a team-leading 8.0 boards per game. Veteran Taber Spani provides the Vols with 10.8 points a night and is also a long-range threat with 47 of 124 threes in 34 games. Isabelle Harrison works the paint for 9.5 ppg a game and is second in missed shot collecting with 7.6 grabs.

It doesn't stop there. Cierra Burdick's numbers are 8.5 and 6.8 a night. Ariel Massengale adds 8.1 ppg and is 34 for 95 from the deep. Kamiko Williams rounds out the "magnificent seven" with 7.2 points a contest.

It is a team built by Pat Summit but one that has prospered under first year head coach, long time assistant Holly Warlick. UT is 27-7 on the year, a questionable loss to Chattanooga early in the season...a stumble to Missouri but somewhat understandable defeats from Kentucky, Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. 

Louisville will need to have another superlative night from long range and play overall great defense against a Vols squad that can come at you in waves.

We know not what game plan Jeff Walz has come up with but you can rest assured it is one that will give Louisville a fighting chance. Tennessee is a team that can basically get their scoring from anywhere on the court and the speedy Simmons is a magician at making slow to react defenses pay.

It should be another thriller in Oklahoma City tonight. Will defeated Baylor fans hang around to throw their vocal support to the "Red" or the "Orange"? Can the Cards keep the wonderfully wild and world-stunning triumphs coming?

We'll be back tonight with post-game recaps and analysis.

They are Tennessee, but she is Shoni Schimmel...and has nine believing teammates ready to head to New Orleans. Confident and hopefully not suffering from an elation-hangover after shocking the women's college basketball world.

Let's just hope Holly doesn't have a wardrobe malfunction...

Link for Cards presser from Monday below:

Pre-Tennessee presser

-Paulie

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Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE -- C.E. and I go trout fishing.

Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE


-Paul returns to the stream


-More hip trouble at UofL?


One of my favorite reasons to go to Gatlinburg is to go fishing with my friend C.E. I met him years ago on the Arts and Crafts Community loop south of Gatlinburg. We hit it off right off the bat. 
Mind you, he's a die-hard Vols fan...but we still get along quite well. 

When I go to Gatlinburg, I usually call him a few days in advance. Although he still owns his shop on "the loop"...he lets his daughter and son-in-law handle the day-to-day stuff. That allows him plenty of time for his passion. Trout fishing. 


We set up a trip for Friday, and C.E. likes to get "out and at them" early...so he swung by our cabin to pick me up at 5:30 a.m. I hear you groaning out there...yes, it was early...but a few cups of coffee and his lively conversation had me going full throttle in no time. We stopped for a quick breakfast and we were ready to hit the waters as the sun was coming up.  Accompanying us was his newest beagle, Snoopy. 

Dancing with Bears in Pigeon Forge! 

For our trips, I bring several things. My "hip waders", rod and reel, hand-held scoop net and a few artificial flies. I proudly wear one of my UofL hats when I go hit the secluded streams where he likes to fish. The trout don't seem to mind.


His 4X4 got us about a quarter of a mile from where he were going to fish. It took us about a half hour time to drive there...we gathered up our gear and hiked in the rest of the way. Fortunately, we didn't run into any snakes on the way...but did startle a wild turkey...who fluffed off in anger and gave us a verbal assault. I'm not the most limber of guys anymore, and it took me awhile to get down the steep bank and into the water. He's 70+years old and beat me to the stream by several minutes. Must be the air or water down here...he had the agility of a man half his age. 

We've fished this area before...some really nice brown and rainbow trout can be pulled out of the holes in the area. There were brook in the water as well, but those are strictly "catch and release" in the Smokies for now. Snoopy entertained himself by flushing rabbits out of the brush and jumping in and out of the slow moving parts of the stream. I can't divulge the exact location...C.R. guards his trout spots closely. 


Since I only go trout-fishing once a year anymore, it takes me awhile at the beginning to get accurate at casting again. I was still trying to hit holes with my casts when he caught the first fish of the day, a fighting brown that measured in about an inch short of "keeper" size. We catch and release if they aren't keepers, so this one got a reprieve.


C.R. had pulled in three, one keeper size, before I got my first strike. A good fighter...it gave me a nice five minute battle before I got a net on him. A keeper brown, biggest of the day, so far. 

We fished the spot, walking the side of the stream and bank, for several hours. We totalled 10 trout "keeper" size and that was the limit for the day...five each (even though he caught seven and I just hooked three). We also released some furious-fighting "brookies" per park regulations. I was tired but happy as we went up the bank and back to his 4X4. His wife, Cheryl, had prepared some bologna and cheese sandwiches for us and we ate those and sipped on iced tea sitting under an expansive, shady oak tree. It was barely noon and it already felt like it was ninety degrees. C.R. is working with Snoopy on tracking rabbits and the beagle is getting good at it.  


I rode back with him to his house and we went to his garage to filet our catch. One thing that we have in common is that he's also a women's basketball fan...the Vols, of course...and as we de-boned our catch we talked Pat Summit, SEC and also UofL. C.R. is a big Walz fan. He kids me that Jeff will be learning the words to "Rocky Top" in a few years. I kid him back that UofL WBB will lead the nation in attendance now that Pat has retired.  

Once we finished our knife-work, he stuck the filets in cool, salty water until breading in a couple of hours. We all were to be guest for dinner...fried trout, slaw, potato salad, green beans and chicken fingers for the kids. Sonja and crew arrived around 5 p.m. with cherry pies for dessert.


All the food was delicious. He uses a cast-iron skillet and a cornmeal batter. Olive oil, not vegetable oil or lard to fry the filets in. The filets were fresh and meaty. No one left the table hungry. 

Snoopy.

Finally, after lemonade and conversation on their huge front porch, the evening took upon us and we left C.R, his wife and his seemingly never-out-of energy beagle Snoopy. One of those days you wish you could capture in a jar and release whenever you're feeling blue or frustrated. 


Have a great weekend, Cardinal Couple readers! 


-Paulie


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Rumors spreading that another of Louisville's women's basketball team member might be going under the knife are true. Senior forward Asia Taylor has been experiencing hip pain. She is expected to be back and 100% by the start of the season.


Better to get these things taken care of before the season begins. And, maybe the rest of the Cardinal squad should walk around in medieval armor suits to avoid any further injuries for the season begins. 
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Cards travel to Purdue for 1st & 2nd rounds of NCAA Volleyball...

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Lady Cards will play Cardinals Friday in West Lafayette

-Baylor handles Vols...the Walker report

-Current top 15 rankings for College WBB

The University of Louisville will face Ball State Friday at 5 p.m. on Purdue's campus in their first round match of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Louisville received an 'at large' bid...based on their winning the BIG EAST regular season title...but was not one of the top 16 teams selected and did
not get a home venue for the first two rounds. Doesn't matter, according to head coach Anne Kordes:

"I couldn't be more excited. Purdue is a familiar venue for us in tournament time now. Coach Steve Shondell has done a phenomenal job at Ball State since getting there. They will be the toughest ball control and defensive team we will face all year. It's a very tough first round opponent. Our first goal is to concentrate on preparing for them because they are very good."

Purdue and Morehead State are the other two team beginning play at West Lafayette. Louisville has faced both this year, downing the Eagles Sunday in straight sets and falling to Purdue 3-2 back in September in Champaign, Ill. in the the BIG EAST/BIG 10 Challenge.

64 teams will compete for the title. From the BIG EAST, Cincinnati and Marquette join the Cards. The top four seeds were Texas, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa State. The University of Kentucky also made the tournament and drew Dayton in the first round. The only other team from the state to receive a bid is Western Kentucky, who will play Marquette in the first round.

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(Sandra Walker reports on the Baylor vs. Tennessee game yesterday from Knoxville.)

16,000 fans watched Tennessee threaten Baylor's #1 ranking yesterday in the Thompson-Boling arena. Although the Vols out-rebounded the Bears 56-34, they took a 76-67 loss at home. UT used a solid 2-3 zone to slow Brittany Griner down, but, in the end...they were plagued by 29% field goal shooting and the Bears pulled away late for the nine point win.

Tennessee's early, stagnant 1-4 offense, their inability to capitalize on shots in the paint over the 6'8" Griner and a brief but futile effort to try and contain Griner in a man-to-man defensive set was too much for the Vols to overcome.

At halftime, Pat Summitt and her son Tyler made an announcement featuring the introduction of the Pat Summitt Foundation...whose purpose is to raise funds for the eradication of Alzheimer's disease. Featured events and a website are already in place. Additional plans are in the works.

There is a Facebook page set up and you can find out how to donate there or e-mail contactus@patsummitt.org

(Thanks, Sandy...for the great report on the game! WE, here at CARDINAL COUPLE have been touched with the dreaded dealings and heartbreak of Alzheimer's...Paul's Dad and one of his uncle's were diagnosed with it.

Pat's cause is a worthy one and we hope our readers will do what they can to contribute. )

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Top 15 rankings in Women's College Basketball from the AP and ESPN polls:

AP                                                                     ESPN/USA

1) Baylor                                                  1) Baylor

2) Connecticut                                           2) Connecticut

3) Stanford                                               3) Notre Dame

4) Notre Dame                                          4) Texas A&M

5) Texas A&M                                            5) Stanford

6) Tennessee                                            6) Duke

7) Duke                                                    7) Tennessee

8) Maryland                                               8) Maryland

9) Miami, FL.                                             9) Miami, FL.

10 Georgia                                                10) Georgia

11) LOUISVILLE                                        11) Kentucky

12) Oklahoma                                            12) LOUISVILLE

13) Rutgers                                               13) Rutgers

14) Kentucky                                             14) Oklahoma

15) Purdue                                                15) North Carolina

(Here's how we see it at CARDINAL COUPLE)

1) Baylor. Bears have done nothing wrong this year. Won at tough Tennessee
2) UConn. They're not missing Maya Moore yet...
3) Texas A&M. They can punish you inside or out.
4) Notre Dame. Muffett has a strong cast of returning stars, good freshmen
5) Stanford. The Ogumike sisters still there. Lost to UConn, beat Xavier.
6) Duke. The best in the ACC this year. Should have beat Notre Dame.
7) LOUISVILLE. With Mo back and only one loss, the Cards are for real.
8) Maryland. Brenda will give the ACC title chase her full effort.
9) KENTUCKY. This group of Cats have some sharp claws and shoot well
10) Tennessee. Despite two losses, the Vols are solid, best in the SEC.
11) Rutgers. C-Viv has a strong, deep roster this year.
12) Miami, FL. Don't know a thing about them...but everyone likes them.
13) North Carolina. Sylvia's stars depleted, but Chay Shegog is all that.
14) Oklahoma. Will pull a few BIG 12 upsets. Team has a shot vs. Baylor.
15) Florida State. Despite the early rough going, Sue has a talented team. 

I know, we're heavy on ACC teams in here (5)...but there's a lot of talent in that league this year. Second best conference, next to the BIG EAST.  We almost stuck DePaul in at #15...but the loss to San Diego State was puzzling and they've got Tennessee coming up in the Maggie Dixon Classic...wait and see on the Blue Demons and Keisha Hampton currently...

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Harper will adjust to the upgrade...Pat Summitt diagnosed with dementia

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TUESDAY WITH C.C.

-Junior Shelby Harper has seen some changes.

-Pat Summitt diagnosed with dementia

(TODAY...CARDINAL COUPLE takes a look at one of the returning WBB Lady Cards) 

Imagine enrolling in college, planning on studying nursing and then getting invited to walk on the women's basketball team that finished second in the nation the year before. Such was the case for Allen County-Scottsville guard Shelby Harper back in the 2009-10 season. Injuries had left the Cards with a severe shortage at guard and Harper, who had been a District 15 MVP and All-Region selection her junior and senior years in high school...found herself in a Cardinal jersey.

She responded well during that trying season for the Lady Cards. She quickly became a fan favorite...a flying blonde blur who fearlessly brought the ball into the front court and fired threes from far beyond the three-point arc. She started 17 games for UofL her freshman year...playing in 29 contests and was second on the team in 3-point accuracy. Her five scores from 3-point range against Cincinnati had people talking about the unheralded spark plug.

Fast forward to her sophomore year. Seeing the need to rebuild the depth at guard, Jeff Walz brought in a talented trio of players to beef up the point and shooting guard postitions. Shoni Schimmel, Charmaine Tay and Tia Gibbs gave the Cards instant offense and defense to compliment the returning Harper, Becky Burke and Rachel Story. Harper still saw action, playing in 27 Cardinal contests and getting about 10 minutes a game. The spark plug effect was still working...her role had changed from starter to substitute...but the team's fortunes increased dramatically as the Cards reached the Sweet Sixteen.

2011-12 brings another wealth of talent into the Lady Cards locker room. All-American Bria Smith and fireball Jude Schimmel climb on the already loaded guard position golf cart and with both Schimmels, Smith, Tay, Gibbs and Burke available for duty...guards Rachel Story and Nikki Burton saw the proverbial hand-writing on the wall and transferred to schools where playing time would be more readily available. 

Harper remains. Her knowledge and experience in the Walz offensive system invaluable. Her effort and desire on the court equal to any of this current crop of Cards. The spark plug is now a part of one of the most powerful engines in UofL women's basketball history and, although the playing time may diminish for Shelby...the effort and fan support will still remain strong.

WE look forward to seeing #1 and her madcap advancements of the ball past defenders and her lock-down defensive skills on the full court press. Maybe not as much as in previous years...but certainly a treat every moment she's on Denny Crum Court.

Walz realizes the fervor and excitement that can come out of the crowd when Harper heads to the scorers' table. In the probable Cardinal blowouts of lesser foes in the pre-BIG EAST schedule...don't be surprised to see "the blonde blur" streaking by the opponents...firing rifle passes to the front line and bombing long range trifectas.

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Pat addresses the media at the KFC YUM! Center

University of Tennessee head women's basketball coach Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with dementia. This terrible news is a blow to the whole basketball community and WE here at CARDINAL COUPLE express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Pat and the entire UT Nation. WE recall her visit to the KFC YUM! Center early in the 2010-11 basketball season to help open up the Downtown Arena and remember her kindness, patience and even sense of humor as she addressed the media after the game. We have a link to the article and announcement below.

Despite our occasional parody portrayal of Pat here at C.C., we've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for the wonderful career she has had at Tennessee and the way she's been an ambassador for women's basketball. For today, and the future...we are Lady Vols fans...and wish Pat nothing but the best. Hopefully, with the aid of her assistant coaches, staff and physicians...she'll still continue to be a part of the Lady Vols for a very long time.

Click the link below for the story...

http://www.cbssports.com/general/story/15473196/vols-summitt-diagnosed-with-dementia-will-try-to-coach

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