The season tips off

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Cardinal fans fill YUM! Center for tip-off luncheon.

(Columnist Jenny O'Bryan brings us the report on the 2012-13 WBB Tip-Off Luncheon. It was a grand affair and good to see all the UofL fans in attendance!)

Coach Jeff Walz was the keynote speaker.

The Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon was a sold out affair at 700 fans strong!  This is fitting given that one of the themes of the day was fan attendance, the goal to take the top spot for fan attendance this year and selling out our home opener against Texas A&M on Friday, November 9. 

Master of ceremonies Matt Andrews

Coach Walz was the speaker for the day and spoke of his gratitude for all that has come before, to make today’s team possible.  The team is not happy with how the season ended and felt like they gave one away, against Maryland, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.   The team has taken this to heart and it has shown in the work during the off season.  The team is “hungry and their goal is to make it to New Orleans” where the Final Four is next April. 

A-Tayy (Asia Taylor) looking splendid!

Coach talked quite a bit about what a great group of kids he has on his current roster and how they have bought in to what he is trying to do.   He spoke about how Louisville has, and continues, to recruit great young women.  “These are great young women, they make you proud, they make good decisions and are good people.  Not only are we recruiting good players, but good people, too”. 

Columnists Sandy Walker and Jenny O'Bryan

Coach Walz talked about his appreciation for Louisville fans as it relates to recruiting.  He stated that when showing highlights to recruits, they can’t believe the numbers of people that are at games.  Often he gets asked if it was a double-header game, and the men are coming in behind the women’s game, thus the number of fans.  In keeping with this thought, one of the goals of this season is to take the top spot in fan attendance in the country. 

L to R: Tom Peterson, Jack Horan, CARDINAL COUPLE
Columnist Jeff McAdams and Dick Palmer

Again talking about recruiting, Coach Walz talked about not only selling the women’s basketball program to potential recruits, but the athletic department as a whole.  With the football team, men and women’s soccer and basketball teams being ranked, volleyball ranked, and swimming and diving also being preseason ranked.  These are just the fall sports!   The strength of the Athletic Department as a whole is untouched by any other in the country and is a strong drawing point for potential recruits. 

The regular season opens on Friday, November 9 against Texas A&M against what is projected to be two top ten teams in the season’s opening rankings.  This opening night match up is the strongest opening game match of the season.  It is a red out game and the goal is to sell out the arena, 22,000 strong.

Fans pose with Monny, Megan and Bria

The exhibition match on Halloween night is free and open to the public.  Coach indicated half the battle is getting first timers in the door to see a game, once there, he feels confident they will come back.  With that in mind our job as fans is to bring friends, family and neighbors to a free night out and watch the Cards start the season.  (Having had a family pack of 4 tickets the last 5-6 years, I have taken many friends to the games.  Many of those friends are now season ticket holders themselves!  I can attest to the success of the conversion rate of first timers to season ticket holders!)

Jenny and Jeff

The season is here.  The team is ready and hungry.  Our job is to bring our friends and family, and help sell out the arena.  We are a week away from a sneak peek of our favorite women’s basketball team, and just a little over two weeks away from the regular season opener.  Hope to see you there Card Fans, with friends in tow!



Central Cardinal Club member Chuck Horrel gives us an "L" 

Al Greener's most excellent pep band!

(Editor's Comments: Over and over yesterday, I heard the comments that this year's event was much bigger than last year's and that the crowd seemed more energized and excited about the upcoming season. CARDINAL fans should be excited. The season could be a magical one and a return to the FINAL FOUR not out of the question. Events like this are usually not a source of in-depth analysis or breakdown of the upcoming season...more a general introduction and discussion of the team and season that lies ahead...but CARDINAL athletics are on a major roll right now and Jeff Walz paid tribute to several other UofL teams in his opening remarks....namely football, men's basketball and volleyball. He also mentioned that he and the coaches made the overall success of Cardinal Athletics a key component in the recruiting philosophy that they use when meeting with a prospective student-athlete. We say, "Why Not?" This makes perfect sense. Louisville is the best college sports town around and the facilities for athletics and beyond are unmatched. We look forward to an exciting and successful season for the LADY CARDS and we'll be here every step of the way to provide you with in-depth, factual, up-to-date and relevant coverage of the team, coaches and season.

-Paul Sykes, Co-Owner/Senior Columnist

Chuck poses with the affable Shoni Schimmel!

Jenny's great overview pic of the capacity crowd!

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Catching up on women's hoops news

(Not trying to emulate or replace Sandy's laundry day today but here are some recent updates on Louisville women's basketball. 

MONNY NIAMKE

Original 2012 target Monny Niamke will be on campus at UofL by the end of the week and will be taking classes at UofL in the fall. She spent her freshman year at Lindsey Wilson and was the starting point guard. She's also mentioned the possibility of running track her first year at Louisville. Basketball mandates that she sit out a year in that sport because of the transfer but she's eligible for track (or lacrosse, we guess.. but we hope she doesn't decide to take the sport up.) 

SHAWNTA DYER

(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

The sophomore forward recently had sports hernia surgery and will be out for six to eight weeks. This puts her timeline right around the start of October basketball practices for the squad. 

Dyer came on strong for the Cards at the end of last season and was expected to be a valuable contributor to the Lady Cards on the front line this season. Hopefully, she'll be healed and ready to go for the opener Friday, November 8th against Texas A&M in the KFC YUM! Center

ASIA TAYLOR

Our buddy A Tayy continues to rehab from her hip surgery and is expected to be available for UofL in early December. Whether she'll be up to speed and ready to go against the Kentucky Wildcats in the YUM! on Sunday, Dec 2nd. is unknown yet...but it looks she'll be ready to go for BIG EAST play if all goes as expected. 

Taylor started 20 games for Louisville last season and was second on the squad in rebounding behind Dyer. Tough to imagine not having those two...get well soon ladies! 

MONIQUE REID AND TIA GIBBS

Three survivors. Three teammates.
(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

Both continue to prepare for the season after sitting out last year with injuries. For Gibbs, it was first the shoulder, then the hip...but she's out and jogging. in her recent apperance at Cardinal Caravan, she indicated she's excited about the upcoming season and ready to get on the court.

Mo Reid is also preparing for October practices and spending a lot of time in the gym shooting and getting in playing shape. She's good to go with the knee that made it necessary for her to sit out the majority of the 2011-12 season and her scoring presence inside will be most welcome.

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SANIYA CHONG AND ALEX HARRIS

Highly ranked Class of 2013 recruits Saniya Chong and Alexandra Harris are scheduled to make visit to UofL. Harris is tentatively scheduled to visit Sept., 15th and we're hearing that the date has also been presented to Chong as a good day to be on campus. Cardinal target Emmonie Henderson has picked Oct. 26th. as the day she'll visit Louisville. 

Plenty of activities for the ladies to take part in on Sept. 15th. Louisville football at PJCS and two volleyball games at their future home...the KFC YUM! Center. 

Russell, Henderson, Chong, Harris...the Cards are on the lists of some very talented and highly regarded high school basketball players...

The four above, along with Niamke, would add greatly to an already very strong 2013-14 Louisville roster. Not saying that all five will be in the red and black. Not saying that Louisville is the leader for each girl's services.

But, when you look at the facilities, the campus, the coaches and staff, fan fervor and the popularity of women's college basketball in our fair city...how do you or why would you say "No?" 

SCHEDULE IS COMING

The women's basketball schedule should be published in a few days. We do know that the UK game is scheduled for Sunday, Dec 2nd. in the KFC YUM Center. (The Cats begin their exhibition season against Bellarmine.) We also know that UofL will start regular season play by hosting powerhouse Texas A&M in the YUM. We'll post the schedule when it becomes available and have it listed on the left side of the site also. 



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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- WE look at Tia Gibbs and USA Olympics

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Our 2012-13 WBB player preview continues with junior Tia Gibbs. 

-USA WBB fries the French 86-50 for Gold

If you look at the box score for the 2008 Ky. High School Girls State Championship, you'll see that Butler High School won the title. You'll also see that the name Tia Gibbs is missing. A further look shows she was the Most Valuable Player in the Sweet Sixteen Tournament. A concussion in the morning semi-finals kept her out of the title game, but it only took three games to show the coaches that the all-time leading scorer at Butler was the cream of the crop.


The concussion must have had lingering effects, because Gibbs ended up at Vanderbilt University her freshman year of college instead of UofL. While the Cards were marching to a Final Four appearance, Gibbs was sitting the bench at Vandy, a non-starter averaging about twelve minutes and five points a game. There was also shoulder trouble for the 2008 Miss Kentucky Basketball. Eventually TG decided that there's no place like home sweet home, and returned to the 'Ville and transferred to Louisville.

Sitting that first season at Louisville because of transfer rules must have been rough for Tia, the Cards struggled because of lack of depth at guards and when 2010-11 rolled around Gibbs was ready and anxious to get back on the court and show Cardinal fans those All-State skills. And, the skills were still magnificent. Back in her #25 jersey, Gibbs started all 35 games for the Cards and Louisville returned to the NCAA Tournament...Gibbs sparking an upset of Xavier in Round 2 action with 12 points and 6 assists. She also tallied 19 against her former teammates at Vandy in opening round action. 

Things looked bright for the Lady Cards and Gibbs for the 2011-12 season. But, in the first half of the Cards opening game against Missouri State, Gibbs gets fouled with 16:10 remaining. Hitting her second free throw, leaving the game in obvious pain. A right shoulder injury again, this time a torn labrum with bone fragments effectively ending her season.  

After another season of rehab, Gibbs is ready to return to the floor...rejoining a Cardinal squad that looks strong, deep and very talented. A conversation with her at the Cardinal Caravan at Captain's Quarters reveals that she's fully recovered, ready to go and excited about the Cards chances. With Gibbs available at guard, the Cards have depth, talent and experience that is unprecedented in Coach Jeff Walz's tenure as Cardinal WBB head coach. 

Her defense, scoring and hustle will be an integral part of the Louisville attack in 2012-13. The Cards will try to get her an extra year for 2013-14 as well, because of the injury status. 

For now, though...it is the immediate task ahead for Tia and her UofL teammates. Gibbs ready to fulfill whatever role Jeff Walz has for her on the Cardinal squad. Despite setbacks and adversity, Gibbs retains her engaging personality and optimistic view. Eager to help the younger players. Ready to resume her own goals and desires on the court. Focused on the team and comfortable with whatever role she plays on it. 

You could say that Tia might have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders this season...here's hoping the shoulder(s) stays strong. 

The Gibbs Numbers

                                                   GP       GS    Pts    Reb    Avg

2008-2009       (Vandy)             29          0     147    71       5.1
2010-2011      (Louisville)         35         35    307   135      8.8
2011-2012        "  "  "  "              1          1         1      1       1.0                


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USA takes Gold in the Olympic WBB competition, disposing of France 86-50 in the championship game. Taking a 12 point half-time lead and expanding upon it  to once again prove their dominance in a sport that has been very good to the USA over the past five Olympics. 

Candace Parker providing the spurt, eight straight points in a 13-2 USA run that provided an insurmountable lead. 

Angel getting token playing time...11 minutes, seven points, three steals. 

After a brief respite, the "Ladies of London" return to the WNBA wars...where Angel will get the chance again to improve on her WNBA leading scorer stats and be an opponent, instead of teammate, against Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Parker, Big Syl, Lindsey Whalen and the other USA stars. Geno can't gum up the works this time. 

First of many Olympic appearances for our Angel. Hopefully, a new skipper in 2016. And a few less UConn alumnae.
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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Captain's Quarters Cardinal Caravan conquers storms, captivates capacity crowd. 

Athletic Director Tom Jurich and S.I.D. Kenny Klien
were all smiles after seeing the huge crowd for Louisville's
Cardinal Caravan.

Never underestimate the power of the Cardinal Spirit. Thursday's final Cardinal Caravan stop landed at Captain's Quarters off River Road in Louisville and provided a capacity crowd of over 1600 an hour long show which included UofL coaches, players, LadyBirds and a great venue for catching up on Cardinal Sports. 

UofL womens basketball star Tia Gibbs poses with
Sonja and WBB fans Irv and Peggy Schmidt...

They also beat the weather, which started out hot and humid and turned into strong storms minutes after the  gala affair ended. 


Emcees Drew Deener and Howie Lindsey kept the show moving with the skill of seasoned, professional event organizers as Sandy Pearsall, Ken Lolla, Dan McDonnell, Karen Ferguson-Dayes, Kenny Carter, Anne Kordes and other Cardinal coaches and players spoke to the appreciative crowd.


From what we heard, this could be an incredible season for Cardinal Sports this fall, winter and spring.

Donna Floyd (center) and other eager Cardinal fans
wait to talk to, get pictures with and autographs from
Cardinal athletes. 

Tom Jurich began the festivities with glowing reports on the success and popularity of Cardinal Athletics and told us of his hopes to surpass the record-setting performances of last year's UofL squads in the upcoming season. 


Football, both basketball squads, baseball, softball, both soccer teams...the list seems non-stop for Cardinal teams poised to contend for conference titles, national championship runs. The enthusiastic fans in attendance roared their approval as Tom and the entourage educated the crowd. 

Cardinal Couple's Sandy Walker (left) and Sonja enjoyed the
afternoon activities and interaction with tons of UofL fans 

Tom, you've engineered the perfect example of what excellence in college athletics can be and cultivated a fan base that loves and appreciates it.


If you think Tom is fired up about UofL sports, you should hear his head coaches discuss the subject. It's not hard to see why Cardinal athletes strive to be the best they can be when you hear their coaches and leaders express their passion about their teams, players and philosophies.

The lovely, talented and witty Tia Gibbs

The coaches were a big hit. The players in attendance also drew huge throngs of crowds seeking autographs, pictures and handshakes. Chane Behanan, Gorgui Dieng, Russ Smith, Mike Marra from Rick Pitino's men's basketball team were swamped and surrounded by adoring fans. Tia Gibbs was sporting an ear-to-ear grin as she greeted womens' basketball fans eager to discuss the season, her rehab from surgery ( she's healed and ready to go...look out BIG EAST) and the team. 

Sara, Linda and Chris Stewart had a rail-bird view of
Cardinal Caravan

When Tia informed us her mother reads Cardinal Couple each and every morning, we promised to provide nothing but sparkling and positive coverage of "Butler Bear's"  performances this year.


We understand perfectly. If mama isn't happy, no one's happy. We look forward to writing many rave reviews of #25's domination this season as a part of Jeff Walz's top ten Lady Cards ballers. As Asia and Shoni would say: 


"We are the...CARDINALS!" 


From the beginning of the festivities at 5:30 to the prize drawings one hour later, the event was non-stop, wall-to-wall Cardinal conversation, coverage and   camaraderie. 

"Coach P." Softball coach Sandy Pearsall gives us a smile
as she prepares to address the enthusiastic crowd. 

The skies were threatening, though...and the cold front had dropped the temperature at least 20 degrees by the riverfront stage by 6:15. And, the rains came about 30 minutes later...as autograph signing and other post-Caravan activities were moved indoors.


The crowd got what they came for, though...and the celebration was the first of many that Cardinal fans will no doubt have in the upcoming months.

UofL head baseball coach Dan McDonnell has Omaha
on his mind...with his team hopefully getting to the
College World Series.  

"When you look at the quality coaches and hear them and Jurich talk about their pride and involvement in Cardinal Sports...how can you not be pumped and fired up about Cardinal Nation?" a smiling Caravan attendee told me, displaying his basketball team picture that Chane Behanan and several other players had autographed.


Our sentiments exactly!

Go, Cards, go! 

It's coming, folks. The full-out, intense team practices in August. The opening games for football, volleyball, field hockey and other Cardinal teams. The roar of the red-clad crowd, the fist-pumping, hive-fiving excitement of Louisville's finest participating and winning on fields and courts. 


L1C4.

'The other' Tom and Tilly the Tour Guide double team Sonja

It's an attitude. It's a philosophy. It's big, it's here and now and it's going to be a lot of fun to attend, to cover and be a part of. A great kickoff to the excitement ahead took place Thursday at the Cardinal Caravan at Captain's Quarters and we can't wait for this "Card Party" to get rollin' down the tracks!
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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-UCONN DEFEATS NOTRE DAME


-BIG EAST Final...the usual suspects. Notre Dame vs. UConn


-Girls about town


-Arion named BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week.


-Russell has Cards in the mix. 


-Pick 'Em down to four contestants


GAME REPORT : UCONN 63 - NOTRE DAME 54


1st half
HOO...wee! We got a barn-burner in the XL Center. 31-30 UConn at the half. Notre Dame up early. UConn goes on a 15-3 run and eventually leads by ten at 27-17. Irish battle back and end the half with a 13-4 run to get within one. Kaila Turner with the clutch three as the clock gets near 00:00. Both Novosel and Peters with two fouls each for N.D. The offense disappeared for Geno's group in the final few minutes. Here we go... 


2nd half
And your 2012 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT championship goes to....the Connecticut Huskies. A 63-54 winner tonight. Strong Husky defense, poor Irish shooting in the final twenty and questions on why Notre Dame got out of the zone that had UConn baffled at the beginning of the half. More on this in the Wednesday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Will this knock the Irish out of a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? 


GAME PREVIEW

It has come down to this.


Notre Dame and Connecticut will vie for the BIG EAST Tournament crown tonight in Hartford's XL Center. Most of us expected this. The St. John's and WVU insurgents have been driven from the palace gates. Rather rudely, in fact.

Loading up the truck and headed
to play the Okies! 

The combined 59 point margin between the pretenders and the royalty yesterday serves to show us that payback is hell, there is no rainbow at the pot of gold in Hartford and that the early season wins by the Red Storm and Mountaineers were flukes and nothing more.

Kim Barnes Arico will get another chance next year.
All but Da'Shena Stevens return for her.

We do like the fact that St. John's is returning four out of their five starters next year. They'll be poised to make another charge at the palace gates. As for WVU...we give them a superficial "prom wave" as they pack up the wagon and gather the kin to head to the midwest "promised land" to join up with the BIG 12. 


We wonder how Mike Carey feels about all this. Instead of fairly short trips to Pittsburgh, Washington, Louisville and Cincinnati -- the road excursions will now be to Norman, Waco, Lawrence and Stillwater. 

Will Big East Commish John "Marinara"
grace the finals with his largeness?

Of course, it doesn't matter how he, or 14 of the other sports available on the Morgantown campus feel. It's all about the football. Just as Jed Clampett packed up the family and moved to California in The Beverly Hillbillies, the football program is dragging the school to greener pastures in the nation's heartland. 


I guess...


We hope Louisville follows.  


Who will win tonight's game? To get a read on the masses...we went to the 'Pick Em' selections. Paul likes Notre Dame. So does Sandy and Jenny. Sonja and David Watson like UConn. We looked at all 56 entries in the contest. 23 of you had UConn as your winner. 23 of you had Notre Dame. 10 of you had neither. A lot of help that was...

Hasn't played for the BIG EAST
title since 2007. 

Whoever wins tonight gets bragging rights for another year. The Huskies have had those BIG EAST Tournament champs bragging rights since 2008. In the larger scheme of things, it's not that important...both schools will end up #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. 


But for the now...for the immediate...it's huge. Should be a fun one tonight. It's a ESPN view, straight ESPN game with no numbers or letters. Game at 7 p.m


Leave at the half to watch NCIS or stay with the BIG EAST tonight? Tough decision.


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Good stuff from buddies Shirley and Ellis Blanton on a surprising Monday for them. 

Asia was probably there for
the ham and pineapple pizza.

"Just to let you know that Ellis and I, plus our granddaughter Lily (who lives near Knoxville) were out having a bite to eat after a movie yesterday (Monday) and in walked Tia Gibbs, Bria Smith, Asia Taylor, Nita Slaughter and Sara Hammond! They were so sweet to Lily --telling them their names, asking her questions, signing their autographs and then having her repeat their names. Of course, she did, because she is a "die hard Card fan" even though she lives in "Orange" country. 

Will sign autographs
in restaurants. 

Also in the restaurant were softball players Jordan Trimble and Kristin Austin. They also talked to Lily and signed autographs as well. What a great experience for Lily and what great representatives of UofL women's sports teams! 


(Editor's note. We need to bring Lily on board here at Cardinal Couple. She's had more success in talking to players in one afternoon than we've had in two years...)

Thanks for sharing, Shirley. A great story! If we know the girls...Asia was probably watching Lily's plate to see if she could grab it away ( a rebound!), dish it to Bria (outlet pass) who'd drive it to the kitchen (penetrating the defense) and either pass it to Sara for a refill (shot from the paint) or send it to Tia or Nita for a long range toss into the dishwasher.  (THRRREEEE GIBBS!! THRRREEEE SLAUGHTER !!). 


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Whitney Arion, a freshman on the Cardinal softball team has been named BIG EAST Player of the Week after her assault on pitching down in Knoxville this past weekend. Arion batted .500 with four hits (two of them home runs) and drove in five runs. She's a shortstop or designated hitter, whatever Sandy Pearsall needs her to do, and it's obvious she does it quite well. Caralisa Connell was selected to the BIG EAST honor roll for her six-inning no hitter over Memphis. 


Louisville hosts The Red and Black Classic this weekend at Ulmer Stadium. The Cards play two on Saturday...taking on St. Louis at 11 a.m. and Michigan at 1 p.m. We think you should go and take in both games...


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From CARDINAL COUPLE writer Jenny, a great link on Cardinal WBB target from Oregon...Mercedes Russell. Encouraging things in this read...


Mercedes drives Springfield to Oregon State Tournament

Having her as a part of the 2013 incoming class would make it the best in UofL women's basketball history. Speaking of 2013 recruits... congratulations to Marion County's Makayla Epps and Kyvin Goodin-Rogers...who won the 5th Region title and are going to be one of the favorites and team to beat
in the State Basketball Tournament. 


It's time to move this thing to Louisville and put it in the KFC YUM! Center or at the very worst, Freedom Hall. Is the rest of the state that stupid not to realize that Louisvillians love and support girls basketball with attendance? 


Probably a David Williams mastermind and plot to keep it away from the largest city in the state.  


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Finally, it's down to four contestants in the CARDINAL COUPLE BIG EAST Pick 'Em and one game to go. Here's the scenario:


Willie. The lone undefeated player at 14-0. He has Notre Dame winning the title. We finally got an e-mail from him, giving us some background details. It's printed below this article. 


PDX Phil. At 13-1 and with Connecticut winning the title, he's the only one with a chance to beat Willie. Phil's a regular reader and sends good e-mails and comments


Sandy. Our CARDINAL COUPLE writer is 13-1 and has Notre Dame taking the crown . She can't win...but could take second. Louisville's loss to St. John hurt her.


Smitty. The affable plumber says he knows very little about women's college hoops. He's 13-1, so he must know a little something. Has UConn winning but can't win the contest (see below)


If UConn takes the title tonight, PDX Phil wins the Pick 'Em and Smitty finished second.Phil wins the "tie-breaker" between he and Smitty because he had all the final four teams correct. He wins the tie-breaker against Willie and Sandy because he had the tournament winner.


If Notre Dame takes the title tonight, Willie wins the Pick 'Em and Sandy takes second. 


Good luck contestants! 


CARDINAL COUPLE Writers totals....aw, forget it...we're at the back of the dog sled and can't see the lead dogs. Sonja isn't repeating as champ, Paul and Jenny have four losses and David's threatened bodily harm to me if I list his final four and winner. That's doesn't scare me...bring it, Hoosier...but I agree, his picks were pretty embarrassing. 


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Willie M. is undefeated in 14 picks in the 'Pick Em' contest. He writes:


Hey Cardinal Couple. Sorry took me so long to get back with you.  Here some things about me and my excellent picks. I live in West Virginia. Near Huntington and I am a Marshall not West Virginia fan. Did not go there. I went in the Army after getting out of high school and made career of it. Been stationed in lot of places. Germany, Japan, plenty of places here in states. Even at your Ft Knox and Ft Campbell. I am from West Virginia originally and come home after retiring three years ago. My wife from Louisville so that is my Cardinal Couple connect. Sonja probably don't remember this but Brooke play basketball in high school with her. She a senior when Sonja a sophomore. She do a search online for some old teammates and that how she discover Sonja again and Cardinal Couple. You all crazy with all that chimp, goat and Cletus stuff but you write good articles too. 


My picks no big deal. They was pretty basic in first round except I liked Marquette over Cincy becuase I don't like Cincy becuase Bob Huggins coach there before he go to WVU and I still don't like him. Was the only reason I pick Marquette. 


The second round I just go with all the lower rank seeds and it turn out OK. I pick the lower seeds again in the next except WVU over Georgetown. Just a guess. Brooke a bigger Cardinal fan than me and she tell me WVU beat Louisville but Louisville beat Georgetown. I got lucky.


I liked Conn and ND to play in the final all along. And I like the ND to win it becuase they beat Conn already two times this year. So there it is.


(Thanks, Willie for the background! And Sonja does remember Brooke. Says she fouled a lot in games but was a good scorer.) 
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Louisville loves their basketball

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE




-Lady Cards fans support WBB in record numbers


-Breaking down the Irish


Hey Cardinal Fans!

ESPNW has been posting articles all season about their “Sweet 16” teams, coining the project “Hoops Across America”. They have been visiting the traditional powerhouse programs, small up and coming programs and teams on the verge of “breaking through”. This week’s installment is all about Louisville Women’s Basketball.

The KFC YUM!Center will
be rocking Monday
afternoon!

I don’t have to tell you, readers, about my love for this program. As a hometown girl myself, like current Cardinals Monique Reid and Tia Gibbs, it is only natural as a fan of the game to rally around my local team.

If you allow yourself to show up at a game this season (there are only two opportunities left to do so this season) you will get a first hand showing as to the excitement this program brings to the city of Louisville. The program has done a fabulous job of marketing to fans and allowing the players to be accessible. After every game the team can be found on the sidelines or in the lobby signing autographs and visiting with fans.


The joy I see in young girls and boys eyes connecting with these players, getting their pictures taken, getting autographs is priceless. More than worth the season ticket price of admission.

It is no doubt that Louisville loves their Cardinals. It is equally no doubt that these young women are humble and gracious for all the fan adoration. It is a two way street in downtown Louisville and these young women give back both on and off the court.

Your next chance to come out and support Cardinal basketball is today, Monday, for a 2:00 p.m. tip against 4^th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This ESPN covered event is a “Big Monday” matchup. This is national exposure for a program that is second in attendance in the nation and has been ranked in the top 25 all season, even with significant injuries and transfers out of the program.

Let’s show up, Louisville, and show the nation just how much we love our Cardinals! Once you do, I assure you it won’t take long to get hooked on this team. Come on out, I dare you!

http://espn.go.com/espnw/mobile/touch/womens-college-basketball/7577821/confluence-events-makes-louisville-hoops-heaven-hoops-america

(CARDINAL COUPLE WILL HAVE A FULL GAME REPORT AFTER THE GAME TOMORROW. THANKS TO JENNY, DAVID AND SANDY FOR THEIR REPORTING!)

Here is a interview Walz did on ESPN 680 Radio Sunday morning:

http://www.straitpinkie.com/featured/sunday-morning-hangover-021912

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"Gimme enough bullets and I'll blast
them Irish back to South Bend!"

We know all about Skylar Diggins, Natalie Novosel and Devereaux Peters, the three leaders of Muffet McGraw's Norte Dame women's basketball team. They've been the main catalysts in the Irish's #4 ranking and 26-2 overall record and 12-1 Big East start. Others that can hurt opponents include Brittany Mallory, Natalie Achonwa and Kayla McBride.

Notre Dame leads the nation in scoring offense (81.9 ppg) and is second in scoring margin (+30.9 a game) and field goal percentage (.484). They rank third in assists (19.2) and steals (13.9). Their offensive assault can be devertasting and withering at times and although Diggins may be the leader...any of seven Irish are capable of 20+ points a night.

What exactly is Geno doing to
Muffet here?

They've defeated eight top 25 opponents this season and five of those wins were by 20+ points. Rutgers lost by 30 and Tennessee by 28. Of their 26 wins, 19 have come by 20+ points or more.

In the series, Notre Dame holds a 7-4 advantage. The last time out, the Irish knocked Louisville out of the BIG EAST tournament with a 63-53 win on March 6th., 2011 in the quarterfinals. Devereaux Peters had 19 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Louisville had climbed within 26-24 with two minutes remaining in the first half...but the Irish put a 22-5 run together over the final two minues and first six minutes of the second half.

So, how does Louisville stop the Muffet McGraw squad? Walz has stated that they need to shut down everyone but Diggins and see if she can beat them by herself. It was a tactic West Virginia used in the Notre Dame loss to them. She had 33 but WVU did a good job in containing the rest of the Irish.

Louisville must do all the things they sometimes have trouble with to precise perfection Monday afternoon. Offensive rebounding, second chance points, limit the turnovers and shoot well from outside.

The crowd can only bolster the Cardinal chances. A rowdy, packed KFC YUM! Center will aid in sparking the home team and, hopefully, give the visiting Irish fits.

SONJA SEES IT:

"I think the Lady Cards will battle head-to-head with McGraw's crew to the wire and just narrowly lose. Louisville matches up well with Notre Dame and if the Cards can keep the Irish out of going on their patented runs, they have a chance at the upset. Walz may try to make it a physical, low-scoring contest like he did against UConn."

PAUL PREDICTS:

"It's not the strength of weapons they have in their arsenal...it's the number of them. Notre Dame's first seven may be the strongest in the nation. Walz has had a long time to prepare for this one, though, and he usually fares pretty well when given the extra couple of days to get ready for an opponent. I'm sure he has a great game plan, let's hope the girls follow it and it works. The Cards lose but not in 120-44 fashion. They keep it with 15."
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