Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE. Congrats Baylor, Cletus and GO CARDS!

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Baylor "grinds" past Notre Dame 80-61


-Cards and Cats in Softball tonight


-Cletus (Michael Stewart) wins shot put

And so ends the 2011-12 NCAA Women's College Basketball season. A blowout in the championship game last night in the second half -- Baylor putting the clamps on the high octane Notre Dame offense, the Irish doing themselves no favors with Devereaux Peters and Skylar Diggins hampered with foul trouble and Natalie Novosel laying bricks all over the Pepsi Center court. 


It was a coronation, of sorts, for the first team to ever go 40-0 in college WBB and the crown goes directly on the head of Brittney Griner...who had 26 points and tons of rebounds and blocks in the dismantling of the Irish. The junior dominated play...Notre Dame had no answers to stop her and Odyssey Sims curtailed Diggins enough to ensure that Waco, TX. is where the championship trophy will reside for 12 months. 

(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

Diggins tried to rally her troops, down by just six at the half and within three early in the final twenty minutes. Her 20 points led UND. It was not nearly enough. 


The question has to come up. Should Griner skip her senior year and go the professional ranks? There's money out there in the WNBA (not a lot for first year players but the down the road potential is there). There's also the lucrative overseas leagues...where Griner could haul down $500,00 to $1 million a year in China, Russia or Turkey. Got to be some endorsement dinero floating out there as well...another $100,000-$200,000 a year?


Or, does she stay for her senior season and try to get her team to 80-0 and another NCAA title? Couldn't hurt the asking price for her services, could it? 

Candace Parker made the jump a few years back...so there is a precedent. Does one make hay while the sun shines? Grab the benjamins or risk a possible career-ending injury while balling for the Bears next year? 


Her recent statements are politically correct and indicate no dalliance planned with the pros. Check back in 10 days and see what tune she's dancing to...just in case.  


UCLA holds the college basketball record with 88 straight wins. Kim Mulkey would have to schedule nine more games for 2012-13 to beat it...something highly improbable and probably impossible under NCAA scheduling guidelines. 


Deep thoughts and ponderings ahead for the 6'8" powerhouse. Down the road...a probable invite to join the USA team in the Olympics. The WNBA Draft is April 16th.

So, the clock ticks. WE here at CARDINAL COUPLE think the "the Grinder" should continue academia and get her degree. 
And, a lot of women's basketball fans in the Lone Star state probably agree. 


Here's one more (hopefully the final) link about Kentucky fans and their rowdy celebration ways. 


Cats tip over west Virginia


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Skies permitting, the University of Louisville softball team will face Kentucky tonight at 6 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium. #12-13 Louisville comes into the game at 29-2, 4-2 BIG EAST after a less than enjoyable weekend in the Windy City...where they dropped two out of three to DePaul. 


The Cats (16-19) followed suit, failing in two out of three against #10 Tennessee in Knoxville. 

The game is a 'PACK THE PARK, RED OUT' promotion. Louisville is trying to break the single game softball attendance record of 1,134. All fans are encouraged to attend Ulmer Stadium tonight and wear red. Tickets are $5 for reserved seating, or you can go the outfield berm route and watch for free. Tickets may be purchased by calling 502.852.5151. 

The contest will be televised by WHAS and can be seen on 11.2 for those of you with the digital capabilities. It will also be on Insight 432 and Comcast 207. Affable Sean Moth will handle the play-by-play and Edward Norton  Patty Norton will provide excellent color commentary. 


Louisville defeated UK last week in Lexington 1-0. The all-time series is in favor of Louisville 15-13. 


GO YOU SOFTBALL CARDS! 


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Congratulations to Seneca senior Michael Stewart (aka Cletus Pancake) for winning the shot put yesterday in a meet at Fern Creek High School. Stewart's first toss of 43'8" was sufficient to beat the field of twelve by over three feet.


Competitors from Seneca, Fern Creek, Manual and Jeffersontown were also scheduled to battle in the discus but no one could find a tape measure long enough to accurately record the throws...so the event was cancelled.
Discus is Stewart's preferred and probably his best event and he was the prohibitive favorite in yesterday's scheduled contest.

"I was a little disappointed that we didn't throw discus today. I was warming up great for the discus and felt like I might have a 160 or 170 in me today. I'm happy with the shot put win, though and also proud of my teammate Ollie who finished fourth in the shot. I think I'll start carrying my own tape measure around with me to meets." Stewart told CARDINAL COUPLE after the event.

Stewart is still weighing several offers from colleges and universities, but a decision could come as early as next week. The football/track and field star is 6'6" and weighs 285. Hunting, watching television, working with grade school football programs and hanging with friends are some of his favorite activities. 


Congratulations to "Big Stu" for the first of what we're certain will be many top finishes in track events this spring and summer! 
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