TAJA COLE LEAVING LOUISVILLE
Cole saw just six minutes in the NCAA Tournament loss to DePaul Sunday. She was on the court for 20 minutes in the opening round win against UCA. During the season Cole shared the point guard slot with Arica Carter and at times Dakota Weatherford, who was called on for her defensive skills. Asia Durr also negotiated the position.
On the season Cole saw six starts and averaged 2.9 ppg in roughly 15 minutes per game, which was seventh-highest on the team. She was seen as a backup to Carter in most scouting reports, a fairly decent defender but never really got un-tracked as a shooter for the Cards.
And, that's the way it is in the world of college basketball.
It's not the first player to ever transfer out of the Louisville women's basketball program...although it is the first All-American to opt-out...and won't be the last one to change jerseys. Playing time. Everyone wants it but you have to earn it. Here at CARDINAL COUPLE, we wish @teamcole5 the best and hope she has a great career wherever she ends up.
paulie
xxxxx
Taja should do well and be a nice pick up for someone. She has loads of potential and definitely not short of confidence. Hopefully she finds a great system that matches her game.
ReplyDeleteWith a healthy Asia Durr, Cole's time was going to tank next year. Add in Zambrotta, who is a great point guard. Plus that, when was the last time Walz recruited a point guard that stayed four years?
ReplyDeleteI am caught a bit by surprise by this, I figured a couple of other players might be announcing their intent to leave, but when you look at it, maybe it is the best thing for her. Life and college is too short to be stuck in a untenable position.
-- The Real Joe Hill --
Does it mean they'll keep Weatherford on scholarship now? I love that little gal and her hustle.
ReplyDeleteI'm not terribly surprised although I thought Cole was only third most likely to transfer. I think Durr needs to start at the point next season, and she will obviously play major minutes wherever she plays.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world of WBB, transfers are not that uncommon, even among high school AAs.
It is an observation we get a lot here about Durr to point guard. And, a starting line up of Durr, BJ, Mariya, Myisha and Cortnee would be impressive...with plenty of bench support available. The bottom line is that Coach Walz and his staff are best suited to make these judgements and each player has to look at what they can bring and are expected to bring to the team and either work toward that goal or make other plans if it doesn't fit their goals. Or get better and change the expectations.
DeleteT.I.J.W. -- Trust in Jeff Walz
Paulie
Paulie, I agree 100%. You know what they say about opinions.
DeleteThe only opinion that matters is Walz's.
Very disappointed to lose Cole but the bottom line is you want players that want to be on your roster.
ReplyDeleteBlue Lou
So, a little birdie has left the Cardinal nest? Well, Paulie, don't flood the street with tears. Good coaches overcome such things. I will refer you to Matthew Mitchell, who lost several this year and is in the Sweet Sixteen, while your Carinals ( no D ) go through individual workouts. It wouldn't surprise me if Where's Waldo loses a few more, he is the master at recruiting over people.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Mitchell For Governor
Hey, Gov. Congrats on the Sweet 16. The NCAA gave your team a gift...now let's see them take advantage of it.
DeleteDo you expect more than 3,000 in Rupp for this one?
NCAA regional attendance
DeleteTwo-day attendance average for first- and second-round NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games, ranked from highest to lowest.
▪ South Carolina (Columbia, SC): 10,162
▪ Louisville (Louisville, Ky.): 6,669
▪ Mississippi State (Starkville, Miss.): 6,104
▪ Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.): 6,030
▪ UConn (Storrs, Conn.): 5,550
▪ Oregon State (Corvallis, Ore.): 5,388
▪ Maryland (College Park, Md.): 4,885
▪ Baylor (Waco, Texas): 4,828
▪ Texas A&M (College Station, Texas): 4,027
▪ Syracuse (Syracuse, N.Y.): 3,144
▪ Arizona State (Tempe, Ariz.): 3,046
▪ Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.): 2,879
▪ Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio): 2,592
▪ Stanford (Stanford, Calif.): 2,534
▪ Texas (Austin, Texas): 2,495
▪ UCLA (Los Angeles): 2,104
A Lexington Regional with Stanford and Washington in it isn't going to add much to Rupp Arena's attendance. The Irish will flock to follow Muffet but Rupp will be a sea of blue most likely. Where they'll top 6,000 or not remains to be seen.
DeleteA Stanford v Washington regional final might draw less than a 1000. UK v ND could push the 6K mark. Any other permutations would fall somewhere in-between.
Paulie
Guv. I agree. What Mitchell did this year was tremendous. His get on the JC transfer center/forward was masterful cause you guys stunk at post position until then
DeleteCole had a great potential at Louisville but when Walz started going with Weatherford in the final two NCAA games, it spoke volumes to me. Whatever the reason, circumstances or issues are in this transfer -- it won't sink the program.
ReplyDeleteNiamke, Breedlove and other can't miss point guards have departed. Megan Deines saw the writing on the wall and wanted to go somewhere and actually play for her final year. And I see two or three more leaving this squad. Which is fine. You either buy in and accept your role, take the criticisms and the blueprint for making you better or you go elsewhere.
I hope Cole goes somewhere and develops. NC State really wanted her bad and maybe that is an option. Wherever it is, I hope she fulfills her potential.
Curtis Franklin
Transfers within conference are pretty rare. I would imagine see ends up somewhere in another conference.
DeleteLike with Deines, I'll keep my eye on her and continue to cheer her on. That's what L1C4 is all about.
Niamke and Breedlove were can't miss point guards? Yikes
DeleteIt seemed like Walz was always yelling at her. Walz yells at everyone though so that is not too unusual. Each year it seems like there is one player that gets the majority of his venting. Deines two years ago. Carter last year and Cole this year.
ReplyDeleteSome players can handle it. Some can't. I do think he goes over the top sometimes though. I hope she doesn't end up at a ACC school and come back to burn us. The Deb Factor
Good observation. After Sara Hammond's freshman year I bet a buddy $10 that she would transfer. Walz was in her face a lot...how many times did she get yanked after giving up the baseline on defense? But she accepted the criticism, got better and had a good career.
DeleteWhat I remember about Sara Hammond was the great game she played at Cal her final year. I was there!!!!!
DeleteCole never really got a decent chance to perform. Shame to see her go. Figured she would take a back seat to Durr. Hope she resurfaces strong somewhere.
ReplyDeleteCole had plenty of chances
ReplyDeleteMove on. Louisville women will be fine
Rumor I heard is that Cole was told she'd never start at Louisville but the source is pretty iffy tho and not sure if I believe it.
ReplyDeleteYeah that sounds pretty iffy. Walz would never undercut a player like that.
DeleteACC is back. Virginia downs Rutgers 71-55 in NIT play!!!
ReplyDeleteMore pertinent NIT action UTEP downs TCU to reach quarter finals Starr Breedlove awarded USA Conference Newcomer of the Year award!!!
ReplyDeleteStarr Breedlove 21 points. Over 7,000 at game at UTEP. Play Oregon next in elite 8
ReplyDeleteGood for Starr and Virginia. I wanted to see Virginia and Faith Randolph in the NCAA Tournament. Glad they are still dancing in the WNIT.
ReplyDeletePaulie
Another important point I think people are overlooking about Cole's transfer is she isn't Ariana Freeman, Starr Breedlove, or Megan Dienes. She was a McDonald's AA, POY for the state of VA. A high level, top 100 recruit. She's good friends with someone on our radar Megan Walker. I hope this doesn't have ripples, but it could. I wouldn't be surprised if Walker commits somewhere other than here and Cole ends up there.
ReplyDeleteNo question this years freshman were disappointing based on unrealistic expectations and how overrated the class was. Jones rated #40. At this point anyone with any objectivity would say it's hard to see where she fits in the team. Same for #99 rated Erin. Fuehring and Durr will be the only two that will stick from this class and be productive. Still not bad although I don't think Asia has quicks and explosion we were hoping. I predict durability issues and the defincies on defense and bball IQ on the college level will keep her from being the high level star we expect. Sam I believe will keep coming on and be quite a player and fulfill expectations unlike Durr only because Asia's expectations are not realistic for her body (speed durability explosion) to allow her to fulfill.
ReplyDeleteI think I would give it a year and wait until Durr heals and has her confidence and an entire offseason to work on her game before she's written off as not as advertised. But you're right about the rest of the class in a sense that the number one ranking hinged a lot of Durr and Cole's ranking (both in top 25). However our expectations of them is on is, not them. That they turned out to be typical freshman despite the mythical, they'll swoop in and do in a season what it took other players in our program longer to do expectations many fans put on them is again not on them, it's on us. But now let's see what they do knowing the rigors of the college game and the fact that they have five more freshmen coming looking for PT. I for one think Asia is going to be scary next year.
DeleteSam fuehring and Erin degrate has to get stonger.
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