CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE
We report on the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports here. Thanks for checking us out! Click the picture of Louie to hear the latest Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast!!

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Diop visiting Louisville WBB -- Softball beats Boston College 4-2 -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


PITT'S LEADING SCORER, REBOUNDER CHECKING OUT CARDS

There weren't a whole lot of bright spots for Pittsburgh women's basketball last season but the play of red-shirt junior Yacine Diop was one of them. Leading the Panthers in rebounds and points, she also torched the Cards for 26 points back on Jan.18th. in a 77-51 Louisville win at the Peterson Event Center.  She also had 18 against Louisville in the KFC YUM! Center back on Feb. 25th

I remember thinking then, and also when I watched her play in the ACC Tournament this March in Greensboro what a nice addition she could be to Jeff Walz's lineup. Maybe she read my mind. Maybe she wanted to witness Derby festivities up close and personal. In any event, sources have confirmed that the talented 5'11" forward is visiting the Cardinal campus this weekend.


You don't waste good. Diop is that good. If things work out, she'd be a great addition to a Cardinal front line that saw Myisha Hines-Allen graduate. There was no immediate information on where else, if anywhere else, she might be visiting. 

Hopefully, Diop has grown and matured from the shaky start she suffered as a sophomore at Pitt. 

LINK: Diop faces multiple charges

Everyone deserves a second chance, though, right? Diop hasn't had any further incidents and the real key here is if bringing her in, if she's interested, would it alter the great chemistry that the UofL WBB squad has built? 

It could be a boon to the Cards chances to regain a Final Four berth in 2019. Graduate transfers can often bring a year of inspired play to a squad and other successful coaches have benefited from additions from other programs. Walz has gone the transfer route before (remember Taylor Johnson, Briahanna Jackson ?)...so it wouldn't be a radical change in the philosophy of the Cards coach or staff.

And, as someone who could play several different positions and has a better-than-average outside jumper, she could pose another threat to Cardinal opponents.  

A big weekend in the city of Louisville. Plenty to see and do. a wonderful time to expose the city and the program to interested parties. We hope Diop has a great stay during her visit to Louisville. Maybe she took in the balloon glow. The balloon race and mini-marathon today. Opening night at Churchill Downs tonight. Cards softball on campus. 

A lot of things to sway a person's thought patterns to maybe spending a year in the area...not to mention getting the chance to suit up for a team that won over 30 games last year and was a missed foul away from a NCAA Championship game. 

Enjoy your stop, Ms. Diop. Spend a year with a team headed to the top.


SOFTBALL, HENSLEY GROUND EAGLES 4-2

Megan Hensley realizes the importance of this home-stand weekend for the Louisville Softball team. The ACC Tournament takes eight teams. Louisville was in ninth-place going into Friday night's game against Boston College. Wins, coupled with a few #8 Syracuse losses against North Carolina this weekend, were the only way the Cards could make the playoffs.

She took matters in her own hands last night. At the plate and in the circle. 

Mission 1/3 of the way there. A 4-2 Cardinal win at Ulmer, fueled by two Hensley home runs and 6.1 innings of strong pitching....plus a Syracuse loss to NC 5-1...have the Cards currently in eighth place in conference with a 8-10 ACC record. Syracuse is 8-12.

A solo blast by Hensley in the bottom of the fourth inning tied the game at 1-1. One inning later, a three-run "touch 'em all" from the Ashland, KY junior gave the Cards a 4-2 advantage that held the final two innings. 

Senior Day today at Ulmer. Jared outlined the accomplishments of the five who graduate this year in his Friday article. They, obviously, want to keep playing...to enjoy a post-season run...so the motivation will be high for them to take the Eagles to another loss today and Sunday.

Game time is 1 p.m. Catch it on the ACC Network Extra if you can't be there live for the contest.  



CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

The knuckleheads return to the airwaves this morning to discuss the joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics and other impromptu subjects that pop up on THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR this morning at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM. 

3/4ths. of the "A" team in the studio with Paulie, Jeff and Jared...as Case continues to study on how to drive a train. 

We'll have softball, recruits, lacrosse and other stunning information for you on the show. Join us on Facebook LIve or radio, we're not picky...for a guaranteed good time by all. 

Have a Super Saturday and rejoice! It's Derby Week in Louisville! 

Mike Barry on horse racing: "I hope to break even at the track today. I could use the money".

paulie
xxxxx





  

2 comments:

  1. Diop would be a huge addition to the Cards. Hope she likes what she sees and Walz likes her.

    Curtis "Pop Diop onto the squad" Franklin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hope Diop likes UofL ,more fire power with diop.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave your comments here. We ask you be respectful of other posts, no matter how ridiculous they may seem to you. After all, it is CARDINAL COUPLE.

Any attempts to advertise a product or other website here in the comments section without the prior consent of CARDINAL COUPLE will result in a bill rendered for advertising services and possible legal action. We're serious. No more bots.

Now, have your take...