A Wedding Celebration - Sunday Cardinal Couple

A Wedding Celebration

Summer is a popular season for weddings.  Our own Jared Anderson got married recently, for example.  Another one happened yesterday that may be of some interest to the Cardinal Couple community.

We don't typical delve into too many non-sports-related personal events for people associated with UofL women's sports, though many of them do frequently come across our awareness thanks to social media.  But, a bit of admission, we have our favorites that we tend to keep track of more than others.  And yesterday's nuptials involved one of those favorites.

One of our favorite Attack Yorkies, Jess Laemmle, is one half of the happy couple.  She married Dalton McDaniel.

Since her playing time from 2016-2020, Laemmle has been most visible serving as color commentator on some of the teams games.  That work has kept her in contact with the staff at UofL Women's Basketball and the picture we saw is evidence of that.  In attendance were much of the coaching staff, including Jeff Walz, Stephanie Norman, and Jonneshia Pineda.  Also there were a couple of beloved former members of the staff, Sam Purcell, and then student manager Jimmy Yu.  Jimmy has joined Purcell as Director of Ops at Mississippi State.  Also picture is recently graduated Mykasa Robinson who played for two years with Laemmle and who is also maintaining a close relationship with the staff and is expected to have some role within the organization this season.

Congratulations to the happy couple, we hope to see Mrs. McDaniel again as color commentator in the KFC Yum! Center this year again.

Cards in the Pros

As we tend to do in the summer, a quick rundown of Cards in the Pros.

Emina Ekic and Racing Louisville FC were on the road, playing in Seattle, against OL Reign.  Normally a draw on the road is considered a good outcome, and Racing did get the point towards overall standings, but after being up 2-0 in the 76th minute, coming away with "only" a 2-2 draw is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.  Ekic saw only a brief minute or so at the end of the match, and had a touch or two in that brief time, but no stats.

In the WNBA, Liz Dixon saw almost six minutes of playing time and had a rebound and an assist for a positive +/- contribution in what was otherwise a substantial Las Vegas Aces win over Dixon's Connecticut Sun.  The Aces came away with the 18 point win, 102-84.

Emily Engstler and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury in Phoenix 86-76.  Engstler too, had a positive +/- with a rebound in just short of 3 minutes of play.

On tap today:

• AD and the AD (Atlanta Dream), take on the Los Angeles Sparks at 3pm in Hotlanta.  ESPN3 streaming has the video.
• Myisha Hines-Allen and the Mystics visit Dallas (technically Arlington), also starting at 3pm.  This one is on broadcast on ABC.
• Dana Evans and the Sky are down in Indianapolis to play the Fever at 4pm.  Also on ESPN3 streaming.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

The CCRHP was not live on YouTube yesterday due to apparent issues at YouTube, but the crew did get together and record the podcast. Whether it was a part of the Twitter dilemma many experienced we can't definitely say for sure or not. If you tuned in to try and listen "live" we apologize on behalf of the Internet. You can catch the broadcast replay, though. See Below

Case returned after several weeks away, joining Jared, Paulie, and myself as we dug through the released fall sports schedules that came out this week.  There was some good discussion about what we can expect out of the Soccer program this fall with who's returning and who isn't.  We also covered the Field Hockey and Volleyball schedules.

This will be a good one to catch for a rundown of what the fall schedule overall will be like.  As always, it's in podcast form at:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardinal-couple/episodes/A-Look-at-the-Fall-Sports-Schedules-e26e6ad

-- JMcA

Walz Presser Today -- Seniors Quiz -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

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         JEFF WALZ TELECONFERENCE PRESSER. 

Hear the entire presser at the link below: 

LINK:  JEFF WALZ PRESSER 4/8/20


https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_1787mp3


Here is the YouTube video/audio link: 

LINK:  JEFF WALZ AUDIO AND VIDEO TELECONFERENCE LINK 4-8-20   




WALZ TELECONFERENCE AT 2 P.M.

During the regular season, Coach Walz held a lot of noon press conference (usually on Wednesdays) down at the WBB facility Kueber Center Planet Fitness first floor media room. 

He's back on the Wednesday schedule today, but the venue won't be on Floyd Street, nor at noon. 

He'll be doing a presser remotely from his home at 2 p.m. We'll cover it and I'll post the audio here at the web site later today. Here's the official UofL announcement: 

Louisville women’s basketball head coach Jeff Walz Teleconference Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. ET

University of Louisville women’s basketball head coach Jeff Walz will be available to speak with media representatives via teleconference on Wednesday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

We understand that many sports media are seeking meaningful content.  While we cannot have in-person press conferences during this unprecedented time, we hope this teleconference will aid you in your coverage of UofL women’s basketball.  This teleconferences will be available for replay soon after the event on www.GoCards.com

A QUIZ ON THE SENIORS

It has been a couple of weeks since I've given a quiz to you on Cardinal Sports. So, let's do one today on the five seniors that graduated from the UofL WBB squad.  Answers at the end of today's column. 

1)  Which state was NOT represented as a home state by the five seniors? 

A) Pennsylvania  B) Florida  C) California  D) Kentucky

2)  Which senior red-shirted in 2016-17? 

A) Yacine Diop  B) Bionca Dunham  C) Kylee Shook  D) Jess Laemmle

3) This student-athlete was the tallest of the seniors:

A) Yacine Diop  B) Bionca Dunham  C) Yacine Diop  D) Kylee Shook

4)  I was a gymnast for awhile: 

A) Jess Laemmle  B) Kylee Shook  C) Jazmine Jones  D) Bionca Dunham

5)  I wore #2 after Myisha Hines-Allen graduated

A) Jess Laemmle  B) Bionca Dunham  C) Kylee Shook  D)  Yacine Diop 

6)  My first start came as a freshman against Virginia

A) Kylee Shook  B) Jazmine Jones  C) Bionca Dunham  D) Yacine Diop 

7) I was a 2016 McDonald's High School All-American: 

A) Kylee Shook  B) Jazmine Jones  C) Jess Laemmle  D) Bionca Dunham 

8)  I have two sisters, named Jenna and Julie

A) Jazmine Jones  B) Kylee Shook  C) Jess Laemmle  D) Bionca Dunham 

9)  I scored 26 points twice in my career, against the same team each time

A) Kylee Shook  B) Yacine Diop  C) Jazmine Jones  D) Bionca Dunham

10)  UNC, So.Carolina, Temple, Pitt and Houston recruited me out of high school:

A) Bionca Dunham  B) Yacine Diop  C) Kylee Shook  D) Jazmine Jones

(answers below) 

ANSWERS:  

1)  C

2)  A

3)  D

4)  A

5)  D

6)  B

7)  A

8)  C

9)  B

10)  A

Let us know how you did in the comments section below! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday and listen to "Uncle" Andy's advice, Kentuckians !! 

paulie

xxxxx

Louisville Women's Basketball is 49 days away -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SIZING UP THE SENIORS

The University of Louisville Women's Basketball squad plays their first game of the season in 49 days.

Seven weeks. 

Snuck up on you, right? Western Kentucky comes to the Ville to face Jeff Walz's squad on Nov 5th. (Tuesday) for a 7 p.m. match. 

That's also National Doughnut Day, so plan accordingly.

You'll remember last season, when the Cards opened the season in Bowling Green and left "the Hill" with a 102-80 win. Asia had a big night with 33 points and Arica Carter added 19. Sam Fuehring added four points. 56 points from three seniors. 


This year's seniors totalled 33 of the Cardinal points that night. Yacine Diop led the way with 11 (OK, she's listed as a graduate, but since it's her final season as a Card, but put her in with the senior group). Kylee Shook finished with 10 points. Bionca Dunham put in four points, Jaz Jones also went for four points and JJess Laemmle played but didn't score. 

So what about this group of five for 2019-20? 

We can speculate that Jazmine Jones will be an important and needed player on this squad. Just where she plays will depend on the number of guards Walz decides to play at one time, but the explosiveness, leaping ability and smooth jumper she possesses will most likely be part of the starting five.

Jaz needs to be careful about getting herself in foul trouble...she led the team with 91 in 36 games last season.  The 7.6 points per game and 23 minutes per night on the court are easily achievable again for her this ...but i see her topping those numbers, with the "terrific three" graduated. It's truly time for "J.J. Airlines" to take flight.

And, if she's "in the groove" and ready to go, the Cards would be well-advised to feed her the ball. Equally comfortable as a guard or wing, she's a player you can't slack off or back off on when you're playing defense against her. She'll make you pay, and collect interest on the balance due. How she does on the "three ball" could dictate her success level also.

The Cards have a proliferance of three-ball makers on the roster.  

Yacine Diop knows this is her last chance to make an impression of WNBA and European league scouts, and she fully gets and understands the team concept, which is one of Walz's golden rules. She's a player that doesn't necessarily need to start to be a contributor and she showed she can takeover a game offensively during her time at Pitt. You have to be a little bit worried about her left knee, but, given the depth of this squad, I fully expect to see her out on the court around 20 or so minutes a game and I wouldn't be surprised at all if she was a double figure scorer for the Cards.  

She has a strong drive and motivation working in her favor, not one who likes to be denied and her experience makes her a candidate to see minutes in close games and when things are a bit out of sync on the court. Her experience with the Senegal squad this summer was a great test and learning experience for her and is a huge weapon for Walz. 

Kylee Shook is the leading returning rebounder (second behind Sam Fuehring last year) and she will be counted on to help fill Sam's role from last year. You need that blue collar, go-to-work in the paint brawler for rebounds and Kylee has the height. Does she have the battle mentality? She's also one who can take a post outside and make a defense pay from long range. The best combination would be to see that grit in the paint and the ability to step out and drill the long range jumper. And, her knee problems/soreness from last year seem to be alleviated with post-season treatment and procedures.  

If it were me, I'd probably start her and rest assured...knowing that there was height and talent on the bench to come in and pick up where she left off when she leaves the game.

That being said, she only started three of 36 games last year. Walz found it better for her to watch a few minutes on the bench before entering.  Development time is over, though. Time to go show what you've learned and earn the paycheck  After interviewing her a couple of weeks ago, I came away with the impression that she's focused and ready to assume that role of the paint punish-er.  Kylee also likes to throw "block parties"...she led the squad in blocked shots last year and you can expect to see a lot more of those this year. Kylee getting aggressive would be impressive. 

Bionca Dunham drew 31 of the 36 starts last year as one of Fuehring's partner in paint pounding and has always seemed to work well with Shook inside. Her 169 rebounds were third on the squad and she had a lot of success in getting follow up points and offensive rebounds. 

There has been speculation that she and Shook might be #1 and #1A in the paint at the power forward slot (if the NCAA clears another Cardinal for participation). One thing about "B", though, is you know she's going to bring the battle with her anytime she steps on the court. On a roster that has so many weapons that Walz could open an armament store, it'll be interesting to see how he uses her skills. Another huge key is this: 

If you're in the paint, you can expect to get fouled and you need to convert from the line when you're sent there.

We'd like to see her become a 70%+ free throw shooter this year. She's been working on it in the off-season. After all, you can only take the "3 is better than 2" Walz free-throw theory so far. That 64% average that she shared with Jaz has to go up. 

Jess Laemmle knows her court-time will be limited this year but it hasn't affected her work effort one bit. She can run the point, direct other players and provide a lot of inspiration and knowledge to the younger guards on the team. She's always been a huge fan favorite and the regular basketball fan seldom sees the hard work she puts in during practices. She probably won't be the starting point guard, but she'll have a wealth of advice for the guards when they come out of games. She sees, observes, analyzes and shares. 

When called upon, she's an aggressive defender, can drill the three and direct the sequences on the court offensively and defensively. A player like Jess is vital to a team's continuity and cohesion. Our "Attack Yorkie" will be there and helping everyone else get better. She's the perfect example of a team player. 


It's been quite fun, informative and revealing to interview these five seniors this summer. I'd like to thank them, for graciously participating, and WBB S.I.D. Nick Evans for doing the leg work in setting up times and venues, plus taking the photos of me and the players. We did these in three different venues. If you missed any of the interviews, I've listed them below.  

LINK:  YACINE DIOP INTERVIEW

LINK:  JESS LAEMMLE INTERVIEW

LINK:  KYLEE SHOOK INTERVIEW

LINK:  BIONCA DUNHAM INTERVIEW

LINK:  JAZMINE JONES INTERVIEW 

I hope my speculation and theories here come to somewhat of a fruition...but, please remember that this is a very deep and talented roster and there are 11 other players that are hungry, committed to succeed and eager for court time. 

This is the deepest roster that Walz has ever had here at Louisville and he and the coaches will be put to the test to utilize time management and combination skills like never before. I expect to see a whole lot of early combination variations as they get to know what works the best and who can do what with who, and when and where the players are most suited. And, you can expect to hear the always excellent Walz rhetoric on "what's what" as the season progresses. 

Who can come in and do what "the big three" did last year and produce like they did? 


Got some different takes than I? (After all, Coach is constantly trying to improve my "not ready for prime time" basketball IQ and theories). Sound off in the comments. It's never too early to start talking season assessments, hopes and expected performances.

Even for the village idiot like me. 

You got a take, a hope, an observation or thought? Let's talk about it! 

49 days. We'll start looking at the underclassmen next week. 


paulie
xxxxx

Jess Laemmle Interview -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THE JESS LAEMMLE INTERVIEW

Senior guard, student-athlete Jess Laemmle has been a fan-favorite since she walked on the University of Louisville women's basketball squad in the fall of 2016. I had the opportunity to have a chat with Jess on Wednesday to discuss her time at Louisville, what the future holds for her and her thoughts on a variety of subjects. 

Affectionately known here at CARDINAL COUPLE as "the Attack Yorkie", Jess graduated from Louisville Mercy High School and was the 2016 Louisville Catholic Sports Network's Girls' Basketball Player of the Year. Having just recently received her degree in Psychology, Jess plans on attending graduate school at UofL and exploring Sports Administration. 

Jess is a prime example of the joy and excitement that is Louisville women's sports. Jess probably could have attended a smaller school and been a starter...but her love for the program at Louisville, her teammates, the staff, the city and the fans kept the 5'2" guard local. 

Listening Points: 

-- Her favorite memory as a Card.

-- Toughest opponent she's ever faced.

-- Her "All-Star" team she'd like to play with.

-- Jess reveals the nicknames for Georgia Tech transfers Elizabeth Balogun and Elizabeth Dixon

-- Things important to her.

-- Who she would trade places with for a day

-- Her special message to Cardinal women's basketball fans.

Jess easily gets by Paulie's woeful defense

I hope you enjoy this interview with Jess. It was an esteemed honor and pleasure to be a part of it. Jess fully realizes and has shown what it takes to be a success -- in life, in the classroom and on the basketball court. 

Here's wishing her and the team the best of luck in the 2019-20 and to capturing the objective -- a FINAL FOUR spot and National Championship. 


 LINK BELOW:

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INTERVIEW WITH JESS LAEMMLE  

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(A special "Thank You" to women's basketball S.I.D. Nick Evans for arranging this interview and serving as photographer!) 


Have a terrific Thursday!

paulie
xxxxx