Commentary on win over Villanova

MONDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE

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-How important is beating an zero win BIG EAST team?

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-Women's tennis falls to DePaul.

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-No super 'bore' this year.

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The University of Louisville accomplished a goal yesterday that was essential and expected. They knocked off cellar dweller Villanova on the road. The win was expected, why it was essential is because it kept Louisville on pace for at least nine wins in the BIG EAST. Nine wins seems to be the magic number in the mind's of most to gain the NCAA Tournament.

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Asia Taylor (pictured) drew the start, despite the game being played in Becky Burke's home state. And, the sophomore from Columbus, Ohio gave a good account of herself in the minutes she played. You want Asia to do well every time she steps on the court...she's probably the most athletic and physical player in this current flock of Lady Birds and is the only true power forward on the team that isn't injured. Walz has gone with Monique Reid in the spot for most of the season and although she's a great scorer in close and battles on both boards...Taylor in the spot gives Louisville a little more height and rebounding ability. It also frees up Reid to go to a wing...where she can create a little more and also draw a little smaller defensive assignment. No offense to Becky...but if they can get performances the remainder of the games like they got out of Asia Sunday...we wouldn't mind seeing her stay out there for 20+ minutes a game.

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Taylor was key in the 12-0 Louisville run in the first half that broke yesterday's game open. Up by one with 7:32 to go in the first half after a 'Nova 3...Schimmel responded with a three in front of the Wildcats bench. The Cards held on the defensive end and Taylor got her first bucket of the game on a nice driving move to the hoop. Louisville got the ball back and Becky Burke drained a wide open three to give the Cards a nine point advantage. Louisville grabbed a missed Wildcat shot after that and Keisha Hines went strong to the hoops, missing the shot but drawing the foul. She sank both and on the ensuing possession, Taylor stole a pass and drove the length of the court to put in a challenged layup. All of a sudden, Louisville is up by 13 in just a two minute span. It's the only time this year that the Cards have put together a run of 10+ points on the road.

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Sherrone Vails has a nice outside shot...just ask her...but it's seldom seen. A bit of surprise yesterday when she calmly released a jumper from the top of the key and it rang up as a three pointer for her. It gave the Cards their largest lead of the game at 57-34 halfway thru the final half.

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We hoped that we'd get to see the Cardinal bench get a little playing time at the end of the game yesterday and it looked possible when Monique Reid hit a jumper to put the Cards up by 20 with under six minutes to go. The Wildcats ran off six points in a row after that, though, and Walz kept the main players out there for the remainder of the game. Louisville managed only four points in the final 7:25 of the game...Taylor ending the game's scoring with a jumper with a minute and a half to go.

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Got a chance to watch the game on NOVA VISION and we were impressed with the picture quality and camera angles. Listened to the broadcast as well on CARDS RADIO...but the Internet feed encountered some sync problems and Kelch and Sanderford sounded clairvoyant...calling plays and scores seven seconds before the screen showed them. They did get it straightened out for the second half. You really don't realize what an accurate job Kelch does with his play by play call until you listen to it while watching the game. The 'Iron Man' award has to go to Paul Sanderford..who was on the air for the WKU game Saturday and then flew to Philly and did the Louisville game Sunday. We love Sanderford's in-game analysis...and sometimes wonder if Walz is wearing an earpiece and listening to the commentary while coaching. Paul suggests something and the Cards end up doing it quite often in a game.

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Louisville gets a week off now before hosting WVU on Sunday in the KFC YUM. A week off from actual game competition...we're sure the Cards will be hard at work in Cardinal Arena and the practice court inside the downtown arena preparing for the Mountaineers. WVU is 6-4 in the BIG EAST and 20-4 overall. The Mountaineers have slipped a bit from their early season excellence..but they're still an opponent that must be respected and prepared for.

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Louisville women's tennis lost a narrow match to DePaul in Chicago Sunday...falling to the Blue Demons 4-3. Louisville got one win in doubles play...Amelia Harris and Stefanie Villajean winning.

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In singles, Gabi Duncan, Becca Shine and Sonia Bokhari picked up wins. We've never quite understood the scoring in tennis...the Cards actually played three doubles and six singles matches but only seven counted. Kind of like playing nine innings in softball but only counting seven... in our opinion... although there have probably been times when Sandy Pearsall would have accepted the option...

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Pretty exciting end to the pro football season with Green Bay holding off the Steelers late to bring the title back to 'title' town. We're happy for Packer and ex-Cardinal Jason Spitz who picked up his first Super Bowl ring as part of the Green Bay offensive line. Tough luck for Pittsburgh's William Gay, the only other Cardinal participating. And, fortunate luck for Sonja, who correctly picked the halftime point total of 31 and won a nice jackpot at the Super Bowl party we attended. Paul was way off with 16. Neither did well with the final score totals...Sonja guessing 63 points and Paul 30.

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Does anyone else out there think Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin looks like Omar Epps...of television's HOUSE and movie fame? And...isn't it time for Terry Bradshaw to retire from broadcasting? Please?

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