Monday Cardinal Couple -- Previewing the ACC: Miami

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- HURRICANE WARNING? Not so much in ACC women's sports...

- Latest CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR in the archives

We've been previewing the ACC opponents that Louisville womens' athletics will face this season. Next in the alphabet is the Miami Hurricanes:

Miami was founded in 1925 and has a current enrollment of 15,200 students. Located in Coral Gables, FL., they are the southernmost ACC opponent Louisville will compete against.

They are known as the Hurricanes...but are also referred to as the "Canes" and "The U". Sebastian the Ibis is the Canes mascot...since 1957. The Ibis is a bird that shows bravery in the face of impending hurricanes.

Famous alumni include MLB's Alex Rodrigiuez, actor Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, vocalist Grace Slick and actor Charles Grodin.

Miami participates in nine women's college sports:

Basketball                                Cross Country
Golf                                         Soccer
Swimming/Diving                      Rowing
Track/Field                               Tennis
Volleyball

We'll take a look on how the Canes fared in (4) of these.

BASKETBALL

Miami went 16-15 overall in the 2013-14 season and had a 8-8 ACC record. They went to the WNIT, but fell in the first round to Stetson. Katie Meyer has 10 years as the "U" coach and has a 163-121 record.

Lin Dunn is probably the most famous coach that came out of Miami WBB.

Here's an interesting tidbit about Canes' WBB:

Jaden Newman spent three hours taking a tour of the University of Miami last week, where the
women's basketball coaching staff urged her to keep the Hurricanes in mind when it came time to make her college choice.


Jaden also happens to be 9 years old.


The fourth-grader, who has already played two seasons on the girls high school varsity team at Downey Christian School, a 300-student private school in Orlando, is now being actively recruited by Miami. She is believed to be the youngest girls player ever to get recruited by a Division I program.

ROWING

A sixth place finish in the ACC Tournament and none of their crews qualified for the NCAA Tournament. They went up against the Louisville rowing team in the Clemson Invitational. The Canes finished seventh in 1U8, 2U8 and V4 heats...Louisville was 3rd, 1st and 2nd in the same heats.

SOCCER

UofM wide-net kickers finished the 2013 season with a 9-8-1 season and 4-8-1 in the ACC. They did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.

They'll host Louisville women's soccer on Sunday, Sept. 28th

VOLLEYBALL


Volleyball at the "U" finished 19-12 and 12-8 in conference. The Canes qualified for the NCAA tournament but ran into Oregon in the first round and lost 3-0.

Anne Kordes takes the Louisville serve n' kill gals to Coral Gables on November 7th.


ANALYSIS

Miami women's athletics, based on the reports above, appear to be middle-of-the-pack in ACC prominence. Louisville should have no trouble winning in hoops and volleyball. They would most likely out-point the Canes in any mutual rowing events. Louisville Soccer also looks to be a step ahead of the Miami squad.

This is, of course...a look at only (4) of the sports. Based on reader feedback...and coupled with the fact that the Canes don't do field hockey or lacrosse...these are the only ones that we've studied.

Miami has been well-known for their college football success. Louisville football has proven over the past few seasons to be better than "The U"...and the two will face off to start the college football season over Labor Day weekend.

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Our latest CARDINAL COUPLE Radio Hour broadcast from Saturday is up and available on the glorious Soundcloud at Crescent Hill radio. You can click on the link at the top of the page, over on the right side of the site or here to listen.

WHO LET THESE GUYS ON THE RADIO?

Worldwide Jeff McAdams rejoins the show after a three week absence. WE took it easy on him and didn't test him with a quiz. We did discuss quite a bit of basketball, volleyball and other UofL women's sports, though...and Kenny K. Keith, Otis and Don Paulie make guest appearances.

Give it a listen.

paulie