Louisville WBB -- Are Cards guards really all that bad? -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

Louisville WBB guard contingent: IS there room to complain?



We get e-mails. Oh, yes we do....

After the loss to UK Sunday, it seems a few of our esteemed reader have issues with the current guards that grace Jeff Walz's 2014-15 roster.

In their defense, those UK guards have perfected the dribble-drive. I hate that term "dribble-drive". How else are you going to drive? Passing drive? Ball under arm drive? 

So...let's take a look, shall we?

Scanning the roster, we'll look at the five players that the Cards are officially listing as guards on the programs. We're going  jersey number order here: 

#11 Arica Carter, Freshman.

It's always a tough learning curve for a freshman. Carter has come off the bench and had good and so-so moments in nine games. She's learning as a defender. We've seen evidence that she can nail a mid-range jumper. She's not afraid to lead a transition fast break or find an open teammate. That's what you want a point guard to do. Give her time, experience and familiarity. We think you'll like what develops. She's got "quicks".... 

#15 Megan Deines, Junior

She started as a freshman and has been an early entry of the bench the past two years. She's shown she can nail a "three" and play lockdown defense. She'll lead a fastbreak and who could ever forget the role she played in the Cards knocking off Baylor? She's a player that will give you quality moments when needed and has gained confidence and on-court awareness. We have no doubt about her effectiveness as a part of this roster. Plus, she speaks French. Awesome!

#21 Bria Smith, Senior

A four year starter, she's fulfilled whatever role Jeff Walz has asked her to assume. Blinding speed, an excellent drive-to-the-hoop style and an improved mid-range jumper. The knock on Bria used to be on her free throws. She was 9-10 against UK. We're "all-in" and believing in letting the beautiful, smiling, tough-as-nails New Yorker do her thing. We see ya, Bria!

#22 Jude Schimmel, Senior

Walz consults Jude on his referee career 

We get a lot of comments about Jude. We'll agree that she's had a "off and on" senior season so far. The Jude Schimmel we know will come out of her shooting slump, continue to be a steal expert, turnover creating element and assist juggernaut. She may not be the dynamic,flamboyant, noticeable icon her sister was...but she's the brains, heart and scholar of this guard group. Good times ahead, in our opinion....

#24 Ariana Freeman, Freshman

She's the unknown element so far on this team...based on the playing time and results we've seen. We know she can score, play defense, create and contribute. We've got no doubts that she'll display all this in playing time the rest of the season.

Don't sell the Cards guards short. They'll fulfill their part of the role. We'll be unsurprised when they do this over the remainder of the season. The history and talent is there. 

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 University of Louisville women’s basketball forward Sara Hammond has been selected to the prestigious 2014-15 Naismith Trophy preseason watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced late Wednesday.

The 50-player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2014-2015 college basketball season. The Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 6, 2015, in Tampa, Fla.

On Feb. 11, the Naismith voting academy narrows the list to the top 30 based on athletic performance. In March, the voting academy selects the four finalists who will go the final ballot. The winner is selected by a board of selectors vote in conjunction with fan voting.

A senior, Hammond is averaging 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the 10th-ranked Cardinals. She has scored in double figures seven times this season, including the last five straight. Hammond poured in a season-best 19 in the win over No. 22-ranked Iowa, tying a career best with nine field goals. She also has 20 assists and a team-high nine blocks.

Earlier this season, the Mt. Vernon, Ky., native was selected to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 30 and the Wade Watch list.

Hammond, in the game against Kentucky, became the school’s 25th member of the 1,000-point club. She has played in 116 games and accumulated 1,005 points, 635 rebounds, and 105 steals. Since arriving in 2011-12, Louisville has compiled a 93-25 record – or a .788 winning percentage – and advanced at least to the NCAA Elite Eight two of her three years.

The ACC leads all conferences with 10 selections to the watch list

paulie