Thursday, December 18, 2014

Will we see Walton? -- Thursday Cardinal Couple



Cortnee Walton could see action against Grand Canyon



The University of Louisville women's basketball team is on a west coast swing the next several days and the first stop is Phoenix, AZ to play Grand Canyon University. 

No steep trails or cliff-hanging finishes expected in this contest...the Antelopes return no starters from last year's 21-9 Western Athletic Conference squad that made the Women's Basketball Invitational post-season tournament.


Currently sitting at 3-6 this season, they did beat Oral Roberts last time out 54-51 on Dec. 11th. Despite shooting less that 25% for the game. This isn't Arizona State or Northern Arizona...they'll most likely pack it up in a zone and try to make Louisville shoot outside for awhile before the Cards fast-break, transition game gets rolling. 



It is a homecoming for junior forward/center Cortnee Walton...she played her high school hoops at St. Mary's Catholic High and was a big part of winning two straight state titles. If the toe will let her go, it'll be Walton's first appearance of the season. Whether Walz will grant her starting privileges or not remains to be seen...our guess here is probably not but we would expect an early off-the-bench entry for her.

Jessica Gajewski leads the "Lopes" in scoring with 11.3 ppg and is the only double figure producer on the squad...Cheyenne Hedrington grabs 7.7 board a game and Courtney Hayes is the thief with a team high 20 steals.


I guess the philosophy here is...if you're going to Berkeley to play Cal...why not pick up a bonus game somewhere along the way and make a road trip of it?  A check of the schedule does show both the men and women's basketball teams at Arizona State, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University all off tonight...so gym availability wasn't an issue. My guess is they didn't want these Cards...

In any event, it should be a good leg-stretcher for Walz's crew in preparation for Lindsay Gottlieb and the Bears of Berkeley. 


It'll be shown nationwide on Cox Sports Television if you have them as an internet provider. WKRD will have the broadcast locally in Louisville. Game time is 9 p.m. EST.

We've also heard from someone who would definitely know about the live internet stream at:

LOUISVILLE WBB VS GRAND CANYON

http://www.cox7.com/live#_schedule

They list Grand Canyon Arena has having a capacity of
5,000. Wouldn't it be great if was packed for Cortnee and a strong tribal contingent showed up to see Jude?  The 'Lopes average a little less than 400 per home game for WBB...so chances exist that the Cardinal fans just might equal or surpass GCU rooters in attendance. 

We'll recap it in the Friday edition of Cardinal Couple

paulie


3 comments:

  1. I apologize but I it appears that at times the inclusion of schedule in the address produces choices rather than the specific page. Below is the direct link to page which has been advertised as showing tonight's WBB game. I just tried it and it worked.

    http://www.cox7.com/live

    Perhaps worldwide Jeff could explain the issues behind the glitch :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd say that's right as far as picking up GCU as a bonus game. Hope Cortnee gets as much time as her toe can handle. Based on internet comments it looks like attendance will be strong on the U of L side. Without a doubt Jude could walk onto the court and fall down and still be the most popular baller in the building at this game.

    GCU is D1 on the MCBB side. Dan Majerle coaches the men and was hired due to his PHX popularity to upgrade GCU's image in the market. With ASU not being much of a basketball school it looks like they're trying to own the MCBB market here. Those of us that are officially Old remember Majerle from the '93 NBA finals vs. the Bulls. They obviously lost but Majerle was a stud and as a three time NBA All Star and local business owner it will be interesting to see how he does with their program. So far the W/L thingy has been a challenge for him.

    The GCU WBB program is definitely still a work in progress. It looks like there is only one AZ kid on the squad and lots of transfers, both JC and four year. So they're in building mode at GCU right now.

    Should be good exposure for our program. PHX is a big market and good chance to get our brand out there for metro recruiting purposes.

    Also thanks for the Cox cable link. I've been a customer for years and had no clue they were live streaming local contests. Appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Last word from a few hours ago is that this is a free admission event. Seriously, what would keep any basketball fan from not heading over to check this game out? Free admission at the KFC YUM! Center would probably need bringing in the National Guard to administer crowd control. Step up and step out. Phoenix residents!

      Paulie

      Delete

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...