CARDS 1-4 START WORST SINCE 2000-01
It was Martin Clapp's first year a solo coach of the squad...previously he and wife Sara White had been co-head coaches of the team since the 1997-98 season. You can see (and hear) White these days on Louisville WBB home broadcasts on ESPN3. Clapp's LINKED IN page states he is an assistant coach on the Purdue women's basketball team...I failed to notice him on the sidelines, though, when the Cards met them in Estero and Purdue's WBB website doesn't list him on the staff...
The 2000-01 squad started out in the Time Warner Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska and fell 78-67 to #24 UC Santa Barbara and 76-71 to Oakland. We're pretty sure this wasn't Al Davis' Raiders from the bay...but Louisville returned home 0-2 and then was faced with traveling to Cancun, Mexico for the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament. Louisville ran into #15 Texas there and took a 73-59 loss. The next day they played Minnesota and were on the short end of a 68-64 score. The squad finally got their first home game on Nov 30th against WKU in Freedom Hall and the Toppers took a 86-79 win. Finally, on Dec 2nd, the Cards recorded their first win of the season...hosting Illinois State and getting a 87-59 victory.
 |
| Scintillating Sara |
Louisville faces Michigan State next in East Lansing...a 7:30 tip on ESPN2. It's part of the ACC v BIG 10 Challenge.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
TALKING WIDE NET...V'BALL HOLDING A PRESSER.
 |
| Can you name this lovely kill artist from the past? |
Details are that Anne Kordes, Katie George and Erin Fairs will be available to talk life, love, Volleyball and Belmont.
We'll work on a few totally irrelevant and confounding questions to present to the representatives of the #15 team in the land. Maybe I'll check to see if I made the cut to get a media pass for Friday and Saturday also. With assoc. SID Nancy Worley...you just never know. My esteemed colleague Worldwide took what appeared to be a safer route...he applied for tickets and was originally told he did not get them...but found out that he did get them...so he will be running the steps leading cheers. Sonja prefers to watch Volleyball on television...as a former outside hitter, she likes the overall view of how defense sets up while the dig and pass develop.
I wonder if they'll let me bring Bill The Goat? He's always such a hit in the media room...especially if there's a buffet set up. I also wonder where they would set up media seating in an arena that is...well...cozy on the baselines. I'd volunteer to watch from Walz's balcony that overlooks the court....if needed.
Keeping it real on Floyd. Couplin'.
paulie
xxxxx
Tis the season for true WBB fans to be wearing their big girl panties and show their unwavering support whether the outcomes are running our way or not. Give these young kids a break, whose only team experience appears to be lots of injuries, and allow some time to go by. They will get better, just maybe not at the speed that we wish.
ReplyDeleteWhether
I am a ride and die fan. Young team, still thinking we will get better with time. We have talent, just a matter of getting them to understand team defense at the collegiate level. Most teams get better during the Christmas break, we should not be an exception. We'll see how they are playing around mid January.
ReplyDeleteAnd that would be Lola!
ReplyDeleteLola indeed! It's rumored that she still gets down to practice with the team at the Yum Practice facility quite often.
ReplyDeleteDon't be so sure about buying tickets being a safer route. It's not confirmed that I got any. Hopefully will be finding out soonish.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, folks, tickets are in short supply. I don't think there are going to be any general ticket sales for Friday night's matches, though some will be available for Saturday from what I hear.
Starr Breedlove starting for undefeated UTEP in her final year. She is averaging 12.2 points a game and team is 5-0. Good for her!
ReplyDeleteGlad that it worked out for her. She showed up here at a time when Louisville was guard heavy. Ironically, if she had stayed, she might be a starter on this current squad.
DeleteUnfortunately we live in a I want it all and I want it right now world. One where young players are unwilling to spend time on the bench getting schooling in the way of the college game.
ReplyDeleteI think with alot of back up players it's the coach who encourages the player to look at other opportunities if the coach doesn't think the players skills are a good fit anymore.
Delete