Lousiville women's basketball -- Virginia has "Faith" tonight in Pink Out game, Softball travels again -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

CAVS 2ND LEADING SCORER BACK FROM THUMB INJURY

When Louisville WBB faced Virginia in Charlottesville back on Jan 14th., the Cards took a 59-41 win back with them to Louisville...Myisha Hines-Allen scoring 16 for Louisville. UVA was without Faith Randolph, their second leading scorer. The second team All-ACC selection in the 2014-15 season had broken her thumb a week earlier in a lopsided loss to Notre Dame...in the fourth quarter and long after the outcome had been decided. 

With her gone, the 'Hoos went 2-7 over their next nine games. Makayla Venson, Virginia's leading scorer tried to pick up the slack but head coach Joanne Boyle was missing the speedy senior guard...Randolph is the only senior on the Cavs roster. 

She returned on Valentine's Day, appropriately enough, and played 36 minutes in the UVA win over Boston College. The doctor's time-table had her on schedule to return tonight against the Cards. Randolph lobbied for action against Syracuse on Feb. 11th....a game UVA lost 91-57. 

Randolph will be ready for tonight and will be taking pre-cautionary measures: 

"My thumb will be wrapped in tape the rest of the season but that's kind of a blessing in disguise, though, because when you shoot the ball...your really not supposed to bend your thumb...so it's good form." 

Virginia (14-12, 5-8) is probably not an NCAA Tournament this season...unless they get hot late and win their final four -- plus make a strong showing in the ACC Tournament.

Louisville (20-6, 11-1) is ranked #11 in the nation. Besides keeping an eye out for Venson and Randolph, the Cards will need to contain Lauren Moses...a strong post that is capable of a double-double anytime she steps on the court and shut down Aliyah Huland El off the bench. 

Following a blueprint of the strategy that got the Cards past the Cavs last month would work well here. Louisville held Virginia to six first period points in the first meeting and the Cards forced 19 turnover while allowing UVA just 33% shooting. 

Be sure to wear your pink tonight for Breast Cancer Awareness. Even if you don't own pink, wear a pink ribbon to show your support. The game tips at 7 p.m. and ESPN 3 will have coverage. We also recommend the audio from Matt and AJ on Cards Radio KRD 790...and if the sync up gets too annoying, stick with the radio call and then glance at the laptop for a replay of the really good plays. 

I'm offering WorldWide the write-up for Friday. He has gone "groundhog" on me and hasn't written in what seems like six weeks. Regardless, one of us will recap it here at the site later today or early Friday. 

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SOFTBALL READY FOR NEXT CHALLANGE

Coming off a 4-1 stay in Corpus Christi, the Louisville Softball team heads to Raleigh, NC for the ACC/BIG10 Challenge this weekend. While there, they'll team up with NC State in cross-conference games against Wisconsin and Nebraska...four games over a three-day span. 

I caught up with Coach Pearsall and got a great interview that we'll air on our Saturday radio show...the highly acclaimed CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR.

Here's a couple of teasers to listen for in the interview: 

-- Who did Coach Pearsall have to 'bring back to earth' during the Islander Invitational? 

-- What impresses Coach Pearsall about ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week Megan Hensley? 

-- What worries Coach Pearsall about the Cards home-opening weekend? 

For these answers and much more, be sure to catch the broadcast Saturday at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM or on the Internet at www.crescenthillradio.com. 

You can also catch our archived broadcasts there, too! Please listen to and support local, non-profit community radio. You just might find out that you like what you're hearing...

paulie
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