WALZ, CARDS PICKED SECOND BY ACC COACHES
The junior from Montclair, NJ also debuted her stand-up (well, OK...sit-down) comedy act...when she deadpanned the answer to a question on whether her front-line teammates looked up to her.
"No, I don't think they do. They're taller than I am." she replied...(drum roll) . Then, MHA broke out into a big grin and talked about the learning aspect and respect that the entire team had for each other.
The Cards were well-respected in the Blue Ribbon panel and coaches' polls...coming in second behind Notre Dame and ahead of Florida State. I'm not exactly sure who makes up The Blue Ribbon panel participants entire rankings but they seem to have a grip on the scenario. They didn't ask me to be on it....I don't look good in blue anyway, so it's just as well. 1) Notre Dame (44 first place votes from Blue Ribbon, 13 from coaches)
2) Louisville (8 first place votes from Blue Ribbon, 1 from coaches)
3) Florida State (2 first place votes from Blue Ribbon, 1 from coaches)
4) Syracuse
5) Miami
6) Duke
7) NC State
8) North Carolina
9) Ga Tech
10) Virginia
11) Wake Forest
12) Va Tech
13) Pitt
14) Boston College
15) Clemson
Coach Walz spoke of spirited practices and intense competition so far in Louisville's preparation. Even though the Cards return all five starters from last season, he tossed it out there that there might be a couple of new starters for 2016-17.( Anyone want to speculate on just who? -- I'll go with the possibility of Taylor Johnson at point and Asia Durr at "2") Walz also stressed that it was more important who finished games....something we've been hearing him say since he arrived on campus in 2007...and that it will take more than just five players to win games. Team unity is high and Coach went into detail on the Cuba trip.
Walz also noted that Taylor Johnson had come in and been a stable and steady performer...pointing out that she'd been through the college scene for four years and had seen almost every situation out there. He also tossed compliments Cortnee Walton's way when he mentioned she was finishing around the basket better than he had ever seen her. Jazmine Jones was mentioned for her athleticism and play at the wing...it was even suggested that Myisha might see a little time at wing also.
You can watch the whole two-hour and forty five minutes morning session with the coaches and players at the link below. To catch Louisville's segment, fast -forward to the 02:34:00 mark.
LINK: WALZ, HINES-ALLEN DISCUSS LOUISVILLE WBB
Hines-Allen, along with Mariya Moore and Asia Durr were named to the pre-season All-ACC team. Can't argue with any of those choices. Others on the team were Brianna Turner and Lindsay Allen (Notre Dame), Rebecca Greenwell (Duke), Leticia Romero and Shakayla Thomas (FSU), Adrienne Motley (Miami) and Alexis Peterson (Syracuse).
The Newcomers Squad was void of any Cardinals. Lexie Brown and Leaonna Odom from Duke got the call...plus Chatrice White (FSU), and Erin Boley plus Jackie Young (Notre Dame)
I watched five or six of the coach/player interviews and found a current themes in the chats. Each coach feels they might possibly have a better, more talented and unified squad than last year. Even Quentin Hillsman...who would be hard-pressed this year to duplicate what the Orange accomplished last year. Of course, you expect coach-speak like that at these kind of events. I've never heard a coach come out and say that "we stink, we have no unity or leadership and we'll be lucky to win any games this season."
Moving the ACC Tournament to Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC is an interesting decision.
The HTC Center holds 3,200.
Fun times ahead for ACC women's basketball.
paulie
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Why so small a venue for ACC WBB Tournament?
ReplyDeleteIt's tiny, for sure...but the ACC WBB Tournament attendance has steadily decreased over the last few years. Notre Dame being in the final game the last three years, instead of the Carolina school may have had something to do with that. Last year, final game attendance was just 5017...to see Notre Dame and Syracuse...lowest it has been since 1996.
Deleteait's a just a one year thing...who knows? In past years, they've "aftifically swelled" Greensboro Coliseum by bringing in schoolkids in the earlier rounds.
Paulie
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The ACC moved all championships from North Carolina due to HB2:
Deletehttp://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2016-09-14/acc-relocate-athletic-championships-north-carolina
I must admit I incorrectly stated that the ACC Media Days were in Greensboro. Actually they were in Charlotte. A special thanks to Coach Walz for pointing this out to me.
ReplyDeletePaulie
Is there any links to the individual interviews that the players had with Debbie Antonelli?
ReplyDeleteMaybe at FoxSports? I don't think ACC site does...
DeletePaulie
I'm sure no Carolina team in title game is a factor like you pointed out Paulie. Plus, Duke and NC had extra bad years for them. Plus, ACC fell off talent wise
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. It's been Notre Dame the last three years.
DeletePaulie
WCBB tournaments seem anticlimactic to me. Your grateful to be in the NCAA's and looking forward yet you still have this weird tournament to play before sparse crowds
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed watching all the hoops last year (until the Cards got knocked out). As a basketball fan, it was neat to see the different coaching style and match-ups. Plus the pep bands, cheerleaders and dance squads. It's a chance to talk informally with the coaches, TV personalities (and the refs). I'll miss Greensboro. Whether I do Coastal Carolina or not...I haven't decided.
DeletePaulie
Reason Coach Q is optimistic is he knows Day twins, Peterson and Sykes are still hungry from the success they tasted. Plus he likes the three new players he has to try to make up for replace Butlers outside shooting. Fondren is a big loss.
ReplyDeleteWahlz has to start Asia. It would look horrible if he didn't. Top player not starting in her soph year? Taylor will start at point guard . Jackson Carter both out which makes us already better. Jackson and Carter should both be better than last year and will get less minutes.
The person who will really have a harder time getting her 30 minutes a game will be Mariya. Mariya's minutes will go down 25%
Jaz Jones will get some of hers.
Wahlz is in for an adventure trying to get more than 9 players at the very most decent playing time.
DeleteJust a note or two...
Delete1) It is Walz, not Wahlz or Waltz. Four letter first name, four letter second name. Just like Asia Durr.
2) I'm holding back on speculation about playing time. Way too early yet. Maybe we'll get a further glimpse on Media Day Wednesday...but I doubt it.
Paulie
Jackson played 28 mpg Carter 23 mpg. As cool as it was when B.J. carried us in some games it was just as uncool to see her stay in games when her shot was betraying her. Kind of like a baseball MGR keeping his starter in when he's getting shelled.
ReplyDeleteWade, I admire your ability to keep a conversation going with yourself. Admirable.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Normally I try to get replies up pretty quickly to comments and questions but this weekend was a marathon. Radio, tailgate, football, more radio (two shows!), Churchill, Field Hockey, monthly poker, more Field Hockey, Volleyball and WSOC. I was exhausted by 9 p.m. Sunday.
DeletePaulie
With A deep bench coach walz will be able to match teams like Notre Dame and UConn. Rotation rotation after rotation.Go Cards...
ReplyDelete