Louisville Women's Basketball -- Three Named to ACC All-Academic Team....WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

JACKSON, HINES-ALLEN, WALTON ALL-ACC ACADEMIC SELECTIONS

So often, when we think of the term "student-athlete"...our thoughts are centered around points scored, runs batted in, kills, draw controls and stops. The "student" part, though...is just as essential to the makeup and daily routine of the young men and women's who are on the Belknap Campus. Term papers, final exams, independent research and class participation. Those items don't scream across the headlines of articles or get fans engaged in spirited debates. 

The Louisville women's basketball squad had three players named to the All-ACC Academic squad...Briahanna Jackson, Myisha Hines-Allen and Cortnee Walton. For Jackson, it is the second-straight season for the accolade. 

To be eligible for the award consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one's academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic team.

Professor Myisha quizzes Mariya

Hines-Allen, a sport administration major, earned Dean's list and athletic director's honor roll awards in the fall. She was also on the all-academic team her freshman year. 

Jackson, who will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, earned the all-academic award in 2015-16. She was also on the Dena's list and athletic director's honor roll in the fall. 

Walton will finish her master's degree in sport administration this spring. She received her bachelor's degree in communication in the spring of 2015. She earned ACC honor roll recognition in 2014-15 and 2015-16. 

Congratualtions to those these three shining examples of the future and all the hard-working student-athletes at UofL. Be diligent in your future role as community and business leaders and use perseverance in your quest to be the best! 



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SOFTBALL IN FOR SOME TOUGH SLEDDING IN LOUISVILLE TOURNAMENT? 

The Softball Cards (12-7) get ready for another tournament weekend at Ulmer in the Louisville Tournament with the possibility of some dicey weather to deal with. 

The Cards will play in five games beginning Friday with the forecasts not so pleasing. Friday a high of 49 is currently expected with 15-20 mph winds. Saturday a high of 33 with a 40% chance of snow arriving in the evening. Sunday the high reaches 43. 

Louisville is scheduled to face Ohio at 12:30 Friday and IUPUI at 3 p.m. On Saturday, the Cards bat against N. Iowa at 12:30 and Wright St. at 3 p.m. Sunday's action has Louisville playing N. Iowa at 12:30. 

How and if these times will be adjusted is not known yet but we'll keep you updated. Louisville Baseball also scheduled for home games at Ulmer...so let's hope Mother Nature is a diamond fan and spares Louisville any rough stuff. 


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WBB SEASON TICKETS HOLDERS GET A BREAK

In all probability, Louisville will be one of 16 hosts for 1st and 2nd round NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games. Last year, there was quite the furor that season-ticket holders did not get right of first refusal for tickets. 

That has been changed for 2017. Season ticket holders now will have that right for the expected games at the KFC YUM! Center. 

We can't say with 100% accuracy that Coach Jeff Walz was the driving force behind this, but we'd bet that the Mad Scientist rattled a few test tubes and had a few theorems lined up for presentation to make this happen. 

This makes sense. You support a team all year along and get the season ticket package and should have the option to decide whether you want to continue that support before tickets are released to the general public and visiting teams. 

SO...

As to when the events and venues will be determined, you'll have to wait for Selection Monday, March 13th. We've never quite understood why there is such a delay between the final conference tournament games and the actual selections. Is it really that much harder to design a women's bracket than a men's? Do the women need the extra seven days rest? We think not. 

Nevertheless, the wrong done to Cardinal fans last year has been righted and it should ensure a large Cardinal contingent at the YUM! 

As to what seed the Cards will receive...that's a debatable item. The USA Today Coaches poll has Louisville #12 in the nation. The Cards are #13 with the AP. Charlie Creme's Bracketology has Louisville a #4 seed in the Oklahoma City Region. The Cards are #11 in the RPI. The Top 16 Committee has Louisville at #14 (as of Feb. 20th). Paulie's Highly Unofficial and Totally Subjective Rankings have the Cards as a #3 seed. 

Where's my dartboard? 

We'll see...four more shopping days until the broadcast. 


paulie
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