Louisville Women's Basketball (and other things) as seen by David Watson -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( One of our original writers here at the site, David Watson, has today's column.) 

CARDS TO THE FINAL FOUR? 

Hello, Cardinal Couple readers! Ol' Dave-O here! I've wandered back to the computer again and sent Paulie this probably long overdue, and too-long article. I hope you enjoy it! Paulie said he'd post this Thursday. If it's Thursday and this isn't here, then I recommend you fire the managing editor!


I'll get it out of the way, early. I think Louisville WBB is going to play in the Final Four. 


FIRST OFF

Just to let you know, things are pretty much back to normal here in Bradenton after our brush with Hurricane season. Thanks for asking me and Paulie and Joe Hill about me. We are fine. We are survivors.


NEXT 

Hey, Paulie! David Watson here. Paulie? Hello? NOOOO...
don't put me on hold again Coco! 

Paulie has asked the writers this month to remind you that November is donation month to Cardinal Couple. When I wrote regularly here years ago, we had no donation month and few donations at all. I can remember Paulie telling me that he had wiped out what little was in the Cardinal Couple bank account to go to the BIG EAST women's basketball tournament and had dipped into his own pocket once again to cover his airfare.  

Those days are seemingly over, although Paulie still funds a lot of his sports coverage out of his own pocket. I like being a small part of what happens here now and fondly remember the days when Paulie was calling on me to write a couple of times a week. I want you to please strongly consider donating to Cardinal Couple. I know there are a lot of people asking for money out there these days. Please send what you can for this wonderfully delightful and knowledgeable group of scribes to ensure and support the continuance of this independent, non-profit and daily look into the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports and other topics.  

Was it Divine providence when I happened to land a seat with my daughter next to Paulie many years ago in Freedom Hall? Who can say? It started, however, a long friendship, admiration and devotion to what he and the fine people of Cardinal Couple do, not only in regards to WBB but all Cardinal women's athletic squads. 

I sent my money in. Will you join me? 


HOOPS PLANS, LAMENTS AND REQUESTS

I'll miss Cortnee on the court. Glad she'll be on the air! 

Is there anyway you can be more excited about the start of women's college basketball than I am? I don't think so! I will be following the Louisville women's basketball squad as much is as possible and I will make trips to Atlanta (Georgia Tech) and Miami to see them play on the road. I'll also come to Louisville for to visit relatives sometime around the start of January and hopefully catch a game or two when I'm in town. Duke and Virginia Tech are on the Watson list of "teams to see in the KFC". 

I lament the fact that the Cards won't be coming to Tallahassee this season and that USF is not on Louisville's schedule this year. 

You see, I double dip. I also go to the South Florida Bulls womens' basketball games when I can, my love for the womens' college basketball product is that strong. Speaking of those Bulls, they're #23 in the nation and Jose Fernandez has the #2 ranked team in the AAC (behind you know who). He returns four starters (Maria Jespersen, Kitija Laska, Lala Flores and Tamara Henshaw) from last year and Laura Ferreira is healthy this year and ready to go. USF has had five straight 20-win seasons. Please, Jeff, you and Jose get together, have a beverage and re-establish this series between USF and UofL! 

But, I know you don't want to read about USF as much as you do about UofL. So, here's my take on the Cardinal women.


LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 

How many of you remember these days?

I try to read everything out there on the Internet I can about Louisville women's basketball and listen to every sound clip about them I can find. And, there is a lot! After careful consideration, deliberate diagnostics and straight from my heart -- I have come to the conclusion that Jeff Walz is sitting on a gold mine and this squad is a Final Four probable/potential team. 

Asia Durr. What can I say about her that hasn't been said? She will someday be mentioned in the same sentence with Cardinal greats Shoni Schimmel and Angel McCoughtry -- if not already in that group discourse. I cannot wait to see her in action this year. Go #25! 

Myisha Hines Allen. News from yesterday that she is ranked #24 in ESPNW's Top 25 players in the country. They are currently down to listing the top ten in their next release http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21290497/espnw-top-25-women-college-basketball-players-2017-18 (can they possibly leave Asia out?) and the honor is well deserved for the senior paint powerhouse. Walz says she's ready to go, Paulie is vastly impressed with what he's seen from her and, although the "M&M girls" moniker that the gang here at Cardinal Couple used a lot over the past three years is a thing of the past, I truly believe that MHA will have a spectacular senior season and be the glue that holds this ambitious project together.

Arica Carter. Back from a season on the sidelines and a starter in her sophomore season, A.C. has grown, matured and learned in her year of watching. I expect a confident, assured leader at that point guard spot from her and, if she should get weary, you will lose nothing if Dana Evans or even Jess Laemmle are on the Denny Crum Court. Arica's much maligned three-point skills have gotten considerably better, according to numerous reports and she's still Paulie's best-ever assistant interviewer. Be what you can be, A.C.!

There are so many other things I could say about this 2017-18 team but I don't like writing extremely long and lengthy articles anymore.

Add to the WBB playlist, three high schoolers said: "Louisville" yesterday. Seygan Robins, from the state champions Mercer County, Molly Lockhart from Louisville Butler and Mykasa Robinson, an Ashland Blazer product. The girls spent the summer together playing for nationally renown Kentucky Premier. They're the #13 ranked class in the nation.   

I'll end my hoops section with this. Basketball is a team game and all I've seen indicates that this team has achieved a great harmony, camaraderie and unity over the summer and in the three weeks of practice. I look forward to Sam Fuehring's efforts, the star-quality of Jazz Jones, the mad bombing from Syd and the blowouts that await unfortunate UofL opponents. Can we start now? I wish I could be in the KFC Friday but I will find someway to watch and also listen to Nick Curran and A.J.'s radio call.

11 players come together and emerge as one. Cardinal fans, come together as a loud, proud and supportive group behind this team.   

Go you Cardinals! Excel!!


LACROSSE

WHO AM I? First correct response
in the comments section gets an
entry in the $20 Panera Card giveaway

I debated going here and will keep it brief. Sometimes, you need changes. Even adults. Lacrosse, from all allegations and accounts had become toxic and the toxicity stems from the head coach. Change has come and I hope these players who remain get a sincere and quality new skipper. 

My oldest daughter, who some may remember, played collegiate Field Hockey. She, too, underwent a coaching change in her career and briefly considered transferring after it. She stuck the course, though, and got to play two years for an inspiring and hard-working coach. The friendships she made with her squad remain strong today.

Persevere, Louisville Laxers. Don't give up on these kids, Cardinal fans. They richly deserve your love, support, fandom and attendance. They've been through hell. They could sorely use a bright sun shining on them after a cloudy, stormy past. Holy mother, full of grace, please give these girls some serenity and peace. 

SO...

It was nice to have the wonderful opportunity to write for you all and this esteemed publication once again. I'm looking out the window, it's a sunny day and I'm headed to the golf course to lose another dozen or so round-orbs and dodge alligators.

Stay strong, Louisville. I am with you always in spirit, if not in physical appearance. I remain,



Your friend 

Dave-O
David Watson.  

( Thanks, Dave-O for another epic and classic piece! You are one of a kind...) 

Paulie