MOVING ON UP
This is more than 3X the margin of victory of nne points, which is what #1 UConn could muster against Notre Dame. Not one first place vote? The Cards weren't even the unanimous #2 in the polls...undefeated Mississippi State moved up to third and received some acknowledgment as well. The Bulldogs will face a tough test on Sunday when they travel to "Ol Rocky Top" to face the Tennessee Volunteers.
DURRIFIC
Asia Durr has been named ACC Player of the Week for the third time this season. She has also been named the espnW Player of the Week for the second time this season. Her 21.1 points per game average leads the ACC. She has heated up with a blazing 26.8 average in ACC games which is also #1 in the conference. As she racks up accolades, she remains grounded and humble -- giving credit to her teammates for spreading the defense and getting her the ball. She recently indicated that she'd like to go into coaching. Myisha Hines-Allen responded that she wanted her future kids to play for her. A revealing exchange that tells you all you need to know about how this team feels about her.#Nite-nite.
DOOO-BLAY
NEXT UP
Louisville travels to play Pittsburgh on Thursday night. At 9-9 overall and 1-4 in ACC play it might be easy to overlook the Panthers but they are on a one-game winning streak after beating Georgia Tech in "the Pete"...a team that earlier this season took Louisville to the wire. The Cards lost on the Panthers home court in 2008 and 2010, pulled out a 71-66 overtime win there in 2012 and escaped with a 63-57 win back in 2015. The Cards did win in the Steel City in 2016 and 2017.Now that the Steelers football season has ended, expect a good crowd for this one Thursday. As long as Pitt doesn't find a way to sneak Ben Rothlisberger and Antonio Brown on the floor...the Cards should prevail...but expect a close one.
Will William Gay make an appearance?
TEETER TALES
We're seeing life in the Louisville Lacrosse program as they prepare for their season start at Cincinnati on Feb. 9th.
Two of the transfers come from head coach Scott Teeter's previous school, Canisius. Tessa Chad, a junior attacker, scored 53 goals last season. Brennan Shanahan, a junior defender, led Canisius with 31 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers. Both were All-MAAC First team. The fact that players are following Teeter from his previous school instills confidence that there will not be a repeat of last year's coaching issues that resulted in mass transfers.
Courtney Denna, midfielder, is a grad transfer from Maryland. Last year she had 17 starts and saw action in 22 games. Jen Scaaf, goalkeeper, is a freshman transfer from Howard Community College. All four transfers are immediate eligible. We're still waiting to see who Teeter will pick to fill out his coaching staff. Renee Poullott was recently named as an assistant and we figure Teeter will add another soon.
RAMANI RECRUITED
Ramani Parker is a 6'4" post that has been pursued by many schools. A part of the 2019 class, she is now off the table. Jeff Walz strikes gold in California with her verbal to the Cards. The Fresno, CA junior went to Twitter to break the news.
Julie Sullivan
I have no issues with the #2 ranking. I don't have issues with the "no #1 votes and I would even be okay with remaining at #3. Lots of basketball left and I am fine with teams underestimating how well these women play. Watched UConn v Texas Monday evening. UConn can be beat but you can't throw the ball to them and you can't dribble drive into players that are set. And, you must make free throws when given the opportunity. Couple of apparent bone-head plays by Texas especially toward the end.
ReplyDeleteThere is UConn. And then there is the rest of women's college basketball. Like a Eastern Diamondback rattler in the weeds, they wait and then strike.
DeleteWhat I saw last night was a UConn team that has some weaknesses but enough star-power to pull through nights where the crowd may be large and rowdy, their game a bit off and the opponent playing as if their lives depended on it.
DeleteAre they beatable? Yes, everyone is. Texas gave it a damn good try but fell just short.
Crystal Dangerfield was the Huskies who led the sled last night. Other nights it's been Azura Stevens. Or Katie Lou Samuelson.
I just wonder how badly the swollen eye affected her in crunch time last night and the two missed free throws. That thing has got to look quite nasty this morning.
Someone get a steak over that orbit or a container of frozen peas at the least.
And, it was basically self-inflicted. She ran into an elbow. We hear that and laugh sometimes, but a replay of the incident clearly shows that to be the case.
With Texas dispatched, the Huskies continue the "T" portion of their schedule. Tulsa, Temple, the (Memphis) Tigers and Tulane before they head to the land of palmettos and boiled peanuts and Gamecocks.
27 days until Louisville. Will both still be undefeated?
Interesting times....
Paulie
As much as I admire Asia Durr and enjoy here game, I am glad that someone has given a little love to Myisha Hines-Allen. I follow that blob and, though I do not necessarily agree with them all of the time, I do appreciate their recognition of Hines-Allen and her importance.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that Jazmine Jones is very under-appreciated. I have watched the Louisville-Notre Dame game a few times and I can tell you that Jones dominated and shut down their best scorer as she has in many of previous games. We tend to be offensively oriented but her defense should be remarked upon.
Thank you Charlie Mack from a Jersey girl! Yes Asia is Durrific no doubt! But let us not forget the leader and senior of the team who has been here from day one! I believe coack Walz said about Arica that she scores a little less but add in the assists etc and that acts as points...well 31 points and 12 rebounds is like 42 points...plus the steals etc..But the win is what all the girls want and is the goal.. However its nice to see the love! Go cards!
DeleteNice math 43 points!
DeleteNo doubt Jaz's defensive effort was key to that victory. Coach Walz has said as much. I also heard Asia give props to het as well. If I am not mistaken Jaz took 4 charges. That is putting your body on the line for the team. She definitely had her best game to date. I think you can point to every player that play more than a couple minutes and show something they improved or that they stepped up to help the team. Kylee played tougher than I have seen her so far. 4 big blocks. Syd's shot didn't fall but she play tight defense. Dana and Africa protected the ball and ran the offense. Sam played tough under the basket Bionca played stronger. It was a great team win. Just keep building on that. No resting on laurels
ReplyDeleteI apologize, my phone autocorrect Arica's name. No offense intended
DeleteAfrica Jones. Sounds like a sequel to the Foxy Brown movie, if anyone follows movies from the mid-seventies.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, Jones has proved her worth in shining fashion this season. Add lockdown defender to the things she does well. One of her roles on a team that uses players quite effectively.