Louisville women's basketball -- Walz wants big crowd for Virginia game

PINK OUT. CARDS PLAY IN PLAY 4 KAY GAME TONIGHT

Jeff Walz held his weekly press conference yesterday and led off, naturally, with the next game on the Cardinal WBB schedule -- the "Think Pink", Play 4 Kay Thursday contest against Virginia that will tip at 7 p.m. in the KFC YUM! Center. Coach said: 

"I'd like to encourage all of our fans...anybody that's a Louisville basketball, football, athletic fan...to come out tomorrow night. It's not just for our student athletes, it's for a great cause...Walz stated. "It started off on Monday, where I put out there, after talking with my wife, doing a donation for the Kay Yow Fund. We came up with a creative idea, a dollar per fan over 10,000 to see if we can get a great turnout for Thursday night. Within about 10 hours I received an e-mail from a fan that wanted to remain nameless who said they would willing to double that, so now it's up to $3 a fan. Then, Park Community (a Louisville Credit Union) sends out a tweet yesterday that they'd like to add a dollar." 

"So, now we're at $4 a fan for over 10,000. Everybody has someone affected by cancer. Even if you don't like basketball. Even if you don't like Louisville...nobody likes cancer. 
So, we've got a chance. Group tickets are $3. 10 fans or more, call up and you can get group tickets....it's an absolutely wonderful way to raise money to help a great cause." 

We, at Cardinal Couple, hope the fans will pack the YUM! tonight. Wear your pink and cheer on a team that's 27-2, fourth in the nation and will only appear at home one more time after tonight in the regular season before post-season begins.


Or, just come out in support of the fight against cancer. A talk with UofL personnel indicated that about 7,000 tickets had been sold as of Wednesday noon, so get cracking and get those tickets. 

LOUISVILLE is guaranteed that they'll begin the NCAA Tournament run with their first two games at The KFC YUM! Center. It also looks very good that, if they advance, the next two could be played at the Lexington Regional site at Rupp Arena.    

Walz continued by talking about the free throw challenge associated with the Play 4 Kay fund-raiser. Cardinal fans have responded well to this, and the amount is around $54 a made free throw now. (Accuracy, girls...accuracy!) 

Other topics covered in the presser: 

On Myisha: Walz spoke of her growth over the last four years and her accomplishments. 

On Myisha's confidence: Walz spoke of Shawnta Dyer's mentoring of her and helping her install a great work effort. 

On the future: Coach talked about the importance of the final two games and what was at stake. Winning a conference title would be only the second conference championship in his career, the first coming as an assistant with Paul Sanderford at Western early in his career. 

On Asia Durr ankle: She has not practiced since the sprain but should be ready to go. "She has two ankles." he joked. He'd be shocked if she can't go. "She loves to play." 

On a test for the team if she can't go: Walz turned this question into a humorous exchange with me. He doesn't like tests, but offered to give me some. 

His take on the denied appeal: Walz thought the situation was ridiculous and questioned how you can take away wins. He feels bad for the kids but does not condone the infractions committed by the players. 

On a closure with the fan base: Walz hopes the fans can get over this and come out and support his team Thursday night. 

On being nominated for Coach of the Year: Walz gave credit to his staff and players for the successes Louisville has had. 

HEAR THE ENTIRE PRESSER HERE: WALZ PRESS CONFERENCE 2-21-18


So, the Cards WBB squad continues on with the spectacular season. One of the few bright spots for a University that has been rocked, beat up and ran roughshod over by the NCAA denial of appeal. That, and the continued mediocrity of men's basketball. I won't beat a dead horse here but David Padgett's players need to learn how to play defense. 

Virginia has strengths but...they are on the road, they were previously trounced by the Cards, and they're seeing a top-four spot in the ACC slowly fade into the sunset...I can't see them giving Louisville much of a battle tonight. Let's hope Louisville can shake the slow starts they've been involved in lately and make this one a blowout from the start. 

Wear pink, come out tonight and let's have some fun. It's sorely needed right about now around the Louisville athletic department. 


CONDOLENCES 

Two great gals...Daryl (left) and
Paige (right)! 

Daryl Foust has been a frequent guest on The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour and we always relish having her in-studio to share her thoughts on "all things Cardinals". 

Her grandmother passed away yesterday and will be buried Saturday. Our thoughts, condolences and prayers are with her at this time. 

It is part of the life process. There are births and deaths. We, too, will someday be spoken of fondly when we are breathing dry air. 

We go through the sadness and grieving but we must never forget the good times we had with those dearly departed. I hope these rememberances of "the good times" will occupy your thoughts, buddy. 


THANKS! 

A sincere and heartfelt "THANK YOU!" to all who have wished me a Happy Birthday. It'll be a good day, spending it with my wife and getting to go to a Louisville WBB basketball game tonight. 

I am thankful to still be here. I was selected "guy most unlikely to see 30" in my High School Yearbook and, despite my frivolous and carefree "early days", I've made it to where I can start investigating things like senior benefits and other senior citizen trappings and discounts.  I'm blessed to have Sonja in my life and as my wife. She changed my life at a time when I may have been at my lowest peak. I love her so very much. I am grateful, reciprocating and so very lucky. 

I don't feel old. I have my friends, family and activities to thank for that. On this day, like on most days, I'll remember the careful nurturing and raising that my parents provided. I'll count my blessing and remember friends and family that are not still with me. We'll wait until the weekend to formally celebrate (Sonya's birthday is Saturday).

We grow old, we grow wiser and we look forward to each day. No quit in the "tall boy who never backs down". Onward. Confidently. Happily. Confidently. 

Thanks, again. 


LACROSSE

Louisville Lacrosse travels to Indy today to face Butler University at 3 p.m. in the home open for the Bulldogs. 

The Cards (2-1) face a a Bulldog squad that is 0-1. They lost to Michigan 12-2. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 10th (last) in the preseason Big East poll. 

Louisville plays or has played (5) Big East schools, including Butler, in their first six games this season. They have wins over Marquette and Cincinnati, lost to Denver and will play Vanderbilt on 2/27. 

BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.   Florida (9)     81
2.   Denver (1)     73
3.   Georgetown 62
4.   Temple          56
5.   Connecticut  49
6.   Vanderbilt     37
      Marquette     37
8.   Villanova       27
9.   Cincinnati      19
10. Butler            9

Good luck to the LAX Cards today in Circle City. 


Paulie
xxxxx