McCoughtry Named to WNBA All-Star Game -- ESPY Awards Recap -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Angel McCoughtry Named to 2018 WNBA All-Star Game

Former Louisville standout Angel McCoughtry has continued her mighty success in the pros.  McCoughtry was named to her 5th All-Star game.  She is expected to be one of the five starters, which would give her as many starts as appearances in all-star games.

With Atlanta, McCoughtry has become their career leader in games played, points scored, made field goals, assists, and steals.  Her 378 points is most on the team this season.  She also leads the team in assists with 74.  McCoughtry is shooting an impressive 85% from the field this year.

McCoughtry is on Team Parker and joins the ranks of Candace Parker (Sparks, 5th All-Star selection), Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks, 5th), Chiney Ogwumike (Sun, 2nd), Maya Moore (Lynx, 6th), Tina Charles (Liberty, 6th), Liz Cambage (Wings, 2nd), Allie Quigley (Sky, 2nd), Jewell Lloyd (Storm, 1st), Chelsea Gray (Sparks, 2nd), and Skylar Diggins-Smith (Wings, 4th).

The opposing Team Delle Donne consists of Elena Delle Donne (Mystics, 5th), A'ja Wilson (Aces, 1st), Breanna Stewart (Storm, 2nd), Brittney Griner (Mercury, 5th), Sylvia Fowles (Lynx, 5th), DeWanna Bonner (Mercury, 2nd), Kristi Toliver (Mystics, 2nd), Diana Taurasi (Mercury, 9th), Kayla McBride (Aces, 2nd), Sue Bird (Storm, 11th), and Seimone Augustus (Lynx, 8th).

The game will be held on Saturday, July 28 in Minneapolis.  You can catch the game on ABC at 3:30 p.m.


ESPY's Recap

I wanted to take a moment to recap the 2018 ESPY Awards that happened Wednesday evening for two reasons.  If you didn't catch the event on ABC I don't blame you.  It went on for over three hours.

First, Donovan Mitchell won Breakthrough Athlete of the Year.  The former Louisville basketball player was runner-up for Rookie of the Year and won the NBA Dunk Contest.  "Spida-D" has earned a reputation early on in the pros and has been nothing but humble and thankful.  Congratulations to this young man on his success!

Second, I wanted to take a moment to discuss the recipients for the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.  The winner this year was actually a combination of hundreds of women.  141 were able to make the event to accept the award.

The biggest scandal to ever hit USA sports is the Larry Nassar case.  The "Sister Survivors" came out and spoke individually at the court hearing that lasted for over a week.  Nassar was sentenced to prison for 40-125 years for three counts of criminal sexual assault, child molestation, child pornography, among other charges.

The winners received an extended standing ovation from the crowd as the group joined hands on stage.

"To all the survivors out there, don't let anyone rewrite your story.  Your truth does matter.  You matter.  And you are not alone," said Aly Raisman, a two-time Olympian and Sister Survivor member.

The reason I wanted to discuss this is simple.  Justice has been served and a criminal is behind bars.  Many women, almost all of them being an NCAA athlete at one point or another, were able to finally get closure that they should have received decades ago.  Although it does not directly affect any of our current or former athletes at UofL, these women have the comfort of knowing that UofL is here to protect them.  This university has always put its athletes' well-being before that of the success of the program.  I am proud to be a part of a university that has its athletes' backs and will do anything to make sure that their well-being is the primary concern.

As a member of a site that prides itself in covering women's sports it brings me joy to see that hundreds of women have gotten the justice they deserve and that their voices have been heard.


Other News and Notes

Women's Basketball season tickets are on sale.  Come join Coach Jeff Walz and the UofL women's basketball team for 15 home games at the KFC Yum! Center.  You might even catch Paulie and Sonya on media row, myself in the photographers' section, and Worldwide in the stands.  From what I hear the CardsPass has been updated to help avoid some of last year's issues.

Speaking of Walz and WBB, Coach brings in the USA U 18 squad for practice staring today in Colorado Springs, CO. They'll start group play on August 1st in Mexico City.

Volleyball mini-plan tickets have been released.  Season tickets were released a short while ago, but now there is an option to attend four of the premiere matches this season -- including rival Kentucky.  For those who cannot make it out to every game this season this package is a great alternative to make it out to just a small portion of the season while still getting to enjoy the action.

What day is today?  Well, first of all it is Nap Day so you can bet that I ... zzz ... will also be snacking on fortune cookies and lollipops.  It is also Chess Day for you geniuses.  Today marks the 49th anniversary of the first humans to walk on the moon.  On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EST, Neil Armstrong became the first person to step foot on the moon.  "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," are the famous words spoken by Armstrong.

You can catch Paulie and Worldwide on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour tomorrow with hopes of a special guest or two.  Case nor myself will be able to make it in the studio, but we hope to make it back next week!

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

- Jared -