No Fall NCAA Championships -- WNBA Recap -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 NCAA CANCELS FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

NCAA President Mark Emmert broke the news yesterday that a lot of people expected would happen. There will be no fall championships for 2020.

With the list of conferences suspending or postponing fall sports growing daily this week, the decision was made. Also, the cost to schools and the NCAA to hold these, in a projected environment where fan attendance would likely be low or non-existent, was a key factor. 

Another blow in 2020 for the joy and excitement of college sports. 

Yes, there will still be (for now) conference battles and matchups to provide player motivation. Shortened schedules, but a chance to see if squads can produce the stellar seasons on the UofL campus that compare with 2019's successes. UofL Women's Soccer made the NCAA Tournament last year and advance to the second round. Cards Field Hockey battled their way to the NCAA and posted a 16-6 record before bowing out in the NCAA Tournament to Boston College. Who could forget Louisville Volleyball's NCAA run which produced the memorable win over Texas in Texas? 

I feel badly for the hard-working, dedicated fall student-athletes who now know how last year's spring sports squads feel to have the rug pulled out from underneath them. Knowing that their hard work, in normal times, could lead to that coveted NCAA invite and the chance to compete for a national title. 

A sign of the times. Not a sign we like, but, when over 50% of the conferences have shut down the fall seasons -- a harsh reality has come to pass. 

CARDS IN WNBA

All four of UofL WBB's participants in the WNBA took to the "wubble" last night to do battle for their respective teams. Mixed results for Angel, Myisha, Jaz and Kylee in Bradenton: 

INDIANA 86 -- NEW YORK 79

A rough first quarter for the New York Liberty last night againts the Indiana Fever, falling behind 27-17. Although the Liberty were able to make a game of it in the fourth and get within two, the result was another loss for the yoing squad from the Big Apple. 

Jazmine Jones came off the bench to deliver a solid 24 minutes for New York and produced 11 points and grab four rebounds. She was the third leading scorer for New York. Kylee Shook saw 17 minutes and ended up with two points and three rebounds. The Mitchell's (Tiffany and Kelsey) produced 37 of Indiana's points.

LOS ANGELES 81 -- WASHINGTON 64

The slumping Mystics drop another one, falling behind 47-34 in the first half and Washington has now lost six in a row now after starting out 3-0  A 14-0 first quarter LA run proved costly. 

Myisha Hines-Allen started for the Mystics and played 25 minutes. She had 10 points and two rebounds but ran into a bit of foul trouble battling the LA front line of Candace Parker, Brittney Sykes and Nneka Ogwumike. The Mystics are short-handed, no doubt, and missed Aerial Powers last night, 

LAS VEGAS 87 -- MINNESOTA 77

Some good news for UofL WBB fans in the late game last night, as Angel McCoughtry went for 21 points and five boards in the Aces win. Las Vegas is now in sole possession of second place in the league, a game back of Seattle. 

The Aces put up big numbers in the first half, taking a 53-38 lead. Angel is really fitting in well with A'ja Wilson, Kayla McBride and the impressive Jackie Young. The four players combined for 77 of Las Vegas's points. Sylvia Fowles left the game for Minnesota early on, re-injuring her calf muscle -- and Minnesota just isn't the same without "Big Syl".

Have a fortunate Friday...the weekend's here, you made it!

paulie