USA uses late 2nd quarter run to get by Russia in U 19 title game -- Monday Cardinal Couple

WILSON'S 30 PUSH USA BY PESKY RUSSIA 78-70

USA U 19 got 16 first half points from Azura Stevens and a U 19 record 30 points from A'ja Wilson to overcome and hold off Russia to take the U 19 title game by eight points in the finals at Chekhov, Russia Sunday.

This was a test of two teams that had blown by the competition by an average of over 30 points in their previous six games. A USA team that alternated three point guards looking for an answer against the superior Russia outside shooting and half court defense. In the end, the USA did it the way they'd been doing it all tournament long.

Going inside.


A back and forth 1st quarter that saw Russia gain an early lead and take a 21-19 lead after the first ten minutes. 

Stevens was providing the offense...working hard inside against the Russian bigs. Russia finding success with the three ball. Mariya Moore reduced to basically a passer and defender with no first quarter points.

It got scary to start the 2nd quarter. Russia rolled off the first six points and USA was down eight. Dawn Staley called a timeout to right the ship against a pumped up opponent and loud and raucous home court crowd. 

Whatever she said...worked.


USA climbed back to a 30-29 deficit after Moore found Stevens inside with 5:15 remaining. Moore would miss a three a couple of minutes later that would have put the Americans ahead...but a 9-2 run over the final three minutes...keyed by Wilson sweeping hook and a Moore pass to Napheesa Collier gave USA a 39-34 lead at the half. 

Uncle Mo was on the American bench but the Russians weren't done by any means. Although they would not see the lead again, they made it interesting.

A Musina three three minutes into the 3rd quarter cut the USA lead to 43-41. Moore countered with a three for USA. Another Russian three with 4:27 left in the quarter made it 50-49. Center Chatrice White with an impropable but buzzer-beating three to end the third and USA held on to a 57-53 lead with ten minutes to play. 

Moore struck again to start the final quarter for USA with a three to make it 60-53...but thee Russian went on a 10-5 run over the next three 3:20 to get within two at 65-63 after another Musina trey ball. Wilson countered inside with her 27th point of the game seconds later. 


Moore's assist to White inside gave America a 70-65 lead with four minutes remaining.  A steal and Wilson jumper three seconds later set the advantage at seven. The Russians were finally tiring and the Americans held 77-68 with a minute to go...Russia went 8 for 10 from trifecta range in the final 20 minutes.

Wilson was named MVP of the tournament and Napheesa Collier joined her on the All-Tournament team.

Paulie Observations:

-- A'ja Wilson may be the best 19 year old women's player in the world...but Russia's Daria Kolosovskaia isn't far behind. Selected to the All-Tournament team, she tallied 19 points and made a mockery of the USA defense in the middle with her dribble-drive.

-- Mariya Moore with almost 37 minutes on the court...high for USA. Only six points but the glue that held USA together on the court. Every team needs a passer to set up the scorers and Moore fulfilled that role excellently in the final game. 

-- Congratulations to a USA team that had its share of tough breaks and setbacks early on. The top two players of the 2015 Class (Durr and Samuelson) made the team but didn't make the trip and Shakayla Thomas left the squad after the Canada game to return stateside.

-- Kristine Anigwe did not play in the final and logged only two minutes in the semifinal win over Spain. No official word on any injury...but her play in the pool games was impressive. 

-- Australia won the 3rd place game over Spain and France finished fifth. Egypt failed to win a game in seven attempts. 

-- Those crazy ESPN3 announcers...referring to our #11 as "Marie" Moore. I expected to hear them use Mary Tyler Moore, Maya Moore or even Dinty Moore at some point in time. Obviously siding with the Russians, these two guys nearly lost a lung every time Russia scored. Let's hope they stay overseas...would hate to hear them tackle pronouncing "Arica", "Taja", "Emmonnie" or "Brianna". 

-- I wish they would have let Walz and KBA stand on the podium for the awards ceremony. They were just as integral in the USA win as the rest of the squad. 


paulie
xxxx 

USA bests Spain...faces Russia today in U 19 WBB...Shoni, Angel in WNBA All-Star game -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

WILSON, COLLIER LEAD USA TO 80-65 WIN OVER SPAIN IN U 19 SEMIFINALS

Napheesa Collier (UConn) had 24 points and 14 rebounds and A'ja Wilson added 20 points and 16 boards in the USA 15 point semifinal win over Spain yesterday in Chekhov, Russia.

Louisville's Mariya Moore added 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists and also keyed a 20-3 second quarter run that broke a 21-21 tie wide open. 

USA struggled with turnovers and missed shots in the first quarter...seeing a 20-14 that was bolstered by a Moore assist to Collier disappear in the final two minutes to 21-19.

After Spain tied the contest to open the second quarter... USA ramped up the 1-2-1-1 zone trap pressure and pulled away. Moore block and steal led to a 37-24 lead and a Moore putback set the score at 41-24 with 2:54 to play. USA took a 44-29 lead to the locker room...getting their final points of the half when Moore led a fastbreak with a pass and layup. 44-31 at the break. 

The Spaniards did not want to go away and actually got within eight during a 7-0 run in the third quarter that made it 54-46. USA kept with the interior passing to Collier and Wilson, though, and two Moore free throws with 49 seconds to go in the quarter gave USA a 62-50 lead. 

It's a good thing the inside game was clicking...USA was 0-8 from trifecta range after 30 minutes. 

A spurt from Moore started the fourth quarter. A steal and score from her pushed the lead to 66-52. At the 9:03 mark, she got her second steal in less than ten seconds and created an assist to Crystal Dangerfield to make it a 16 point USA lead. 

Staley turned the court over to Ortiz, Cox, Patberg, White and Slocum to get the USA to the buzzer and Cox looked particularly impressive over the final four minutes to get the USA to the 80-65 win.

Paulie Impressions:

NOT in Russia

-- Spain's head coach is Mario Lopez. No, not that Mario Lopez. Unfortunately, Spain couldn't be saved by the bell or the buzzer.

-- Shakayla Thomas has left the team and gone home for personal reasons. She wasn't there for the Spain game. Listed as a DNP in the Canada game. We hope all is well...

-- The jolly play-by-play and color analyst guys on ESPN3 mentioned that there were some difficulties in Spain's Angela Salvadores getting clear to play at Duke. They didn't elaborate.

-- USA back in blue unis for Saturday's game. At least Walz's audio wasn't able to be heard in the background. I just don't think blondes look good in blue...IMHO. 

Coach Mario Lopez, who IS in Russia.

-- Russia beat the Aussies 76-57 to face USA today for the Gold. This one should be a war inside. 

-- UConn looks to be sitting pretty for 2016 in WBB with Stewie back, the big performance from Kia Nurse in the Pan Am's and the play of Crystal Dangerfield and Napheesa Collier. Someone needs to beat those guys...right? 

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SHONI GETS 13 in WNBA All-Star game

It's become increasingly clear that Shoni Schimmel has played her way back into shape. It's also apparent she does better in All-Star games than regular season games. Schimmel started and scored 13 points in 25 minutes yesterday for the East in a 117-112 loss to the West.

Maya Moore was voted the MVP and had 30 points to back it up. 

Hey...wouldn't it be fun to have Maya Moore and Mariya Moore on the same team someday? A PA Announcers nightmare maybe...

Angel added 9 pts. for the East. It was an All-Star game. Shoni and Angel were a combined 9 for 26 from the floor.

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CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO


Our Saturday broadcast should be available for listening on the SoundCloud later today. You won't want to miss Paulie's interviews with UofL head women's soccer coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes and senior Casey Whitfield.

Program these coordinates into your electrical device: 

https://soundcloud.com/chradio/cardinal-couple-072515


paulie
xxxxx

Women's Soccer in 18 days!....USA U 19 in Final Four with 93-45 win over Canada.-- Saturday Cardinal Couple

KAREN FERGUSON-DAYES, TEAM ANTICIPATING SEASON START

Mark your calenders...the UofL women's soccer team gets the 2015 season underway on Weds.,Aug. 12th. with an exhibition game against NKU in Highland Heights, KY. Four days later, the Kickin' Cards bring in IU for an exhibition.

Those fall sports we've been waiting for are right around the corner. For soccer, it's a return of some exciting roster names and the advent of an excellent freshman class to defend Lynn Stadium.

Speaking of defense, the Cards had a solid one last year...and Inger Katrine Bjerke, Hannah Konermann and Paige Brown headline a solid unit that will keep opponent's goals to a minimum. 

Quite possibly the biggest new is the return of graduated senior Casey Whitfield to the squad after sitting out last season with an achilles injury. She'll join proven scorers Lexie Nieboda, Bella Habuda, Allison Price and Kaela Dickerman in finding the back of the net against a strong non-conference schedule and 11 ACC foes.

Add six highly anticipated first-timers to the program that will compete for playing time right away...and there's a lot to be excited about on the corner of Floyd and Byrne. 



Be sure to catch the Saturday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO at 11 a.m. for our exclusive interviews with Coach KFD and Casey Whitfield. 


Here's a few teasers...

-- Coach Dayes has been busy with other things than the 2015 squad. Hear her talk about the "soccer revolution".

-- UofL women's basketball isn't the only sport that offers "a day in the life" opportunity to prospective college soccer hopefuls. 

-- What did Coach think about the non-conference schedule last year? And this years?

-- Who does Coach KFD see as the team leaders for 2015?

-- What was Casey Whitfield's "dream come true"?

-- What other sport did Casey consider in high school and what other activity does she still enjoy?

-- What does Casey call this particular season? 

Make sure and tune in for these answers and the whole interviews! 

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USA U 19 with another lopsided win in the U 19 Championships in Russia...Canada the victim of a 93-45 drubbing. The win gets USA into the Final Four.

Mariya Moore going 9 for 11 from the free throw line and hitting a three for 12 points in 18 minutes.

This one was 28-5 at the end of the first quarter. 

They'll take on Spain in the semifinals today at 1:15 p.m. They'll face the winner of Australia vs. Russia Sunday when they defeat the Spanish team. And, they will defeat the Spanish team. 

ESPN3 with the live feed.

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WCHQ 100.9 FM

Our final show of July today at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM and on the Internet at crescenthillradio.com

We've gotta lotta hoops to review, a report and interviews on women's soccer and we'll blow up balloons and pop them if we run out of material. 

It's all about the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports and we'd love it if you stop by and get happy with us! 

Link below:

WOMEN'S SPORTS AND A DOG LIVE ON THE RADIO


paulie
xxxxx


  

USA U 19 downs Argentina 89-39 -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

MOORE NAILS THREE THREES IN WIN

MOORE FOR THREEEEE!!!!

The USA U 19 women's basketball team advanced out of the Sweet Sixteen yesterday (we're shocked!) with a 50-point win over winless Argentina. This one was played at Vidnoje instead of Chekhov (seems they have two sites for these games...) and was played without Jeff Walz...who was still in Chekhov with shuttle issues. He tweeted:

"After shuttle issues Jacob and I weren't able 2 make game. Finishing Canada scout for tomorrow, Enjoying first half." 

OK, Coach...it happens...but I'm pretty sure they're playing the quarterfinals on Friday. Unless you know something we don't. (Who wants to bet he spent the day at the Moscow Zoo?) 

It's 47 km (that's 30 miles to you and I) between the two facilities. It would be like getting stuck in Shelbyville trying to get to the KFC YUM! Center....so we'll give him a pass and it looks like he got to see a good game in Chekhov...Canada maybe pulling the only upset of the day in knocking off Serbia.

At Vidnoje, meanwhile...

USA and Argentina were deadlocked in a 2-2 thriller (yawn...) 150 seconds into the contest when the USA took off on a 19-0 run over the next six minutes. Mariya Moore, who got the start, canned a three to put USA up 14-2. The first ten minutes mercifully ended for Argentina with USA leading 28-4.   

Mariya sat the first seven minutes of the second quarter but it didn't seem to affect Team USA...they held a 40-12 lead when she came in the game. She hooked up with a nice assist to Napheesa Collier at the 1:22 mark to make it 45-15 and USA led 48-18 at the half. 

Maybe the Argentinians were wishing they were in Chekhov at this point, too...or at the Zoo with Walz and Jacob.

Mariya started the second half and had an immediate impact by nailing a three for USA's first points of the half at the 8:38 mark. With 7:41 to go, she threaded a pass to A'ja Wilson for a basket +1.

Another Moore three tickled the nets with 6:44 showing on the clock and Argentina called a timeout...trailing 59-20. Two free throws pushed her point total to 11 with 3:48 remaining and the score stood at 63-22. A nifty interior pass by Moore to Chatrice White led to basket with 99 seconds left in the quarter and USA held 69-26 with ten minutes to play. 

Moore, Dangerfield, Wilson, Thomas and Collier got a well-deserved rest in the fourth quarter...and USA rolled on to the 89-39 win. Things got a tad chippy late...Lauren Cox and Ali Patberg were decked on a couple of aggressive fouls and Cox delivered a pretty solid elbow of her own that sent the Argentina center to the floor. 

On a side note, I've fallen in love with Ali Patberg's game. So much hustle, defensive intensity and a better-than-average shot. Muffet McGraw is going to love her, too....

USA gets Canada next. Also advancing into the "Great Eight" were France, Australia, Belgium, Russia, Spain and China...who beat Taiwan. Really? All that way just to play Taiwan? They could have met in Hong Kong...

Paulie Observations:

-- It's nice to see Sasha Baron Cohen has found work again...I'm pretty sure that was him imitating Borat as the PA Announcer during the game. 

-- The Argentina team had DirecTv sponsorship's on their jerseys. Now I know why the audio kept going out. They also did this crazy kind of circle dance around the half-court emblem before the game started and were chanting something. It probably wasn't USA! USA!

-- In the "Son, are you old enough to drive?" category...the male referee looked to be maybe in his freshmen year of high school. He blew the whistle, though, with the aplomb of Dee Kanter on a nationally televised game. 

-- Hadn't noticed this before...but the shot clock violation horn sounded like a car alarm going off. Or, maybe it was a car alarm? Maybe it was Walz trying to sneak into the arena through an unauthorized entrance...in any event, let's hope the ACC doesn't adopt this "horrid horn" policy...

paulie

(Moore) of the same...USA blasts Egypt 104-41 to close Pool Play -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

MOORE'S 15 HELP USA ERASE EGYPT

The USA couldn't have been too worried about playing Egypt yesterday in the final round of pool play at the FIBA U 19 World Championships...after all, the Egyptians were 0-2 in games against Spain and China...teams that USA dispatched with relative ease. I know, you never overlook anyone...but this one seemed to be a romp-waiting-to-happen. 

For the first five minutes, though...Egypt looked like they belonged. A combination of shots that wouldn't fall and a slow start had the USA trailing Egypt 7-6 halfway through the first quarter. Five of Egypt's points had come from incoming WKU freshman Nadine Salaawi. She could be a good one for Michelle Clark Heard.


It was time shake it up a bit so USA head coach Dawn Staley brought in Shakayla Thomas, Lauren Cox, Crystal Dangerfield, Chatrice White and Jeff Walz...oops, Ali Patberg. The mass substitution worked and USA went on a 8-2 run to take a 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

It just got worse for Egypt after that. 

52-18 at halftime....another buzzer beater by USA...this time Gabby Ortiz with the putback to end the half. Egypt played on a even keel with the USA squad in the third quarter...but trailed 80-41 at the end of three...getting their final basket of the game with 35 seconds in the third.

You read that right. USA pitched a 24-0 shutout in the final quarter. 

"Don't worry about it, Tommy. I got this covered." 

Mariya Moore and "Shaq" Thomas led USA with 15 points. "A" Wilson added 14 and Lauren Cox had an impressive 10 points and 17 rebounds against the diminutive Egyptians.

Moore stat line looked pretty decent. 5/6 from the floor, including 3/4 from three point range. She also hit both her free throws. No steals and 14 minutes of playing time. All the USA players saw at least 14 minutes and they all scored. 

So...the USA squad advances into the round of 16 and will face up against 0-3 Argentina today. It's a 10:30 a.m. start, according to the USA Basketball site and can be watched live at YouTube.com/FIBA

Other undefeated team are Russia, Australia and Belgium.

Paulie Observations

-- I'm gonna admit I didn't watch this one from start to finish...just the highlights...but if Lauren Cox could play her entire career against Egypt, she'd be the next "Stewie".

-- We want asst. coaches observations! All the quotes come out of Staley...and, yes, she is the head coach...but KBA and Walz are working just as hard. Give them the damn microphone...

-- USA had a 63-20 rebounding edge. A lot of that was because Egypt shot 25%. 

-- China knocked off Spain 66-63 yesterday to finish second in the Group B pool. Out of the eight games yesterday, USA was, by far, the team who scored the most points. Next was Australia with 87 against South Korea. 

-- And, in the "Gee, ya think so?"/Captain Obvious quote of yesterday...we bring you Coach Staley's observations on playing Argentina:

" We're going to have to get the ball inside." 

Uh....yeah....that could work.

Or maybe USA could stand behind the half-court line and bomb threes for four quarters?  

paulie
xxxxx

USA U 19, Moore defeat China 88-62 in Pool Play Sunday -- Monday Cardinal Couple

Moore with nine points, three assists in 26-point win

The USA U 19 team jumped out to a 12 point first quarter lead Sunday in Chekhov, Russia against the Chinese U 19 squad and steadily increased upon that as the game progressed...winning 88-62 to go 2-0 in pool play.

Louisville's soon-to-be-sophomore Mariya Moore played 20 minutes in the romp, hitting 2-4 of her trifecta attempts and ending with nine points and a team high three assists...all points scored in the second half. She worked well with the USA bigs again in today's game. 

They all bring a really big presence,” said Mariya Moore (Louisville/Richmond, Calif.) regarding her team’s post players. “I think that other teams focus on our inside, and even though they focus on it, we still get enough points inside.”

Another slow start for USA, who started Moore, A'ja Wilson, Gabby Ortiz, Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens...trailing 9-8 after the first two minutes. When in doubt, go inside to A'ja Wilson and the USA responded with a 10-2 run over the next 150 seconds to lead 17-11 after a Collier three. 

Crystal Dangerfield hits her second buzzer beat of the tournament to make it 29-17 after 10.

Chatrice White goes for two against China

Lauren Cox may need free throw work...but she passes well and a nice feed to Shakayla Thomas gave USA a 31-17 lead early in the 2nd quarter. Mariya Moore re-entered the game shortly after and fed Cox inside to make it 35-20 with 6:35 to play. 

These officials were whistle-happy on travelling today (especially if you had USA across your jersey) but USA finished the half on a 20-9 run...following a Ortiz three with eight seconds left in the half. 

Mariya Moore got USA on the board finally...two minutes into the third quarter (another slow start to a half) with a free throw but Wilson returned to sidelines after tweaking the ankle she strained yesterday at the 5:26 mark....ending with 17 points in fifteen minutes. Moore responded to rally USA with back-to-back assists to Collier, a breakaway layup with 2:18 remaining and a three-pointer with 1:34 in the quarter to make it 72-45 USA. 

Mariya picked right up where she left off in the third by starting the fourth quarter with a three at the 9:43 mark...giving USA their biggest lead of the day at 79-47. She would eventually sit for the rest of the game a few minutes later and Shakayla Thomas took over for USA...who went on to win by 26. 

SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS:

--  KBA was back on the sidelines for USA today coaching. She's part of the three-part hand-off where....after a timeout...Staley hands the clipboard to Walz and goes to stand by the sidelines. Walz takes the clipboard and deftly hands it to Barnes-Arico who gets it to her seat on the bench safely and handles it until time-outs.

-- The Chinese line-up had two Wangs and two Xhangs. Once again, the rosters on the screen showed #14 as just "A" again for USA. (Maybe it's A'ja's nickname in Chekhov?) 

-- USA in white today. Didn't hear Walz yell "Go Big Blue" all afternoon. KBA had to be disappointed...Michigan is blue and she missed it yesterday. 

-- For the second day in a row, they shorten the USA national anthem in the pregame introductions. What's up with that? It's not like it's a 10 minute opus or anything. Communist plot, right? 

-- Kristine Anigwe dressed but didn't play. Probably the reason USA played Lauren Cox a lot. (18 minutes). Report was Kristine was a little under the weather. Too much caviar and borscht will do that to you. Feel better soon, KA. USA plays Egypt (0-2) Tuesday. 


paulie
xxxxx

Mariya Moore "steals" the show in 72-57 USA U 19 win -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

MOORE GETS FIVE STEALS IN ONE MINUTE AGAINST SPAIN

In what must surely be some kind of FIBA or International women's basketball competition record...Mariya Moore started out the fourth quarter of the pool play game against Spain with five straight steals in five consecutive possessions. The thefts led to a layup and two assists 
and pushed the USA lead to 67-40 with 8:58 to go in the fourth quarter. 

(Other writers are saying four steals...I saw five. Maybe one got officially credited as a turnover...but I say it was a steal. Went back and watched it again. Five steals.) 

Spain even took a time out after her fourth steal. It didn't matter...they came out of the huddle and she intercepted another pass and took it down court for an assist.

She looked like former UofL cornerback Gerald Holliman picking off an ACC quarterback. 


USA led 70-40 with 7:46 to play. At the 4 minute mark, Dawn Staley had reserves Chatrice White, Ali Patberg, Lauren Cox, Gabby Ortiz and Destiny Slocum in for mop up work on a 70-44 score.

No offense intended here...but with the four white girls left on the roster and the new kid who had been on a plane for 24 hours in the game... Spain outscored USA 13-2 over that final stretch. The game was way over by then. 

Moore had nine points for USA...getting the start. A slow start for USA and a brief scare when A'ja Wilson went crashing to the floor holding her ankle just two minutes into the contest. Fortunately, she returned several minutes later but USA led just 15-13 after 10...a Crystal Dangerfield three giving them the advantage.

This USA team looks to be at its best when they get the ball down low to Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Shakayla Thomas or Kristine Anigwe and once they started doing that...plus doubling down defensively on the Spanish ball-handlers...they pushed out to a 36-24 halftime lead. Wilson had two straight steals in the second quarter and Moore sat the bench the entire second quarter.

Why do people pose for pictures with their
hands over their crotch area? 

Give Spain credit for trying to keep it close. Two consecutive threes early in the third quarter narrowed it to 41-35 but the USA went on a 18-5 run to finish the third quarter and held a 19 point 59-40 lead before the Moore theatrics. 

Mariya finished with nine points...Wilson had 18 for USA and Thomas and Collier found double figures, too.

USA takes on China today in pool play. China defeated Egypt 73-60 yesterday.




SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS

-- I didn't see KBA (Kim Barnes Arico) on the USA bench. Squirrel hunting with Putin? 

-- I could definitely hear Walz from the bench. How strange is it to hear him yell "Way to go, Blue!" or "Nice job blue!" Is this the doppelganger Jeff Walz...who has embraced the Blue? 

-- Uh...what's Destiny Slocum doing on the bench? Answer:  She flew in to replace Katie Lou Samuelson. From Idaho. 24 hours on a plane. Arrive in time for warmups. Welcome to Moscow, comrade!

-- It's a 24 second clock in International play. I kinda like it...

-- I was OK with the YouTube, lack-of- announcers broadcast. I did notice that they aren't the best scorekeepers around, though. 

-- When they flashed the rosters on the screen...they listed #8 as Angel Salvadores Alvarez. What, she got married? The jersey still said Salvadores, though. 

-- The USA roster screen-listing left off Napheesa Collier and had #14 listed simply as "A". (A'ja Wilson). 

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ANOTHER GOLD FOR KELSI

UofLswimmer Kelsi Worrell picked up another gold medal in the 400 MR last night. Best swimmer in UofL women's swim team history? WTG Kelsi Whirl! Tearin' up Toronto! 



paulie
xxxxx

MARIYA MOORE, WALZ LOOK TO "DO IT AGAIN" -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WORLD U19 CHAMPIONSHIPS START TODAY

Way back in 1972, the musicians Steely Dan wrote a song with the lyrics "You go back, Jack...do it again.." And so it is for Louisville's Jeff Walz and Mariya Moore...plus the other members of the U19 USA team as they go back to get another gold in international FIBA World Championship play.

They took the U18 title last year and open the 2015 quest against a team they almost prevented them from doing that...the Spanish squad with Angela Salvadores. USA eked out a three-point win last year over Espana and "Sal" poured in 40 points against Moore, Wilson, Collier and company.

Another of those...'"we'd like to get a picture of you with Coach
in front of a object or building". SMH...

This year's version of the Spanish senoritas don't seem to have quite as much juego to them...USA defeated them back on Tuesday by 26 points in Mercia, Spain and held Salvadores to just two points. Maybe Spain wasn't playing its best baloncesto that evening...maybe they didn't want the USA to see all their tricks...but after Australia delivered a 20 point plus thumping to them in Mercia, it helped verify thoughts that the Spanish weren't the conquerors they were a year before.

Probably won't happen again...

After playing Spain today at 1:15 ET, USA will take on China Sunday and Egypt Tuesday in sectional play. Wins against these three would lead to Round of 16 play that begins Wednesday. We have a full listing of the events for Team USA over on the Right Side of the Site...but in case you don't know your left from your right...here they are again.

Be advised that all the USA women's U 19 and all the other U19 games will be streamed live on:

youtube.com/FIBA

In addition USA semifinal and finals games will be shown on ESPN3 

This is great news! 


USA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE AT FIBA U-19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 
Game 1 - vs. Spain (July 18 at 1:15 p.m. ET)
Game 2 - vs. China (July 19 at 1:15 p.m. ET)
Game 3 - vs. Egypt (July 21 at 1:15 p.m. ET)
Round of 16 - July 22
Quarterfinals - July 24
Semifinals - July 25
Finals - July 26

We wish USA U 19 all the best in what looks to be a great week of basketball abroad. We'll be covering it all here at the CC...and we'll also talk about it on today's radio show (what a perfect segway!) on Crescent Hill's WCHQ 100.9

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MAMA! THOSE MEN ARE ON THE RADIO AGAIN!!!

We'll be talking UofL women's sports today! Here's a little sneak peek on WorldWide and I discussing the show format and topics...

(Oops! Sorry, wrong video!) 

Regardless...Worldwide and I take to the airwaves and Ethernet and whatever else he can come up with on his 19 electrical devices for another CARDINAL COUPLE HOUR this morning. 

We're on WCHQ 100.9 FM locally and accessible also at www.crescenthillradio.com 

We'll babble about basketball, swoon over swimming and diverge into who was better...Shoni's National Runner Up team or Angel's ? 

Without Sam the Intern to moderate (still looking to find a way to pilfer those ghastly UofL football helmets and shoes) this could get lively and vocal. At least we hope so. Non-vocal on a radio show would be bad, probably.

Join us at 11 a.m. ET...we'll have a quiz, we'll 'believe it or don't', we'll hear some dogs bark and it's rumored Don Paulie may stop by. Link below.

WHICH ONE IS THE CARDINAL, WHICH ONE IS THE COUPLE? 

paulie
xxxxx 

USA U 19 sinks Spain by 24 -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

SWEEP COMPLETE IN SPAIN FOR USA U 19... WALZ AND MOORE 

The USA U-19 completed the sweep of the Spanish U 19 International Invitational Tuesday afternoon with a 75-51 win over the Spain U19 team.

Hey....this one was just like Louisville WBB over Austin Peay or EKU in pre-conference play but with a bit of wondering on where was this Spanish team that challenged USA last year in the finals of the World Championships. 

Angela Salvadores last year...40 points in a three-point loss to this USA squad.

This year Salvadores goes 1-10 in 16 minutes. Two points. On her home court. 

Probably because she is headed to Duke for a scholarship...right? We know how Coach P ruins talent (and assistants) in Durham. OK, we jest here...but...

Or maybe the USA decided to guard "Sal" in the 2015 re-match. Whatever....she was a non-factor.

This one was 16-5 early and basically over. Remember that Australia beat the Spanish by 20+ yesterday. USA couldn't have been overly concerned about yesterday game against the Spanish after seeing the assassination by the Aussies.

A'ja Wilson with 15 and 10 in this one.

Glad she's in the SEC. Shakayla Thomas (FSU) off the bench for 12. A headache Walz will have to deal with in the ACC.

She's that good.

I'm also glad Chatrice White is at Illinois and in the BIG 10. Despite all the flack and friction going on in Champaign...she's going to be a All-Conference candidate. 

55-35 USA after three quarters. The only way USA was going to lose this one is if the Atlanta Dream had shown up to play the final ten minutes.

Louisville's Mariya Moore started and had seven points and three assists in 18 minutes. Quietly confident...knows her skills and when to bring them...

The squad moves to Russia now for the World Championships. A couple of tuneup games there. Walz and Moore continue to enjoy European Vacation 2015.

All we need is Chevy Chase, Wally World and Cousin Eddie.

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SHONI, ANGEL NAMED WNBA ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS

The fans have spoken and former Louisville players and current Atlanta Dream teammates Angel McCoughtry and Shoni Schimmel will start in the July 25th. WNBA All-Star Game for the Eastern Division. 

Both finished second in the voting for their positions. It'll be McCoughtry's fourth All-Star game in a row. 

The Dream may be glad to see the mid-season break. They played the first of six straight on the road last night and were handled by the Phoenix Mercury last night 80-71.

Atlanta led this one 48-38 at the half but the wheels fell off in the final 20 minutes against Griner and Bonner...a 11-0 Phoenix run to end the third quarter had this one pretty much headed for the "W" column for the Mercs. 

Angel with a rough night...3-20 from the field and 11 points. It does appear Shoni is working her way back into shape and out of the Cooper doghouse...off the bench last night for 30 minutes.

She tallied 12 points...all from three point range and added five assists, rebounds and turnovers. Good idea to play her more on this western road swing where she'll pack 'em in the seats...

paulie
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