Arica Carter waived by Phoenix Mercury -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARTER DROPPED TO MAKE ROOM FOR MITCHELL 

Another UofL women's basketball player finds herself on the waiver/cut list, with Arica Carter being dropped from the Phoenix Mercury's roster. Carter joins Sam Fuehring and Asia Taylor as Cardinals who started the pre-season with WNBA squads but were eventually dropped. 

Myisha Hines Allen (Washington), Asia Durr (New York) and Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta) are the only three Cardinal WBB players still on WNBA Rosters. 

The cutting of Carter comes as a surprise. She had made the roster before the start of-regular season cuts and appeared to be a part of the Phoenix guard rotation. In a reversal of fortunes, though, Phoenix resigned Lelani Mitchell (a 10 yr. WNBA veteran), who they had previously cut back on May 23rd....so they could slide in under the WNBA Team salary cap. Mitchell was on-line to be paid over $96,000 by the Mercury. Carter was earning the rookie salary of $41,000+. 

So, they let Mitchell go, waited to see if she would be picked up off waivers and, when she wasn't...re-signed her at 20% less than her original salary. Must be the new math, I guess. This whole shuffling of players to fit dollar requirements and such in the WNBA strikes an off-key chord with me. Especially when, in Phoenix's case, you got almost 1/3 of your salary total who hasn't played yet. 

The troubling aspects of finances, a budget, a "cap" and backward-gear shifting to get around dollar figures. This is the world of the WNBA. 


Carter was not part of the team introduction video on Friday night against Las Vegas but still saw three minutes of court time. Her Phoenix stay ends with 8 minutes played in two games. She was cut on Saturday to make room for Mitchell who hopes to join the Mercury tomorrow for their road trip. 

Sad news, indeed for Cardinal WBB fans. The affable, smiling Carter won a lot of hearts during her time at UofL and we were all hoping that her making the opening day roster with the Mercury would lead to a full season with them. 

It is the politics of finances, though in the WNBA.

The Phoenix total salary cap is $996,100 for the 2019 season. You have Diana Taurasi making $117,000 (and not playing yet because of injury), starters Brittany Griner ($115,000), DeWanna Bonner ($115,500) and reserves Sancho Lyttle ($108,000) Briann January ($115.000) and Camille Little...who's still out with an injury... ($101,000. ).

That's six players...all making over $100,000 a season. Yvonne Turner, a starter, leaves in a couple of weeks to go back and play in the European championships. 

I wonder how many individual players in the NBA are making over $1 million a season? 

Nevertheless, we feel certain that Arica Carter will bounce back on her feet and continue her career overseas or maybe even as a "roster add" for another WNBA franchise.

We certainly hope this is the final Cardinal WBB cut from the WNBA. I guess, though, when you're dealing with a fixed amount of dollars and finite number of players you have to piece together to meet that 'cap...anything is possible. A shame it had to happen to Carter, who was a huge Cardinal Couple and UofL WBB fan favorite. 

We'll hold a microphone open for her on the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR on Saturdays, in case she ever comes back to "the Ville" to visit. After all, she was Paulie's valued assistant interviewer on UofL WBB pre-season Media Days and, goodness knows, we always got open microphones in the "off-season". 


Have a terrific Tuesday.

Paulie
xxxxx

A WBB Quiz for you today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

As the University of Louisville women's athletic teams start to get into the part of the year where they aren't involved in competition against other schools, we get ready for THE CARDINAL COUPLE WORLDWIDE QUIZ segments on our Saturday radio shows. These have proven to be a lot of fun, have created controversy and generally take up about half the show in our broadcasts after Derby.


Yes, I know. There is still Cardinal women's sports activity going on.  Softball is still roaring along strongly. Women's golf and track still have meets to compete in. It seems something is always going on with swimming and diving as well, so not all Cardinal women's student-athletes are in off-season training mode. We'll go through a bit of training today, though -- call it our Spring Training Cardinal Couple Quiz.

You're on the honor system for these. If you do well, let us know about it. You get 10 points for each correct answer. You'll have a bonus question at the end where you can pick up another 10 points.

You can choose NOT to take the bonus question and, in a twist from last year, you'll lose 20 points if you get it wrong but GAIN 20 points if you get it right. I'll list the correct answers at the bottom of today's article. Good luck! Today's quiz topic will be women's basketball. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR WORLDWIDE QUIZ -- SPRING TRAINING VERSION

1) Which Cardinal WBB student-athlete attempted the second most shots in 2018-19?

     a) Sam Fuehring  b) Arica Carter  c) Lindsey Duvall  d) Dana Evans

2) Who was Louisville WBB's leading rebounder for the 2018-19 season? 

     a) Sam Fuehring  b) Jazmine Jones  c) Kylee Shook  d) Bionca Dunham

3) Who was UofL WBB's highest percentage free throw shooter in 2018-19? 

     a) Sam Fuehring  b) Asia Durr c) Jess Laemmle  d) Arica Carter 

4) Which of these IS NOT a UofL WBB women's basketball recruit for 2019-20?

     a) Norika Konno  b) Carol Burnett  c) Nyah Green  d) Ramani Parker

5) Which of these players DID NOT attempt a three-pointer for UofL in 2018-19?

     a) Asia Durr  b) Jess Laemmle  c) Bionca Dunham  d) Mykasa Robinson 

6) Louisville WBB scored 107 points in a game last season. Who was it against? 

     a) Tennessee State  b) Western Kentucky  c) Notre Dame  d) Hartford

7) Samantha Williams was recently named the head coach at which University? 

     a) Carnegie-Mellon  b) Eastern Illinois  c) Eastern Kentucky  d) Drake

8)  WBB picked up 3 players thru the transfer portal. Which one isn't one of the three? 

     a) Liz Dixon  b) Danielle Patterson  c) Kianna Smith  d) Elizabeth Balogun

9)  Which one of these 2018-19 Cardinals DID NOT play in all 36 games? 

     a) Dana Evans  b) Sam Fuehring  c) Jaz Jones  d) Asia Durr

10) Beth Burns' official title for the UofL women's basketball team is: 
     
     a) Student Affairs Commissioner b) Practice Supervisor c) ACC Liaison d) Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach 

*****BONUS !!! *****

Sam Purcell had his first assistant coach job at which of these schools below? 

a) Kennesaw State  b) Georgia Tech  c) Tulsa  d) Georgia


*****************************************************************************************

Before we get to the correct answers, let's take a minute to give a shout out to the UofL women's golf squad. For the sixth consecutive year, they've qualified to play in the NCAA Regionals. 

The Cards will travel to East Lansing, MI as the #11 seed to participate in regional action May 6-8 on the Forest Akers West Golf Course.

 No, it's not a mis-spell on "Acres". It is "Akers". 

Louisville Football had a excellent kicker named David Akers who went on the play in the NFL for 17 seasons and six different teams. I wonder if he bought a golf course and named it after himself after he retired from the NFL? 

Anyway...the Cards hope to repeat or better last year's regional performance, where they took 4th in the San Francisco Regional and advanced to the NCAA Championships. 

The Cards did finish fifth in the recent ACC Championships. Head Women's golf coach Courtney Trimble is retiring after this season to spend more time with her family. Let's hope for the best for Margot Bechadergue, Olivia Cason, Lauren Hartlage, Mairead Martin, Meghan Nay, Delaney Shah, Lauren Thibedeau and Linda Trockel on the links! 



 *********************************************************************************************


ANSWERS TO QUIZ

1)  D   Dana Evans with 310 shots.

2)  A   Sam Fuehring with 258 rebounds

3)  C   Jess Laemmle was a perfect 2 for 2 (100%) from the charity stripe 

4)  B   Carol Burnett on a basketball court. That could be funny...

5)  C   Bionca Dunham did not attempt a three

6)  A  107 points against Tennessee State on 12/02/18

7)  C   Eastern Kentucky University welcomed Samantha Williams

8)  B   Danielle Patterson is in the transfer portal but undecided where yet

9)  D   Asia Durr sat out one game. 

10)  D   Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach is Beth's title

BONUS   C    Sam Purcell was assistant coach at Tulsa from 2005-07


So, how did you do? 

All 11 --- You were sitting next to Coach Walz when you took this, weren't you? Or you are Coach Walz. 

9-10   ---  Not bad!  We'll consider you All-Cardinal Couple First Team ! 

7-8     ---  You know a bit about hoops. We'll offer you a preferred walk on spot. 

5-6     ---  You can do better!  Maybe it was just test anxiety. Take two aspirin, get a good night's sleep and try again tomorrow. 

3-4     ---  Hit the court and give us a few sprints, laps and layups. You need work. 

1-2     ---  Obviously a UK fan lurking here, aren't you?  



Have a tremendous Tuesday! 


paulie
xxxxx






     

Louisville Softball vs. Marshall -- Walz Presser Today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL STEPS OUT OF CONFERENCE

One of those games that can give a coach and team a chance to get in a little strategy and competition out of the ACC today when Louisville travels to scenic Huntington, WV to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd Softball squad at 3 p.m. today. 

After the weekend sweep of Georgia Tech, the Cards RPI moved up to #29 in the nation. Louisville -- although not cracking the top 25 yet in the USA Today, ESPN or Softball America polls -- is getting votes in the three polls. . 

With 29 runs scored over the Easter Weekend, Louisville went to 31-15 for the season and 11-7 in the ACC . That puts UofL in third place in the Atlantic Division of the conference (behind FSU 13-5 and Notre Dame 12-6) and fifth overall in the ACC -- with Virginia Tech 17-4 and North Carolina 15-6 from the Coastal Division leading the overall standings. 


Today's opponent, Marshall, is  28-16 for the season and currently is second in Conference USA Eastern Division standings at 11-7. WKU leads the C-USA East at 14-3. Louisville, of course, defeated Western Kentucky 7-2 back on 4/3/19. 

Midweek games have been kind to the Cards lately. They've won five out of their last six and are 2-0 in them against "in-state" teams WKU and UK. Toss in a win over IU and doubleheader sweep against Morehead...the only blemish was the inexplicable loss to Lipscomb on 4/2/19. 

Viewing for this one is listed as being on HerdVision through CUSA.com and also available on Facebook Live for Marshall University Softball. 


WALZ PRESSER 11 A.M.

Back in Louisville from a recruiting and skiing trip, Jeff Walz is ready to wrap up the 2018-19 University of Louisville WBB season and has called a presser for Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the media room of the Planet Fitness/Kueber Center. That's the "Little YUM" to us old timers.

Paulie, unfortunately, won't be in attendance for this one....but is hoping one of the connections with Cardinal Couple can attend and see what Coach wants to talk about.

Today's session is being billed as a "season wrap up news conference"...but, like most Walz speaking engagements -- has the distinct possibility of morphing into a variety of different subjects and topics. I don't expect any earth-shattering or breaking news...but, I've been wrong before. 

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Paulie
xxxxx 

Asia, Arica and Sam selected in WNBA Draft -- Just hush, Matt...--THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THREE UOFL WBB PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2019 WNBA DRAFT

Asia Durr was selected second overall in the WNBA draft for 2019 last night by the New York Liberty and teammates Arica Carter and Sam Fuehring were picked by WNBA squads in the third round of the draft. Arica went to the Phoenix Mercury as the 32nd pick and Sam to the Washington Mystics as the 34th pick. 

It is the second time three Cards WBB players have gotten picked by WNBA squads in the same season. Back in 2014, Shoni Schimmel went eighth to the Atlanta Dream, Antonita Slaughter was the 35th pick in round three by the Los Angeles Sparks and Asia Taylor was the final, and 36th. pick of that year's draft, going to the Minnesota Lynx.

All told, 11 University of Louisville WBB players have heard their name called by WNBA teams inn the past 19 years. Jill Morton (2000), Lori Nero (2003), Angel McCoughtry (2009), Candyce Bingham (2009) and Myisha Hines-Allen (2018) are the previous selections who played at Louisville. 

A bit of a surprise, for many, to see Durr go second and not first. Jackie Young, from Notre Dame, who recently decided to skip her senior year with the Irish -- was the #1 selection and will go to the Las Vegas Aces.

It's hard to say why the Aces went with Young instead of Durr...although some analysts thought that Young's game would be well suited for the Aces, though and Durr goes to a club, in the Liberty, that finished 7-27 last year and has no real standout scorers besides center Tina Charles. 

Arica joins a squad in Phoenix that has Diana Taurasi as their main guard and also the duo of Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner in the paint. Phoenix made it to the finals of the WNBA Playoffs last year before losing to the Seattle Storm in three straight games.


For Sam, a chance to reunite with Myisha Hines-Allen in Washington. The Mystics, 22-12 last season, feature Elena Della Donne as their main scorer. 

All in all, the first round featured five ACC players getting selected (Young, Durr, Arike Ogunbowale, Kiara Leslie and Brianna Turner). Two players from the ACC went in the second round -- both from Notre Dame (Jessica Shepard and Marina Mabrey). The third round featured four ACC stars (Carter, Fuehring, Paris Kea and Regan Magarity). The 11 ACC picks were, by far, the largest representation from a conference. The PAC 12 and SEC had four players drafted and the Big 12 three. Five foreign players were also selected.  

It is the first time in WNBA history that a college team's staring five have been selected. Notre Dame had all five starters go in the first two rounds. 

The chance to play in the WNBA for three of Louisville's finest ever. A tribute to the excellent coaching staff on the Belknap Campus. Players reaping the rewards earned by their hard work, dedication and commitment to getting better each day. 

Jeff Walz? Yeah, he's worth every penny and then some. What's that, Matt? He can't coach? 

(Which leads to...)


JUST SHUT UP, BEVIN

(The following is Paulie commentary on Matt Bevin's recent slander on social media and on-air of University of Louisville's head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz. It may not reflect the views of the other writers and staffers here at CARDINAL COUPLE...but, that's never stopped me before).

"Put the child down, Matt. Don't eat the baby! BAD MATT!"

Fellow Kentuckians, how does it feel to have the stupidest governor in the United States? 

Matt Bevin just can't seem to control himself, when it comes to popping off about things he has no knowledge of -- or, to get "digs" in on the city of Louisville.

The man must really have something against those who teach. Even teachers who develop college student-athletes here in our fair city. I can't make this stuff up, kids. He really is that much of a moron. 

Bevin took to social media again for his latest "look what an ass-hat I am" foray with this Tweet yesterday. He also popped off on Terry Meiners radio show on WHAS: 

View image on Twitter

Jason Riley

✔@JasonRileyWDRB

Here is @GovMattBevin's full comments about @CoachJeffWalz on @terrymeiners show if you missed them.
"If he had been a little more focused on game strategy and coaching that weekend and a little less on this kind of silliness, the better team would have won"

306:12 PM - Apr 10, 2019

Walz wondering what Bevin the Bozo will say next

Uh, Jeff Walz did not get out-coached, dear Matt.

The Cards ran into a UConn team that was on-fire from three-point range, playing in front of their fan base in an arena where they were undefeated and...still...Louisville managed to cut the lead late to two.

Seriously, Bevin, did Jeff Walz "coach" Durr into a rough shooting night at the start of this one? Maybe you should stick to commenting about stuff you know. (I'll get back with you, dear readers, once I find something Bevin is actually knowledgeable about...) 

You didn't see any of this, of course. You were too busy congratulating UK BB players and smiling while UK paid an incredibly stupid amount of money to a coach who hasn't gotten his team out of the Elite Eight in the past five years. You wanna talk about getting "out-coached"? 


Yep. Matt Bevin. College basketball expert. Coaching genius. Our governor. Our disgrace and embarrassment. 

Hey, Samantha Williams just got the EKU job (oblivious to Bevin of course..there is only one university in the state, to his knowledge. and it's somewhere east of Frankfort, he thinks). 

Maybe...just maaybe...Coach Walz can hire Bevin as his new assistant coach to replace Sam W...

Walz could assign him laundry room duty and have him check the inflation levels of the team's basketballs, run towels to sweaty players, refill hydration bottles and sweep the floor after practice. Hand him a player/coach identification guide with a picture next to the name. 

Nah. That might be over his skill level. 

Can we just get this guy out of office? Can we just get this clown to shut up? Go away, Matt. NO ONE is interested in your analysis of coaching proficiency. I know five-year olds with more basketball coaching knowledge than you. 



It's like a little-leaguer telling Albert Pujols how to hit home runs. Just hush, Matt. 

paulie
xxxxx

ASIA DURR NAMED TO AP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN -- SOFTBALL TODAY -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR FOR 'NITE-NITE' ON AP SQUAD


She's the first player in the Cards program history to get the back-to-n=back accolades.

Asia Durr returns to the Associated Press All-American first team...joining some talent seniors and a junior on the squad. Out of the 28 "voters", Durr received first team votes from 25 of them. Her season ended with her averaging 21.2 ppg, which was the fourth highest scoring average in program history. Only she and Angel McCoughtry have received this esteemed honor among UofL WBB players.


  The other First Team selections: 

-- Napheesa Collier (UConn) 6'1 senior . 27/28 first team votes, 138 points. --

-- Megan Gustafson (Iowa)  6'3" senior.  26/28 first team votes, 136 points. -- 

-- Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon)  5'11" junior  26/28 first team votes,  136 points -- 

-- Teaira McCowan, (Mississippi St.)  6'7" senior  20/28 first team votes, 124 points --


The sportswriters who get these votes (and I ain't one of them, sadly) name second and third teams, as well, and an honorable mention list.

One has to wonder why Sam Fuehring didn't make any of these teams or even the honorable mention list. One has to wonder who (if anyone) from our fair city gets the ballot(s) and if they know much about WBB?  You can't convince me that Sam Fuehring is not one of the best 33 players in DI WBB this year. Three Mississippi State players were selected in the top 33. How's your season going, Vic Schaefer?

Give me a break. 

The other two teams are: 

2nd team: Ogunbowale (ND), Brown (Baylor), Anigwe (Cal), Smith (Stanford), Carleton (Iowa State). 

3rd team: Samuelson (UConn), Shepard (ND), Cox (Baylor), Cunningham (Missouri), Young (Notre Dame).

In case you stopped following the NCAA WBB tournament after the Cards got knocked out...the Final Four consists of Baylor vs. Oregon and Notre Dame vs. UConn. The semifinals are Friday night with the Championship game on Sunday, April 7th. 

I have all four finalists in my bracket challenge picks, how about you? The Cardinal Couple Bracket Challenge tournament Director Jared "I'll get around to those totals, I promise" Anderson says he'll have updated standings in tomorrow's article. I think I'm 46-14 going into the Final Four.  Sonya at 43-16, but, after a while looking at circled correct picks and scratched out wrong picks, I get dizzy.

Miami was my worst selection, along with NC State. Sonya had the Cards facing Mississippi State in the final game. 

(I've already had an individual e-mail me their starting lineup for the Cards in the 2019-2020 season. No, it wasn't Coach Walz. I think this person must be related to Nostradamus or Charlie Creme). 


SOFTBALL FACES LIPSCOMB TODAY

Louisville Softball (22-12) is having a pretty good season and you get the chance to see the "Funky" Cards in action today if you head down to Ulmer Stadium for the 5 p.m. first pitch against Lipscomb.

The Lady Bisons are 23-12-1 on the season and participate in the Atlantic Sun Conference. They took two out of three over the weekend against visiting North Florida. At the plate, Cardinal pitchers will need to be wary of Jordan Fortel, who is batting .411 and has five fence-clearers and Hannah Devault, who has sent six softballs out of the ballpark. 

Terrific Taylor

The Cards are led by red-shirt freshman Taylor Roby at the plate, she's batting .351. Celene Funke has nine triples on the season, tied for first in DI softball. Sidney Melton has pilfered 18 bases this year for the Cards and Megan Hensley is the ace of the Cardinal pitching staff so far with a 9-2 record. 

Surprisingly, Lipscomb leads the overall series with the Cards 3-1 and downed Louisville 3-1 last year at Draper Diamond in Nashville.

I was having a bit of fun formulating my "all-Taylor" team for UofL women's athletics last night. My top five are: 

 Taylor Bucklin (soccer), Taylor Stone (Field Hockey), Taylor Johnson (WBB), Missy Taylor (WBB) and Taylor Roby. 

Got one or two to challenge these? Add 'em in the comments section.  


TARHEEL TROUBLE? 

Interesting news out of Chapel Hill, NC yesterday. 

It seems the entire coaching staff of the University of North Carolina women's basketball program, including Hall-of-Fame head coach Sylvia Hatchell, have been placed on paid administrative leave by the University while a review of the program's culture takes place. 

Unspecified issues (for now) from student-athletes and others are the reason for the review. The law firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe...oops! Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein out of Charlotte, NC will conduct and assess the program. No time frame for this has been provided, but the review will be "thorough and prompt", according to UNC officials. 

Surprise and shock seem to be the most common reaction to this self-mandated review. Several players currently on the squad say they have no idea why this is being done and who is prompting it. 

Yeah, sure, we all know Janelle Bailey -- UNC freshman forward -- is a temperamental sort and her suspension for going after Duke forward Jade Williams during the last game this season between the two rivals was a situation that was pretty messy and uncalled for. Fortunately, cooler heads stepped in before it got too-out-of-control.

But, this is not about Janelle directly. It is about the coaches of the program. This could turn out to be pretty interesting, we'll keep an eye on it and report further on it as it progresses. As for culture? That's a slippery slope to ever try and define and assess. This might take awhile. Things always seem to, when it comes to UNC athletics.

UNC has had their share of controversies in women's basketball over the years. The highly recruited 2013 UNC class, led by Diamond DeShields and featuring Stephanie Mavunga, Allisha Gray and Jessica Washington was gone by 2015. DeShields ended up at Rocky Top, with Mercedes Russell...another one that was highly linked with that class but waved off the invite to join them. 

So....what say you, Sylvia?

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 200 young women during my 44 years in basketball,” her statement read. “My goal has always been to help them become the very best people they can be, on the basketball court and in life.

“I love each and every one of the players I’ve coached and would do anything to encourage and support them. They are like family to me. I love them all.

“Of course, I will cooperate fully in this review. I look forward to a prompt conclusion of this matter and the continuation of our very successful women’s basketball program.”

Whoever prepared the statement for her (and she has lawyered up) is/are the master(s) of non-sequiturs. Remember the Sylvia comment from back in 2015?

“There has been a lot of speculation surrounding our program in recent weeks and that’s all that it is – speculation,” coach Sylvia Hatchell said in a statement. “Our players are working every day to get better and I appreciate their efforts. A number of former players have reached out to me with their support. We have a strong and loyal Tar Heel family.”



Have a tremendous Tuesday!

paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball -- Cards fall to UConn 80-73 -- Softball, Lacrosse and Tennis results -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LATE SURGE FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO HUSKIES

It is always hard to write about the last Louisville women's basketball game of the season and it hasn't gotten any easier over the years. It means the Cards have lost. Lost the game, lost the chance to gain a national championship.  The season is over and that a group of seniors have played their last in the Louisville uniforms. 

For the Cards, it was an afternoon where they seldom enjoyed a lead, made a huge run at the end to climb with two with 26 seconds to go but ultimately saw the Huskies go 5-6 from the free throw line to close out the scoring and end the 2018-19 season end for UofL at 32-4. The fourth-most wins in the history of the program but two games short of where they wanted to be.

Losing does suck...to use a term Coach Walz and many others have. Losing to UConn makes it even more "sucky" and, once again, thanks to the NCAA for making it quite easy, convenient and possible for the Huskies to have the advantage in location ,crowd attendance and game-time scheduling.  


This one was a game of runs. The Huskies started out on a 7-0  one to begin the game. Louisville came back with a 9-0 run to take a 16-12 edge and UConn put together a 10-0 run to grab a 22-16 advantage.  All in the first quarter. Connecticut would go on a 11-3 second quarter run in the first five minutes of the second quarter to take a 33-23 lead -- buoyed by the 4-4 three-point shooting of Megan Walker -- then, it was Louisville's turn and a 6-0 run had UofL back within four at 33-29. Arica Carter busted a 8-2 half-ending Connecticut run with a three as the clock ticked down to 17 seconds to make it 41-34 -- your halftime score.

This was a position the Cards were unaccustomed to.  Trailing at the half. The normal early blowout of a foe didn't happen. Asia Durr was struggling to find her shot. The Cards were just 3 for 11 from three-point range and UConn was 9 for 16 from the deep. 

Score. Stop. Score.  The simple but relevant halftime directive from Walz was Louisville's objective in the second half. It kept the Cards hanging around in the third frame and got them within four at 57-53 with a 4-0 run in the final 45 seconds after a Durr steal and layup and Dana Evans steal and layup.

Louisville had momentum. UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson was on the bench with four fouls and one had to love Louisville's chances in the final 10 minutes. Cardnation had hope rekindled and it was shaping up to be one heck of a final quarter.

Back and forth that fourth quarter went. 

64-57 Huskies at the 6:21 mark. Louisville comes back to make it 64-61 after a couple of Durr baskets. Samuelson re-enters and nailed two threes to push UConn to a 74-63 lead and 1:47 on the clock, in the game. These were two heavyweight fighters, standing toe-to-toe in the center of the ring, slugging it out -- giving each other their best shots.

Just when it looked like UConn had Louisville down for the ten count...the Cards fire back with a 10-1 run over the next 1:24 and it's 75-73 UConn after a Carter layup. 26 seconds on the clock. A memorable, incredible rally. A chance, where there wasn't much hope of one a few minutes earlier.  

I'd like to tell you that UofL kept that momentum flowing and regained the lead and took the win. but it would be a cruel April Fool's prank on you if I did, though. 

The Huskies hit the forced free throws and advance to Tampa. 80-73. All five Husky starters in double figures and those starters accounting for all of UConn's 80 points. Katie Lou leading all with 29 points. 

Durr recovering nicely in the final twenty to end with 21 points and nine rebounds. Sam Fuehring having another strong NCAA performance with 15 points and seven grabs. Jazmine Jones providing countless sparks and tallying 10 points and six assists. 

I have to wonder a bit about Kylee Shook seeing no second half court time, but, I've never professed to have any coaching skills and the UConn post weren't stay-at-home-in-the-post types...like the Cards previous two opponents. Could she have helped the Cards 0-4 three-point shooting in the fourth quarter? 

This Louisville squad, these Louisville seniors will live in my -- and I'm sure your -- memory for a very long time. Here's hoping Asia, Arica and Sam go one to compete in the WNBA. To go on and have happy and productive lives and come back to visit the campus often. They leave behind a squad that has promise and a lot of potential excitement for the 2019-2020 season. You can't keep them forever and what these seniors and this unit accomplished here in their time was incredible, record-setting and so much fun to watch and cover. 

Three incredible players, from three different places in the nation and portraying three different personalities came here to help form and lead a nucleus that won't be forgotten anytime soon.  Going into less-than-favorable conditions as a #1 seed in basically the #2 seed's home turf, they fought with their teammates until the clock stopped them from playing. These seniors pass on that competitive spirit, that drive and desire to the underclassmen -- who exhibited a lot of the same this year. 

We can only thank them for what they did, what they brought and how they thrilled us -- as we say....not good-bye... but "we'll see you further on down the road". 

The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart. My heart remains with Louisville women's basketball. How about yours? 


THE FRED REPORT

Fred Willard says, "Turn the TV off, I don't want to see
anymore of this." 

FREE THROWS -- They weren't a strong point for the Cards Sunday. 11-17 equals 64.7% and the vast majority (10) were up to Asia. UConn got 20 attempts and made 16. You know the rules, you shoot less than 70%, we can't award a letter.

REBOUNDING -- 42-36 in favor of the Huskies, but UofL did win the offensive boards 12-11. Asia and Sam corralling almost half the Cards grabs. Another case where if you don't win the battle, you don't get a letter 

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- Louisville never quit fighting, despite the rough edges and periods of less-than-perfect execution stages. They had only five turnovers. After the slow shooting start in the first, they shot 23-49 (47%) in the final thirty minutes. we normally see numbers like these equated with a "W" for the Cards. It wasn't a "W", though...so we'll award just a small "e". 

DEFENSE.  The Cards allowed the second-highest point total of the season -- Notre Dame had 82 in their win over UofL -- but Louisville did force 13 turnovers and had nine steals. The killer was the Huskies 14-26 (53.8%) three-point proficiency. I will give the Cards credit for tightening the game up late but can't award a letter after a loss. 

FINAL FRED TALLY OF THE YEAR:   _-_-e-_

So, we shed a few tears and move along. A season to remember. So many fond memories of the 36 games. Three wonderful seniors and the promise of a very talented and deep squad for next year.

Despite the controversies, playing conditions and less-than-satisfying final game...I still enjoyed this season immensely and we'll continue to bring you tons of news and reporting on Louisville WBB here at Cardinal Couple in the off-season.

The future of Cardinal women's basketball still burns brightly, under the direction of one of the best coaches in the nation and I encourage you to be an even bigger part of it next year.  


LACROSSE DROPS A CLOSE ONE TO DELAWARE


At the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium Sunday afternoon, the Cards and Delaware Blue Hens were involved in a close match that was tied late but ultimately ended up in the visitors' favor 9-8. 

A game of runs, as well, in this one...the Cards going up 2-0 early but Delaware going on a 4-0 run to end the first half.

Louisville trailed 5-3 at the half in chilly but clear conditions on Floyd Street and found themselves down 6-3 at the start of the second half, but, thanks in part to some excellent goalkeeping work from Rachel Florek, the Lax girls battled back and forced a 9-8 affair....Caroline Blalock getting the goal with about a minute left in the contest. The Cards could get the equalizer, though, as time expired. 

Florek had 13 saves in the contest and Louisville head Lacrosse coach Scott Teeter commented after the match: 

"If it wasn't for Florek's work in the cage, it definitely could have been worse." 

Ally Hall with the hat-trick in scoring for Teeter's team and Tessa Chad and Blalock added two goals each, as the Cards go to 4-9 on the season. 

Louisville Lax brings UNC into "the Ellis" Saturday , April 5th. for a Senior Day ACC match that'll start at 1 p.m. The Tar Heels are 9-3 after yesterday's 9-7 loss at Notre Dame and are ranked #4 in the nation as of Friday.

We encourage you to come out and cheer on these hard-working LAX women. 


SOFTBALL OUT-SLUGGED IN BLACKSBURG


In the final contest of the three-game series against Virginia Tech yesterday, the UofL Softball squad managed five runs on five hits but it wasn't enough of an offensive output to match the 13 "home plate touches" the Hokies ended up with. 

Falling behind 11-0 after three innings, the Cards did tally four runs in the fourth inning. Doubles by Madison Cousineau and Charley Butler got four Cardinals home, but Louisville couldn't produce enough fire-power to make up the deficit and the Hokies two-run, bottom of the sixth effort ended the contest. 

UofL takes one of the three in Blacksburg and the 22-12, 4-5 Cards come home to face Lipscomb Tuesday, April 2nd, with a 5 p.m. opening pitch planned. Plenty of great softball to be played in Ulmer this year, make sure and be a part of it! 


LOUISVILLE TENNIS  FALLS TO B.C. ON SENIOR DAY

In their final home match of the season and on Senior Day, the Louisville women's tennis team got wins from Raven Neely and Ola Mally, but the Eagles captured the day with a 5-2 overall performance. 

The Cards, won one of the three doubles matches...losing the doubles point there... and four of the six singles matches. 

Louisville women's tennis ends the regular season on the road with four matches in the next 12 days...at Virginia Tech, Virginia, Miami and Florida State. 

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(THANKS TO JARED ANDERSON FOR THE LACROSSE AND TENNIS PHOTOS USED TODAY)


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Happy April Fools Day and, if you want to prank someone, buy them a package of Oreos but replace the filling with toothpaste...an oldie but goodie pulled on Paulie many moons ago. 


paulie
xxxxx