Cardinal Couple Elephant In the Room Edition -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PACHYDERM PRESENCE 

Those of you that follow Cardinal Couple closely may have noticed that I am a bit more reticent to shift over to coverage of the UofL men's sports than my colleagues, Case and Paulie.  That's not to say I'm not a fan by any stretch of the imagination, and as we enter the slower news season of summer, I'm grateful for the continued success of Baseball, both as a fan, and as a writer and radio co-host.

Today, however, there is no avoiding talking about Men's Basketball.  Even on Cardinal Couple, where we are all about the joy and excitement of UofL Women's Sports, we would be remiss not to take a few minutes to talk about the Men's Basketball program. Many women's sports fans also have been following these procedings.

If you are at all in tune with any UofL sports media over the past 24 hours, you are aware that the NCAA handed down their report on the recruiting scandal in the program.  Most people aware of the situation expected further punishments beyond what UofL had self-imposed, but based on the immense cooperation the Athletic Department, and specifically the Men's Basketball Program provided to the NCAA during the investigation, as well as the significant self-imposed penalties, the expectation was that those further punishments would be relatively minimal.

Boy was everyone wrong on that.

First, though...let's be clear...the events that went on in Minardi Hall were reprehensible and
repugnant.  The NCAA is absolutely correct in that assessment.  Andre McGee demonstrated complete lack of character and class, to say nothing of sound judgement, and discernment.  The sex trade is cause for despair, and the victims are numerous, including those who find themselves in life situations where selling sex becomes the best of bad options.  The Men's Basketball program was involved in this, and absolutely there should be punishment for their involvement.

Quickly, a rundown of the major points of the punishments that the NCAA decreed.  This isn't an exhaustive list, but I think it hits the high points:

1. Loss of some scholarships over the next four years
2. Pay back revenues from tournament appearances, both to the NCAA and conferences, for the relevant time period (2011-2014)
3. Declare ineligible the players (3 of them, apparently) that were involved.
4. Vacating wins during the relevant time period in which the ineligible players play, specifics of the games involved are to be determined, but will likely be all of the wins during the four year period, including the 2012 Final Four appearance and 2013 National Championship
5. Monetary Fines
6. Pitino suspended for 5 ACC games this coming season
7. 10 year "Show Cause" on Andre McGee

OK, I've got issues with some of these.

I'll start by acknowledging some bias.  I despise the NCAA as an organization.  I have no respect for them, or for their leadership, all the way up to, and including the President of the organization, Mark Emmert.  This organization represents the height of hypocrisy and arrogance in nearly every situation they address.  Occasionally, however, they get some things right.

So, the ones I have no problem with.  The "Show Cause" on Andre McGee is warranted, and in my opinion should be lifetime, rather than just 10 years.  I only wish the NCAA had the ability to take more action against him, but since it is unlikely that McGee will ever have another role in an NCAA affiliated organization, he's pretty much out of their reach at this point.  Monetary fines I have no problem with, as well as the repaying the revenues from the tournament appearances.  Frankly, UofL Athletics is profitable enough, the fines should probably be bigger as the fines levied are small enough that they will essentially be lost in the noise of the department budget.  Paying back the tournament revenues is bigger and will be felt.  OK.  Punishment is supposed to hurt.

I can even accept the Pitino suspension.  Some Cardinal fans are up in arms about this one, citing the NCAA acknowledging that there is no evidence that Pitino knew of the events occurring, as well as Pitino pointing out that the NCAA has been unable, or at least unwilling, to point to specific actions that he should have, or even could have, taken to be aware of the problem at the time.  Even the NCAA acknowledged how close the information about these events was held by the recruits, players, and others involved.  Because of all this, I look at this one with a little bit of side-eye, but it is the job of the head coach to direct the program, so ultimately, even if he didn't have knowledge of it, Pitino carries responsibility for this.

How many guys? Three guys? 

The punishments I do have a problem with.  Declaring the (apparently) 3 players ineligible
retroactively.  There should probably be some sort of punishment for the players directly involved.  The problem, here, is that these players are not, by the NCAA's own rhetoric, employees.  They are students, and the NCAA supposedly holds dear the idea that amateurism is paramount (I say "supposedly" because the organization's actions don't really back that up).  Were the actions of the players also reprehensible?  Yes.  Do the actions show a lack of character, judgement, and respect for other humans?  For sure.  But if the NCAA is going to be true to their rhetoric that they are amateur students, then this is a legal matter for law enforcement to deal with, not the NCAA.  If another non-athlete student were to pay for sex in a dorm, that would be a matter for law enforcement, and the school wouldn't face punishment from accreditation groups.  The school might impose some of it's own punishment on those student, including potentially expulsion from the school, and I have no problem with that.  I'm not going to get up in arms about this punishment, but I do think it is out of line with NCAA rhetoric.

The last two are where I think the NCAA has completely swung and missed on their targets based on their stated intentions.  Vacating the wins, and specifically the Final Four appearance and National Championship, as well as eliminating scholarships missed the target.  These punishment target the students, past and future, actual and potential, rather than the organization or individuals involved.  Vacating the wins mostly targets the players that weren't involved in this.  Being unable to claim those victories and accomplishments, at least officially, harms them more than it does the people directly involved.

I think the loss of scholarship punishment is salvageable, with a tweak.  Instead of just preventing the University from funding those scholarships, if they required the school to use those funds to provide those same scholarship opportunities to non-athletes, the NCAA could turn this misstep into a win.  As it is, the punishment most targets future students who will not have that opportunity to get an education (again, this is according to well-established NCAA rhetoric, at least).  By funding non-athlete scholarships with those funds, the organization still takes the hit, but other students still get an opportunity at education.

The NCAA needs to take a long hard look at their amateurism rhetoric and see how it squares with the punitive measures it uses, because they are drastically out-of-step with each other.  Andre McGee screwed up, without a doubt.  I think it's a reasonable argument to say that Pitino screwed up somehow, and even the UofL Athletic Department as a whole, but let's make sure the punishments actually hit the perpetrators, and not the victims or innocent bystanders.

We will discuss these aspects and more on our Saturday morning radio show...The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour. It airs at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Jared Anderson will be in studio with us...and we'll have the return of the mending Paulie...along with me and Case Hoskins. We'll talk about a few other items than the NCAA Committee report...but you can expect the majority of the broadcast to be about that.

LINK: www.crescenthillradio.com

-- JMcA

Court in session....how will they judge? Friday CARDINAL COUPLE

******BREAKING NEWS******

MARIYA MOORE LEAVING LOUISVILLE WBB

Sources close to the UofL WBB program have confirmed that junior Mariya Moore has decided to leave the Cards. She will leave the program at the end of the semester and return to California. Her hopes are to play her senior season closer to home. It is also being reported that her sister Minyon Moore is leaving USC. The news on Minyon comes from her father's Instgram page. 

Moore was a second-team All ACC selection in the 2016-17 season and averaged 12 points a game for the Cards. A check of the 2016-17 roster at gocards.com still has Moore listed...but several reports on Moore leaving Louisville began to surface last night and it has been confirmed that she won't play for Louisville in the 2017-18 season. 



LOUISVILLE PRESENTS CASE TO NCAA COMMITTEE ON INFRACTIONS.

Back on the popular 1960's television show LAUGH IN, there was a segment called "Here Comes Da Judge". The late Flip Wilson was "yer honor". The skit also produced a song by Pigmeat Markham called....wait for it...Here Comes Da Judge. 

SONG LINK: HERE COMES DA JUDGE!

I'm pretty sure I've still got a t-shirt somewhere with that saying on it...unless Sonja has donated it to one of the thrift stores she likes to give old stuff to. 

Yesterday, in Cincinnati, the Cards faced the judge...or, in this case, an 11 hour session in front of members of the NCAA Committee on Infractions to present their side of the prostitute/sex scandal that stunned the campus, community and college sports back in October 2015.

Nothing like swift justice, right? 

Decisioning should come in 6-8 weeks on the series of incidents where Andre McGee allegedly paid for women's to "entertain" in Billy Minardi Hall. 

The Cards went to these hearings and told the truth, according to athletic director and vice-president Tom Jurich (which is always a good thing to do...in court and in all other aspects of life, as well).  Chuck Smrt, Tom and Rick Pitino were on hand to answer questions from the committee...along with a few lawyers...and offer rebuttals. Also there was acting UofL President Dr. Greg Postel and former program assistant Brandon Williams, accused of a major program violation in the original charges and guy who refused to give up his cell phone. 

Andre McGee was not present. I wonder if he's still driving for Uber? 

Details of the proceedings are confidential. UofL officials are prohibited by the NCAA from answering questions about the proceedings. There was even confusion on where the proceeding were going to take place...some local television stations were headed to Indianapolis to cover the event (home of the NCAA) when they found out it was Cincinnati and a ballroom at the Hyatt. A quick right-turn at Columbus, Indiana ("Take a right on 46 and head to I-74, boys!") and off to Ohio. 

At least the Cards were at a hearing and not up in front of Judge Smails from the movie Caddyshack...as for Cincy as a locale? Maybe they had tickets for the Reds and Cubs...

Some say Pitino didn't speak about the hearings after all was said and done yesterday. Some say Jurich likes the new interim President Postel and thinks they'll get along fine. We'll come back to that.  All are wondering how this thing is going to turn out. Six weeks can't go by fast enough. Let's hope an organization that usually moves at a turtle's pace can proceed on this issue like Julian Leparoux guiding a horse down Churchill's stretch to the wire. 

-- Take a vacation, Rick...A lot of observers are speculating that Coach Pitino will be suspended for a few games next season. How many and when during the season is the big question. Three games at the start of the year? Sure no problem. Seven games during ACC Conference play? Could be a big problem. 

-- Take down the 2013 National Championship banner and vacate the title? That probably won't happen. A penalty too harsh for what happened. 

-- Monetary fines? Yeah, probably so. The NCAA loves to levy fines. 

Let's not forget that the Cards reported the violations on their own and took measures against themselves....sitting out the 2016 NCAA Tournament. There's been a board upheaval and former president James Ramsey is gone. 

Most Cardinal fans just want this chapter to be finished and the whole episode to come to closure. Other schools have "allegedly" done much worse, didn't self-report their actions and still haven't gone to trial yet. We want to be done with it.

Tom Jurich on his Thursday in Cincy: 

“It was a long day, but very productive,” Jurich said. “We said from Day One that we’d tell the truth, and we’ve done that. I was extremely impressed, this was my first time, really, to be around Dr. Postel, certainly in a very challenging environment. I couldn’t be more proud of him and look so forward to working with him now in the future. I always say to my staff, you like to evaluate people when you’re going through adversity. Well, this is adversity. Seeing him stand up for our institution and for our athletic department, and to stand for what is real, I was so impressed. So I look forward to (that) with Dr. Postel. I think our university is in great hands. And I can’t say that enough.”

On the subject of the hearing, Jurich, continued, “We exchanged all of our information and the enforcement staff gave all of their information. The committee on infractions listened, they asked questions when they felt were needed. I think it was very, very thorough, and I think it goes without saying that I can’t wait to get this behind us. I’ve been told, in there, that we are not allowed to answer any questions, I’m told that until this is resolved, the thing it looks like it could be resolved in 6 to 8 weeks.”

Well? We're waiting !

It seems this has been going on for way too long, in my humble opinion. The NCAA is a huge and ponderous entity that moves at their own slow and lumbering pace and reacts slowly, if not deliberately, on infractions. Let's go back to horse racing, everyone wants to see the results of the race posted as soon as possible...especially if a horse you liked might be involved in them.

 This whole Louisville vs. NCAA episode is like running the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May and then informing the attendees and watchers that the posting of the official results will be on the Fourth of July.

Well? We're waiting...

What say you, readers? 


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DID YOU NOTICE? 

Last night I was flipping around the cable channels looking for something to watch when I landed on the NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers. During a crowd shot, who do I see but UofL head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz and his lovely wife Lauren watching the contest...center court and about five rows up from the action.  

Although Walz wasn't there scouting potential players for the Cards...he'll get back to that this weekend...he did get to see an exciting contest (for some) where the Cavs overcame a 25-point halftime deficit to rally and beat Indiana. 

Lebron James. Wow, just wow. 

Not a bad Thursday night date, Coach. 
paulie
xxxxx

MOVING FORWARD...MOVING BACKWARDS -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

NOTICE OF ALLEGATIONS OUT...WSOC FALLS TO MIAMI

MOVING FORWARD

Ah...the duality of this Friday. 

Yesterday, the NCAA finally delivered the news that Cardinal fans have been waiting for since it was revealed that Andre McGee was spending money on things other than Skittles or nachos at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Local sports media and beyond went beserk yesterday when the annoucement was released around 9:30 am and UofL held a press conference at noon to discuss the allegations. 

Four Level 1 allegations...none including the current bunch of chaps that make up the University of Louisville 2016-17 MBB itself...two of them concerning McGee, one toward mysterious staffer Brandon Williams...who wouldn't surrender his cell phone to the NCAA and one on Rick Pitino...for supposedly not monitoring McGee properly. UofL will dispute the Pitino charge. Which they should...despite the clamoring that Rick Pitino should be paying more attention to everything happening....24/7, seven days a week on the UofL campus. We also think he should monitor the food buffet for the media at Cardinal athletic events, drive a shuttle bus down Floyd Street Tuesdays and Thursday and raise and lower each Cardinal flag on campus at dawn and dusk. 

Sleep is over-rated. 

We would like to see the ponderous oval where Floyd Street meets The Avenue of Champions on campus by Ulmer Stadium to be named Rick Pitino Circle...in honor of the man that people expect the man to jump through way too many hoops. 

It is time for Andre McGee to step forward and tell the truth. Whether that will happen or not is anyone's guess. 

It is finally out there. It is not over by any means...the Cards will respond, the NCAA will respond to the Cards, they'll agree to get together for coffee some morning but it'll never happen and there will be no final decision...most likely...before the UofL Women's basketball team is cutting down the nets in Dallas after winning the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Equate this, if you wish, to a long, long seven course meal...where the entree has finally been served. Long after the soup has turned cold and the salad has wilted. 

But it is moving forward. 

Remember, this won't affect how many threes Quin Snider sinks this year, how many dunks Ray Spalding and Donovan Mitchell get on Denny Crum Court or times Pitino laments in a post-game presser that "We're not a very good team right now." 

Take a ticket, take a seat. The circus is still in town...and the clowns are still in the center ring. We are furtively waiting for the popcorn vendor to bring the goods and spread the next rumor. Hey, here's an idea. Let's just play ball... 

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MOVING BACKWARDS

The Louisville women's soccer team took a step backwards last night in Coral Gables in their quest to make the ACC Tournament with a 3-0 loss to Miami. 

Canes junior Ronnie Johnson got a hat trick against the Cards...who have had their road woes this season (1-1-3). UofL (7-5-4, 2-3-3) held the Canes to just one goal in the first 45 minutes and had two great chances in the 62nd. minute from Cards freshman Brooklynn Rivers deflected. Time ran out on the Cards and the Canes' Johnson tacked on two goals in the final ten minutes.  

The loss sinks the Cards into a tie for 9th. place in the conference standings with Virginia Tech. Miami rose to seventh with the win. With games at second place Florida State and at home against third place Virginia remaining, it's beginning to look like the conference tournament ship has sailed.

Anything is possible. If the Cards can pull out one of these, they could still be breathing. Ties aren't going to help much unless the Hokies and NC State tank completely. 

A win against FSU is difficult...but not impossible. Given that the Noles have out-scored Louisville 9-1 in their two previous ACC match-ups...and that FSU would like to claim the regular season crown and the three points earned for a win could possibly put them in first place...a win won't be easy for Karen Ferguson-Dayes squad. 

The Cards are guaranteed at least a .500 season this year. They have a program that has a lot of talented freshmen and sophomore who will only get better next year. As the announcers on the ACC Network Extra commented last night...Louisville is a team that very well may be contending for the conference title in a couple of years. I can see that, too...with the talent on the squad. 

Sometimes you have to take a step backwards in order to move forward. Let's hope the Cards can take a giant step Sunday and take down the Seminoles. 


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MOVING EARLY

Louisville Football has one of those dreaded noon kickoffs tomorrow at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. As a result of this and several other situations...we won't be on the air for THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR Saturday. HANDICAPPING HEROES will still air at noon on WCHQ 100.9 FM. 

Morning tailgating isn't exactly what Paulie (and especially Sonja) wait for with giddy anticipation. The foe is a good one, though, in NC State. They should have beat Clemson last week...but it seems they have a kicking game equally as bad as the Cards. And, it's Homecoming! 

We'll be moving early Saturday morning. Not quickly or particularly inspired...but it is what it is. We'll also have results for you on the volleyball and field hockey matches taking place today in the Saturday morning edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. 

Have a great Friday! 

paulie
xxxxx







 

Will the Louisville men's basketball "scandal" affect UofL women's sports? -- Tuesday Cardinal Couple

DOES CONTROVERSY CARRY OVER? 

More than several of you...kind readers...have asked me about the current UofL men's basketball "scandal" and if it will affect the UofL women's sports programs. I put "quotes" around "scandal" because the investigation is still ongoing. 

It should be pointed out that this is not the FBI or a vice squad doing these investigations of the allegations. It is the NCAA and the University of Louisville. It does give me the creepy-crawlies, though...to think that a mother would send a 15 yr. old daughter out for alleged and self-admitted acts of prostitution and performance dancing. Is there no legal response to this alleged "pimp" and the acts of sex for money? 

At first...I decided to "keep mum" on the whole affair/issue. We enjoy men's basketball but it's not in our wheelbase of coverage here at CARDINAL COUPLE. 

But...as the inquires keep coming...I figured it was time to look at it, discuss it and make a comment. 

Will the "scandal" affect UofL Women's Sports? 

No, I can't see that happening. 

The incident may come up on the recruiting trails, sure...but 

1) What hooker would want to write an expose' about Lacrosse or Softball? This is men's basketball...an entirely different world. The Chippendale's, gigolos or escorts don't apply here. Chunks of $200-$250 distributions are much more needed for game equipment and supplies. 
  
2) The need to favor or impress recruits and their parents in women's sports doesn't rely on any extra benefits issues or enticements. For these young ladies...it's a school choice made on academics, the coaches and surrounding players and love for community...carefully thought out by a player and parents. The seamy smell and sell of sex is a non-factor. 

3) Women are inherently smarter and wiser then men at

that age. A flash of skin or "daddy getting lucky" is a preposterous and ludicrous thought-process or enticement to get Sally Serve to serve tennis balls to ACC opponents. How many women have shown up on the UofL campus with a parent to see if they wanted to play sports and get a degree there? Plenty. How many have shown up looking for sex for them and their guardian?  

4) Track record. Have any UofL women's sports ever had any scandals surround them? Even the alleged incident with a spring sport a few years back was just the posturing of a no-brains reporter who eventually left the city because his tripe and ennui equaled low readership.

Whatever the outcome of the investigations...women's sports at UofL will remain a shining example of how programs can be...and are...run effectively and cleanly.

The coaches, directors of operations, players and parents wouldn't have it any other way...the fans expect as much.

As for Andre McGee, "the madam" Katina Powell  and the legal and moral issues here...I hope justice takes its course, if the admissions turn out to be factual. 

It's a money grab by the supposed "madam" involved that has been published...that's a sad enough fact. How accurate and substantial it is will be determined in the future.

paulie
xxxxx