Cards in the WNBA -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Four Cards Currently on Active Rosters

We're a few weeks into the WNBA season and several former Louisville Cardinals are currently active for their respective teams. Here's how these players have fared.

Dana Evans, Chicago Sky

One of the more well-known graduates from Louisville, Evans has played a crucial role for her team. In 11 games played, Evans is averaging 27.8 minutes per game. She's posted strong numbers with 9.9 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game. The Sky are currently 4-7.

Liz Dixon, Phoenix Mercury

Dixon is another recent graduate from Louisville, having been with the program during the pandemic. So far, she has played a reserve role averaging 12.4 minutes per game. Dixon has contributed so far with 2.5 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 0.8 assists per game. The Mercury are currently 6-6.

Emily Engstler, Washington Mystics

Having played only one season with Louisville, Engstler is the only one on this list that did not play all or most of her career with the Cards. Engstler has moved around the league some and is now on her third team. Washington is slowly easing her into the normal rotation as she has averaged 6.9 minutes per game across seven games. She is averaging 1.9 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and 0.7 assists per game. The Mystics are currently 1-12.

Myisha Hines-Allen, Washington Mystics

A veteran to the WNBA at this point, Hines-Allen has proven to be a reliable contributor during her career with Washington. She is seeing 17.7 minutes per game, right on par with her career. Hines-Allen is averaging 7.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, and 0.7 steals per game.

There are several other former Cardinals who are free agents.

AD (formerly known as Asia Durr)- most recently with the Atlanta Dream.

Jazmine Jones- most recently with the Washington Mystics.

Arica Carter- most recently played overseas, most recent WNBA team is Phoenix Mercury.

Kiki Jefferson- most recently with the Minnesota Lynx.

Kianna Smith- most recently played overseas, most recent WNBA team is Connecticut Sun.

Kylee Shook- most recently with the New York Liberty.

Sam Fuehring- currently playing overseas, most recent WNBA team is Washington Mystics.

With just 12 teams in the WNBA, trying to maintain a career playing in the states is a tall task. With the expansion to 14 teams next season, we hope to see more former Cards playing in the pros. The 2025 expansion teams will be located in Toronto and Golden State (San Francisco).

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

RANDOM STUFF -- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

RANDOMNESS


(Paulie sent in for the Sunday Cardinal Couple article out of the bullpen today. It seems Jeff has Sammy the Shark issues and will be back on these pages Monday. Sorry this is late...I slept in this morning and it seems no one ever uses the "call" function on their cell phones anymore...I saw the text about three hours after Jeff sent it to our group chat). 

Quick question, do you ever call anyone on your cell phone anymore? Leave your response in the comments section.

We are in the process of re-establishing the daily Poll Question here at Cardinal Couple. 


TEETER'S CANADIAN U 19 WORLD CUP SQUAD EARNS SILVER


It was USA vs. Canada for the Gold in the World Cup U 19 Tournament and USA had little trouble in capturing the Gold 13-3. 

"They're a veteran team and considered some of the best players In the world who are competing in the NCAA right now," Canadian coach Scott Teeter said, of the U.S. "A lot of our girls haven't played an NCAA game yet. Our 2015 team was a little bit older than we are right now. We'll take this experience and it will definitely pay dividends for our senior team."

Teeter squad lost just twice in the 22-team event, both times to USA. 

FIGHT! 

Asia Taylor and Arica Carter probably didn't expect this when they joined the Phoenix Mercury roster.

With about six minutes left in the fourth quarter of a close game against the visiting Dallas Wings and on Brittney Griner Bobblehead Day, the 6'9" Mercury center and Wings post Kristine Angiwe locked arms going for a rebound and chaos ensued. It appeared Angiwe attempted to punch Griner after they untangled and then sprinted away from the towering center toward the Wings bench with Griner in hot pursuit. 

Both benches empties and it took referee Billy Smith and several coaches to restrain the combatants. Six players were tossed from the game after a lengthy review, including non-active Diana Taurasi...who appeared to be serving as a peace-keeper but was pitched for leaving the bench. 

Phoenix is struggling to remain in the top eight of the WNBA standings and make the playoffs. Myisha Hines-Allen and her Washington squad are tied for the league lead, so they're 99.9% assured of a playoff berth. Asia Durr's NY Liberty are in 10th. place overall and need to catch fire in August to crack the top eight. 

Neither Taylor nor Carter were expelled or threw any punches. Dallas went on to win 80-77.


CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

Paulie's pre-show prep. 

Three of us took to the airwaves and Facebook Live from the majestic, media mansion on Mellwood for The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour yesterday. Case, Jeff and I had a great discussion on several upcoming UofL women's Fall sports and our final Cardinal Couple Radio Quiz for the season went to Jeff 100-80. 

You can join in on the fun and take the quiz at the link below. Jared claims an "off-site" score of 110 while shirking important work duties to listen. We'll award him the remaining toothpick from the one-eared, toothpick holding bear ceremonial winner's trophy whenever he shows up again. 

LINK:   THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 8/10/19

Have a super Sunday!

paulie
xxxxx

Carter Back With Phoenix...Taylor released by Lynx -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ARICA CARTER GETS SEVEN DAY CONTRACT 

Using the emergency hardship exemption clause that the WNBA has in place, the Phoenix Mercury has signed Arica Carter to a seven-day contract. Carter started the season nwith Phoenix and played two games before getting cut. 

The Mercury roster resembles more of a MASH unit than a WNBA lineup.Guard Essence Carson is out for 6-8 weeks with a calf injury. Forward/Center Sancho Lyttle will sit for 4-6 weeks with a bad knee. Diana Taurasi is having back issues. Briann January and Alanna Smith are both in boots because of foot injuries. 

All that's missing are Hawkeye, Trapper John and Radar. 

Even with a roster of just eight healthy players, Phoenix rolled against the Washington Mystics 103-82 yesterday. Carter saw four minutes and scored her first WNBA points...hitting the only shot she took. It was a reunion of sorts...Louisville teammates Carter and Myisha Hines-Allen both saw action...Myisha getting six minutes, getting three rebounds, creating two assists and hitting a free throw in her time on the floor. 


Carter's role on the Mercury is clear:  Get the ball to Brit Griner and play defense. Griner had 26 points yesterday in the Phoenix win.

Let's hope Carter can stay with the Mercury past the seven-day clause. A lot of that will depend on how long Phoenix guards Taurasi, Carson and January are out.  

Give 'em all you got while you have this second chance, A.C !!!


TAYLOR RELEASED BY LYNX

On the other spectrum of the roller coaster that is WNBA lineups, the Minnesota Lynx have release forward/guard Asia Taylor, using another aspect of the hardship clause. This is some clause, right? Apparently, the Lynx are healthy, wealthy and wise. 

Without her, the Lynx fell to Indiana on Saturday -- 86-75. 

Taylor played in eight games for Minnesota in her month-long stay, the Lynx going 4-4 in that stretch. In her last game, against, Washington, she saw just two minutes in a loss -- gathering a rebound. 

Her highlight of the stay was the 13-point, 17 minute performance she had against Chicago back on July 10th. 

Here's hoping that she gets the call again soon, if not with the Lynx, another WNBA roster. 

DURR UPDATE

The Cards "other" Asia in the WNBA -- Asia Durr -- came back from the All-Star break and resumed her role as a starter for the New York Liberty. She saw 21 minutes Saturday in  a Liberty loss to Connecticut 94-79. "Nite-Nite" had three points, on a three, and added three assists and two rebounds. Her groin may still be a little "tender" -- and those can take a while to heal fully -- so the limited minutes are understandable. 

The Liberty are in a bit of a funk lately, losing their last four on the road. Let's hope they can straighten it out and get in a position where they're a playoff contender. At 8-13, New York is 6 1/2 games behind Eastern Division leader Connecticut. 


OUR HEARTS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU

Here at CARDINAL COUPLE, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with those in El Paso and Dayton.

Such senseless acts of violence. When will it stop? 

Where are we safe anymore? All of us are potentially subject to the crazed, misguided actions of someone who has a person, ill-founded and inane "agenda" to fulfill. 

As a white male, it is particularly distressing to see these crimes of hate coming from racist, crazed people of my gender and classification. It has to stop, whatever it takes. Whatever happened to the age old principles of "love thy neighbor" and "we are all in this together"?  

I won't get into the aspects of gun control here. I do have to wonder why we lead the world in senseless shootings, though...when we are the nation with the most opportunities and freedoms. 

A special nod of recognition to the police forces of these two and other cities. A rapid response in Texas and Ohio that undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives.

When will it stop? 




paulie
xxxxx 

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

AC, AD, VB and CC from Jared Anderson -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(NOTE: PAULIE IS TRANSCRIBING JARED ANDERSON'S FRIDAY ARTICLE HERE TO THE SITE TODAY. THE HEADLINE IS NOT JARED'S IDEA OF SOME NEW TWO-LETTER INITIALS FOR STATES...BUT, THAT COULD BE INTERESTING...LIKE ARIZONA DRYLANDS FOR A.D. OR COSMIC CALIFORNIA FOR C.C. -- O.K., HERE'S THE ARTICLE)  


CARTER, DURR MAKE THE CUTS. 

Good news in the realm of professional women's basketball....WNBA style. 

Asia Durr and Arica Carter were both announced to their respective WNBA team rosters yesterday.  Durr, who went second overall in the WNBA Draft and wound up with the NY Liberty was, by all accounts, a shoo-in. Definitely one of the best women's college basketball players we say last season, or of this generation. She saw starts in the pre-season and we'll venture to say that stays the same in the regular. 

Carter, going in the third round to the Phoenix Mercury, wasn't as solid as guarantee for a roster spot. In terms of basketball IQ, Arica is one of the most knowledgeable. The Mercury roster is a interesting mix of six players with 10 years of NBA experience or more and three rookies. Add the coaching staff, primarily from Australia,  and 6'9" Brit Griner and you have an eclectic mix of age, culture and possibilities out in our nation's 48th. state. 




Cardinal fans will also be delighted to know that Myisha Hines-Allen returns to Washington's roster this season and Asia Taylor will be playing for the Indiana Fever. Nine-year veteran (has it really been that long since we've seen her dashing around Freedom Hall in the red and black?) Angel McCoughtry is also listed on Atlanta Dream's roster but won't be playing anytime soon because of torn ligaments in her left knee -- suffered in August 2018 -- .

There you have it, Cardinal fans. Five players, five different teams to draw your rooting interests. Sadly, the Washington Mystics prevented Sam Fuehring from making this a ""six pack of Cards" -- but she has been one of the strongest fighters to ever step on the court at UofL and it wouldn't surprise me to see her head overseas to gain valuable experience and give it another shot in 2020. 


VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

As spring begins to leave and summer rolls in, we have reached the point of the year where fall schedules are being released. Field Hockey issued their schedule recently and now Volleyball has done the same. 

The Student Activities Center Arena (SAC) has been renamed the L&N Federal Credit Union Cardinal Arena. They dropped a generous donation in Cardinal Athletics lap 

Will fans call it "the LNFCUCA"? That's rather unwieldy, so I expect either "the L&N", "Cardinal Arena" or...still, "the SAC" will be the terminology used when referring to events there. 

Here's a quick look at the schedule: 

AUGUST

The Red and Black intra-squad scrimmage starts things off on August, 17th. A week later, Miami (OH) pays a Saturday visit to campus. The Cardinal Classic is slated for the weekend of August 30th. and Florida, Dayton and Texas A&M are the invitees.

SEPTEMBER

A new tournament, the Fleur de Lis, will be hosted at "Cardinal Arena" beginning Sept. 6th. Tenn. Tech, WKU and Arizona State are the participants with our campus "serve and kill" girls. The Cards make a road trip, their first of the season, Sept 13 and 14 to play in the Lipscomb Tournament in Nashville. Purdue joins the two down there. 

Kentucky hosts the Cards on Sept. 20th. and UofL keeps traveling, to Cincinnati for Sept 22nd. volleyball against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

The start of ACC play gets underway in the final weekend of September, Louisville hosting NC State and UNC. 

OCTOBER

Georgia Tech and Clemson visit "the L&N" on the first weekend of Pumpkin month. The Cards go travelling after that, with four on the road at Duke, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Louisville returns home to close out October against Virginia and Pitt. 

NOVEMBER

To the road again for Dani Busboom Kelly's squad. Boston College, Syracuse, Miami and Florida State the venues before the Cards come home to take on Syracuse in a rematch on November 15th. The month and regular season closes out with Notre Dame and Miami visiting Louisville and a trip for UofL to Pitt on Nov. 27th. 



The ACC does not have a conference tournament for Volleyball. 

22 opportunities to see Volleyball on Floyd Street. 85 days until the action begins. 

You can expect Cardinal Volleyball expert Jeff "Worldwide" McAdams to break down and analyze this schedule and squad here at the site and on radio as the season gets closer.



CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 


It's back to the days of old when Paulie and Jeff will be the only bodies in the majestic, magical, magnificent media mansion on Mellwood this Saturday. 

Case is still watching cars turn left. Show contributor Daryl Foust's whereabouts are unknown, most likely rambling somewhere on her birthday month, Memorial Day sojourn.

As for me, I'm in Fort Mill, SC, visiting my lovely woman for the weekend. A potential trip to Charleston with her family looks possible as well. If you have any suggestions on what to do there, I'd love to hear them.  

I've informed Paulie I'll be available for a phone call Saturday for thoughts on softball, Volleyball and other assorted Cardinal sports subjects. 

I wrote this article on my flight to South Carolina, sent it to Paulie via e-mail and my I-Pad battery remained at 100% the entire time I performed the task. Thank you, God of Smart Devices, for the divine providence and guidance. 

11 a.m. Saturday for the show. You'll find a link below to explore your viewing and listening options. The show is broadcasted on Facebook Live, as well as regular FM  radio, on-line and by selected alien representatives from the moons of Mars. 



LINK:  THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR





Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend!

Jared  

11 from Women's Track and Field to compete in NCAA Prelims -- WNBA News -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ACTION STARTS TODAY AT NORTH FLORIDA FOR CARDINAL ATHLETES 

The University of Louisville has 11 student-athletes competing in the NCAA East Preliminaries at the University of North Florida beginning today.

They will be trying to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships that will take place June 5-8 in Austin, TX. 

Here's the breakdown: 


HAMMER THROW -- Makenli Forrest, Halee Hudson

POLE VAULT -- Gabriela Leon, Morgan Zacharias

100m HURDLES -- Kayla Alexander, Sydney Hill

LONG JUMP -- Alexis Gibbons

10000m -- Dorcas Wasike, Ivine Chemutai

HIGH JUMP -- Alivia Ash

SHOT PUT -- Rashida Harris


If you have the paid subscription to FloSports Track, they'll be showing the East Prelims live. UofL's track and Field twitter account also will keep you up on the progress. 

Check with Cardinal Couple for the latest updates on these Cardinals in their pursuits for the NCAA Championships.  

We wish our Track and Field Cardinal the very best of times, numbers and results over the next three days as they give it their best to make it to the NCAA Championships! 



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


WNBA UPDATE

With one day (today) left before WNBA rosters have to trim down to 12 players, all four  former UofL WBB players on rosters have survived the cuts, so far. 

Asia Taylor looks to remain with the Indiana Fever, Indiana did waive Kayla Alexander yesterday, so A-Tayy's spot looks to be safe. A-tayy seems to be a good fit in Indy and with seven guards listed on their current 13 player roster, we'll predict anymore waivers come from that spot. 

Arica Carter made it through another round of cuts out in Phoenix. She's one of six guards listed on their current roster of 13 and one of four rookies listed. With Diana Taurasi unavailable for another 3-5 weeks but listed on the roster, we like A/C's chances to remain with the Mercury. 


Myisha Hines-Allen is listed as one of the 13 left on the Washington Mystics roster. We feel "Mooks" is O.K. here...the Mystics cut a couple of players back over the last few days and with eight guards still on Washington's roster, we're betting any final cuts would come from that position. 

Asia Durr looks to be solid with the New York Liberty. They still show 15 players on roster, but six of them are centers and eight are guards...I doubt the Liberty would waive the 2nd overall 2019 WNBA draft pick and Durr has been starting for NY, so...we declare her safe as well for a spot on the "Big Apple" roster. 

Here's a cut that is surprising: 

Megan Gustafson was the 2019 Naismith Award winner and was the AP Player Of The Year, and she was the Big Ten Player Of The Year in both 2018 and 2019 for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She averaged 27.9 points and 13.5 rebounds per game as a 6'3" center and shot 70.1% from the floor while attempting 16.5 field goals per game.

She was drafted 17th overall, the fifth pick of the WNBA's second round in the 2019 draft. On Wednesday, Gustafson was part of the Dallas Wings' final round of cuts.

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


DID YOU SEE THIS? 

Asia Taylor has a close and special relationship with her mom, Felicia. She had the chance to do something very special for her recently...in buying her a house...and did so. 

The surprise revealing and announcement was captured on Instagram and we proudly share it with you today: 




instagram.com/tv/BxxRZUQhaBk/?igshid=1wwr6294i7s4l …


Just one example of the kind, caring and giving student-athletes and their works that have graced the Belknap Campus over the years and continue to. We salute you, A-Tayy ! 

(thanks to former Cardinal Couple columnist and reader Jenny O'Bryan for notifying me of this special moment.) 


have a terrific Thursday 

paulie
xxxxx

2019 USA Basketball Women's U19 and Pan Am Teams Announced -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

2019 USA BASKETBALL U19 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Out of the 30 athletes that tried out for this squad in Colorado Springs over the past week or so, 12 have been selected for Head Coach Jeff Walz and his assistants Natasha Adair and Cori Close to coach.

Cardinal WBB fans will recognize a few of the names on the 12-player roster that will go to the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand July 20-28.

The roster is listed below, in alphabetical order, with asterisks by those who have made college choices or already played for their college team)   

* Francesca Belibi (Connecticut) 

* Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) 

* Cameron Brink (Stanford) 

* Paige Bueckers (Connecticut) 

Caitlan Clark (Dowling Catholic/ West Des Moines, IA) 

* Queen Egbo (Baylor)  

* Naz Hillmon-Baker (Michigan) 

* Rhyne Howard (Kentucky)

* Jordan Nixon (Notre Dame) 

* NaLyssa Smith (Baylor) 

Celeste Taylor (Long Island Lutheran_ /Valley Stream, NY)

Hailey Van Lith (Cashmere H.S./Wenatchee, WA) 

Some players who did try out for the squad and did not make it include...Elizabeth Dixon (Louisville), Ashley Joens, Maori Davenport and Aijha Blackwell. The last three played on the 2018 U18 squad Walz coached in Mexico City and Dixon is headed to Louisville after leaving Georgia Tech. 

Howard is back and she was the MVP of the 2018 Tournament. She also plays at UK, a fact UofL fans well know and have to deal with the next three years. Hillmon-Baker and Smith also participated for USA when they won the title last year. 

Out of the 12, Connecticut is represent with two on the roster. So is Baylor.  

Selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National team Committee, chaired by George Washington University's head Coach Jennifer Rizzotti. 


EVANS CUT FROM USA PAN AM TEAM 

Another UofL WBB star, Dana Evans, tried out for the 2019 USA Pan Am team. Unfortunately, she did not make the squad.

Followers of NCAA DI women's basketball will recognize most of the names that made the squad. The roster looks very solid for Merchant and her staff and Cardinal fans will notice that Miami front-liner Bea Mompremire is on the roster.  

 That roster, to be coached by M.S.U.'s Suzy Merchant, is below: 


Bella Alarie  (Princeton) 
Brittany Brewer  (Texas Tech) 
Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M) 
Kathleen Doyle (Iowa)
Tyasha Harris (South Carolina) 
Taylor Mikesell  (Maryland)
Bea Mompremier (Miami) 
Michaela Onyenware (UCLA) 
Mikayla Pivec (Oregon St.) 
Lindsey Pulliam (Northwestern) 
Kiana Williams (Stanford) 
Peyton Williams (Kansas St.) 


WNBA NEWS

Four Cardinals still on WNBA rosters after team waivers through 5/20/19.

Myisha Hines-Allen is still on Washington's roster. Asia Durr remains with the NY Liberty.  Asia Taylor a part of the Indiana roster and Arica Carter listed on Phoenix's roster. 

Teams have until 5/23/19 (Thursday) to get down to a 12 player roster. The WNBA season starts May 24. 

In Sunday pre-season action, Asia Taylor played 10 minutes in Indiana's 71-66 win over Dallas. A-Tayy had two points on 1-3 shooting, two steals and two rebounds. Asia Durr started for New York on Sunday against the Connecticut Sun. Nite-Nite played 19 minutes, going 0-3 from the floor and picking up two assists and two rebounds in the Liberty's 100-66 loss. 

Have a terrific Tuesday!

paulie
xxxxx

Know the foe -- Southern Illinois Softball -- WNBA News -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

CARDS TO FACE SIU IN FIRST ROUND REGIONAL ACTION

The University of Louisville Softball squad will start their NCAA Tournament action against Southern Illinois University at 1 p.m. Friday in Evanston, IL on Northwestern University's field. 

The Salukis went through the regular season with a 33-13 season and fell in first round Missouri Valley Conference Tournament action to Northern Iowa 2-0. In the regular season conference slate, they complied a 17-6 record. They were the last team called on the NCAA Selection show and survived "the bubble" to get in....being the final "at-large" team selected. 

The Salukis have a #42 RPI and a top-25 win on the season against Drake. They also had three top-50 wins (San Jose State, N.D. State and Mississippi St.). They finished third in the nation in fielding percentage and committed just 25 errors on the year. 

Offensively, they are led by sophomore utility player Jenny Jansen (.393) who had 12 doubles for S.I.U. Ashley Wood, a freshman infielder, batted .352 in 46 games and had a team high nine home runs. Susie Baranski, a junior outfielder, hit for an average of .345 and was fourth on the squad with 40 hits. S.I.U averages 5.5 runs a game while allowing just 3 runs a contest. 

In the circle, Brianna Jones (no, not the former UofL women's basketball player from 2015-17) led Southern Illinois with a 23-9 record and 2.00 ERA. Claire Miller went 8-3 and had a 3.24 ERA. Holly Marousek posted a 2-1 record with a 4.60 ERA. 

SIU won six of their final seven regular season games. 

Kerri Blalock has been the Salukis head coach for 20 years. Lifetime, she's 1-0 against Louisville, defeating the Cards 1-0 in her first season. 10 of the 17 players on the roster played their high school ball in Illinois, they have no one on the roster from Kentucky. 


IN THE WNBA

The big (and unfortunate) news in terms of WNBA players for Cardinal fans is that Sam Fuehring got waived by the Washington Mystics yesterday. Maci Morris, from UK, also got released. 

Sad to see, definitely.

Sam hasn't begun to fight yet, though, and we're optimistic she'll catch on with a team overseas or even possibly catch on with another WNBA squad. 

In Wednesday action, Arica Carter saw 13 minutes for Phoenix in a 87-84 win over the Seattle Storm. She scored five points, hit a three and had an assist.  


HAVE A TERRIFIC THURSDAY! 

paulie
xxxxx