Louisville Softball shuts down IU in five innings...Next in the Coaches soap opera...Duke's JoAnne P. -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SOFTBALL TEES OFF ON HOOSIERS 12-2

The Louisville Softball team spotted IU two first inning runs but used a strong fourth and fifth inning to run-rule the Hoosiers 12-2 yesterday in Bloomington, IN. 

The Cards broke open a tight game in the fourth by scoring five runs on five hits to increase a 3-2 lead to 8-2. While Maryssa Becker, in relief of starter Megan Hensley, kept the Indiana bats silenced...the Cards added four more runs in the top of the fifth to set the run-rule potential and Becker delivered again from the stripe in the bottom of the fifth to end the contest. 

Unlike many of the Cards wins this season where base-clearing blasts over the fences have been the huge run-scoring inning producers, the Cards got it done with mostly small-ball today...with only two-extra base hits...a double from Becker and one from Jordan McNary. Five Cards had two or more RBI's in the game...Nicole Pufahl leading the way with three. 

Hensley allowed just three hits in 2.1 innings pitched and Becker held the Hoosiers hit-less in her 2.2 innings of relief.

Louisville steps out of the ACC again when North Carolina Central comes to Ulmer for the weekend...a double-header scheduled for Saturday and a single-game Sunday. 

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DUKE HEAD WBB COACH JOANNE P. McCALLIE AND PROGRAM TO BE INTERNALLY INVESTIGATED

Things had just started to simmer down a bit about the tawdry Tyler Summit indiscretion when another historic program announced that they were going to launch an investigation into possible mistreatment of players and coaches. 

No...things aren't going so well for Duke's version of "Coach P"  (JoAnne P. McCallie) down in Durham. 

The Blue Devils are starting a very thorough investigation into the WBB program after the defection of the two latest players...highly heralded sophomore Azura Stevens (transfer) and Angela Salvadores (leaving college). 

The word is that the Duke legal department has already talked to several players and coaches who have left the program in recent years. Sources are indicating that some of these may have been because of mistreatment from McCallie in both the student-athlete ranks and former assistants under McCallie. It is indicated that there have been several complaints about McCallie over the years about her treatment of former players and assistants. The program has had six players leave the program in the last four seasons. 

What is it about North Carolina area WBB? Sylvia Hatchell on the hot seat and now Coach P? 

McCallie has indicated that she is full aware of the investigation and is eager to help in any way she can. 

Many were surprised at the departure of these two of the best players on the 2015-16 squad and also on the way Duke seemed to self-destruct on the court at times this season...Duke was a top 15 pick in most preseason polls but went into a tailspin in February...losing five out of seven games and failing to make the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils finished 20-12 and 8-8 in the ACC. 



Coach P has seemed a bit eccentric at times to this women's college basketball observer and several of team's dismal offensive performances this season indicated to me that the consistency and chemistry of the roster was an erratic hit and miss thing. I remember the emotionless way the Blue Devils downed Virginia in the ACC Tournament without Rebecca Greenwell and then how they fell apart at the seams against Notre Dame without really seeming to care too much about it. Louisville scored pretty easily on the Blue Devils in the regular season while shutting them down offensively and Salvadores looked flat and almost dis-interested at times. Greenwell was a non-factor in that game and seemed almost terse in the post-game interview. 

If the allegations about mistreatment from McCallie do come to fruition, though...the former Michigan State and Maine coach needs to be sent packing on the first flight out of Durham.

College basketball is a game that student-athletes participate in. 

A game.

It's not a mental torture chamber...or grounds for mistreatment of young women or employees. Yes, coaches can be fiery. Players can get emotional. It happens in most programs...but when a university's legal department gets involved...it indicates that there is much more going on than a few harsh words and glares.  

paulie
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Louisville women's basketball faces Duke today -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

WHICH DUKE SQUAD WILL SHOW UP TODAY IN THE KFC YUM?

The University of Louisville women's basketball team will square off against #16/18 Duke today in snowy Louisville, KY at 1 p.m. today...of that we're certain. 



The question is which Duke squad will take Denny Crum Court to face the Cards? The one that demolished Wake Forest 95-68 a few nights ago or the one that got blown out of the water at Syracuse 86-50 last Sunday? 

Overall, the Blue Devils are having an fairly good season at 12-4 (1-1) and their is star power laced throughout the lineup. Owensboro's Rebecca Greenwell, USA U 19 performer Azura Stevens, Spanish team U 19 star Angela Salvadores and the tri-headed paint monsters Odewah Chidom, Amber Henson and Erin Mathies are all capable of blowing up the scoreboard and stat sheet any time they take the court. 

Will they against rising Louisville, though? Where do the Cards fit into the scheme of things between Syracuse and Wake Forest in opponent capabilities? 

Duke's losses, at least on paper are pretty plausible. Falling to Texas A&M, South Carolina and Kentucky...coach Joanne P. McCauley probably wouldn't mind if she doesn't see any SEC schools until next season. Syracuse is as good as advertised...height, shooting and defense.  

For Louisville to knock off another top-20 opponent today, we'll review the FRED  primer. If the Cards can shoot over 70% from the foul line, rebound successfully against the tall Durham, NC front line, make those easy inside shots and layups and play the defense they exhibited against the "Tech's" last week...Louisville just might improve to 12-5 and 4-0 in conference. If the Cards shooting and defense is a cold as the weather outside today...it could get ugly in the KFC YUM! Center. 

We'll hope to see The Big Three ( Mariya Moore, Myisha Hines-Allen and Briahanna Jackson ) hit with consistency and Cortnee Walton continue being the chair-woman of the boards. Any auxiliary additions from Arica Carter, Asia Durr and the other freshmen would be a welcome site. With Duke's size and rebounding prowess...Walz may have to dip into the reserves of Sam Fuehring and Erin DeGrate significant relief minutes. 

We'll know around 3 o'clock this afternoon how well Redemption Train did on this rough stretch of track. It's a ESPN 3 game...so Don Russell and Sara White will be providing their interpretations of the action and Paulie and Sonja will probably be viewing this one in the end zone...for all of those who like to play pre-game "Where's Paulie?" 

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THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

Adoring fans line the sidewalk to Crescent Hill Radio
studios...hoping to catch a glimpse of Worldwide or Paige

Yes, it was a wonderful time and broadcast yesterday on the highly acclaimed CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR show. Swish Appeal and CSZ women's basketball columnist Paige Sherrard joined Worldwide and I for discussion, review, preview and analysis of Louisville Softball, Volleyball, Lacrosse and women's basketball.

The rebroadcast should be available later today on the Crescent Hill Radio Soundcloud. Or, you could just call up Paige or Worldwide and ask them to re-create it via cell phone. Maybe you could do your own interpretation of the show and send it to us. We'd probably listen to it. Maybe you'd like us to come to your house and do it live in your living room or carport. We'd probably need cab fare...

LINK: THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR 1/9/16

paulie
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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
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