Tim Eatman on the move again -- Friday Cardinal Couple

FORMER LOUISVILLE ASSISTANT WBB COACH GOES TO RUTGERS

Tim Eatman was one of the people influential in getting Angel McCoughtry to the Louisville campus. When Tom Collen left for Arkansas after Angel's sophomore year, Eatman went with him.

Eatman has been named an assistant for C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers. It also means he gets to work with Julie Hermann again.

Tim's pretty excited: 

"There are three reasons I decided to accept the challenge of my life by joining Coach C.Vivian Stringer as part of her staff at Rutgers University," said Eatman of joining the Scarlet Knight coaching ranks.

"First, it is an incredible opportunity to once again have the chance to work with a pioneer and hall of famer. Secondly, I embrace her vision to have a chance to win a national championship. Lastly, I will be reunited with Athletic Director Julie Hermann, who was my Senior Women's Administrator (SWA) at the University of Louisville. Julie was an amazing asset in assisting the staff in recruiting the core players that propelled Louisville to their first two Final Fours in the program's history. I am looking forward to competing in the Big Ten. It is an exciting day to be a part of the Scarlet Knight family."

We wish him well in Jersey. He built some pretty awesome defenses at the "Ville" 

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USA v CANADA TODAY

USA U 19 WBB looks to advance to the Final Four of the FIBA U 19 World Championship when they play Canada today at 1:15 p.m.

This one will be back at Chekhov and on You Tube again. Someone put Walz and Jacob in a cab and keep him away from public transpotation. 

USA defeated Canada last week in the Spanish International Invitational 95-40.

I like their chances here...

paulie

xxxxx

Saturday Cardinal Couple -- WBB Coaches we'll miss

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- A five-pack of BIG EAST/AAC WBB Coaches we'll miss...

- Whaddya say, A-Tayy?

- No radio tomorrow


In keeping with the theme of transitioning into the ACC...we've decided to take a look at some WBB Coaches we'll miss not coming into the KFC YUM! Center to battle Coach Walz and the Louisville WBB squad. This list is in no particular order or ranking...just a fivesome of skippers we have enjoyed over the years. 

- Doug Bruno -- DePaul

The affable Bruno was always a great post-game interview and watching him in front of the visitor's bench in his "institutionalized" Shawshank Redemption blue shirt with the DePaul logo emblazoned on the right side, pocket level was always a treat. His looks of incredulous disbelief and chuckling dismissal of calls that went against the Blue Demons always reminded me of a fairway duffer who couldn't believe he just put his tee-shot into the woods or just missed a three-foot putt for par. 

Favorite Bruno memory is after his final appearance in the KFC YUM! Center and a 20-something point loss to the Cards. Bruno showed up at the post-game press conference and proceeded to deliver an almost 20 minute Q&A that covered wide ranging topics. Doug never missed a beat and kept the handful of reporters there in rapt attention as he pontificated about any subject presented to him. With a cup of water in his hand, he looked like he was ready to propose a toast at times...and he delivered well that night...much better than his injury-ridden Blue Demons did. 

C. Vivian Stringer -- Rutgers

C Viv steppin' out on the town in New Orleans

C-Viv's game theatrics were legendary but what a classy lady she was before and after contests. When asked a potentially fuse-igniting question after a UofL game about a specific Rutgers player, I remember she rolled her eyes skyward, smiled and shook her head. I don't remember the exact words...but it did have something to do about how good the player could be if she'd accept coaching instructions. 

C-Viv delighted in seeing Coach Walz and his children and she'd always take time to greet the numerous people who would gather behind the Rutgers bench during pre-game warmups when the Scarlet Knights came to the "Ville".

Let her go out on her own terms, Julie Hermann. You have a legendary, national treasure in your WBB coach.

Harry Peretta -- Villanova

"Whaddya mean  you
can't find the ledger for
March's sales?!?"

Harry always looked like a harried, mid-level corporate manager trying to solve an inter-office crisis by the time a game got to the second half...with the white shirt un-tucked, tie askew and arm extended.

Shrugging and turning away from referees after questioning a "bad" call after blasting out a few words of contempt. It was almost like he'd asked an hourly if they could work a few extra hours of overtime and gotten a negative response. 

But Harry was always a class act in words and actions...always quick to give credit to the players and defer questions about himself. Harry was always a true gentleman and gracious in defeat. Hats off to Harry...coach 'em up another 40 years if you have it in you.

Keep getting those hard-working, tough-as-nails Philadelphia Catholic girls on your roster. Solid, fundamental basketball....'Nova and Coach P. style.

Jamelle Elliott -- Cincinnati

"Big wheels keep on turnin'...Proud Mary keeps
on burnin'...Rollin', Rollin' Rollin' on the river."

The wild women of the sidelines...Jamelle was perpetual motion in front of the bench if it looked like her Bearcats had a ghost of a chance of winning. Eventually, when the defeat was evident...and she suffered a lot of them in her early years at UC...she'd doggedly resign herself to a seat on the bench.

 Still shouting out advise to her players, but done with the "Tina Turner - Live In concert" reenactment. 

She ws an unqualified superstar when she played for Geno at UConn and she expects the same out of the players she recruits to be Bearcats. I think she'll eventually be a powerhouse in the AAC.

They just need to get some fans in the seats to sponsor her up in the Queen City. Apathy reigns in the UC WBB fanbase and that's a shame...because they have a coach that is worth the price of admission alone for her performance.

Jose Fernandez -- USF

Geno pats down Jose for weapons before the game

My favorite description of the USF WBB skipper came a couple of years ago when a scribe joked that he "looked like Andy Kaufman's older brother".

Jose's post-game interviews are classic...he goes from speculation to askance...from self-depreciating humor and blame assignment to outright proud defense of anything dressed in the green and gold. All the time...employing a multitude of facial expressions and hand gestures.

My favorite Jose moment came when the Bulls upset a very good UofL WBB team at the KFC YUM! Center.

After graciously consoling the disillusioned Card players...he literally bounded across Denny Crum Court and embraced the USF play-by-play guy Alex Perlman before doing his post-game radio show. A moment of unbridled joy and sincere ecstasy after winning (arguably...) the biggest game of his career. 

Sure, I was disappointed about the loss...but seeing his innocent and genuine joy made me feel a little better about seeing Louisville lose. It was his moment. He deserved it and earned it.


(Got a coach and a specific memory? Feel free to leave it in the comments section or send Paulie an e-mail about it.

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Thanks to Sandy W. for sending the link below feauring our girl Asia Taylor in a Lynx interview.

All three of the Lady Cards in the WNBA were on the same court last night when Atlanta hosted the Minnesota Lynx. Taylor, Schimmel and McCoughtry were in the game at the same time for about four minutes near the end of the first quarter.

http://www.wnba.com/video/wnba/2014/06/09/140604GetToKnowAsiaTaylorupdate2-3296697/


In WNBA action Friday night:

Angel McCoughtry scored 23 points, Erika de Souza had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Atlanta held off the Minnesota Lynx 85-82 on Friday night in Philips Arena.

Shoni Schimmel saw six minutes and did not score. Asia Taylor saw six minutes and did not score.

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We will not be doing a radio show today.

Sonja and I will be at the grave-site services of a departed friend and Jeff still not quite ready to compete after his surgery.

We'll be back next Saturday. 

paulie
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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Cards win at Rutgers 80-71

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

17-4 second half run leads Louisville past Scarlet Knights

Louisville broke open a close game in the second half to blow past Rutgers and win their first game ever in the RAC Tuesday nights 80-71. With 10:55 to go and down by six at 47-53...Louisville erupted on a 17-4 run to go ahead 64-57 in a three minute run that saw five different Cardinals score.


A crowd of around 1800 saw Shoni Schimmel lead the Cards with 24 points, Asia Taylor added 19 and Sara Hammond finished with 17 for the Cards...who are only the second team this season to score 80 points against C.Viv Stringer's club. UofL out-rebounded RU by three in the game and forced 19 turnovers.

Louisville (or Shoni) actually got off to a good start in this game for once, leading 8-3 on eight points from Shoni. The Cards still led 21-15 after a Shoni three with 11:23 in the first half. A Bria Smith layup made it 34-28 with 5:09 remaining...but Rutgers went on a 10-2 run to go up 38-36 after Betnijah Laney hit a free throw with 10 seconds showing to take a two-point lead into the half.

The Cards shot 39% in the first half...Rutgers 50%. The Cards needed to stop Tyler Scaife, the freshman guard had 15 first half points and was basically doing anything she wanted against the Cards defense.

Louisville spent the first 10 minutes of the final half trying to regain the lead. They finally did at 56-55 with Smith's "and 1" with 9:21 to go. Asia countered with another "and 1" and after a Gibbs layup...it was 61-55 UofL. After a Rutgers score, Shoni's three put Louisville ahead by seven and it looked as if the RU squad was on the ropes.

The Scarlet Knights would not let the Cards acheive a double digit lead, though...and Scaife and Laney tried to get Rutgers back into the contest. It was not enough.

A Sara inside move gave the Cards a 70-63 edge with 3:30 on the clock. Shoni tallied four of the next six Louisville points and her two free throws put it out of reach at 76-68 and 1:04 to play. Four Asia Taylor free throws in the final minute finished out the Cardinal scoring for the nine-point 80-71 "W".

THE FINAL WORD

-Free throws? Sit down before you read any further.

Louisville sank 19-22. Asia had seven of them and Shoni six.

-UofL showed a lot of poise in the second half to overcome Rutgers lead and not allow them to regain it. Asia, Shoni and Sara scored all but seven of the UofL second half points. Louisville outscored RU 44-33 in the half.

-Shoni has now hit 20 threes in the last three games.  That ties for a NCAA WBB best for a three-game stretch this season. She had all of Louisville's tonight except one...a wide open trifecta from Sara in the second half.

-Asia was huge in the final minutes...crashing the boards and converting on the line. Clutch free throws in the final minute by A-Tayy to ensure Rutgers wouldn't send it to O.T.
Six of her seven made charity tosses came in the final five minutes.

-CBS Sports announcer Debbie Antonelli needs to be smacked with a wet grouper. The Schimmel sisters are not twins, Asia did not play in either Final Four appearance (Deb placed her in both) and neither Schimmel sister is named "Shimmy". Monny Niamke is not a freshman. And, quite honestly...you do really think anyone cares that you like salad and yogurt? It's a college basketball game you're working...not a food show.

Nice prep work, Deb.

Plus that, you could hear the excitement drain right out of her voice when the Cards put the Scarlet Knights away. Homerism is for campus/student radio announcers, dear. Not for ancient TV talking heads. Sorry the Cards ruined your party, D.A. They are kinda known for that, though.

- Tyler Scaife is going to be something special for C.Viv. 25 points tonight and all of her 10 field goals looked effortless.

It was a Louisville team that went into a hostile environment, took a quality opponents best shot and emerge holding the trophy.

'Shimmy' rocks.

The Cards come home to face the USF Bulls on SuperBowl Sunday. Roll out for this one, fans...a bit of unfinished business to transact in regards getting some payback on the win USF took on Denny Crum Court last year.


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Just a reminder, the Louisville Lacrosse banquet is this Saturday at the PNC Plaza in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Cash bar opens at 4 p.m. We've also heard that a ticket to it will get you access to the Volleyball banquet across the way in the Brown-Williamson room.

Our Jeff McAdams will be over there. Sonja and I will be hanging out with the gals who carry sticks with nets.

Attend.

Go to www.gocards.com and get the ticket information. Lacrosse has a strong, talented team returning and you'll have a huge time at the pre-season dinner.

Kellie Young's squad begins the season at #6 Duke. She has a mix of talented returnees and a group of very talented freshmen that will contend for playing time. Nikki Boltja, last year's leading scorer is back for her senior season and watch out for Kat Gordon, Kay Morrisette and Aussie freshman Steph McNamara.

paulie

Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Louisville WBB set to play in Piscataway

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Cards, Scarlet Knights on CBS Sports Network

- Hermann the architect looking to build again

- Shoni named AAC Player of the Week

The University of Louisville women's basketball squad brings its 20-1 record and #5 ranking into the RAC tonight at 9 p.m. to face a 15-4 Rutgers team in a battle that will be shown on CBS Sports Network. Debbie Antonelli and Brent Stover will have the call in a contest that features two teams with a common denominator.

Julie Hermann.

One of the driving forces behind the success of Louisville women's basketball for the past dozen years, Hermann is now trying to resurrect a program which has taken some hits and loss in attendance since the glory years of 2007-08.

It's also one of those dreaded Sunday-Tuesday turnarounds that Coach Walz isn't particularly fond of...but an occurrence that he and the squad are in the second week out of three that they have the sequence.

Rutgers is 2-2 in their last four...falling at Memphis and to UConn before knocking off UCF and Temple on the road last week. They'll look to deflate the ball a bit against the high-octane offense the Cards have displayed as of late...RU has held opponents to under 70 points the entire season except once...when UConn rolled up 94 on them.

The Scarlet Knights are led by sophomore forward Kahleah Copper (16.9 ppg), junior G/F Betnijah Laney (13.4 ppg) and freshman guard Tyler Scaife (12.6). 6'4" Center Rachel Hollivay is eighth in the nation in blocked shots and leads the AAC with 3.3 a contest.

Will C.Viv Stringer and her team, which has no seniors, be able to slow down the streaking Shoni Schimmel...who has blasted the nets for 16 threes in the last two games? The affable C.Viv...whose been drawing up X's and O's for 43 years (19 at RU) has been under fire the last couple of seasons for not duplicating the successes of her teams 7-8 years ago

But most importantly...will we see Precious Person play...a member of our Cardinal Couple All-Name squad?

Road wins are worth their weight in gold. The RAC could hold double its season attendance numbers of almost 1900 for this one tonight.

After all, it is Louisville coming to town.

It will be a serious test for a Louisville team that really hasn't been severely tested since losing to UK.

Should be a good one tonight. Another rivalry that will go by the wayside at the end of this season.

Time to go to work, ladies.

We'll have a full recap in the Wednesday CC. Just who will write it remains to be seen. It's rumored Worldwide is back on dry ground and wasn't on the "sick" cruise...but he hasn't indicated what day he wants to return to keystroking.
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HERE'S AN ARTICLE ABOUT MS. HERMANN

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Julie Hermann says Rutgers women's basketball has potential to replicate Louisville's success    

 

Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann watches a basketball game at the RAC in November. / JASON TOWLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Written by

Ryan Dunleavy

@rydunleavy

 

ADVERTISEMENT

PISCATAWAY — The 6,000-plus empty seats at the Louis Brown Athletic Center during almost any given Rutgers women’s basketball game is the constant reminder of momentum lost over the last six years, as a program tumbled from annual Final Four contender to 2013 NCAA Tournament outsider.
Maybe only Rutgers athletics director Julie Hermann looks around at nearly 1,900 fans and thinks not of wreckage but of a foundation. After all, the crowd is twice the average size seen at Louisville a decade ago, before an explosion of popularity occurred under Hermann’s watch as the sport’s administrator.
“It can happen anywhere if you have the right combination of a program people want to support — which involves many things (like) right coach, right players representing the institution at a high level, and competing at a high level,” Hermann said in an exclusive interview. “If you have those pieces, then your marketing effort — or your reach to the demographic that will answer — can happen anywhere.”
When Louisville visits Rutgers at 9 p.m. today at the RAC in a televised (CBS Sports Network) matchup of teams with contrasting levels of popularity, it might notice a familiar script for everything surrounding the action. It is part of a long-term vision of interaction developed for a program in spite of the fact that its Hall of Fame coach, C. Vivian Stringer, is operating on a short-term basis, with a contract due to expire June 1.
“She is going to take us into the Big Ten,” Hermann said. “I don’t know how long we will arm-wrestle over the details of a contract about what she wants and what Rutgers can do, but my intent is for (her) to lead us into the Big Ten and her intent is to do so.”

Empty seats

Rutgers’ attendance reached its all-time peak of 4,740 in 2007-08 — off of a run to the NCAA Tournament final — but has experienced a steady and dramatic drop-off ever since. Last season’s average (2,084) was the program’s lowest since 1996-97 (1,571) but still is higher than the current 1,894 through nine games.

FOR MORE, GO TO THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140127/NJSPORTS0210/301270056/Julie-Hermann-says-Rutgers-women-s-basketball-has-potential-replicate-Louisville-s-success


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We know the power of "Sho-time". The AAC recognized it this week...

Louisville senior Shoni Schimmel was named American Athletic Conference Player
of the Week the league announced on Monday.

Schimmel averaged 27.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists for Louisville last
week as the Cardinals improved to 8-0 in league play. She finished the week
shooting 63.3 percent (19-for-30) from the field and 69.6 percent (16-for-23)
from 3-point range.
Against Houston, Schimmel scored 25 points while going 7 of 11 from behind the
3-point line.  She also pulled down a season-high eight rebounds and dished out
five assists.

Schimmel hit a school-record nine 3-pointers against Memphis and finished with
29 points in 27 minutes of action. She drilled six 3-pointers in a span of four
minutes to lift Louisville to a 35-19 lead with 3:58 left in the first half.
Schimmel made eight 3s in the first half and Louisville never looked back. She
left the game with 8:55 left to cheers and an ovation from the crowd of 10,345.

Freshman Emmonnie Henderson was named to the weekly honor role after averaging
14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last week.  Henderson scored career-highs
in back-to-back games last week against Houston and Memphis. Against Houston,
Henderson scored a career-high 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.  She
finished the game shooting 6 of 9 from the field.  She also dished out two
assists and grabbed three steals.  Against Memphis, Henderson tied her
career-high with 14 points and pulled down two rebounds.  She went 4 of 5 from
the field and 4 of 4 from the foul line against the Tigers.

paulie
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Motivation: Part I

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Motivation of colleges athlete by coaches to play hard & win and coaches who do this well.

We recently read an article from one of our favorite bloggers about motivation of college athletes by coaches. We liked the concept so much that we decided to do a similar article here at CARDINAL COUPLE. We expaned upon the idea of just asking coaches and sought out the opinions of coaches, fans and former college athletes. The questions were:

1) What do you think a coach should do to motivate their team to play hard and win?

2) Which coaches (women's college basketball) do you think are the best motivators?

We weren't sure how many responses we would get. After receiving ten responses (six readers/fans, two coaches and two former athletes..) we decided to do a "Part I" of this topic. We'll run "Part II" when we get more responses. The responses below are listed verbatim (edited and spell-checked where necessary) and have the respondants' first name and last name initial. Enjoy and reflect...and be advised today's column is a quite lengthy one...

--Mark S. (reader)

I guess motivation would depend on the team the coach has at the time. Each player is different. What motivates one player may not motivate another. Some players respond differently to the same tactics. That being said...here are ways to motivate:

1) Throw down a challenge. Could be done by setting a goal for an individual player or the team itself. Example: Hold a certain player below 10 points or have less than ten turnovers. If goals are reached, reward the player/team. Rewards could be praise, a day off, or team get-together (dinner, movie, etc.)
2) Make practices fun for the team
3) Be enthusiastic--that enthusiasm can carry over to the players.
4) Have the team do things together to build team unity.
5) Discipline is a key. Make sure it is consistent.
6) Communicate well with the team.

Best motivators: Jeff Walz, Brenda Frese, Geno Auriemma, Pat Summit, Matthew Mitchell, Harry Perretta, C.Vivian Stringer and Doug Bruno.

--Norman S. (reader)

If I were a coach, first it would be about the fans. Louisville's fans love these ladies, regardless of their athletic ability. These fans are there in large numbers to help them play well and win. The coaches should be doing their best for the Louisville fans. Second, it is just being the best of the best. They wouldn't be here if they did not want to compete at the highest level. The pro game, for the ladies, is not yet a motivating factor, in my opinion.

Coaches. Obviously Coach Walz was at his best during the second half of the UConn game (or maybe it was the fans). and in last year's tournament run. He is good. It is difficult for me to judge the others. The coaches at Stanford, UConn, Rutgers & Baylor must be good motivators. The job that last year's National Champs coach, Gary Blair, did was outstanding.

I want to throw this in, too. The coach of the Alabama men's team (Anthony Grant) has the best court side demeanor of any coach, men's or women's. I can't believe that screaming in a player's about his or her errors, mistakes or shortcomings is doing any good. I think Coach Walz is guilty of this too often. That's my opinion.

-- Mary B. (former player)

Paul, what motivated me wasn't so much the coaches but the success of the team back when I played. I didn't always start or play a lot at times but when I was out there - doing the best I could for the team was my motivation factor. We wanted to win. If I played well it would help our chances to win. I played with players that weren't motivated and no amount of coaching could get them there. It was all about their numbers and the heck with the team. I guess their success was their motivation.

I had coaches that would try to motivate by positives and negatives. Coaches I didn't like because of their motivational attempts and tactics. But, I always found that motivation had to come from within. Maybe I'm different.

Coaches I think that are good at attempting motivation for women's college basketball are McGraw at Notre Dame, Elliott at UC, Bruno at DePaul and Mulkey at Baylor. I think Walz at Louisville is an OK motivator but he seems to lose his team at times and that just might be the players, not him, but it can be distressing at times. 

Thanks for asking me to participate! Say Hi to Ms. Sonja for me. I still miss our practices and games in high school. She was a pretty motivated player and it didn't come from coaching either, Lord knows! We had the worst coach in the history of high school basketball. Ha. Ha. 

Shirley B. (reader)

I believe motivation must first come from within the athlete before they can respond in a positive way to a coach. They must feel that the team is #1 prior to their own glory. Once an athlete has this feeling, most of them will look for ways to have this be demonstrated. This will come from a coach pulling together the unique qualities from each of his players. This can only be achieved through a consistent and calm approach. This does not mean that excitement should be deleted from coaching. A positive critique to all segments of the game should be interwoven among the criticism. Each player and each coach will bring something to the game and the team. 

A great coach will identify the individual offerings and assist the player to be aware of what they can offer. There must be a willingness to be a team player and be willing to accept your role. This must always come before any individual, coach or team can truly be called a "Winner." Motivation is very important but the individual must first want to receive it.

Michelle K. (coach)

- I have three very simple rules about motivating players.

1) They must be able to handle motivation of different types. Sometimes it may be positive, sometimes it isn't.

2) They must understand that desire and motivation are not the same thing. A girl may desire to score 20 points a game but if she isn't motivated to go out and do the work and practice to be that kind of player, it's no good.

3) Motivation is a continuous process. Today's players have way too many "entitlement" issues. That doesn't get it. No one is entitled and I will motivate you out of that mind-set, if you have it, continuously until you lose it or you won't play for me. I will keep you motivated if you will give me your best or slack off, don't worry!

My favorite motivational women's college basketball coaches are Pat, Geno, C. Viv and Nikki Caldwell. 

David W. (reader) 

A coaches greatest motivational tool is the very aspect of his or her players being able to have the chance to do something that very few high school athletes get to do. Play in college. Take a Louisville, Notre Dame or even a Ball State. Players get a free education. Free housing. Free meals. Expert training. A safe environment for four years. There should be no other motivation  factor bigger than that -- unless the team is a national or conference title contender. Then, acheiving the championship can be a strong motivator as well. I read a lot of things. I see a lot of players list their goals to get to Denver, where they're playing the NCAA Women's Championship this year. That's fine and well, if they have a legit shot. Otherwise, it's daydreaming and self-centered.

Coaches I think that do a very good job of motivating their teams are Geno Auriemma, Muffet McGraw, Brenda Frese, Tara Vanderveer and Kim Mulkey. That would be my top five.

Quentin V. (reader)

Have detailed benchmarks established for a player's performance. Share them with the player and provide feedback regarding the player's degree of achievement and provide tools, that if used, will make achievement possible. If a player is not willing to work to achieve goals established, let that player go.

Best coaches: Pat Summit, Geno Auriemma, Jeff Walz.

D.G.  (ex-player)

I will be straight up with you on motivation the way I looked at it when I played. I hated to lose and I hated to play bad. Coaches motivation only made that better or worse depending on how it was going. Yelling at me, finger pointing, none of that deal worked because -  I knew when I messed up or didn't play good - and didn't need a reminder. OK? I saw my teammates and me as one unit working together and when one part was not working right you either fixed it or replaced it. Just like your car or furnace. I knew I would never play in the NBA or past college but I was motivated by wins and great games. Some coaches, I swear, I don't know how they keep their jobs and have the wrong mind set when it breaks down to motivation. You want to pull me because I missed a wide open shot and then fouled a guy on the play after? Fine. Pull me. But did you forget about the three rebounds, the steal and the two assists I had before that? GIve me a chance to play through it.  

Don't know a lot about the women's coaches. I can tell you that I like the fire Walz brings to the sidelines. Don't know how good a motivator he is but he really gets into getting his team to perform well. The guy is always coaching on the sidelines. His Louisville teams been pretty good since he has been there. Mitchell at UK seems to get a lot out his girls. Also, I liked the guy who was women's coach at MTSU when I played there. Rick Insell. He was great to talk to and had those girls big time motivated. If I was a girl, I think I would have enjoyed playing for him.  

Rex E. (coach)

Paul:

1) I try to get them to realise it is THEIR team and I just happen to be the coach. So if they want to have a memorable experience and achievement THEY share a big part of the responsibility. I want them to make the season what they dream it to be.

2) A deep sense of responsibility to themselves and others. It is our responsibility to represent the university, athletic dept., families, alumni and fans in a first class way. 


Coach E.

Bill and Barbara H. (fans)

#1 - Bill- Be encouraging.
        Barb - Accentuate the positives.

#2 - Bill - Doug Bruno
        Barb - Pat Summit.

OK. I know this is a long column today and I hope you made it through it and enjoyed it. Some very great, revealing and informative responses here.

If you have a "take" on this subject, feel free to e-mail us at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com  If you want to comment on any of these responses, feel free to e-mail or leave your opinion in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
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Monique faces Monique on Saturday

FRIDAY @ C.C.

-Rutgers visits the Bucket Saturday

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-LIT action/results

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Monique is coming to town. As in Monique Oliver, the sophomore center for C.Vivian Stringer's Rutgers womens' basketball team.

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Monique is already in town and waiting. As in Monique Reid, junior forward for Jeff Walz's Lady Cards.

.

The Saturday matchup at 6 p.m. will be a good one. The Scarlet Knights, fresh off a loss to visiting Connecticut 63-44 on Wednesday, are looking for their sixth win in seven BIG EAST contests. Louisville...who fell by eleven on the road to Marquette...is hoping for a win to keep from going to 4-4 in conference play. For the Cards to be successful, they'll need to stop Monique and get a big game out of Monique. Let's look at the visiting Monique...

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"She's going to be a big time player," head coach C.Vivian Stringer notes. "I knew the minute she signed with us. I don't normally make that kind of comment about a player. She was sharing time last year. She knows it's her time now."

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And, she has responded. A 27 point performance at Syracuse against standout center Kayla Alexander in a Rutgers win. 21 points and 17 rebounds in another upset win over Georgetown.

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"She realizes that she can take over a game now." says junior guard Khadijah Rushdan. Her sophomore year has brought a knowledge and maturity that benefits the Scarlet Knights.

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"Last season, I was just trying to get to know the program and do what coach Stringer asked. This year, I'm more focused and confident." Oliver reveals. She's not the only Scarlet Knight that is on the improve, either.

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Guard Rushdan is averaging 14 points a game and 3 point specialist April Sykes (no relation) is in double figures also for Rutgers. Add forward Chelsey Lee to the mix and Rutgers can hurt you several different ways. They'll most likely try to use their power game inside and the pressure defense that is a staple of Stringer coached teams to control the pace against the free-wheeling Cards and keep the score in the sixties.

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Louisville will try to counter with the dangerous transition game that allows the Cards to score in waves against opponents. They must find a way to compete on the boards, however...something that Louisville has had trouble with in losses to Notre Dame, Connecticut and Marquette. Monique Reid will find the going tough in the paint against the aggressive Scarlet Knight front line and if the Cards are to pull this one out...the 3 point shooting of Becky Burke, Shoni Schimmel, Tia Gibbs and Antonita Slaughter will have to be clicking.

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Should be a fun one. It's "White Out" night...so if you go, dress accordingly.

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(some information for this article is from nj.com)

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Action continues in the Republic Bank LIT Tournament. Thursday's scores:

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#1 Manual 68 - Assumption 55

#2 Mercy 52 - Bullitt East 43

#10 Sacred Heart 57 - J'Town 42

#11 Butler 57 - Christian Academy 40

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Four games on tap for Friday.

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#2 Mercy vs. #.7 Marion County 4 p.m.

#10 Sacred Heart vs. #9 Scott County 5:30 p.m.

#1 Manual vs. Owensboro Catholic 7 p.m.

#11 Butler vs. #6 Boone County 8:30 p.m.

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The action is heating up...so head over to Knights Gym at Bellarmine today to catch four excellent matchups.

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C.Vivian Stringer shows her true colors

C.Vivian Stringer howls in the background as Louisville defeats Rutgers in the 2008 Big East Tournament. Seems the Rutgers coach carries a grudge way too long...

You be the coach for a second. Your team is up 20 points over an opponent. You have the final possession of the game...shot clock off. Hold the ball and let the clock run out? That's what 99.9% of the coaches out there would elect to do. But, last night, in the Rutgers vs. Louisville game, Rutgers head women's basketball coach chose the opposite. Stringer motioned Rutgers guard April Sykes to go to the hoop and try to score. The result? A foul by Gwen Rucker on Sykes that led to a shoving match and two techincal fouls. A less than stellar ending to a game that Rutgers had wrapped up with 8 minutes to go.

Admittedly, Rutgers is on the bubble to make the NCAA Women's tournament. But, does two more points in a game long over impress the NCAA Selection Committee officials?

The original report on here made it seem as if Sykes decided to make the drive on her own. That is incorrect. The debacle was orchestrated by Stringer. I offer an apology to Sykes for the statements implicating her as the villian in our previous report about the game. Following coaches orders...what you are supposed to do. No apology, though, for Sykes's childish act of throwing the ball off of Monique Reid's turned back on the out of bounds play with .5 seconds remaining in the game. What in the world are they teaching those girls in Jersey? Did they go out and trash mailboxes and trip senior citizens after the game?

Way to wow them with good sportsmanship and class, C.Viv. What's next? Throwing chairs across the court? Tripping opposing players running down the sidelines? Wearing gaudy and mismatched outfits to games? (Oops, sorry...you already do that..)

Stringer and the Rutgers team was involved in a sorry incident a couple of years ago when celebrity Don Imus made a very unflattering remark about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Does that give Stringer the bully pulpit, though...to be a jerk also? The context and issue of good sportsmanship in college athletics is already beginning to become a sham and farce in some circles. Way to dump gasoline on the fire, Stringer. Maybe you'll get a Darth Vader costume and laser light for your next game.

A pointless and sophmoric gesture by a frustrated coach whose team had dropped the previous three games to the Cardinals. There were tons of elbows, shoves, aggressive fouls and emotions were on high during the contest last night. This game was ugly from a lot of views. Gwen Rucker with an elbow directly to Sykes's nose in the second half that wasn't neccessary...possibly unintentional...but it fired up the Scarlet Knights and the crowd. Rucker has a prior with Rutgers...remember the staredown last year in the Big East tournament with Kia Vaughn? Rucker also won't back down to intimidation tactics and neither will Rachel Story and the rest of the Lady Cards.

Was Stringer trying to punk Louisville and Walz at the end with her moronic move? Is this the example you want to set for your players? This game was over. Hold the ball, go to the bench at the buzzer and then go thru the parody of the postgame handshakes. Rutgers even screwed that up last night when assistant Rutgers coach Tasha Pointer got up in Walz face during the post game walk and shake and had to be led away by the other Rutgers coaches. Way to stay classy, Rutgers.

A shameful and sorry act from a coach I used to have respect for. I will not be cheering for any Rutgers success in the post season and if I end up in Hartford by some miracle Thursday for the Big East Tournament (current odds 99-1) you can guarantee that I will call Stringer out for her shameful and stupid act if I can gain access to her. I can get a little emotional and "in your face" also if warranted.

(Donations currently being accepted for the "send Sonja to Hartford" fund. All proceeds will either go to funding the trip or cheerfully refunded if I don't get there)

At least Imus eventually apologized to the Rutgers team for his indiscretion. I'll be pleased but very surprised if Stringer has the integrity and character to follow suit with an apology to Louisville and the people who saw the gaffe. Should make for some interesting innuendo when both teams travel over for the Geno Invitational in a couple of days. Here's hoping South Florida can defeat Cincinnati in the opening round of tournament play and knock off #6 seed Rutgers in the next round.

Here's hoping that some common sense and decency finds its way to Piscataway before the Scarlet Knights make the trip. Thanks for reading the rant and we'll breakdown the Big East Tournament pairings and offer some bold predicitions on Weds.

Here's hoping that if Rutgers makes the post season dance they get sent to Louisville for first round action and face Kentucky, Tennessee or Nebraska. I'll be directly behind the Rutgers bench and I won't be yelling "Go Scarlet Knights."

Written by Sonja
3/2/10