Erin DeGrate has left the building...The Champ is Gone -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

6'4" SOPHOMORE GOES HOME


The rumors started popping up a couple of days ago that the Louisville women's basketball squad might be losing a player. Speculation began on who it might be. A leading contender emerged and those rumors were backed up by a Tweet from sophomore forward Erin DeGrate: 



I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff of University of Louisville & the incredible fans that supported me throughout my freshman year. With deep consideration I have decided to transfer to another university. I want to personally thank all of my teammates for taking me in as family and for being by my side when I needed them the most and for that I will always love you guys. I plan to find the university that best fits me to further my education and to become the best player that I can possibly be, again thank you to the University of Louisville and the fans! & I would like to give a special thank you to Coach Walz and staff. 



And so it goes. As is always the case, there is speculation on why. We have heard nothing official out of the Cards WBB sports information crew or Coach Walz about this yet...and her name is still listed on the current 2016-17 roster...but, from the sources we have...#1 from Waco, TX. has left the building. 


Jeff Walz has a philosophy. It is a good one. As far as what a player needs to know...If you don't want to work hard all the time and do things the way the coaching staff wants you to...you have to question if you need to be here.  

We can't say with any certainty why she left just yet. Playing time is always one of the usual suspects. With Hines-Allen, Walton, Fuehring, Johnson, Shook and Dunham all looking for minutes inside the paint...maybe the numbers didn't add up to her liking. Conditioning is a possibility. The rumor is that her fitness may have been going in the wrong direction this spring. 

Maybe she was homesick. Maybe she grew tired of the daily backups on I-65 during rush hours. Speculation being what it is...the reality of the matter is that she's put out her closing statement. 

Her career was a short one at Louisville. There were flashes of brilliance...but, in the end and in crunch time, it was Fuehring getting those minutes when Hines-Allen and Walton needed a breather or were in foul trouble. 

28 games and one start. Roughly seven minutes per contest with 3.0 points per game and 3.1 rebounds. 211 minutes on the court. We hope those numbers improve for her wherever she ends up. Sam Houston State and Texas A&M have been floated up as possible destinations.  

Good luck, Erin!  


            *            *           *           *

ALI WAS THE GREATEST

Muhammad Ali could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Three time heavyweight champion of the world in boxing. He was a man who stood by his own beliefs and principals...giving up everything and instead of answering his draft call for the Armed Forces. 

He changed his name from Cassius Clay to coincide with his Muslim beliefs. He changed the world by becoming one of the first original "trash talkers"...and he did it in a time where there no Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat. He did it in outrageous style. 

We're not going to take a side on refusal to serve one's country. Sonya served, her dad and my dad served. I am proud of their choice to do so. We are a nation where multiple religious beliefs and freedom of expression are tolerated. We are the home of the free and land of the brave. 

I met Ali many years ago in the Louisville (Standiford) airport. Unmistakable in presence and not yet totally ravaged by the curse that is Parkinson's Disease. I approached him just to shake his hand...not seeking any autograph or photo. 

As I stuck my hand out, he got that stern look on his face...that classic Ali scowl...and went into his boxing crouch...fists raised. 

Then he smiled. Shook my hand. I spoke one phrase. 

"Thrilla in Manilla"

He smiled a bit more broadly and whispered... 

"Down goes Frazier." 

Rest well, champ. 


            *            *            *           *

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

THIS MORNING AT 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM and streaming live on the Internet at 

www.crescenthillradio.com


We'll have the Sandy Pearsall interview in it's entirety, we'll talk UofL WBB and Ali...plus much more. We'll see if Worldwide has left the country recently and maybe even toss a quiz at him! 

Also, stay tuned directly after the show for the inaugural broadcast of HANDICAPPING HEROES...where Paulie gets the picks of the day at Churchill Downs from esteemed prognosticators Scott Harris, Archie Karel, Dave Bicker and Spanky.

For now we're using the website www.paulsykes.com





paulie
xxxxx

Durr-Able -- Tuesday Cardinal Couple

FRESHMAN'S INPUT HAS BEEN ESSENTIAL DURING CARDS WIN STREAK. 

Prior to the Louisville WBB nine-game win streak, highly heraled freshman Asia Durr was averaging a little over 10 points per game in the five contests she played in. Beginning with the 12/13/15 win over IUPUI, Durr has scored 78 points in the nine games (8.6 ppg) in roughly 20 minutes a game. Fourth leading scorer on a squad that currently has three players averaging close to fourteen points a game or better. 

Contributions cannot always be measured in terms of points scored, however, and a confident Asia Durr is one of the key reasons that the Cards have jumped into a top-25 ranking and are undefeated in ACC play. 

Ask Duke head coach Joanne P. McCauley after Duke's loss to Louisville:

"I thought 25 [Durr] did a great job for them. Durr...she's a terrific player and showed great poise as a freshman...to do what she did....they didn't have Durr early...Durr's a big difference for them...she might be the best player on their team and she's a terrific basketball player. She has the right kind of poise. She doesn't get rattled." 

That from a coach who was in the mix for the Douglasville, GA player...along with Maryland, Baylor, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Louisville. Against the Blue Devils, Durr delivered 15 points...her second-highest output of the season...on 6-17 shooting...three threes, two assists, two steals and just one turnover and foul in 28 solid minutes...her longest playing time of the season.

Durr is averaging 11.25 ppg in the four ACC games she and her teammates have played in and has eight steals. She's also had just two turnovers. With her and Briahanna Jackson....Louisville has dual threats at the shooting guard positions, opponents have to be prepared for different styles and multiple skills when either is in the contest. 

When a foe has the ball, the clear and present danger is that the Louisville defense has not allowed anyone to score 70 points since early December....and held ACC foes to an average of 56.5 points per game. 

Playing through the pain has been a big part of her success. Hampered by a groin injury since the summer of 2015, there was concern about further injury...but test results from the doctors indicated that the injury was healing well and there was no chance of aggravating the groin, just the pain of healing. The words were a catalyst in her performance. Dealing with pain management is a lot easier than dealing with the psychological worry of further injury. 

The dictionary describes durable as: "able to withstand wear, pressure or damage". Perhaps there should be a picture of Asia Durr next to the description. 

Louisville has the steady scoring of Myisha Hines-Allen and Mariya Moore. Walz knows he's going to get 100% + effort out of Jackson anytime she is on the court. He has said that Cortnee Walton is the best rebounder he has seen in his twenty years of coaching. 

With Arica Carter and Taja Cole giving the Cards steady minutes at the point...Durr's emergence as that fourth threat to put up huge offensive numbers is another headache for ACC coaches as the season continues and gives Louisville seven players that Walz can confidently insert in tight situations. Erin DeGrate's stock is rising rapidly in the paint and gives the Cards that much needed third option to control the boards if Walton or Hines-Allen have to ride the pines because of fouls. If the Cards can maintain a solid nucleus of 8-9 players that can give Louisville the consistency and dependability each night...this team is a legitimate and dangerous threat for the post-season.  

"COACH WALZ IS COMING TO SEE ME? LOVE IT! "

There are tests ahead for this Louisville squad. A three-game road trip that culminates with very dangerous Syracuse. Heading to North Carolina and then hosting Notre Dame in a three-day span. No one in the ACC can be over-looked or considered an automatic win. From here on out...each game is critical, all opponents just as dangerous as each other.  

Four down and 12 to go in conference play. Did you predict the Cards to be 4-0 at this point of the ACC? Did you see Louisville at 12-5 overall? And how will the Cards fare in the final 13 games before they enter ACC Tournament play? 

The redemption train gets back on the tracks for stops in Virginia, North Carolina and New York. The wheels are rolling smoothly, the bumps have been few lately and the tracks are clear ahead. Open the throttle and full speed ahead! 

paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball pulls away late to down Tennessee Tech 76-54 -- Saturday Cardinal Couple

HINES-ALLEN'S 20 PACES CARDS TO WIN

It wasn't a thing of beauty...especially in regards to Louisville's first half defensive effort...but the Cards embellished upon a five point halftime lead to put away Tennessee Tech 76-54 Friday night in Cookeville, TN.

Myisha Hines-Allen led the Cards with 20 points...equally split between both halves and Louisville outscored the Golden Eagles 19-8 in the pivotal final period to improve to 6-5 on the season. 

Jeff Walz wasn't overly thrilled over the Cards performance
against TTU:

"We played better in the second half but our defense is still an issue. When you give a guard like [ Samaria] Howard that much confidence early on, she's going to punish you from the floor. Plus, we missed nine layups. I promise you, we work on them every day. I'm at a loss to explain it. We hit some of them and it's a 30 point plus win." 

Howard had 20 points for the Golden Eagles...but only three in the final 20 minutes. She had three of the seven made threes for TTU. 

The Cards got good early play from Hines-Allen and Erin DeGrate early in the contest and led 10-5 halfway through before ending the first period ahead 23-17. Both posts had six points each for Louisville...who had a decided advantage inside the entire game. Louisville had a 42-10 scoring edge in the paint with 3:50 remaining in the game. 

The second stanza featured a run by each squad. The Cards put together a 9-0 run to lead 37-23 with 3:21 left until halftime. Tenn. Tech battled back with a 11-2 run to close the half and trailed only 39-34 after twenty minutes. 

Howard was on fire for the Golden Eagles with 17 points. Louisville was shooting 49% but allowing the home team a 46% shooting accuracy. 

Louisville picked up four fouls in the first three minutes of the third period but held TTU scoreless for the first 3:14 of the session. The Cards got the contest back to a double-digit lead at 45-34 with 5:50 to play and ended the quarter with a 57-46 advantage.

It was 62-48 after two minutes of final period play and the Cards continued to increase the margin. A Briahanna Jackson three set the margin to 67-52 with 3:32 to play...part of a 9-0 run that put Louisville in the driver's seat 71-52 after Hines-Allen sank two free throws. 

Walz turned the final minutes over to four freshmen and Dakota Weatherford and she nailed a three with a minute to play to put the Cards up by 20 at 74-54. 

Final...76-54 Louisville. 

Louisville did force 27 Golden Eagle turnovers and held the home team to a total of 20 second half points. Joining MHA in double digit scoring was Jackson and Moore with 11 each. Arica Carter played a very solid game for the Cards and finished with nine points. All 11 Louisville players that saw action scored and the Cards were 6-6 from the free throw line for the game. Syd Brackemyre watched in her warm-ups after undergoing surgery two days ago on her knee.

Redemption Train rolls to South Carolina next for a Sunday afternoon contest against College of Charleston. 

It wasn't a convincing win or over-powering one but the Cards never trailed in this one after the first four minutes and were never in any danger of losing it. It counts in the win column. Moore had three of UofL's six threes...but no second half points. 

The total attendance was announced at 943 but maybe 200 were in attendance for the majority of the contest...the TTU men were scheduled to play Miami (OH) after the women's game...maybe the Cookeville crowd has to pace themselves in basketball endurance...or hoops just isn't that big a deal in that part of Tennessee. Regardless...the victory is Louisville's fourth in the last five games and Myisha Hines-Allen continues to shine bright for Cardinal WBB. 

One game at a time...one day at a time. The wins may not be eye-popping...but they are wins...and that beats the alternative. 

_________________________________________________

TURN YOUR RADIO ON

WE HAVE A WIDE-RANGING AUDIENCE FOR OUR
RADIO SHOW ON WCHQ 100.9 FM.  (WHICH IS SCARY...)

We'll discuss the three Louisville WBB wins this week and other UofL women's sports on our Saturday radio show today at 11 a.m. on 100.9 WCHQ-FM. The CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR is also available at:

www.crescenthillradio.com


As far as I know...Worldwide and I will be in studio. Sam the Intern will be M.I.A. due to the death of his grandfather and our condolences go out to him and the family. Paige Sherrard was uncertain on an appearance...based on family holiday plans. Regardless, we have a great show lined up for you.

paulie
xxxxx 





    

Louisville Women's Basketball hosts Dartmouth tonight -- Tuesday Cardinal Couple

CARDS LOOK TO REMAIN ON REDEMPTION TRAIN AGAINST IVY LEAGUE'S DARTMOUTH

The University of Louisville Women's Basketball team has a chance to get back to .500 on the season when Dartmouth (2-8) travels to 2nd. and Main for a 7 p.m. contest in the KFC YUM! Center. 

The Cards (4-5) are coming off a comeback win over IUPUI that was basically a three part opera. The first act, a brief one, saw Louisville jump out to a 9-4 lead and encouraged the crowd of 8484 that the inglorious loss to UK was water under the bridge. Act II saw the rise of the Hooiser squad to a incredulous, shoulder-shrugging 18 point lead with a mere 16 minutes left to play. The final act saw an emergence of heart, soul and accuracy as the heroines overcame the adversity and soared to the win. Frank Capra couldn't have written it any better...

Tonight...a squad enters the arena that has had a season of hard luck and that is looking to put a signature win on their resume. 

This is the Dartmouth mascot. Seriously?

Big Green isn't anything special to rave about. They managed to pick up their second win of the season in a snore-fest against Hartford Sunday on the road by seven in a 43-36 contest. 

The Cards scored 44 points in the second half against IUPUI. Any worries that Dartmouth will come and throw an offense blitzkrieg against UofL can be pretty much forgotten.

Dartmouth had lost their previous five games before knocking off Hartford...so it's not like the Ivy League competitors are walking onto the Denny Crum Court as a dangerous, uprising mid-major.

The Big Green were picked to finish fourth in the Ivy League and might well hold up that speculation...but losses to Drexel, New Hampshire, McNeese State, Jacksonville, Oakland, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont tell us that they're either not very good against the northeastern part of our nation or...just not very good at all. Five of those losses were by ten or more. They did beat Boston University by 20...but the Terriers are 0-for-season so far in the win column. 

LAKIN ROLAND PLAYED ACROSS THE RIVER IN JEFF

Dartmouth, like Louisville, is a fairly young squad. Nine of their 13 players are either freshmen or sophomores. Lakin Roland, a 6'0" senior forward from Jeffersonville, IN leads the squad in scoring with 12.8 ppg and is also the leading rebounder for the team. She was one of the leaders of the 2011 Jeffersonville 4-A Girls High School Championship team and also played in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star games that summer.  Kate Letkewicz, a 6'0" sophomore guard is good for 9.9 a game and is second in board-grabbing for the Hanover, New Hampshire college. 

A contest featuring some 'givens' awaits Cardinal WBB fans tonight. Given that Briahanna Jackson will turn in one of those all-over-the-court relentless attacks. Given that Myishia Hines-Allen will be menacing in the paint and that Mariya Moore will be trying to get off threes if the Big Green allows her open looks...although the coaching staff has been tirelessly working with her on perfecting a mid-range, pull-up jumper.   

Maybe this will be another game where Walz can get the freshmen a little extended playing time. With the probability of Asia Durr being around for the entire season now...it would be fun to see how the 2015 recruiting class plays as a unit with her, Taja Cole, Erin DeGrate, Sam Fuehring and Brianna Jones on the court for an extended stretch. 

It's Ugly Sweater Night at the arena tonight...so feel free to give your fellow attendees something to chuckle about. 

Cards TV is listed as the game watch option...but that hasn't exactly worked out too well this season from what I'm hearing from others. Your best bet is Matt Andrews and A.J. on the radio. We'll have a full recap of the action Wednesday for you.

paulie
xxxxx

Meet the new girls -- Tuesday Cardinal Couple

EIGHT IS ENOUGH! NEW FACES, SKILLS FOR 2015-16

When Louisville women's basketball takes the court Sunday afternoon against California, eight women who have never recorded a stat in the history of Louisville basketball will be available to Jeff Walz. 

As fans, there will likely be an adjustment period to learn these eight. Some you'll easily recognize, others may take a little longer to match the name and style with the number. 

So, as a public service and familiarity guide....we present to you the highly un-official but hopefully helpful

CARDINAL COUPLE GUIDE TO NEWCOMERS FOR 2015-16 


# 1 ERIN DeGRATE  6'4" C     Waco, TX

DeGrate is the tallest of the Cardinals...so you should be able to get familiar with her quickly. She'll battle in the post and will be grabbing rebound. She chose Louisville over Baylor, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. She's one of five kids in her family and has a professed "sweet tooth". Follow her on Twitter @ErinBalls_254


# 3 SAM FUEHRING  6'3" F     Wanaque, NJ

Fuerhing will be a player you'll come to recognize right off the bat because of her ferocious style of play in the paint and scoring ability inside. She picked Louisville over South Carolina, California, Tennessee and Rutgers. She has five brothers and played club ball on the New Jersey Sparks team in 2014 with Myisha Hines-Allen. She also had a pretty mean Volleyball career at Immaculate Conception H.S. Track her exploits at @SamFuehring


# 5 TAJA COLE  5'7"  G               Richmond, VA

You'll come to know Cole quickly because of her quickness and defense. Expect to see her leading and finishing the fast break. Also blessed with a better-than-average outside shot...Cole is an all over the court threat. Parents complained about her in grade school because she kept stealing the ball from their kids. We think you'll see it carry over to college. She also enjoys hospital volunteering. Probably to check on all the ankles she's broken over the years. Tweet her @teamcole5


#22 BRIANNA JONES   5'9" G         North Babylon, NY

Known as "Bree" by her teammates and "Jonesie" by the coaching staff...you familiarize yourself with her as the girl who keeps hitting all those mid-range jumpers. She's a versatile off-guard who also thrives in the transition fast break sets. Her long range plans are to major in accounting...which will be helpful in tracking her career stats.  You can get updates @B_thekid_Jones


#25 ASIA DURR   5'10"  G               Douglasville, GA

The #1 player in the #1 class of 2015, Asia has the skills to take over any game and make all her teammates look fabulous. Getting closer to 100% after a summer groin injury, you'll recognize her right off the bat when she creates those "Did you see that? moments on the court. Send your emo's to @A_Hooper25


#31 SYDNEY BRACKEMYER  6'1"  F   Wilmington, OH

Syd the Kid should be familiar to all since she was on the bench during her redshirt season at Louisville last season. With a smile big enough to light up the KFC YUM! Center...Syd can lock them down on defense and punish opponents inside or out. She also dons Asia Taylor's old jersey and we're betting she'll be just as integral part of the Cards as A Tayy was. @Syd_the_kid31 will get you Twittered up with the pride of Clinton Massie


#15 DAKOTA WEATHERFORD  5'6"  G   Arcadia, IN

The latest addition to the 2015-16 squad, "Kota" brings a never-say-die, competitive spirit to the team. She led her Evansville squad in steals and assists during her year there and will be a crowd favorite coming off the bench. The Arcadia, IN native will be easily spotted for her high arching, long range attempts. Defensively strong and deceptively quick...she's a secret weapon that the mad scientist will unleash upon beleaguered opponents. @kotaweatherford is the address for congratulatory comments.


#21 BRIAHANNA JACKSON  5'6"  G   (From a galaxy far away) 

A recruiting bonanza for Walz after she left UCF to search for a school that fit her playing style..."B.J." is all that is advertised and has out-of-this world quickness, leaping ability, scoring prowess and game knowledge. Already emerging as a team leader, Jackson's star is just beginning to rise and she'll be a candidate for a banner in the rafters of the KFC YUM! Center when her time is done here at Louisville. She's not a big social media maven...but you can show her a little love at @bj_hoopster. 

paulie
xxxxx

          

Louisville Women's Basketball Media Day -- The sights and sounds....WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WALZ: "I think you're really going to like this year's team". 

Jeff Walz talked to members of the media Tuesday and discussed his 2015-16 version of Louisville women's basketball. See the 21-minute long video below. It's got some great content and a few surprises as well. 

JEFF WALZ DISCUSSES UPCOMING TEAM, SEASON

Some of the highlights:

- Dakota Weatherford will be on full scholarship. 
The walk-on transfer from Evansville has earned it, according to Walz for her hustle, effort and drive. 

- Coach wasn't "hiding" B.J." (Briahanna Jackson.) 
"If you'd come to any of our practices, you'd seen her out there. Some kids just don't share everything on social media like others do. She's been here a year and a half now and she's going to be a major contributor."

- Asia Durr "70-75%".
She's showing the skills that got her here. The dynamic part isn't quite there yet, because of the injury...but it will be. Even with out it, she's still better that 90% of the players out there and will continue to improve. I just want her to go hard when she's on the floor. 

PAULIE CHATS WITH CORTNEE AND ERIN
( photo COURTESY OF CHARLIE SPRINGER)

And, so it was...for the annual State of The Cardinals preseason report and a chance to talk to the players. And talk...we did...recording over 24 minutes of audio from nine different members of the team. 


You can hear it all on the Saturday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Some teasers: 

-- What happened in the elevator when Myisha Hines-Allen, Mariya Moore and B.J. were riding it?

-- What animal did Erin De Grate describe Cortnee Walton as and how did Cortnee respond? 

-- Which two WBB players have promising careers ahead of them as interviewers? 

-- Who is the better "ankle-breaker" on the court? B.J. or Arica Carter? 

-- How Dakota Weatherford ended up at Louisville and why she did?

All that and more on the show Saturday. 


A delightful group of intelligent young women to interview and they had a lot of fun with Paulie's un-orthodox style of doing the "Q's and A's".

There's a common theme among the girls and it is to win a national championship.  It was very evident, not only in their comments...but in the way they practice and hustle. 

Media Day...some early nerves and "deer-in-the-headlight" looks...but, as Sam Purcell told me...they love events like this and look forward to them. 


Coach Walz is dead on...I think everyone is going to like this team very much this season, too. And, they're going to be a blast to interview for the next five months, too...

paulie
xxxxx

Cards have guards...but is the front line ready? -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

WILL THE "DERBY CITY DOZEN" HAVE REBOUNDING? 

 ( Today's CARDINAL COUPLE column is a commentary about the upcoming 2015-16 women's basketball squad. It is a speculative look at what we might see on the court this fall and winter...and the views expressed here are pretty much Paulie's and should be observed as just that...)

I was talking with a CARDINAL COUPLE reader a few days ago...actually about another UofL women's sport...when she raised this question about women's basketball: 



Where is the rebounding coming from? 

It is a good question. With the graduation of Shawnta' ,Sara and Sherrone...a lot of rebounding last year for Louisville has walked out the door for Jeff Walz's "Derby City Dozen".


Here's what we know in terms of returnees. Cortnee Walton is expected back after sitting most of last year with a foot injury. Walton has shown rebounding prowess in her previous years here...but questions remain on whether she can go 25-30 minutes a night over a probable 35-40 game schedule. 

Emmonnie Henderson is also in that row boat. Add the penchant for "E" for drawing referee's whistles, and you wonder if she can evolve into a player that can give the team 20-25 minutes of solid rebounding and steady defense. We know she can score...but scorers don't seem to be a problem with this year's edition of Cards.

Myisha Hines-Allen returns after a productive and...at times...spectacular freshman season. She has the talent, size and skills to give Walz double-doubles every night. We'd like to see her intensity level increase, though. Put an Angel McCoughtry's determination and will-to-win in Myshia's mind-set and you have a deadly force to reckon with and a potential All-American. 

Sydney Brackemyer is the "X" factor...because we've never really seen what she can do on the college level. She cam in as a player that had all "all-over-the-court" skills on the high school level. Can she become a Candyce Bingham type and attack the paint with purpose when rebounds are needed? 

Add to this mix two highly ranked but yet unproven freshman in Sam Fuehring and Erin DeGrate. They have size, wonderful high-school resumes and have shown the ability to work inside and gather missed shots. Will that translate over to the college game. Is there a Sara Hammond or Asia Taylor in either of these two? 


Rebounding, of course, is a five-player responsibility. Jude Schimmel had a knack for coming up with rebounding numbers that would make you scratch your head and wonder how the smallest player on the court was out-rebounding the 6'2" and 6'3" designed board grabbers. It was all about the positioning and anticipation of the ball location. 

Mariya Moore can mix it up from the wing to the paint as well as anyone in the country. We'll soon know if the three guards coming in and Arica Carter can do what they will be needed to do on this team. They'll be expected to grab their share of missed shots. 

And, with the mad scientist at the helm of the ship, they're always the possibility we might see another player or two join the roster. With the recent plethora of player's transferring lately, anything is possible. 

Can Cortnee become an Asia? 

In staying with what we know, however, we expect to see Walton, Hines-Allen and Henderson as the main "4" and "5" performers at first. We'd be pleased and excited to see the freshmen and/or Brackemyer turn in significant minutes as paint-dwellers. Let's not forget this grim fact. Injuries happen with the "bigs". Players need to be ready to step up if they do. I shudder when I look back at the number of injuries on Louisville's front line over the past 5-6 years that Walz has had to compensate for. Dyer, Taylor, Walton, Vails...just to name a few. 


Louisville will have plenty of guards/wings to create offense. Moore, Durr, Cole, Jones, Carter...all of these back court players are 20 points a night potential. Add a guard or two and you may just have the best young guard contingent in the nation. They'll definitely be the most exciting with the flamboyant Durr and Cole.  We'll discuss guards down the road here. 

Rebounding? It's a team effort, obviously... but your "bigs" are the catalysts. A duo of Hines-Allen and Walton could be very prolific and successful if they come ready to assume the crown and control the paint. 

paulie
xxxxx

2015 Cards WBB Class tearing up the hardwood -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

UofL's five recruits showcasing in senior year


As Asia Durr, Brianna Jones, Taja Cole, Sam Fuehring and Erin De Grate prepare to enter the University of Louisville as the 2015 Cardinal WBB recruiting class, there's still the challenges of their senior seasons on the hardwood that are drawing their current attention.

We'll stay in the holiday mode Worldwide started yesterday and play the role of Ghost of Seasons future by taking a look at how the Fabulous Fivesome are doing so far. 



-- Asia Durr recently became the all-time leading scorer (men and women) in St. Pius H.S. history while leading her undefeated team to a 55-21 win over Stone Mountain. In true Durr humility, she stated:

" I'm grateful for my teammates because they found me on the court. I'm just glad I could finish. It shows that all of my hard work is paying off "

The #1 ranked 2015 girls high school player in the nation...Durr continues to stuff the stat sheet every time she walks on the court. Durr the blur.... 

Brianna Jones popped in 36 points and grabbed 21 boards in a recent 55-45 win. She's a 5'9" guard that has displayed triple/double capabilities anytime she walks onto the court. Jones occasionally wears a t-shirt that reads "Defy Expectations". So far, in her senior season...she has done just that. UofL has actually had five "Joneses" suit up over the years for WBB. Brianna looks to be primed to be the one that Cards fans will remember.


Taja Cole is averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in her senior season. When Cole was eight years old, the coaches had to ask her to stop stealing the basketball in games and practices. 

"People were looking at me as being a bad person." Jones recalls with a laugh. "I was used to playing against boys and they never took it easy on me on the court. So, I didn't take it easy on the girls I was playing against." 

We'll make sure the Louisville Police Department doesn't press theft charges, Taja...keep up the pilfering!

Sam Fuehring is drawing rave reviews in the Garden State during her senior season at Immaculate Conception for her paint work. The steady improvement from her outstanding junior season has Sam ranking as one of the top three "bigs" in New Jersey. Her domination in both squares of paint on the court and splendid teamwork with junior teammate Jasmine Gee have Immaculate Conception pegged as the team to beat in Jersey girls' hoops. 


Erin DeGrate is owing the paint in Texas high school hoops. She recently totaled 31 points and 14 rebounds and her team is 14-2. At 6'5" she can wreck havoc on an opponent...not only inside, but from either elbow or the free throw line. She exhibits a very soft touch inside which equates to lots of second chance points. 

We may have to change the name to "Erin THE GREAT!" 

The 2015 Class is showing that the #1 ranking bestowed on them is warranted. A point guard, shooting guard, wing, forward and center coming in. Combine that with the eight excellent players that will still (hopefully) be on campus when the freshman arrive and Walz may have to consider "five in-five out" platooning during games. 

The Ghost of Seasons future approves and the UofL WBB future isn't scary at all. The Cards look to be ready to leave a lot of haunting memories in their opponent's minds down the road.


Yes, indeed. The future looks "Boo"tiful, baby!

paulie