CARDINAL COUPLE...Parts I and II Today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PART I -- Radio and Anthems

We'll be coming at you in two parts today. 

I have an interview with Coach Kellie Young (Lacrosse) later this morning. I'll be posting that later...check back.


For the now, I'm readying myself for my Tuesday Morning chat with Howie Lindsey. WE review the weekend in sports....mostly, but not limited to, women's sports. Howie brings me on each week and it's worth getting up a little early for.

We air around 7:40 something and I get anywhere from 5-10 minutes. It's always a fun time and I'm glad that we can get a little information out there about how the UofL women are doing. You can listen at 790 WKRD or on the IHeart app. 

He may bring up the National Anthem controversy. I have mixed feelings about it. How do you feel about it? Give us your take in the comments section. Would you "take a knee"? How do you feel about that? 

We'll be back later this morning. Go out and get something done. Make breakfast. Go to work. Hit the gym or go to class in the meantime. Be productive...but if you need that extra rest or sleep, don't deprive your body. After all, it's the only one you'll get issued.

Listen here!   Louisville First with Howie Lindsey


PART II -- THE KELLIE YOUNG INTERVIEW

(THERE IS A LINK TO THE FULL INTERVIEW AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE) 

PRE-PRESS BOX LOOK

One of the most beautiful sites on the Belknap Campus is the view from Kellie Young's office. On a bright, sunny Tuesday morning I entered that office a little before 9 a.m. and just had to stop and revel in it a few seconds before Coach and I "got down to it". 

A sun splashed green, artificial turf...illuminated and the unmistakable Louie the Cardinal Bird logo at midfield. A new turf, and new Bird. Absolutely beautiful. In the distance, the South Side of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the renovation cranes and stark, steel beams.

I have seen some wonderful things out of this window. On a cold and blustery day...former LAX great Nikki Boltja, by herself in an inch or two of snow...shooting a bag of Lacrosse ball at the north net. Going to gather those shots and repeating the process. The construction of the Press Box and spoofingly suggesting they name it The Cardinal Couple Memorial Press Box...since, prior to it, it seemed like Worldwide and I were the only two media representatives that regularly followed the squad. Sitting in the bleachers wth parents and Jeff's mom. I saw in my mind's eye Hannah Koloski running the field and taking passes from whomever she could get to go out there with her and firing them on the run at that north net first and then sprinting the length of the field to shoot and the south net. 

These eyes have seen many great, and a few tragic, things on that field. Upset wins. Faye Brust going down, in obvious knee pain and trying to return in the second half but unable.

I hope to see many more things there...and Faye's back! (We'll get to that....yes, the interview. Pardon me for waxing nostalgic a few paragraphs.)

Coach Young and I began our interview talking about fall practice. The squad, with nine freshmen, has been working very hard the last couple of weeks and she is seeing some great things from the newbies and the returnees. Of particular note...Lexie Ball at goalie and the freshmen Blalock twins. Seems they know a thing or two about face-off control at midfield. 

It's a big weekend for LAX. They'll face Marquette, Vandy and the alums on Saturday the 30th. Maybe a chance to hop over and see how they look while your tailgating at Football. Coach is excited about the chance to see the girls go up against some very talented competition. 

Nine freshmen in all out there. We also caught up on last year's standouts Hannah Koloski and Steph McNamara. Both are still on campus and pursuing academic and career training. We saw Steph at the recent Field Hockey game. Coach says she's seen her once, that Steph still has a hard time going back into the complex without getting quite emotional. That blur that flew past me as I walked from the lot to the Little Yum must have been Hannah. I can only assume she is preparing for the race against Jaz Jones, Jordan McNary and Minnie Mink to determine "the Queen of Speed" title. 

She's back! Cardinal lacrosse great Faye Brust is an assistant coach for Lacrosse. She embodies the spirit and culture that Young has for the program and she knows a couple of things about scoring as well. I chatted with "Fabian" very briefly after my interview with Kellie. Same ol' Faye...big grin and ready to roll. She was at Furman as an assistant when she got the call...and even brought a couple of grads from the Palladins program who have a year of eligibility left and are working in quite well with the chemistry of the squad. 

Kellie and I also touched on Sarah Blaylock's nice award during her senior year of high school and Elise Koehl's unique summer experience in Vietnam. Coach also provided her view on the National Anthem current controversy and....we have to add her to the list of those coaches without a GOLF CART! We discussed that, although she did mention that WBB has been nice enough to take her a few places in theirs. 

I learned (with a sigh of relief) that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

I'll have to double my efforts to get these nice ladies rides. I may take a knee in front of Kenny or Jurich's office. A short one...my tendinitis and bursitis won't let me stay down there long. The "GET WHEELS FOR THE COACHES" appeal is now gaining momentum.  

We learned with a sigh of relief that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

Name this coach for an entry in our $20 Panera
giveaway. Leave answer in comments section.

All too soon, our time was over. We said our goodbyes, lamented the fact that we didn't put asst. S.I.D. Nick Evans asleep during the eight minutes (he sat in with us) and let coach get to her 9:30 meeting. Nick showed me where the stairwell by Kellie's lobby went...it's a nice shortcut to the first floor that bypasses the basketball offices and puts you by the entrance to the practice court. You go through a few hallways and twists and turns...but it's functional.



They probably never should have given me a new route to plot and consider...

LINK to interview



FINALLY...

This result in from Paulie vs. the D.P.S. 

FINAL
D.P.S. 1
Paulie 0

I stopped by the D.P.S. office today after the interview and plunked down my $100 for a four-year handicap sticker. (They didn't know how much it would cost next year). IT DID NOT COME OUT OF CARDINAL COUPLE FUNDING...I shouldered the expense my-own-damn-self. 

After speaking with a few people who are paying $300 a year, I figured it was maybe my best option. 

Gotta hand it those those friendly robots in the D.P.S. office. No emotion, thank you or chatter....just give me your name, your show me your driver's license and fork over the $100. 

Or...as the late, great Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd sang...

"I got your drinkin' money...tune up your dobro." 

Guess I'll do THE SAFETY DANCE

PAULIE INTERVIEW WITH KELLIE YOUNG.


Paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball -- Cards seeded #4 in Oklahoma City Regional -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDS START AGAINST CHATTANOOGA SATURDAY @ 1:30 p.m.

Selection Monday has come and gone and a nice crowd packed into the Sports and Social Club to watch the Bracket Selection show with the team Monday evening. Two regions came and went before Louisville was announced as the #4 seed and opening against the Mocs. One figured Louisville would be the #4 when it was announced that Tennessee was the #5 and would be facing Dayton in Louisville. The only question was who would Louisville face and when it showed the Cards playing Chattanooga...the place erupted in excitement. 

The Cards faced Chattanooga earlier in the season...a 63-47 win in the seventh game of the season at the KFC YUM! Center during the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Challenge. In that game, the Cards jumped out to a 25-14 first quarter lead and were never seriously challenged. Louisville had no double figure scorers in the contest...but Walz played the bench extensively and UofL had a 28-4 bench scoring edge. 

Chattanooga (21-10) won the Southern Conference Tournament by defeating Mercer 61-59 to earn the automatic berth in the Women's NCAA Tournament. They rallied from a 13-point deficit to get the win. 

The 1:30 Saturday game time is fortunate, since it doesn't conflict with men's basketball...but fans better hurry to get tickets...since Tennessee travels very well and both Dayton and Chattanooga are within easy traveling distance and will show up in big numbers. 

The UofL WBB game Saturday will be followed by #5 seed Tennessee facing #12 Dayton around 4 p.m. Games are listed as being on ESPN2. 

Tennessee (19-11), selected as an at-large, got the #5 seed in part by who they beat in the regular season (South Carolina, Kansas State, Notre Dame and Mississippi St.) They'll face a Flyer team (22-9) that won the automatic bid by defeating Duquesne in the finals of the Atlantic 10 conference tournament. Dayton has nine players 6'0"  or taller. 

Speculation on how high the Cards would be seeded seemed to be centered around #4. Coach Walz confirmed that's what he was thinking earlier in the evening when I chatted with him. The talent that landed in The Oklahoma City region is impressive...Baylor the #1 seed, Mississippi State the #2 seed and Washington the #3 seed. #6 Oklahoma, #7 DePaul, #8 LSU and #9 California are all dangerous foes.  

The crowd at the S&SC was an early arriving one and excitement buzzed through the room as the show drew closer and closer. Louie the Cardinal Bird made his way through the tables greeting fans and Coach Walz spent time going to tables to thank people for coming out. The players signed autographs and Cortnee, Myisha and Asia...along with Coach Walz took turns addressing the media after it was announced that the Cards were in.  

Briahanna Jackson is doing fine, according to Coach Walz, and will be available for the NCAA Tournament. 

Surprises? I wonder about Duke getting a #2 seed and Maryland as the #3 in the Bridgeport region. I though that might be reversed. Virginia did not get a bid and that is a big surprise. Marquette a #5 seed and DePaul a #7 seem a little high and low, respectively. Michigan not getting invited is inexcusable. 

We got a few interviews while we were down there. The Walz interview and Durr interviews were just too noisy in the background and the camera guys got in front of me...but we still have sounds below. The final two listed below come from the Cardinal Authority site...they were closer and the audio quality is better. I was in the back. Avert your eyes and listen, if necessary...

CROWD REACTS TO ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CARDS ARE #4 SEED

MYISHA AND ARICA DISCUSS BRACKET DRAW

CORTNEE AND HOWIE LINDSEY DISCUSS TOURNAMENT

MYISHA DISCUSS MATCHUP WITH MEDIA

WALZ DISCUSSES NCAA DRAW

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


CARDINAL COUPLE PICK 'EM

The Cardinal Couple NCAA WBB Pick 'Em is back again and we invite you to send us your picks for the tournament. We'll award a $25 gift card for first and second place this year to Cracker Barrel or Panera. 

You can leave your picks in the comments section over the next several days or e-mail them to us at cardinalcouple@twc.com 

Enjoy the fun! 


paulie
xxxxx

LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL...Jazmine Jones...Catch her if you can -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TALLAHASSEE TRIPLE THREAT TAKING ON TASKS


We thought we'd take a look at one of the members of University of Louisville's freshman class in today's article. We'll preview the Louisville vs. Maryland match tomorrow...today, we'll take you down south to panhandle Florida and look at the Cardinals version of the popular cartoon character The Roadrunner. 

Look quickly, you just might miss her.

Jazmine Jones flew onto the UofL campus this summer and hasn't slowed down since arriving.

After a stellar, multiple championship-winning high school career at Florida A&M Developmental Research School (and why does the image of lab-coats, test tubes and scientists come to mind?) where "J.J." totaled over 2,000 points, 1000 rebounds, 500 assists and 500 steals...plus 2015-16 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year honors...Jones joined a freshmen class that featured five McDonald's All-American nominees and was ranked as one of the best ever in Louisville WBB history. 

She joined a roster that returned all five starters from the season before and got to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In cases like this, it's not uncommon to see incoming freshmen spend time watching on the sidelines. Although she hasn't cracked the starting line-up, Jones has seen a good share of playing time in the Cards first seven games...much of it sprinting down the court with the ball ahead of the other nine players...and produced some impressive numbers. 

• 109 minutes (15.6 a game) - 8th best on team and 3rd for the freshmen
• 31 points (4.4 a game) - 7th best on team and 3rd for the freshmen
• 10 steals...which is 2nd best on the team and leads the freshmen.
• 17 rebounds --7th best on the team and third best for the freshmen
• 11 turnovers (third highest on team)

The turnover stat, although high...comes with the high risk/high reward style of hoops J.J. plays. We'd like to see that diminish. We expect she would, too... 

The rest of the numbers are quite impressive on a roster that returns a potential bunch of "time-share" opportunities with eight letter-winners from last year and a four-year starter/transfer. She even has to share her last name on the roster (with wing Brianna Jones). 

As one of two players from Florida (Briahanna Jackson being the other) we'll see if the sometimes chilly Louisville winter weather slows her down any. My guess is the only thing that can stop her is an icy sidewalk. 

We get the question...yes, she's good but what position is she best at? And, it is a good question. She was at point-guard at times in high school...but is on a roster that has four of those. Probably best suited as a #2 guard...a spot that Asia Durr currently lays claim to. She can shoot the three (although we haven't seen it yet) and rebound well...which could make her a driving "3" or a smallish "4"...(positions the M&M girls currently occupy.) 

Let's create a spot for her...we'll call her a "guardward". The "Guardward" had six points and two rebounds against South Carolina last time out

On the court, her quickness grabs your eye right off the bat. Her jumping abilities follow next...at 6'0", we pretty sure she could dunk...and her penchant for stripping the ball from an opposing player and starting the charge of the light brigade to the other basket. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You could enter her, B.J., Arica Carter (when healthy) and Bionca Dunham in the ACC Track and Field Championships for the 4 X 100 dash and maybe win it.  

Athleticism isn't something new to the Tallahassee Joneses. Her dad, Reginald, played football at Florida A&M and for the Dallas Cowboys. Her brother played at FIU. Her sister GiGi at App. State and Jacksonville. It would not surprise me if the family dog participated in the Florida Canine Olympics and won the 100 meter dash. (Is there such a thing? 😊) 

She's got her values in order, too...3.3 grade-point average in high school, respect for her grand-parents and family and listing God as her hero. 

She comes from a tradition of winning. A strong family support system (the Joneses were in town for the three-game Hall of Fame stretch. You probably heard them if you were there.) She's fit in well to the team concept at Louisville.

She'll be in action tomorrow when #7 Louisville hosts Maryland. A Maryland team that loves to get the ball up and down the court in a hurry. A Maryland team that is undefeated in six games, has four players averaging in double figures and is averaging 95 points a game. A Maryland team now ranked #5 in the nation. 

We'll look more closely at that one on Thursday. 


😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕


PAULIE ON LOUISVILLE FIRST

I was pleased to join Howie Lindsey on his excellent morning show...LOUISVILLE FIRST...Tuesday morning. We discussed (what else?) Louisville Athletics. 

We owe a lot to Howie for graciously giving us a platform to discuss the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports...plus other Cardinal Athletics...once a week at CARDS RADIO 790...WKRD 790AM. 

LINK BELOW...Paulie comes on at the 1:09:58 mark: 

LOUISVILLE FIRST...PAULIE SEGMENT




💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣



WHERE TO GO TO LET 'EM KNOW




In case you ever wanted to e-mail some of the sports media and associates aligned with Cardinal Athletics...here ya go...this is a "master list" UofL uses to get information out:  

 "Adam Creech (adamhcreech@gmail.com)" <adamhcreech@gmail.com>, "Allar, Bruce" <ballar@loumag.com>, "Andy Sweeney (AndyS@espnlouisville.com)" <AndyS@espnlouisville.com>, AP Louisvile <aplouisville@ap.org>, Bob Domine <bddoesit@bellsouth.net>, "Bob Valvano (BobV@espnlouisville.com)" <BobV@espnlouisville.com>, "Bozich, Rick" <bozichra@aol.com>, "Brian Winner (bwinner@wave3.com)" <bwinner@wave3.com>, "Brown, Russ" <rbrown928@peoplepc.com>, "Bryan, Nathaniel" <nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com>, "Charlie Springer (csworks1@twc.com)" <csworks1@twc.com>, "Chris Humphreys (chumphreys@voice-tribune.com)" <chumphreys@voice-tribune.com>, Chris Resor <isportswebchrisresor@yahoo.com>, "Clemente,Laura F" <lfclem02@exchange.louisville.edu>, Connie Leonard <cleonard@wave3.com>, "Courier-Journal Photo (photo@courier-journal.com)" <photo@courier-journal.com>, Courier-Journal Sports <sports@courier-journal.com>, "Cowgill, Fred" <fcowgill@hearst.com>, "Crawford, Eric" <ECRAWF@aol.com>, dalton ray <dray@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Dan Koob (dkoob@hearst.com)" <dkoob@hearst.com>, "David Harrison (dharrison@courier-journal.com)" <dharrison@courier-journal.com>, "Denny, Stan" <standenny@earthlink.net>, "Doolittle, Bill" <BDoolittle@aol.com>, Drew Deener <drewdeener@hotmail.com>, "E. Marcel Pourtout (mpourtout@gmail.com)" <mpourtout@gmail.com>, "Editor, Louisville Cardinal" <editor@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Eric Crawford (ecrawford@wdrb.com)" <ecrawford@wdrb.com>, "Forde, Pat" <pfeaglebeak@aol.com>, "Forrest, Derek (dforrest@hearst.com)" <dforrest@hearst.com>, "Garrett Moore (garrett1.moore@twcnews.com)" <garrett1.moore@twcnews.com>, "Gary Graves (GBGraves@ap.org)" <GBGraves@ap.org>, Gates <rgates@courier-journal.com>, "Glenn Osborne (glenn@kyforward.com)" <glenn@kyforward.com>, Haven Harrington <hharrington@maineventsports101.com>, "Howlett, Rick" <rhowlett@wfpl.org>, "Hughes, Mike" <mikehughes1986@yahoo.com>, "Jason Anderson (jason@espnlouisville.com)" <jason@espnlouisville.com>, "Jeff Greer (jgreer@louisvil.gannett.com)" <jgreer@louisvil.gannett.com>, "Jennings, Dave (davejennings@iheartmedia.com)" <davejennings@iheartmedia.com>, "Jody Demling (jodydemling@gmail.com)" <jodydemling@gmail.com>, "John Lewis (jlewis@wdrb.com)" <jlewis@wdrb.com>, "John Ramsey (johneramsey@aol.com)" <johneramsey@aol.com>, "John Wise (jwise@wave3.com)" <jwise@wave3.com>, "Jones, Chuck" <cjones@thenewsenterprise.com>, "Jones, Garry" <GarryLJ@aol.com>, "Jones, Rob" <robjones.lyes@gmail.com>, "Josh Abner (jdabner@gmail.com)" <jdabner@gmail.com>, "Joshua McKinney - ClearChannel - 102.3 (joshuamckinney@iheartmedia.com)" <joshuamckinney@iheartmedia.com>, "jshelton@voice-tribune.com" <Jshelton@voice-tribune.com>, "Kaplan, C.D." <cdk@culturemaven.com>, Kendrick Haskins <khaskins@wave3.com>, Kenneth E Klein <kenneth.klein@louisville.edu>, "Kent Spencer (kspencer@whas11.com)" <kspencer@whas11.com>, Kent Taylor <ktaylor@wave3.com>, "Klasskin, Beth (beth.klasskin@twcnews.com)" <beth.klasskin@twcnews.com>, "Korte, Lori J" <ljkort01@louisville.edu>, "KySportsTV (info@kysports.tv)" <info@kysports.tv>, "Lane, Tom" <tlane@fox41.com>, "Lee DeJarlais (ldejarlais@hearst.com)" <ldejarlais@hearst.com>, "Lindsey, Howie" <howielindsey@gmail.com>, "Mark Blankenbaker (cardsandcats2011@gmail.com)" <cardsandcats2011@gmail.com>, "Mark Hebert (mark.hebert@louisville.edu)" <mark.hebert@louisville.edu>, "Marty Finley (mfinley@bizjournals.com)" <mfinley@bizjournals.com>, "Matt Willinger (mwillinger@bisigimpactgroup.com)" <mwillinger@bisigimpactgroup.com>, "McGee, Kerry" <news@fox41.com>, "Michael Grant (virgiltibbs@hotmail.com)" <virgiltibbs@hotmail.com>, "Michael McCammon (michael.mccammon@gmail.com)" <michael.mccammon@gmail.com>, "Mike Lacett (mlacett@wdrb.com)" <mlacett@wdrb.com>, "Natalie Grise (NGrise@hearst.com)" <NGrise@hearst.com>, "Nick Coffey (NickCoffey@iheartmedia.com)" <NickCoffey@iheartmedia.com>, "Ormay, Doug" <dougormay@gmail.com>, "Paul Miles (whasnews@iheartmedia.com)" <whasnews@iheartmedia.com>, "'Peak, Ed' (ed.peak@twc.com)" <ed.peak@twc.com>, "Pemberton, Kimberli A" <kapemb01@louisville.edu>, remy sisk <rsisk@blue-pub.com>, "Rick Bozich (rbozich@wdrb.com)" <rbozich@wdrb.com>, "Rogers, Paul" <paulr@whas.com>, "Sam Draut (sdraut@louisvillecardinal.com)" <sdraut@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Scott Wilson (swilson@glasgowdailytimes.com)" <swilson@glasgowdailytimes.com>, "Slim Vollinger (svollinger@theacc.org)" <svollinger@theacc.org>, "Spencer Kietzman (spencer@espnlouisville.com)" <spencer@espnlouisville.com>, "Stephen George (stephen@insiderlouisville.com)" <stephen@insiderlouisville.com>, "Steve Jones (swjones1@courier-journal.com)" <swjones1@courier-journal.com>, "Story, Mark" <mstory@herald-leader.com>, "Taylor, Kent" <ktaylor@wave3tv.com>, The Cardinal Sports <sports@louisvillecardinal.com>, "TheSportsInquirer (sportsinquirer@gmail.com)" <sportsinquirer@gmail.com>, "Tim Meredith - CN|2 (Timothy.Meredith@charter.com)" <Timothy.Meredith@charter.com>, "Timothy Easley (tdeasley@mac.com)" <tdeasley@mac.com>, "Tony Vanetti (tonyvanetti@iheartmedia.com)" <tonyvanetti@iheartmedia.com>, "Valvano, Bob" <elcoche@yahoo.com>, "WAVE3 (newsrelease@wave3.com)" <newsrelease@wave3.com>, WBKO <sports@wbko.com>, "WDRB News (news@wdrb.com)" <news@wdrb.com>, WHAS-TV assignment desk <assign@whas11.com>, "Whitney Harding (wharding@whas11.com)" <wharding@whas11.com>, "Will Clark - 84 WHAS (WillClark@iheartmedia.com)" <WillClark@iheartmedia.com>, "Wise, Anita" <awise@hearst.com>, "WLKY News (newstips@wlky.com)" <newstips@wlky.com>, "Worley, Nancy A" <nasmit01@louisville.edu>

( Don't look for Paulie on there...he doesn't exist...in the "eyes of the master" at UofL.)

paulie
xxxxx

For Emmonnie Henderson...it's straight ahead. Louisville First. -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

HENDERSON THROWS ON THURSDAY, SATURDAY IN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

For University of Louisville track and field star Emmonnie Henderson...the future is now and it's straight ahead. 

She'll compete in her second straight NCAA Championship in the shot put and discus at the University of Oregon beginning Thursday in the shot put. Scheduled start time for the shot put event is 9:30. ESPN will have coverage of the NCAA Championships...just how much of the shot put they'll show remains to be seen...but track and field is always an exciting TV possibility. She'll also compete in the discus...where she finished third last year...around 6 p.m. on Saturday.

We did put in a request to get an interview with her before she took off for Eugene, OR. That didn't happen, but maybe we'll get a chance to catch up with her after the Championships. As we've learned in this business, you can't always get what you want...

This is an acid test to see how she matches up with other Olympic hopefuls. Her throws in both events this season haven't quite matched up to the qualifying standards to make the USA Olympic squad. She'll need "best of career" throws in each to be a contender in Rio this summer. 

Athletes rise to occasions. Competition brings out the best in any competitor. For Emmonnie, it is straight ahead...and, hopefully...very far out there.  


                *             *            *            *

LOUISVILLE FIRST

I'm writing today's column shortly after my weekly appearance on LOUISVILLE 1ST. ...which is Howie Lindsey's radio show on 790 KRD Monday-Friday from 7-10 a.m. It's always a pleasure to be on with Howie...ostensibly to discuss University of Louisville women's sports...but there is always the element of surprise. 

Today we discussed Muhammad Ali, trash-talking and didn't get around to discussing "E" and the NCAA Championships or any other UofL activities. Which is perfectly fine. Ali is the story here in Louisville and globally this week. The media coverage surpasses what we see here on Derby weekend. Al-Jazeera and the BBC are camped out at the KFC YUM! Center with 100's of other media outlets. A motorcade. Downtown employers are developing plans to let workers off on staggered schedules on Friday because of the expected crunch of traffic and security measures and street closures.

Howie's show is something you should catch in the mornings. It is a great resource for all Louisville sports and national topics. We are pleased to be a small part of it for a few minutes once a week. It's available on IHeart Radio if you live out of the 790KRD signal range. 

paulie
xxxxx

A return to Tuesday Radio and a few superlatives -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE SEGMENT RE-JOINS THE HOWIE SHOW ON 790 WKRD

When Howie Lindsey approached CARDINAL COUPLE about doing a women's sports segment once a week on his show at 93.9 The Ville, we were excited to get the chance to promote the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports. When Lindsey moved to 790 KRD, we hoped that we would be fortunate to continue those weekly segments. 

We'll be joining Howie on his new show...Louisville First... this morning around 7:40 a.m. The show runs on WKRD 790 from 7-10 a.m. Monday-Friday. The debut yesterday was a work of art. Katie George (you remember Katie, right? She finished second to Anne Kordes in the Pedal for the Cure contest at the Pittsburgh game) is a great addition to this new, extended version of Howie doing what he does...discussing and moderating the University of Louisville world of sports. Matt Willinger is a knowledgeable sidekick and the KRD 790 format is solid. Embrace this new morning show and spread the word to all Cardinal fans. 

The earlier show appearance time (for us) is no problem at all. Paulie is usually prowling the Sykes mansion by 6 a.m....feeding and conversing with the attack Yorkies, growling at the morning news folks, serving banana smoothies to the staff chimps and chugging coffee while scanning the Internet. 

We hope it goes well. We're glad to be back in a position where we can talk UofL women's sports at a venue different from our own radio show. Louisville First is a show you need to set your morning alarm to and enjoy. 

___________________________________________________


SOME EARLY WBB SUPERLATIVES

With the UofL WBB squad going into the "second season"...the NCAA Tournament...let's look back and award a few "Cardies"...our version of the Emmy's or Oscars. There will be no actual award presented, just site recognition for a job well done. The envelopes, please....

Most Outstanding Player

This goes to Myisha Hines-Allen for her wonderful season. I'm not sure that you can put into words what she has meant to the team's success this season. Action speaks louder than words. She's been quite active. 

Most Improved Player

I'll go with Arica Carter. A question mark at point-guard last year, she's re-vamped her game and become a valuable, essential contributor to the 2015-16 squad. Her three has improved dramatically and her leadership has surfaced. 

Hustle Award

Hats off to Briahanna Jackson for coming into the program and showing the hustle, drive, desire and creating those "did you see that?" plays that won over the hearts and minds of Louisville women's basketball fans. B.J. leaves it all out on the court and her work ethic is simply incredible. 

Freshman of the Year

The selection is Asia Durr. Hampered by a groin injury early in her career at Louisville, she has emerged as an off-the-bench spark who hits the key shots and has shown that the high-school accolades were accurate and true. The future looks very bright for #25. 

Got a different take? Let us know in the comments section.

paulie
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Changes on the airwaves...Howie Lindsey going to 790 Cards Radio -- Wednesday CARDINAL COUPLE

RADIO HOST TO TAKE OVER WKRD MORNING SLOT

Another change in the Louisville sports radio lineup. 

It's being reported by multiple sites and sources that Howie Lindsey, who has hosted The Howie Show for the last six months or so from 10 a.m. to noon on 93.9 FM WLCL is moving to 790 AM to become the host of the morning show over there at the Clear Channel station.

The word from Barrett Sports media is: 

790 KRD in Louisville has finalized their search for a morning host and they’ve identified Lindsey as their guy! The station plans to drop Fox Sports Daybreak and offer local programming in mornings.

Lindsey has hosted middays on 93.9 The Ville since August, in addition to covering the Cardinals for the Louisville Sports Report, an extension of the Rivals brand. With the radio station looking to expand its local footprint and offer a heavier Cardinal presentation due to its affiliation with the school, his skillset seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered.

His start date on the station is unclear at this time.

Interesting move, to say the least.

Who wins this battle of the local channels? 

WKRD had taken some flak for dropping local morning programming. Their afternoon drive-time sports show The Afternoon Underdogs can polarize listeners, although Tony Vanetti and Dave Jennings seem like nice enough guys...and they've felt the ratings drop that 93.9's Ramsey and Rutherford afternoon show have wrought. Both shows take a back seat ratings-wise to funny-man Terry Meiners and his long gig at WHAS...a channel that inexplicably dropped their long-running evening sports show a few months back. 

What in the wide world of sports in going on here.

We're surpremely confident that Howie will hit the ground running and draw a significant amount of listeners from the other current morning sports show available in the Louisville market...The Deener Show...which happens to be at Howie's old station. 

It was Deener who moved to 93.9 and Jody Demling who replaced Deener at 790 and got replaced by syndication. Now Lindsey replaces network programming, Demilng is still at 790 for The Cardinal Insider Show after the Afternoon Underdogs and Deener is at 680 and 93.9. 

I may need a program or media guide...who's on first? 

Howie can't comment on this move currently...his absence from his show today came to my attention first when I heard Marcus Maybin rambling during Howie's slot and then came the e-mails and text messages I started getting wondering why I wasn't on there to do my regular Tuesday slot about UofL women's sports? 

Combined with the e-mails and texts I was getting about Tennessee's 'purported' interest in Jeff Walz, which turned out to be a horn-swoggle and fallacy. I had quite the busy Tuesday morning reading and reacting. 

I had done our weekly women's sports report on the Howie Show slot on Monday...per Howie's request and my happy acknowledgement...to preview the Louisville WBB game against USF. It went well I thought...now that I look back on it...maybe fore-shadowing was at work. I did call in to the show Tuesday, just to see if anyone wanted to discuss the Cards convincing win over the Bulls. I was put on the air with Maybin who let me talk for about a minute, thanked me for calling and hung up on me. I would expect there are some pretty major aftershocks going on there on Cardinal Blvd...but early indications would suggest that Maybin will have no trouble hosting "talk" radio. Listening may be something he needs to add to his abilities. 

So, there was that.

It probably also means that Cardinal Couple's segment over there at 93.9 on Tuesdays will disappear as well...but I've haven't been formally told that. Howie brought us in and has exited. We're no party crashers and we'll leave with who brought us. 

Cards Radio. The Ville. While it is exciting to see two radio groups in the Louisville area showing interest in Louisville Athletics...we'll still call both to task by imploring that they up their coverage on Louisville women's athletics. 

The thought of losing the Tuesday segment does not matter to me personally....I just hate seeing the window of opportunity for exposure for UofL women's sports close. We were always pleased when someone came up to us, told us they heard the spot and liked what they heard. 

When Howie originally proposed the idea to us about the Tuesday segment we were excited to have the opportunity. Howie was essential in helping getting Cardinal Couple started...with his positive comments, suggestions and offers to help wherever he could back when we first got started. He's been a good friend to us, the website and our own radio show over the years...and we're excited for his new opportunity. 

Whether Walz Wednesday continues or not I haven't a clue. What I do know is that Howie has invested a lot of time and coverage towards Louisville women's sports over the years. Not just women's basketball, either...he's a guy that is well-respected for his knowledge and accessibility with Volleyball, women's soccer, field hockey, softball...the list goes on and on.

We hope that coverage of women's sports continues in Howie's new gig and new call letters.

As in the past, if we're called...we'll be there to gladly serve and support. If we're not, we'll still continue to align our forces with a man who has gone above and beyond in service to the Louisville women's sports programs. Our mission statement is clear..we discuss the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. Wherever and whenever we can with whoever we can. 

We know where we'll be listening to morning radio in a few weeks and we hope you'll join us over there. We're sure that Howie will continue to get the sparkling array of movers and shakers in the college sport world to join him on the air and Internet listeners will find the channel very accessible as well.

WKRD has landed one of the good guys in Howie Lindsey. 

paulie
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