TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE -Louisville releases 2013-14 women's basketball roster -Charlyn Corral named AAC women's soccer Player of the Week The official 2013-14 UofL Women's Basketball roster is now out and, on first glance...one notices that there are 13 players listed. This is down from the 16 that we've discussed most of the summer...but still looks quite impressive and still deep at guards, wings and post players. What happened to the other three? As we covered here at CARDINAL COUPLE a few days ago, DAVIONNA HOLMES had decided to transfer to Missouri to play basketball.  We learned Monday that JANELLE CANNON has also left campus and her next move or campus hasn't been revealed yet. From what we hear, STARR BREEDLOVE is finishing up some summer classes at a junior college and won't arrive at Louisville until later in the year. The Cards will miss Sherrone Vails in the middle (injury) but with a healthy Dyer and Taylor...plus Hammond, Walton, and Henderson available for paint duty...don't cry too long for Louisville. The Cards that are listed give Louisville one of the strongest rosters that this fan has seen in the history of the women's basketball program. Strong words? Maybe...but four out of five starters back and able to play, three former starters back and healthy from previous years,  three valuable contributors off the bench from last year's National Runner-up squad and two promising newcomers make Louisville look like a juggernaut in their only year in the American. Of course, UConn is still there. Sometimes, in regards to Cannon and Holmes...it just doesn't work out. Cannon has bounced around to three different Div. I programs now and we hope she finds her home somewhere. Holmes has landed closer to home...and sometimes that works best for a player. Fear not, fans. Still plenty of players to cheer for! The roster is listed below.	Last Name		Height			eligibility
00	hammond sara	Sara Hammond	74	6-2	F	5	JR	Mt. Vernon, Ky. (Rockcastle County HS)
2	niamke monny	Monny Niamke	65	5-5	G	4	RS SO	Rouen, France (Lindsey Wilson)
3	vails sheronne	Sheronne Vails	76	6-4	C	7	SR	Odenton, Md. (Arundel HS)
4	slaughter antonita	Antonita Slaughter	73	6-1	G	7	SR	Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Christian Academy)
12	dyer shawnta'	Shawnta' Dyer	73	6-1	F	6	RS JR	Marion, Ohio (Marion Harding HS)
13	walton cortnee	Cortnee Walton	75	6-3	F	3	SO	Surprise, Ariz. (St. Mary's HS)
15	deines megan	Megan Deines	73	6-1	G	3	SO	Springfield, Mo. (Glendale HS)
21	smith bria	Bria Smith	70	5-10	G	5	JR	Massapequa, N.Y. (Christ the King HS)
22	schimmel jude	Jude Schimmel	66	5-6	G	5	JR	Mission, Ore. (Franklin HS)
23	schimmel shoni	Shoni Schimmel	69	5-9	G	7	SR	Mission, Ore. (Franklin HS)
25	gibbs tia	Tia Gibbs	69	5-9	G	8	RS SR	Louisville, Ky. (Vanderbilt Univ.)
31	taylor asia	Asia Taylor	73	6-1	F	8	RS SR	Columbus, Ohio (Whetstone HS)
32	henderson emmonnie	Emmonnie Henderson	73	6-1	F	1	FR	Edwardsville, Ill. (Edwardsville HS)

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DESPITE the loss to Illinois Sunday, the UofL women's soccer team did get good news on Monday about "Char'

(thanks to Kim Pemberton for the release below)


University of Louisville senior midfielder Charlyn Corral has been named the
American Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.  Corral opened the
2013 season scoring three goals and dishing out one assist.

Against Butler, Corral took a corner kick in the first minute of the second
period and bent it inside the box to teammate Christine Exeter, who headed the
ball into the middle of the net for a 1-0 lead.   In the 84th minute, Hannah
Konermann crossed the ball to a streaking Corral for a security goal as the
Cardinals handed Butler 2-0 shutout.

Against No. 17/25 Illinois, Corral gathered a deflection from a Kari Weinland
shot and sent it back at the keeper who deflected the ball back to Corral, who
then buried it into the back of the net, giving Louisville a 2-1 lead in the
25th minute.  Corral then scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute for a 3-2
Cardinal lead before Louisville fell 5-4 in overtime to the Illini.

Corral finished the week with seven shots on goal for a 53.8 shot on goal
percentage.

-Paulie

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BREAKING NEWS UPDATE:
Janelle Cannon, JUCO standout, has left the basketball program.  Swish Appeal broke the story here:  

No Cannon's roar

We will have more information as soon as it is available.  The departure has been confirmed by several sources close to the WBB program. .


Update: WE do have Jeff Walz's comments on Cannon recorded and they will be a part of our Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR broadcast.

Show begins at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at:

http://www.crescenthillradio.com

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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Moore, please!

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- WATCH THIS VIDEO

-RISK VS REWARD: High stakes

We have talked the last couple of days about the verbal commitment of Mariya Moore to the University of Louisville women's basketball team. Please take a look at the video above and you'll see why Jenny, Jeff and I are so excited about the arrival of the Richmond, CA guard next year on the UofL campus. Passing, shooting, driving to the hoop....Ms. Moore looks like she can do it all...and do it quite easily.

And, after watching the clip...it'll be obvious to you, as well, that she's excited about her decision to become a Cardinal! Also, using Phil Collins music in a vid will always get a big "thumbs up" from
Paulie.

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So, your a coach...there's a talented ballplayer out there at another college or university and they've decided to leave. This player has an interest in YOUR school to transfer to. Do you make that plunge...using up a scholarship that might be used on a promising high school senior?

LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL HEAD COACH Charlie Strong recently made that call, bringing in talented running back Michael Dyer. Looking at Louisville women's basketball in the same vein, let's recall a few of the decisions made at Louisville over the past few years.

CANDYCE BINGHAM

She was a bona fide hoopster at Louisville Manual High School but ended up at Xavier University instead of UofL. Two seasons there and then the decision to leave. Would her hometown university have any interest in the forward...who had been a marginal player for the Musketeers? Tom Collen said yes. She was a junior, coming off a redshirt year...when Jeff Walz took over the program.

WE all know how that one turned out. MOM ( and the Crazy Aunt ) led Louisville to 60 wins in two years, two appearances in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and the NCAA Championship game in the 2008-08 season. The decision to agree to the proposed transfer paid off in gold.

TONI SLAUGHTER

Nita Slaughter's big sister was a All-State performer at Shelby County High School. But it was Cincinnati that got her verbal and talents. She was another that Tom Collen brought on board. Although she wasn't a regular starter for the Cards, her off-the-bench performances spark plugged the Lady Cards to 46 wins in her two years and paved the way for "little sis" to create an interest in the Ville and verbal when she was a freshman in high school.

Once again, the gamble returned a profit. If Toni had stayed at UC, would Nita be there now? Hard to say...but I'm sure that Jamelle Elliott wouldn't have minded having a unconscious three point expert bombing them in at the "Shoe"

CIERRA WARREN

Warren was a highly sought after and talented post from California that started her journey at North


Carolina. Mired deep in the rotation and not getting much playing time, she wanted out. Jeff Walz needed height and numbers in the paint. Warren looked legit. The transfer was completed and she sat out a year before donning the red and black.

(Photos and collage by Charlie Springer)

 

Initially, it looked like a good call. 18 points in 12 minutes in her debut against Missouri State. 12 points against Texas A&M and Kelsey Bone. Walz looked like a genius. Double figures in the next three games against EKU, Xavier and Austin Peay. She looked solidly entrenched in the paint when the Cards got ready to go into BIG EAST conference play.

Then, the time and the point production waned. Louisville took a 86-61 drubbing against DePaul in Chicago. Warren came in for mop-up duty and scored 14 points late.

She never played for the Cards again.

Rumors of a heated, players-only meeting surfaced. Allegations that her work ethic did not meet the level of the rest of the team's. Several days after the loss to DePaul, Warren went to Walz's office and informed him she did not want to play for Louisville and more and sought a transfer. It was granted.


She ended up at San Diego State. She'll be eligible to play this season. Closer to home for her and arriving at a school that recruited her heavily when she was in high school.

We wish her the best.

Risk vs. reward. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Some players who have transferred out of the UofL program have gone on and performed well at other schools. Some have fallen off the radar.

In the words of Nicky the Fingers:

"You rolls the dice and ya takes yer chances."

Transfers into the program this year are Monny Niamke, Starr Breedlove and Janelle Cannon. WE hope those "rolls" come up 7 or 11 each time and provide huge payoffs.

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CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO this morning in just a few hours. Going over my pre-show notes, as I usually do on Saturday morning, I'm reading that we've got three coaches' clips, basketball recruiting, volleyball, lacrosse, ex-Cardinals in new gigs, a quiz for Jeff, Jenny and our listeners, BUD GOODE, DON PAULIE, Believe It Or Don't and....holy cow! How will we ever get it all in?

In olden days, sometimes my brother and I would put a 33 1/3 album on the turntable of the stereo and play it at 45 RPM. WE may have to resort to that today to get everything in. Join us at 11 on Crescent Hill Radio.Link below.

DANCING MADLY BACKWARD ON A SPORTS PLATFORM

Don't forget to click on the "LISTEN NOW" button.

Join us, wont you?



-Paulie

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Tuesday Cardinal Couple - 10 seconds? About time!

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-NCAA WBB installs 10 second rule. Will it matter?

We've discussed the new rule in NCAA women's college basketball previously here at CARDINAL COUPLE. 10 seconds to advance the ball over the half court line. Just like the rest of the world is doing. Will it make a difference? And how will the coaches and players adjust to it?

Unlike their male counterparts, who have a 35 second shot-clock..the women have 30 seconds to get a shot off when in the offense set. It obviously creates more possessions in a game. And, if a team uses all 10 second to advance the ball into the offensive court...you have 20 seconds to get into a offensive set and try to score.

A lot of times last year, it really didn't matter for the UofL WBB squad. Jeff Walz and his staff are firm believers in opportunistic, transition basketball. Shoni Schimmel and Nita Slaughter haven't met a shot they didn't like from beyond the three-point mark. Bria Smith would dribble through a backup on the Watterson Expressway at 4:30 p.m. for a chance to get in the paint and attempt a close-in shot.

Be courteous if you see Bria on the expressway.

On the rare occasions where Louisville dallied in crossing the time line, it was either a guard getting instructions from Coach Walz on the set to run or merely a clock-killing maneuver.  Full court pressure by an opponent never seemed to bother the Lady Cards.



One of the biggest complaints we fielded here at the site last year was over the Kentucky-Louisville game last year. The Cards enjoyed a double-digit lead in the second half, but took their time getting into the offensive set near the game (according to some of you). You told us this took Louisville out of their rhythm that they had used to build the lead. A recent re-watching of the contest showed me that, although the Cards were deliberate at times in getting the offense in motion...it was missed shots by Louisville and the clutch play from a certain UK freshman that put an "L" in the Cardinal column that afternoon.

You score more points than the opponent, you win. Neither team scored over 50 in that contest...a sorry offensive performance in a game that was dominated and dictated by defense.

You can miss shots with three seconds or thirteen on the

shot clock, folks. And, offensive rebounding of the misses was lacking as well by the Lady Cards. I seriously doubt that the extended time it took Louisville to advance the ball over the half-court timeline in the second half was the contributing factor in the loss to the Wildcats in that game.

Thank you for allowing me to vent.

The 10-second rule will be brutal on Cardinal opponents who don't have the ball-handlers or guard efficiency to handle a full-court press that Louisville could very well employ to set up a transition offense. We like this. How will it effect the Cards if they are the object of full-court defensive pressure?

Probably not much. The Cards used a three-guard set quite extensively last season in their march to the title game (Jude, Shoni, Bria). They are adequate ball-handlers. Add guards Tia Gibbs, Starr Breedlove, Janelle Cannon and Monny Niamke to that mix and Jeff Walz has plenty of options to shake off man-to-man or zone full-court pressure after a made basket or out-of bounds possession.

So, in summation...don't expect the addition of the 10-second clock to tilt the apple cart of NCAA WBB hoops. What it will mandate is that coaches work extensively with all players on improving their ball-handling skills.


If anything, it gives a trailing team late in a contest, a new opportunity to get back into a contest if they can press and defend well and create turnovers and clock violations.

You can rest assured the Lady Cards have been working hard in the off-season to capitalize on the new rule. And that should create a lot of fun moments of UofL fans in the upcoming season.

Paulie

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Cardinal Couple welcomes a Starr

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan checks in with her Wednesday column, which is about
freshman UofL WBB addition Starr Breedlove.)

Starr Breedlove is the last remaining member of the incoming class to make it to campus.  Reports indicate she will arrive on campus in July. 

Breedlove is a Teaneck, NJ native who makes her way to Louisville by way of Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.   Breedlove spent one year in Texas leading her team to the National Junior College Championship in 2012. 

Breedlove was on campus and in attendance for the 2012 season opening games against Texas A&M and Portland.   She committed to the Cardinals shortly thereafter stating that she was impressed with the team atmosphere and the coaches. 

Breedlove took this past year off from basketball and has been working out individually while attending classes.  She is a 5-6 point guard who will be trying to crack a starting spot on a loaded squad. 

In her only year at Trinity Valley she averaged 9.4 points, 6.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.   In addition to the great coaching staff she will be working with Breedlove will have incredible talent surrounding her and mentoring her.  Whether it is the sharp-shooting and fancy passing of Shoni, the defensive prowess of Tia Gibbs, the intelligent game of Jude Schimmel, the wide open court and driving to the bucket Bria, or the masterful shooting of Nita Slaughter -- Breedlove will have plenty of opportunites to learn from the nations runner up team. 

Her on the job training will come alongside Monny Niamke who will make her Div. 1 debut this season after sitting out a year as well as Janelle Cannon whom we spoke of earlier this month. 

Welcome to The ‘Ville, Starr.  CardNation awaits.   

-Jenny O'Bryan

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Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Worried about talent? Not at UofL WBB

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Walz's Cards 2013-14 roster full of talent

A friend and I were talking about the 2009-10 Louisville women's basketball team the other day. It was a squad that was coming off the NCAA Finals appearance but a squad that had lost several key ingredients. With Angel McCoughtry, Candyce Bingham and Dez Byrd gone, the Cardinal ranks were already thin and transfers depleted it even more. By the end of that 14-18 season, the Cards were down to Monique Reid, Keisha Hines, Shelby Harper, Gwen Rucker, Rachel Story, Asia Taylor, Brandie Radde and Becky Burke. If I've forgotten anyone, I'm sorry. I try not to think about that season much...

The 2013-14 season finds the Cards once again the defending NCAA runner ups...but that is where the comparisons with the 2009-2010 pretty much end. Only Asia Taylor and Tia Gibbs, who sat out that season, remain from that 14-18 squad. Joining them are the five starters from 2012-13, a solid supporting cast and three talented additions...sixteen players in all.

They may have to expand the Louisville bench into the first row of fan seating in the KFC YUM! Center.

Ironically, last year Walz was going with a eight player rotation a lot at the end of last season like he did in 2009-10. If he's down to eight players by the end of the upcoming season...maybe Kentucky One or Humana should open a hospital wing on campus.

There are, of course, some questions. How well will Asia, Tia and Shawnta Dyer return after sitting a season with injuries? It'll be Monny Niamke's return season as well, after transferring from Lindsey Wilson...where she started as a freshman point guard. How well will she perform at Div. I level? Can Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon, Starr Breedlove and Davionna Holmes find significant minutes in a rotation that returns Shoni, Bria, Nita, Sherrone, Sara, Jude, Cortnee and Megan?

It's not a bad problem for Coach Walz to have. He's got a lot to smile about these days. A new daughter, new assistant and new conference. If he added a new car, new suit, and some new season-ticket holders in the KFC YUM! Center... he'd have a six pack of treasures that anyone would desire.

If this bunch ever gets worried about how a particular stretch of games are going, all they need to do is have a sit-down with Asia. I'm sure some of the stories she could tell about that 2009-10 season, her own physical ailments and such will snap anyone back to reality pronto. Surviving when things were rotten gives one a great perspective on handling adversity.

It's way too early to start predicting starters and playing time rotation for these 16 girls. But...if the injured come back able to contribute...if the newest additions live up to the hype predicating their arrival...if the returning players have improved just the slightest bit from last year...

You might want to book hotel rooms in Nashville this spring for the NCAA Final Four.

And, just how many lockers are there in the KFC YUM! Center women's basketball dressing room?

Paulie

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Meet Janelle Cannon

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jenny O'Bryan gives us a look at one of the new 2013-14 Lady Cards that
will take the court on the KFC YUM! Center this upcoming basketball season. We would also remind you that the first Jeff Walz Summer Camp for aspiring high school girl basketballers takes place this Saturday. Will we "hear the Cannon's roar" this year? Jenny has her ear to the window...)

Janelle Cannon is the featured 2013-14 women’s basketball player today!  Cannon is a 5-9 guard out of Illinois who spent two years at Southwestern Illinois College earning JUCO (junior college) All-American status averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.5 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 steals. 

Cannon arrives on campus as a junior with immediate eligibility and 2 years playing time remaining, if my understanding of NCAA rules is accurate.    Cannon was one of the best JUCO players and the leader in Division 1 JUCO scoring in the country this past season and looks to bring her winning ways to Louisville.

Coach Walz describes Cannon as “an explosive scorer who can play several positions” as well as a player “ who has an innate ability to distribute the ball while still remaining a potent scoring threat”.  Cannon also has the ability to play multiple positions. 

Out of high school Cannon signed with the University of Minnesota and enrolled in summer school.  She left Minnesota after that summer and later enrolled at SWIC where she was wildly successful. 

Surrounded by a plethora of guards, all but one returning from the team that fell one game short of a national championship, Cannon will have to earn her minutes.   While relied upon in the JUCO level to score for her team, her new teammates bring a whole cast of scorers.  It will be a fun season of watching this young player acclimate to the increased competition that NCAA Division 1 play offers a player. 

Cannon brings increased depth at not only the guard spots but also as a scorer and a distributor of the ball.  I excitedly anticipate a great season for this young woman. 

Welcome to CardNation, Janelle!  No doubt you are already getting a taste of just how exciting this Athletic Program is.  It’s been the year of the Cardinal.  Welcome aboard the train. 

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In addition to camps and recruiting, is this Coach Walz
touting the latest console game? Sure looks like him!

This Saturday, June 15 from 1-5:00 p.m., marks the first of two elite skills camps for Coach Walz and Louisville Women’s Basketball.  The camps are open to the public and are held on campus at Cardinal Arena. 

 According to twitter future Cardinals and 2014 verbal commits Sydney Brackemyre and Ariana Freeman will both be in attendance at the camp.  I look forward to getting a look at both of these young women as well as the many talented players that attend. 

Join Cardinal Couple for a couple hours on Saturday watching some elite players doing what they do best!  You will definitely get a sneak peak at future Louisville talent by making the trek out on Saturday.  Don’t worry, there is plenty of time to get back home or to your favorite watering hole to watch our men’s baseball team as they head in to action in the College World Series at 8:00 p.m est Saturday evening.  

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We discussed these on the latest installment of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR last Saturday...but if you're a statistics lover... follow the link below to the APR numbers for the UofL and UK teams. 

APR NUMBERS FOR UOFL and UK


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Next in line? Good news for University of Louisville junior Sara "The Hammer" Hammond, who has been selected as an alternative for Team USA's trip to Russia later this summer. She'd be called into action if one of the 12 on the team are unable to play.  

The committee notified her to have her paperwork and visa ready to roll a few days after the tryouts, just in case. We like the situation, but wonder why she has to have a major credit card on file? Pizza party on Hammond Tuesday night? And...what if she doesn't have a Visa card and carries the wildly popular Diner's Club card like Paulie does for CARDINAL COUPLE? 

Oh...the other definition of "visa".  Never mind. 

Jody Demling takes a more serious and accurate look at Sara's sweet situation at the link below:

HAMMOND IS ON STAND-BY  


-Jenny O'Bryan
-Paulie
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Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Shoni pleased, Walz prepping.

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Walz, Schimmel address media

-Newbauer accepts Belmont position

For someone who had just completed three intensive days of basketball, flown across country and even attended class on Monday...Shoni Schimmel looked fresh as a daisy and ready to go out and pop threes for several hours.

She and Jeff Walz answered various questions from the media yesterday in the SAC and both seemed quite pleased with the way things had been going lately.

Schimmel is excited about being selected to the 12 player USA Women's World University Games team roster and related that all she did was go out and play as hard and as smart as she could during the trials. She also added that draining five or six threes in a row during competition probably didn't hurt her chances.

The selection list announcement had her a bit nervous and confused at first. The committee was going in alphabetical order and she was the second to last one named to the team...the final being Odyssey Sims. Technically, Bria Smith was still alive in the naming, too...for the last spot...but the Baylor guard got the nod.

When asked how she and Sims got along, Shoni smiled and commented, "Pretty good, actually."

I asked Shoni if playing against quite a few of the players involved in the tryouts over her career helped her in preparation for trying to gain a spot. She replied that it wasn't so much that...but playing with them during the sessions is what she believed helped her make the squad.

Shoni will tell you, she likes to play and that is what she goes out there to do. It has reaped pretty good rewards for her. A first trip ever to Russia coming up in a couple of months. The chance to shine on the world's stage. And being on a roster that includes seven other guards and "even bigs that can step outside and light it up"....according to her.

She also mentioned that Bria and Sara were excited for her selection and helped her celebrate...something that she noted some of the other players on other teams didn't seem as excited when their teammates, but not them, got selected. The mere experience of getting invited to participate with such a select group of college players is quite an honor in itself. It will be most beneficial to all three Cardinals who took part in the sessions.

Shoni also mentioned that several parents of the players and a few recruits complimented her and the squad on their magical run to the NCAA Championship game. When asked how many autographs she has been asked to provide over the last couple of months...she grinned broadly, in that unmistakable Shoni style, and replied:

"You'd be surprised..."

A fun summer ahead for the illustrious Shoni, doing what she loves best...playing the game.

Something she does quite well.

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Jeff Walz is a humble man.

When asked if he would follow in Coach Pitino's footsteps and own a few thoroughbreds or Derby contenders...he smiled and replied that it would more likely be a couple of plow mules in his case. He's not ready to enter the world of horse-racing ownership.

He also dowplayed his role in helping get Cameron Newbauer primed and ready for his first coaching job...explaining that it was the incredible group of young ladies that drew the attention of the world to Louisville women's basketball and eventually Newbauer. He is proud and happy for Cameron, proud of all three assistants that have left his tutelage and assumed head coaching roles...but insists that his role in getting them there was based on what they wanted to achieve in terms of future goals and how he could help them get there. A true sign of humility and unselfishness. 

Walz also explained that there is no secret system or magical strategy involved in his successes and runs he has had at Louisville. He defers to the teaching that Paul Sanderford provided him when he was an assistant at Western and Nebraska and insists that the most important thing he learned was just how to "roll with it" as the game progresses. 

He also doesn't expect the proposed 10 second rule for women's college basketball will change the game dramatically. Maybe a bit at the end if a team is trying to protect a lead and can no longer dawdle in the backcourt for 15-20 seconds...but not for the majority of a contest. 

He is excited about Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon and Starr Breedlove arriving on campus to join the returning team and thinks they'll provide depth and immediate rewards for the squad. When pressed about the potential depth of sixteen players being a great benefit to Louisville...Walz gently reminded the questioner that he had similar teams with just as apparent depth but things can happen and he is choosing to take a wait and see approach on how things turn out.

Roll with it.

Walz maybe satisfied with mules in the field...but the championship fillies he'll have on the hardwood will provide Cardinal WBB fans with plenty of happy returns and exciting wins.  

A link below with Walz discussing Shoni's selection:
It'll get you to the main video page and you can go to
"Sports" and check out Walz's words.


WALZ ON SHONI'S WUG SELECTION

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Cameron Newbauer made his acceptance speech at Belmont this afternoon and displayed a nice sense of humor in his opening remarks. Here's a link to Cam's words:

Cameron Newbauer talks about being head coach


-Paulie


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Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Adding four will make Louisville a hard team to beat.

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-New blood will make Lady Cards WBB even more dangerous

-Maggie Ruckenbrod named BIG EAST Player of the Week.

-WNBA Draft: No surprises here, Griner selected first.

A very early glance at the possible 2013-14 University of Louisville womens' basketball roster brings a gleam to this writer's eyes and a smile to his lips. Returning starters Shoni Schimmel, Nita Slaughter and Sherrone Vails will be seniors. Bria Smith and Sara Hammond juniors. Add Jude Schimmel, Tia Gibbs, Shawnta Dyer, Megan Deines, Asia Taylor and Cortnee Walton to that group and you have 11 players who have logged extensive minutes for the Cards as either starters or valuable off-the-bench contributors.

Davi Holmes, who joined the squad late in the season, makes 12. Her two-sport skills in high school (hoops and volleyball) show her to be an excellent shooter, rebounder and passer. We hope she recovers from the knee injury that sidelined her before she ever got to play in a game for the Cards.

Then, there's the new kids on the block.

Monny Niamke will be eligible and gained valuable experience by practicing with the Cards this season during her red-shirt season. A lightning-quick, 5'5" point guard who started for Lindsey Wilson her freshman season, Niamke has shown she can distribute, put shots up and play aggressive defense when her number is called. She'll see plenty of court-time for the Cards in 2013-14 and we wouldn't be surprised if she manages to wiggle her way into a starter or first off the bench role.

Emmonnie Henderson brings strength, rebounding prowess and the ability to score from different locations on the court to the Cardinal front-liners. Lack of depth at the "4" and "5" won't be a problem for the Cards in 2013-14 and Henderson is the type of player that can easily post "double-doubles" against opponents because of her ability to get inside and score and rebound. She'll be a prime contributor to the paint crew and will push the returning starters for playing time.

Janelle Cannon set the juco world on fire with her legendary scoring abilities this past season. We're guessing that her role at Louisville will most likely be a two guard that will be there to add greatly to the Lady Cards three-point skills...she's solid on defense as well and transition. Was Walz will use her specifically for we have no way of knowing yet...but we have a feeling that you'll hear P.A. announcer Sean Moth boom the name "Cannon" quite frequently in 2013-14.

Starr Breedlove is a speed merchant 5'8" point guard from New Jersey who led her Trinity Valley juco team to the championships as a freshman in 2011-12 and sat this season out to work on her game under personal instruction. Walz recruited her as a point-guard and based on what we've seen of her...her skills directing the offense and getting the transition game moving are as good as any point-guard the Cards currently have on the roster. She'll challenged Bria and Jude for court time and possesses a solid three-ball and mid-range jumper.

Graduate two and add four. Four good ones. The contributions from Shelby and Mo will be missed...most certainly...but Walz hasn't just replaced...he has reloaded.

Is it October yet?

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Louisville softball catcher and designated hitter Maggie Ruckenbrod has been named BIG EAST Player of the Week for her sterling performance over the last few days.

All she did was bat .500 (9 for 18), score six runs, drive in four runs, hit four doubles and two home runs.

Golly, Ruck...if you not going to try, why even show up?

The young lady also possesses a rocket arm behind the plate. Ask any number of would-be base stealers who have arrived at the bag to find a Ruck throw already waiting for them in the second baseman or shortstop's glove.

No St. Louis blues here... Missouri Maggie makes 'em pay. At the plate and behind it.

Louisville returns to action tomorrow with a doubleheader against Pittsburgh. First game begins at noon.

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For those of you who like to follow the college WBB stars after they graduate and head to the WNBA, the 2013 draft was held last night in Bristol, Connecticut.

Shocking as it may seem, Baylor's Brittney Griner was selected as the #1 pick...by Phoenix. She was reportedly thrilled to be joining Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi.

Elena Della Donna went second...the Delaware star grabbed by Chicago. Skylar Diggins was next and the Notre Dame guard will play for Tulsa.

Other first round picks:

4) Tayler Hill (Ohio State) Washingon
5) Kelsey Bone (Texas A&M) New York
6) Tianna Hawkins (Maryland) Seattle
7) Tori Young (Oklahoma State) New York
8) Kayla Alexander (Syracuse) San Antonio
9) Layshia Clarendon (California) Indiana
10) A'dia Mathies (UK) Los Angeles
11) Kelly Faris (UConn) Connecticut
12) Lindsey Moore (Nebraska) Minnesota

Seven of the top 12 picks played against Louisville in the 2012-13 season (Griner, Diggins, Bone, Alexander, Clarendon, Mathies and Faris).

Other BIG EAST players that were selected:

14. Sugar Rodgers (G'Town) Minnesota
17. Nadirah McKenith (St. John's) Washington
25. Shenneika Smith (St. John's) Washington
35. Andrea Smith (South Florida) Connecticut

I was surprised that neither DePaul's Anna Martin nor Katherine Harry were part of the first three rounds. Big money probably awaiting them in Euro or South America hoops, though. WE figured Monique Reid most likely wouldn't get a call...knee issues and all and thought that someone should pick up Louisville's other senior Shelby Harper...just for the fan draw she'd bring to a team.

Isn't it about time we get a WNBA franchise here in Louisville?

Louisville will have seniors Shoni Schimmel, Sherrone Vails, Tia Gibbs, Asia Taylor and Nita Slaughter available for the 2014 WNBA Draft. How many of them will get picked? Or, why not add a few to join them and start our own WNBA franchise?

No, I will not accept or seek the head coaching job. Jenny would be a good pick, though. The Louisville Force. My choice for the name. Jeff and I could do radio broadcasts...

-Paulie


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