Coach Walz staying -- Softball slaying -- Asia relaying -- FH goes to India -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

MEDIA REPORTS OF WALZ REMAINING AT LOUISVILLE

Something we felt very confident of here at Cardinal Couple, but other media sources and types doubted and openly questioned -- got verified yesterday. 

Jeff Walz is staying at Louisville. 

The UofL head basketball coach confirmed yesterday with several credible and recognized media outlets that he'll be the head coach at Louisville next year. that he's happy and looking forward to doing that, that he's had no contact with "Rocky Top", Phil and even managed to work little Walz snark and sarcasm into the announcement, by saying he would leave if our "one great newspaper" had any openings. 

It's as regular as the daffodils that pop up in Paulie's front flower beds each early spring.

Some knucklehead says something about Walz leaving..be it a tweet from an insignificant and previously unheard of media stiff without verified sources... or rumors from "so called" knowledgeable journalists...or maybe the counter gal at the donut shop you stop each morning...and, Shazam!...it goes viral and Cardinal fans go running to the hills clutching their Bobbleheads and "nite-nite" travel kits. 

The report is Coach is vacationing with family in Colorado. Please don't take that as a sign the man is seeking the Buffaloes, Pioneers, Rams or Air Force head women's basketball job.  He'll be back blowing the whistle in the Korber Planet Fitness basketball practice facility after a well deserved rest and relaxation period with his loved ones. 

This is not a test. This is not a simulation. Jeff Walz, 2018-19 Louisville WBB head coach will reprise that popular role in the 2019-20 season and is still the skipper. Stand down, go to DefCon 5 and alert all associates down the line that situation is normal. (Although the term "normal" and Jeff Walz aren't usually associated with each other. 

Give me your hand and step away from the ledge. Calm down. All is right with the most successful coach on the Belknap campus and he'll be returning to take Paulie's post game questions and send them deep onto the sidewalk outside Ulmer before you know it.

Coach Walz is fond of telling his players that mistakes are OK and going to happen, just make a different one next time. Show that you learned something from the previous one. Make no mistake about the following sentence:

Jeff Walz will be the head coach for Louisville women's basketball next season. 

Each year, the robins come back to pluck worms out of the yard and something pops up about Walz. Give the guy a break. Even if he wouldn't be able to visualize it, with his color-blindness...just how ridiculous would he look in orange to begin with? Or singing "Rocky Top" off-key? 

(I hope I can get my money back on those orange and white pom-poms I bought for Coach when I was in Gatlinburg earlier this year...I kept the receipt).

So, it's up to you, CardNation followers, detractors and worriers...to come up with a new and better rumor concerning UofL WBB and the Mad Scientist. Gossip lovers, tawdry journalists and those self-appointed insiders of the program are standing by. The phone and Twitter lines are open. Call now !! 

(Judge Paulie taps gavel on table) Next on the docket?  


SOFTBALL SLAMS WKU

Speaking of mistakes, there was no mistake about Louisville Softball wanting to establish early dominance over WKU last night. And, they did. 

The Cards piled up six runs in the first two inning en route to a 7-2 win over Big Red on the Hill in Bowling Green.

Walks, hits and errors helped the "hit and run" Cards from Floyd Street plate three runs in the top of the first. Winning pitcher Taylor Roby helped her cause by driving in two of the three runs Louisville pushed across the plate in the second frame. And, for dessert...Danielle Watson pounded her first career home run in the seventh for the final tally. 

Another strong effort for the redshirt freshman from Mt.Washington in the circle yesterday...Roby went five innings and allowed just two runs and four hits for UofL. The aforementioned Watson came in for the final two innings and struck out three Toppers to preserve the "W" for the Cards. Louisville is now 23-13 on the season and 4 for 5 in recent midweek contests. 

Big things this weekend at Ulmer, as the Cards host ACC powerhouse and defending national champion Florida State for three contests beginning Saturday. The 'Noles are #3 in the nation and are 36-3 on the season. First pitch Saturday at 1 p.m. We suggest you come out to Ulmer for what looks like an ideal weekend for outdoor activities. 

Bailiff, whose next to appear before Cardinal Couple Thursday court? 


ASIA AWARD

That noise you heard on Floyd Street is the UofL Maintenance and Construction crew building another trophy case to house the awards Cardinal Forever Asia Durr keeps earning.  

"Nite-Nite" was named as one of the five members of the 2019 John R. Wooden Award All-Americans. This award and team is made up of the top five vote-getting student-athletes in women's college basketball for determining the most outstanding college player of the year. The first place winner will be announced on ESPN2, on Friday night...April 12th.  

The other four finalists are Napheesa Collier (UConn), Megan Gustafson (Iowa), Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon) and Teaira McCowan (Miss. State). Voting took place from March 19-29.

It's the second straight year Asia has been selected for this All-America honor. 

We, here at Cardinal Couple, stand by our previous and numerous statements that Durr was the best player in women's college basketball this season.

Let's hope the Wooden group agrees! 



INDIA CHOOSES LOUISVILLE FIELD HOCKEY

No, the headline doesn't mean that Justine Sowry's squad has been picked to play home games in New Delhi this fall or that the "stick girls from Trager" will be representing India in any type of competitions or marketing plans...although, we do wonder what Sowry would look like in a lehenga choli or pattu pavadai on the sidelines...

What it does mean is that Louisville Manual high school Field Hockey defender India Reed has chosen UofL as her destination to continue her student-athlete carer in college. 

Reed was the 2018 Kentucky Miss Field Hockey award winner and led Manual to the semifinals of the state tournament. 

She was also named the Most Outstanding Senior of the Year by the Kentucky High School Field Hockey Coaches Association and was also named on the NFHCA High School National All-American Academic squad. 

Cardinal Couple favorite
Taylor Stone

Over the past couple of weeks, Sowry has added two Netherlanders to the squad in Julie Kouijzer and Thirsa Kho. Also, accolades bestowed to some current and former Cardinals with Megan Schneider making the USA U-19 Travel roster.

Carter Ayers & Katie Schneider have been named to the USA U-21 travel roster and Taylor Stone, Katie Walsh and Erin McCrudden named to the USA Developmental Squad. 

(All rise! Court is now out-of-session and adjourned. All jurors report to the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium for some draw controls cardio led by Kay Morissette and Scott Teeter.)

Have a tremendous Thursday!

Paulie

Louisville women's basketball -- Tuesday is Durr Day -- TUESDAY CARDINALCOUPLE

DURR ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NAMED TO WOODEN LATE SEASON TOP 20. 

The awards keep stacking up for Louisville junior guard Asia Durr.

On Monday, she was named the ACC Player of the Week and also named to the John R.Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 list. 

I know, there are a ton of college basketball awards out there. These are two of the bigger ones, though, and the prestige and honor that goes with them is note-worthy and quite the accomplishment. 

ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK. 

It's the fourth time that Durr has been selected for the Player of the Week. She averaged 24 points per game in Louisville's road wins at Virginia and Syracuse. 

In Charlottesville, she shot a blistering 54.5 % from the floor and gathered 21 points for the Cards in the 77-41 road win over the Cavs. That was followed with 27 points on 9-15 shooting plus seven assists in the 84-77 "W" at Syracuse. She also made the 1,500 point club at the Carrier Dome. 

It's been a remarkable season for "Nite-Nite".

She ranks second in the ACC in scoring with 20 points per game. Her 46.6 shooting percentage is tops in the ACC and fifth in the nation in three-pointers. 

I firmly believe she is the best player in the country. The Cards can help push that agenda by progressing forward and winning the ACC and advancing to the Final Four. 

I also think our illustrious mayor of Louisville should proclaim an Asia Durr Day here in our fair city and encourage everyone to display the number "25" in some form or fashion.  


JOHN R. WOODEN AWARD

Durr joins nineteen women's college basketball players on the award list for the top basketball player in DI. The award is chosen by a poll of national college basketball experts based on the players' performances during the year. It is narrowed to 20 after the first half of the season. 

She has some stellar company on the list of twenty. 

Joining Durr from the ACC are Lexie Brown (Duke), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame) and Shakayla Thomas (FSU). The AAC has four on the list, all from UConn, in Napheesa Collier, Kia Nurse, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams. The SEC is well-represented with four contestants in Sophie Cunningham (Missouri), Teaira McCowan (Mississippi St.) Victoria Vivians (Mississippi St.) and A'ja Wilson (South Carolina). 

The PAC-12 has three student-athletes in the top 20 with Kristine Anigwe (Cal), Jordin Canada (UCLA) and Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon). So does the Big Ten with Megan Gustafson (Iowa), Katelynn Flaherty (Michigan) and Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio St.) The Big 12 roundds out the list with two players in Ariel Atkins (Texas) and Kalani Brown (Baylor). 

Overall, 16 schools are represented in the top 20 list and six conferences . Ten of the players are seniors, nine juniors and one is a sophomore. 

Here's a couple of questions for you, our readers.

So, can one make an argument for senior Myisha Hines-Allen being on the list? I think you can. She averages a double-double with 14.4 ppg and 10.3 rebounds. She was on the pres-season All-ACC teams and has been named ACC player of the Week once. Four UConn players is maybe overkill and the only other team with two players on the list in Mississippi State. I'll take charge here and put her 21st.

Is Asia Durr the best player in women's college basketball? I say "Yes". Her accomplishments this season are out of this world. 

- Over 1500 points in her career
- Has over 70 made three-pointers
- Naismith Trophy Watch List
- 47 points against Ohio State, a school record
- Preseason All conference and all-american 

And, that's just a few of the accolades for #25.

Durr, predictably, would point to her teammates for her achievements. And, that's the beautiful thing about this team. They're in it together. Individual awards are great but team success is goal #1. She has become that "first name only needed" player at UofL, along with Shoni and Angel. There are troubles and controversy galore on campus, with the men's basketball team and blah, blah, blah but there is a sense of pride, acknowledgement and love for the dozen student-athletes that gather in the Little YUM! to do work for Coach Walz and his staff. 

Coach Walz is holding a press conference this afternoon, presumably to talk about Durr, the wins and Clemson.

Do you have a question for Coach Walz ? Leave it in the comments section or e-mail it to me at cardinalcouple@twc.com by noon today and I'll toss it out. That goes for Durr as well if she's present. 

A heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Durr for these spectacular accomplishments and keep 'em coming! 

(Speaking of Asia's...congratulations to Asia Taylor, who has been re-signed by the Washington Mystics. We see ya, #31.)


Paulie
xxxxx  

Making a Case for Asia Durr: Wooden Award Winner -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Last week, the Los Angeles Athletic Club released the midseason top 25 list for the women's edition of the John R Wooden Award. The Wooden Award, for those unfamiliar, is akin to the Heisman Trophy in college basketball. It is not the only individual honor granted to the "best player" but is considered the most prestigious. The Wooden Award was first awarded to Marques Johnson of UCLA as the National Player of the Year for the 1976-1977 season. The award was brought to women's college basketball in the 2003-2004 season, naming Alana Beard of Duke the Player of the Year in the women's game. 

Louisville has had one Wooden winner, Darrell Griffith in 79-80. Ralph Sampson is the only men's player to win the Wooden Award twice. Conversely, in the 14 seasons the Wooden Award has been in women's basketball, only seven schools have laid claim to the "best player in the country." Duke, Stanford, and Washington each have one award, with LSU, Tennessee, and Baylor all claiming two. Connecticut has the other five. Each team with more than one award has had the same player win more than one award, with UCONN having two 2-time winners in Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. Ironically, Moore's wins were not consecutive, being split by teammate Tina Charles winning in 09-10. 

Louisville has recently claimed the player of the year awards in football and baseball, with Lamar Jackson and Brendan McKay leaving their marks on the Cardinal trophy case. They join Darrell Griffith's Wooden Award, and it seems as though there should be some space made for another POTY trophy soon. 

Asia Durr has been outstanding in this, her junior season. Her competition is stiff, to be sure. She's one of just 25 remaining on the watch list, which will be cut to 15 before the final selection. The 25 players currently on the midseason list are not guaranteed to be on the Final Ballot as each year a player has made it onto the Final Ballot that was not on the preseason or midseason lists. Durr is joined by names you'll have heard before. The full list is below.

Graphic from ncaa.com

Durr has been instrumental to Louisville's success this season. To suggest that the team would still be undefeated at this point without her would be foolish. While the award isn't given to a single team's MVP, it is hard to ignore the MVP of the undefeated, second ranked team in the country. Durr currently ranks first on the team in points, field goals made, threes made, three point percentage, free throws made, and free throw percentage (>15 attempts). She's second on the team in minutes per game and ranks near the bottom among major contributors in fouls per game and turnovers per game (lower rankings are good in those categories).

In addition to her team stats, Durr's name appears quite often when browsing the national stats pages. Durr is 9th in total points scored, 50th in free throw percentage, 22nd in field goals made, 105th in field goal percentage, 18th in points per game, tied for 8th in threes made, 12th in three pointers per game, and first in three point percentage. Keep in mind that there are 349 women's basketball teams, which means that these rankings are out of nearly 4,000 players. Durr is ahead of most of the other players on the Wooden list in many rankings and when someone is ahead of her in one category, they usually aren't ahead in other categories.

Asia Durr has shined brightest in the most important games of the season so far. There will be more huge games on the schedule, and Durr will be important in every game for the Cards this season for them to continue the season they're having. Though she jumps off of the screen every time Louisville is shown on TV, perhaps no game is bigger for Durr's Wooden campaign than the February 12th matchup against Connecticut. In that game, Durr will have the opportunity to go up against four (!!) fellow watch list candidates. Given her propensity to go off in the big games, I would look for Durr to have another huge game in Storrs. 

There is a lot of this season remaining, and presumably an entire season remaining to enjoy Asia Durr's game and contribution to the Louisville team. As we recently learned with Lamar Jackson and Brendan McKay, though, that time can fly by. As soon as a star is gone, you quickly realize that there could never have been enough opportunities to see them play. As far as Asia Durr goes, if she keeps playing the way she has been so far this year, we may soon have another trophy to add to the case.

A nice read on what former Cards think about this team.:

FINAL FOUR?

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-