YUM not producing as expected...

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-KFC YUM CENTER...Coming up short?

The University of Louisville women's basketball team has the privledge of playing in one of the finest, if not the finest, basketball arenas in the world. The KFC YUM! Center is a state of the art, one of a kind venue for college basketball, concerts and major events.

But, revenues needed to pay for the KFC YUM! Center bonds are falling short of goals. In all probablity, the Louisville Arena Authority will have to tap into reserves to cover the debt. Reserves earmarked for maintenance and improvement.




The KFC YUM Center is the home of UofL Basketball.
That apparantly isn't enough to pay the bills.



Drive by the YUM Center on any given night. I did recently while going westbound on I-64. It was lit up, a shining jewel on the Louisville riverfront. Visable from over a mile away. There weren't any events going on there that night, but all the lights were on. I wouldn't want to cover the monthly LG&E bill.

The arena is used for college basketball primarily. There have also been some top flight concerts there. Headliner acts Taylor Swift, Lady Ga Ga, the Eagles, Rush and more to come...like Jimmy Buffet and Van Halen. It isn't enough.

Projected revenues the first year of operation were $6.7 million dollars. Actual revenues were $2.1 million. In 2011 $8.3 was projected. $3.9 was generated.

I'm no math major or CPA, but it's pretty clear to me that expectations are not reaching their goals. If I spent $80,000 a year, and made only 39,000...I'm pretty sure that my bank balance wouldn't be "in the black."

The arena is in a six-square-mile district taxing area. The main problem is that the revenue in this special taxing district isn't covering the tab. What happens once the reserve money runs out? The investment bonds get downgraded. It's like your credit score. If you are in debt and failing to cover your bills, your credit score drops.

Can the area ever cover the spread? New businesses and sources of revenue will help add to the tax base, but if people don't frequent the restaurants, bars and other areas for consumer spending...these places won't make money and will eventually close.

I've never been to the area businesses surrounding the Arena on non-event nights. My guess is that places like Bearno's,The Troll Pub, Impellizari's and the 4th street Live venues aren't as busy.

Will the beautiful facility by the Ohio River become a white elephant? Probably not. Will it ever become a profitable arena? Probably not.

It's a great place to watch a basketball game or concert. It just can't pay for itself. The 'bucket' doesn't have enough 'chicken' in it. This infant is 15 months old...but needing much more attention than the parents can provide or finance. 2000 people for a BIG EAST volleyball game is an amazing turnout. In a 22,000 seat arena though, the revenue probably doesn't pay the utilities and employee expenses for the day. Pro sports? The thought of NBA basketball there sends some people into violent hysteria and uncontrollable rage. Share our college gym with a bunch of overpaid professional athletes? Not on my watch. And, just how many NBA teams actually make money? Maybe they should turn part of the facility into a Wal-Mart. Those stores always seem to have a lot of business. (I'm kidding, before you start sending us e-mails...) 

When monies owed exceed monies earned for any extended period of time..you know the scenario. It's called "being in debt."  

Welcome to corporate America.

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Jeff Walz energizes WBB Tipoff luncheon crowd.

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE PRESENTS:

-Articles from Jenny O' Bryan and Sandy Walker on WBB Tip-Off Luncheon

-Volleyball shuts out USF

-Football today

(Thanks to both Jenny and Sandy for these excellent reports on Friday's tip-off
luncheon. From their accounts, it was an excellent time!)

"We are no longer hoping to do great things. We are expecting to do great things." - Jeff Walz, University of Louisville head women's basketball coach.

Let me just start off by saying that due to scheduling conflicts in the past, this is the first Tip-Off luncheon I've been able to attend. The excitement about the impending season was immediately in effect as we sat down to have lunch. We were treated to the last 3:30 of the Xavier game that catapulted the Lady Cards to the Sweet Sixteen. If watching that come-from-behind win was not enough to stoke the fire of any burning Card fan, I don't know what could. Not that I needed my fire stoked, mind you. I am beyond ready for this season.

Coach introduced each member of the freshman class. Shawnta Dyer, UofL's medical red shirt freshman, was portrayed as absolutely giving our post players competition for playing time. Bria Smith was described as having the quickest first step of any player Walz has ever coached. Coach expects Bria to take the ball to the basket and create foul trouble for her defenders. He also mentioned that Notre Dame's Natalie Novosel went to the free throw line more the all of UofL's guards combined last season. He expects Bria to change that. Sara Hammond tag? A competitor who will have a presence in the post and a player that can also step out and hit the 15-18 foot jumper. Walz also noted her biggest problem. She smiles so much. It's not working for him to yell at Sara...only to have her smile and nod at him. When she knocks a defender off of their feet, she smiles and helps them up. (A great problem to have to deal with, right?) Jude Schimmel is competing for minutes at point guard. According to Walz, she is the best on-ball defender he has coached. She will create havoc for her opponents. She needs work on limiting her turnovers and protecting the ball. 

Walz did not spend much time talking about the sophomores and juniors, noting that we should all know who they are by now. He did comment about having four sophomores that logged a lot of time last season. They know their expectations and they are prepared to deliver. 

Coach also spoke about the two Lady Card seniors. Two things of special note were that Mo and Becky were the first two players to make it through four years of Coach Walz. That being quite an accomplishment. They are also the only remaining players who have Final Four and National Championship game experience. (Keisha Hines played four years for Walz but was recruited by Tom Collen.)

In talking about Mo, Coach spoke passionately about Mo's "Granny" who all the players know. He talked about the local folks, years ago, doubting Mo could compete at a collegiate level. Mo wouldn't work hard enough, according to them. Supposedly, she'd never listen.  Coach revealed that when Mo and Granny came to UofL for a visit, and he met Granny, he knew Mo would succeed...because of the support system around her. Coach also noted that if any trouble is brewing, Granny will step in.

No one wants Granny to step in. No one! 

As a three year starter, Walz expects great things from Mo this year. She understands the expectations. It is fair to say that Mo has, and continues to, prove the naysayers wrong. I, too, believe we will see great things from Mo this year.

Finally, Walz spoke about Becky. He talked about her infamous three point shot. He spoke of her knowledge and understanding her role on the team. As a freshman, her instructions were to stand on the wing, wait to see if Angel was going to throw the ball out and then shoot her shot if that happened. Her game has evolved since those days. She drives, rebounds and even occasionally plays defense now...according to Walz, tongue-in-cheek.

The Lady Cards have two players with a national championship game under their belt. Sophomores with extensive playing time as freshmen. McDonalds' All-Americans. Kentucky Miss Basketballs. The Schimmel sisters. 14 players that could walk on any campus in this nation and compete for a starting spot. The best fan base in women's college basketball.

Dear friends, we have depth, quickness and great defenders. I believe we are poised for a deep run in the tournament this year. For any naysayers out there, I've got one word for you.

Granny. You can take it up with her.

-Jenny O' Bryan

(Great report from Jenny! Sandy Walker was also in attendance. Here's her take.)

Yesterday, 700 attendees were fortunate enough to attend the 2011-12 University of Louisville Women's Basketball Tip Off Luncheon. 5th year head coach Jeff Walz was the featured speaker. The UofL Pep Band, cheerleaders, and Lady Cards greeted us as we walked in the arena. Beautifully prepared tables filled the YUM! arena floor and we were surrounded by four large video screens that gave everyone a great view of the dais...where the team was individually introduced.

We were also entertained by video highlights and a portion of the Xavier game. We got a inside peak of the progress and status of the player's development which left us with an eagerness for the upcoming season.

Pack this place, Cardinal fans!

Our table held a lively conversation concerning the need for every fan to encourage first time game attendance from people we know. Just one game will convert them into permanent fans. Coach challenged the fans to raise last year's 10,000+ home game average to 13,000 and to overcome the dilemma of weekday afternoon tip-offs. To help meet the target, season ticket holders that are directly responsible for 1 or 2 additional  purchased season tickets by December 10th. will be rewarded with a T-Shirt, followed by a UofL pullover. The top two season ticket sellers will win either a $500 shopping spree at the YUM! Center Cardinal Store or a chance to participate as a travelling member of the team for an entire road trip.

Coach Walz took pains to let everyone know that with such a large group of talented players, each must buy into their specific role to help the team win. He stressed the need for someone who could lock down an opponent on defense.



Get on the bus and head to Lexington!

 It was announced that the Fastbreak Club is sponsoring group travel from Papa John's Stadium to the UK game on December 4th. Your trip must be reserved by calling (502) 500-4756 by November 23rd.  For $40, you get bus fare, a game ticket and food and drinks during the trip. The team will definitely need and appreciate everyone's support at what is always a partisan and rowdy UK "pack the house" event crowd.

Sunday's 3 p.m. game against Lindsey Wilson will be preceded by the women's soccer team playing Providence at Cardinal Park. It's a BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinal match and fans are encouraged to attend both. 

We've waited since last April. It's finally time to enjoy and support our women's basketball team again....all the way to Denver! 

Let the games begin! 

-Sandy Walker

(Thanks, Sandy for an excellent report on the event! CARDINAL COUPLE is very fortunate to have two writers with the passion, knowledge and spirit that we have in both Jenny and Sandy. LET'S GO CARDS!)

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Lola leaps for another kill



The University of Louisville volleyball team took the Bulls by the horns yesterday in Tampa and won convincingly in three sets...25-23, 25-14 and 25-23. Lola stepping up big again for Anne Kordes' squad with 13 kills. Emily Juhl added 1o for UofL, who goes to 17-6 overall and 9-1 in BIG EAST play.

It was a little closer than expected in game one...the teams battling back and forth and reaching a 22-22 tie before getting a couple of Lola kills to win by three. The Cards had no such problems in game two...steadily increasing the lead throughout the match to win by 11. USF tried to force a fourth game and was tied with UofL at 22-22 in game three before a huge kill from Lola gave the Cards another two point win for game and match.

The Cards hit an outstanding .402 for the match and outdug USF 40-33. They also recorded six serving aces, led by Emily Juhl's two. Caitlin Welch had 17 digs. 

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The Orange won't be this happy this afternoon

Charlie Strong leads the football Cards into a noon tilt with the Syracuse Orangemen today in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Syracuse comes in hot...having shocked WVU last time out 49-23 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange (5-2) won't put up those kind of numbers on Louisville's defense...but the Cards (3-4) will need to get the offense rolling for today's homecoming crowd if they want to improve to 4-4.

Noon kickoffs. Oughta be a law against 'em...

nochoiceisachoice

BIG EAST WBB to go to 18 games in 2012-13

FRIDAY EDITION CARDINAL COUPLE:

-BIG EAST TO INCREASE LEAGUE GAMES IN 2012-13

-VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Get ready for some changes in the 2012-13 BIG EAST Women's Basketball schedule. I know, you're thinking, can't we play the 2011-12 season first before they start monkeying around with things? New BIG EAST Associate Commissioner for Women's Basketball...Danielle Donehew...has a way of jumping right into things, though...whether they make sense, are right or not.

The BIG EAST commissioner tells Dorothy
she has to add two league games.

18 league games will be the new schedule for the 17 BIG EAST school in 2012-13. This is an increase of two league games from the current conference schedule. TCU joins the league in 2012-13. All schools will play each other once, then there will be two schools that will play each other twice. Repeat opponents will continue to be determined on a year-to-year basis by the conference staff and they will use the criteria of attractive television inventory, competitive issues, RPI implications, geographical issues and minimizing travel costs. 

Hold on one daggone minute...in the words of cartoon character Quick Draw McGraw. The original reason that a "mirror" opponent was added in the beginning was to give school and equal amount of home games and away games, right? 16 teams, 15 conference games...adding one game gave each school eight home and eight away games. Now, with the addition of TCU, 17 teams, 16 games...and (hold the presses) let's bump it up to nine home games and nine away.

Makes perfect sense to us. While we're at it, let's just make it an even twenty and let the conference members decide just who they'd like play twice. (Seton Hall and Cincinnati are going to get a lot of phone calls). Maybe they could let Geno draw up the schedule each year for the BIG EAST. Maybe I could be commissioner for a few days....

Danielle non-sequiters away the reason for the change:

"The change in the conference schedule reflects the growth of BIG EAST women's basketball. As the league grows, we need to adapt in order to create the best presentation of our teams and to showcase the depth and talent of the league."

(Yep...that Tuesday night game between Villanova and TCU will sure do that...)

Let's re-word Danielle's statement for her and see how it flies...

"The change in the conference schedule reflects that the BIG EAST Football conference got a chance to add a powerhouse (TCU) and then for no apparent reason, I decided to add a couple of women's basketball conference games because I can...I'm the commish." 

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UofL volleyball season tickets went on sale Thursday and it is a sweet deal if you like volleyball. 12 games for $55 and six of them in the KFC YUM! Center. Don't want to go to Cardinal Arena to watch? There is also a six-pack package out there for just the KFC YUM! games...$30 bucks gets you in the downtown arena with a reserved seat for the six games.  

Volleyball in the KFC YUM!..will they pack the place?

Youth (3-18) get in a lot cheaper and faculty/staff members get a price cut also.

You can download a form from www.uoflsports.com to get your seats or wait till the end of July and order them over the phone from the UofL Ticket Office.

Good competition ahead for the home games...10 of the 12 home opponents made it to the NCAA tournament last year.

CARDINAL COUPLE Director of Nonsense and Wagering Tommy Boy weighed in on the move...

"I'll go. I think the move to KFC YUM! will be a great move for UofL. More fans will have access to the games, more concession areas are available than at Cardinal Arena and the only real question that remains is if they'll open the lower level bars and beer stands.."

Hmmm...weekend volleyball with beer involved? Reminds us of our days in the novice league at St. Martha.

New volleyball coach Anne Kordes has a wealth of talent returning from last year's BIG EAST Tournament Championship team and it all begins in the YUM! on Sept. 23rd. when St. John rolls into town.

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The Incredible YUM, BIG EAST review

MONDAY @ C.C.

-Louisville 2nd in nation in WBB attendance

-BIG EAST still crowded at top
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-gone too soon...
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The University of Louisville womens basketball team is in their first season of home games in the KFC YUM Center. The beautiful, state of the art downtown arena has been a popular venue to watch the Lady Cards play hoops in...Louisville is second in the nation (behind Tennessee) in womens basketball home game attendance...averaging 10901 per game after 11 contests. The Cards seem to like it there...going 10-1 in games played there.
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How are the other attendance figures per game in the BIG EAST for womens basketball? Here's a breakdown by school:

CINCINNATI 1,041.... NOTRE DAME 8557.... SETON HALL 543
CONNECTICUT 9885.... PITTSBURGH ....2348....SOUTH FLORIDA 1195
DE PAUL 2512 ....PROVIDENCE 249.... SYRACUSE 1259
GEORGETOWN 964.... RUTGERS 2938.... VILLANOVA 569
MARQUETTE 1417.... ST. JOHN'S 2635.... WEST VIRGINIA 2671

Several of the schools have more than one place where they play home games. Connecticut uses the XL Center and Gampel Pavillion. St. John's has played in Carnesecca Arena and Madison Square Garden...Seton Hall has both Walsh Arena and the Prudential Center available. Taking all sixteen schools into account, BIG EAST womens basketball averages 3125 a home game.
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We have to wonder what kind of effect it has on a visiting team in the KFC YUM Center...used to crowds of 1200 or less to encounter over 10,000 screaming UofL fans. A few of the visiting players and coaches we've heard from claim it doesn't distract them...but we think that may just be "coach and player speak." We know what other fans think about it...a Rutgers fan in attendance Saturday for the game against Louisville commented that "it sounded like a 747 about to take off" several times during the game. A couple of visiting fans from Dayton told us that the YUM is "the loudest place we've ever attended a womens college basketball game."
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Arena size and other competition for the dollar no doubt affects attendance levels. Three schools play in arenas that seat less than 3000 (Providence, Seton Hall and Georgetown). Six schools have home contests in arena designed to seat under 10,000 (DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Rutgers, St, John's, Villanova). 15,000 and under seating is the case at Cincinnati, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, South Florida, and West Virginia. Only Louisville and Syracuse are over 20,000 in seating capacity. Major pro sports are present and taking place at the same time of year in nine of the BIG EAST school locations.
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It is a testament to the support and fervor of the Louisville fan base that the LADY CARDS are second in the nation. Coincidentally, attendance started to soar for Louisville women's basketball when a young lady from Baltimore, Maryland showed up on campus. Attendance increased each year Angel McCoughtry played for Louisville. After her graduation, the fan base still grew...fawning over diminutive Shelby Harper and the gutsy night after night efforts of Monique Reid. Both are back this year and Shoni "Showtime" Schimmel was recently voted your favorite Lady Card here at CARDINAL COUPLE. T.o hear the roar of Louisville fans when the team gets on a run...or Schimmel or Burke knock down a three is pretty incredible. Gives you goose bumps and makes you glad you're a part of the "magic on Main." Monique Reid calls it amazing and reports that the players get very pumped up for each appearance in the palace by the Ohio.
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A little past the halfway point in the BIG EAST regular season schedule finds two teams still undefeated in conference play...Connecticut and DePaul. Those two will face each other this Saturday at Gampel Pavillion. Notre Dame has one loss (to UConn). They get a rematch with the Huskies at Gampel on Saturday, February 19th. The Irish end the regular season at DePaul on Monday, February 28th. Rutgers has two defeats (Louisville and UConn) but are faced with the tough task of playing Notre Dame and DePaul back to back and on the road in mid-February. It gets crowded after that...five BIG EAST teams have three losses (Louisville, West Virginia, Marquette, Georgetown and Syracuse). Although all nine statistically have a shot at winning the regular season...we surmise here at CARDINAL COUPLE that whoever wins the UConn vs. DePaul matchup Saturday is the team that will take the title.
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Villanova and Seton Hall are winless in BIG EAST play. Both remain on Louisville's schedule. Pittsburgh, USF and Cincy have but one win. The Cards face USF on the road Saturday, February 19th. Louisville has played and defeated Cincy (twice) and Pitt.
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Maya Moore looks to be well on her way to gather another BIG EAST player of the year honor for Connecticut...but who will join her on the All-BIG EAST team? If we had to vote today, we'd have to select Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame), Kayla Alexander (Syracuse), Keisha Hampton (DePaul), Liz Repella (West Virginia) and Sugar Rodgers (Georgetown) to join her. We'll offer Monique Reid (Louisville), Tiffany Hayes (UConn), Angel Robinson (Marquette), Devereaux Peters (Notre Dame) and Da'Shena Stevens (St. John's) for a second team.
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BIG EAST Freshman of the Year looks to be a two way battle between Bria Hartley (UConn) and Shoni Schimmel (Louisville). Trailing them is Natalie Achonwa (Notre Dame) and Katie Plouffe (Marquette).
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BIG EAST COACH of the YEAR has some interesting possibilities. Doug Bruno at DePaul has done a masterful job so far. You always have to consider Geno Auriemma (UConn) and Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame). Jeff Walz (Louisville), Terri Mitchell (Marquette) and Quentin Hillsman (Syracuse) are just behind the leaders.
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Disappointment of the year so far? Maybe the way St. John's stumbled from a 5th preseason ranking to 4-4 in the conference and double digit drubbings by Louisville, DePaul, UConn and Notre Dame. The Red Storm does have the majority of the tough opponents out of the way, though...and if they can accomplish wins on the road at Marquette and West Virginia and defend the home court against Rutgers, Georgetown and Syracuse...we'll reconsider the tag.
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Pleasant surprise of the year so far? We're going with the LADY CARDS. Losses to UConn and Notre Dame were pretty much expected, the Marquette loss we can see...but wins over Rutgers and St. John's wern't envisioned by many. Louisville has several tough tests left and they have struggled away from the YUM CENTER...but if they can survive at Syracuse and continue the home advantage against DePaul, Georgetown and WVU...we think the selection is valid.
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CARDINAL COUPLE was saddened to hear about the recent death of UofL fan Dr. David Decker. He was a fixture at many UofL sporting events over the years and was a regular visitor here at our site. The friendly family physician loved Cardinal football with a passion and will be missed. Dr. Dave was also an accomplished pianist...we remember him tickling the ivories 'back in the day' with local legendary band CITY LIGHTS. Go easy, bro.
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Reid and Lady Cards ranked 8th in BIG EAST

WELCOME TO THE TUESDAY EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE (We're glad you made it!)

-Reid ranked as 8th best player in BIG EAST

-UofL WBB ranked as 8th best team in BIG EAST

-YUM Center making money? Who knew...

-Kom on the sidelines

(Information from the Rutgers Rivals WBB Chat board.)

Monique Reid, pictured here, is ranked the 8th best player in the BIG EAST, according to an outfit called f-reports...We did a search and couldn't find any on-line information about the rating service but we'll go ahead and post their top ten BIG EAST players here. Not totally convinced that we're in full agreement with all the rankings and ratings here...but they aren't too far off. We'd probably move Reid up a spot or two and drop the Connecticut freshman Dolson down a few spots...

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1) Maya Moore-Connecticut-Sr. (No argument here...she's the best of the BIG EAST).

2) Madina Ali-WVU-Sr. (She's had a strong season so far for the Eers).

3) Angel Robinson-Marquette-Sr. (Can't argue this one either...this Angel can soar also).

4) Keisha Hampton-DePaul-Jr. (She's a little over-ranked here, in our opinion, but very good).

5) Stefanie Dolson-Connecticut-Fr. (A good player but not this good. Borderline top ten).

6) Kayla Alexander-Syracuse-So. (We would move her up a notch or two. A banger).

7) Sugar Rodgers-Georgetown-So. (Another one we'd move up. Quick, effective guard).

8) Monique Reid-Louisville-Jr. (The 'super sub' is top five in our stats.)

9) Liz Repella-WVU-Sr. (Are we the only ones who think she's been around 8 yrs.?).

10) April Sykes-Rutgers-Jr. (Breakout season for her. Not our namesake either.)

All in all, an OK list but we'd need to find room for Sam Quigley from DePaul in here somewhere and also Andrea Smith from South Florida. Shoni Schimmel is also on the bubble for making this group. We'll try to see how this list changes as the season progresses. If we can find it again.

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David Wilson does computer rankings of the basketball conferences and here's his latest of the BIG EAST. You can see his work over at http://www.talismanred.com/ Below is his top 10 for the BIG EAST:

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1) Connecticut 898

2) WVU 863

3) Syracuse 854

4) Marquette 720

5) DePaul 712

6) Georgetown 709

7) Notre Dame 700

8) Louisville 682

9) Rutgers 675

10) St. John's 665

He has Louisville ranked 42nd in the nation currently, putting the Cards squarely 'on the bubble' if the NCAA Selection Committee had to pick tournament teams today. Not real convinced here that there is that much difference between Syracuse, Marquette and DePaul..but after all, it is a computer.

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According to a published report in yesterday's Courier-Journal, the Louisville Arena Authority expects a profit in the first year of the KFC YUM ARENA in downtown Louisville. You can read the whole story at: www.courier-journal.com/fdcp/?1292322384500. If the link doesn't work, it's in Monday's paper. Buy or borrow one.

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We don't like the fact that the arena authority has to pay Freedom Hall $750,000 to cover its lost income because of events that have moved to the arena. Who in their right mind would choose Freedom Hall over the new downtown arena for anything? And, they just re-did portions of the Hall in Wildcat blue. I know they miss that $6 they used to get from us for parking at events out there...The KFEC also manages both facilities...so isn't this a little bit of double dipping here? Maybe it's gratitude money that is being paid for not having to be stuck forever on Ring Road.

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-Jim Host suggests that the arena could 'host' up to 140 events annually. Please, no tractor pulls or cow shows, Jim. 94 events are currently scheduled or have dates in the YUM.

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-$2.2 million is expected from food sales commission. That's a lot of nachos and cheese...

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-$1.1 will be paid out in gas and electricity. (Turn off all lights when not in use, guys!)

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Host goes on to say that even if the economy doesn't improve "we should be OK for two or three years going forward."

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(Speak for yourself, Jim...if things don't get better soon, CARDINAL COUPLE will be living in a cardboard box underneath the 2nd Street Bridge next to the Arena...)

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Former UofL golfer Danielle Kom is a noticeable impresario on the UofL sidelines during women's basketball games. She's working as a reporter for the WAZOO network and although we haven't heard her on the air doing a broadcast yet, she's a fixture next to Bob Valvano and Drew Deener when they're on the air.

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In addition to four years of golf at the 'Ville, she was also President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Kom attended high school at Christian Academy here in Louisville and also played basketball in addition to golf while there.

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WE'VE had the chance to sit next to her a couple of times this year and she's got a great personality and big smile. Some big time network or city will most likely come by and swoop her away from UofL and WAZOO before too long. We're gonna enjoy her presence while we can.

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(I'd make her play from the men's tees if I teed it up against her and I'd probably need 2-3 strokes a hole...considering the way I play. We are talking about Putt-Putt, right?)

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POST ARTICLE NOTE...Maybe we spoke too soon about Danielle. She thought CARDINAL DOMINANCE did this write up and has joined the CARDINAL DOMINANCE website. Hey, happens all the time. We're so insignificant that dogs won't even shake hands with us. We appreciate that CARDINAL DOMINANCE reposts most of our articles over at their site and also on Facebook. Sometimes, people even read them and realize that it was us who actually wrote them. And sometimes not. Shannon is the 'man' when it comes to recruiting information and coverage of the football Cards. And, he cooks a mean Italian Sausage over a propane grill.

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Two stroke penalty, Danielle.

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WE'RE not in the business of telling jokes here at CARDINAL COUPLE (although we do joke around a lot over on the left side of the site...) but gotta share this one with you.

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An Indian chief instructs his tribesmen to collect firewood for the upcoming winter. They bring in a bunch and ask him how much more they should collect. He tells them that he'll let them know in a couple of days...he rides into the nearest town and sends the guys at the National Weather Service a telegram...who assure him that it's going to be a cold winter. He has the tribe collect more firewood...but just to make sure, he contacts again and they once again assure him that it's gonna be a cold winter. The tribe finds all the firewood possible and Chief sends one more telegram to the National Weather Service.

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"How can you be sure that it's going to be a cold winter?" he asks them.

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"The Indians are collecting an incredible amount of firewood." is the reply.

The KFC YUM! Center

WEDNESDAY @ C.C. University of Louisville Basketball season ticket holders were invited to tour the KFC YUM! Arena in downtown Louisville and CARDINAL COUPLE was there to bring you these photos from inside the arena. I arrive at the Arena around 3:30 p.m. and find that there is parking underneath the facility. Park the car, walk to the elevator and up to the lobby. The first glimpse is impressive and breath-taking. The lobby space is so large and spacious..so high and open. Right off the bat, I run into the Afternoon Underdogs, Tony Vanetti and Dave Jennings, doing their radio show live from the lobby. I had been listening to them on the way to the arena...so we stop by.Vanetti pats me on the back...indicates he is on the air listening to a caller and we shake hands and I move on. In the lobby, there are two escalators...one that takes you to the 100 level seating and another that goes upstairs to the 300 level. I take the 100 level

escalator and enter a concourse that has plenty of food vendors and a wide open walking area. I walk toward the inside concourse that circles the floor and run into one of my yellow shirted CARDS CARE buddies. Tom gives me the customary hard time, we talk a bit and he directs me to where I'll be sitting for the basketball game. I gaze out on the court and I circle in a counter-clockwise direction until I get to my section. The floor looks absolutely beautiful and I look up at the higher areas of the arena and come to the conclusion that there really isn't a bad seat in this place. I get to my section and walk down the steps to my seat. I have a great view of the court, sit in my seat...which is an aisle seat...and snap a few photos with my cell phone. I take a couple of minutes to just view the whole arena from my vantage point. I look up at the scoreboard and I'm amazed on how clear the big screen definition is. A replay of the Louisville

men's team final game in Freedom Hall is on the screen and I watch Pitino coach for awhile. There is an exit very close to where I sit that leads to a downstairs bar and restroom facilities. I make a note to go check that out while I'm here and walk down the arena steps to the floor. Security is present and I talk with one of the personnel and request a chance to view the media area. After he checks out my CARDINAL COUPLE business card, he escorts me back into the area beneath the seats where the practice court is located. The locker rooms are there, too and the media area also. We go thru a couple of security checkpoints...this area has limited access...and I arrive at the media room. Amazing. It has plenty of room for the podium, media seating and high definition LED flat screens everywhere. A work area for the media has over 100 work stations with comfy chairs and full hookups for broadband, telephone and electrical

plug in's. There are a couple of fax/copiers in the room and it is well lit. I almost cry in joy...recalling the Freedom Hall media area and how much better this is here at the YUM!

(Ellis and Shirley Blanton try out their

women's basketball seats.)

My security escort leaves me...he's confident I can find my way around and he had plenty to do...so I wander down the hall and I check out the practice facility. A nice floor, six baskets and offices for both the men and women's coaches as well. The locker rooms are closed and the women's basketball team practices in the arena at 6 p.m. so I don't get access to those areas. I chat with another security guard...there are entrances and exits from the underground hallways to the underground parking lot and a special entrance for the media as well. I walk back toward an entrance to the main court and see UofL women's basketball assistant coach Michelle Clark-Heard. She smiles and greets me and I just shake my head and smile.

"It's pretty amazing, isn't it?" she laughs and I nod in agreement. I walk up the steps and back out to the court. Standing next to it, I gaze up at the seating areas and lighting above. What I wouldn't give for one chance to lace up the Nike's and plod up and down this mecca. I walk around the court and run into Bill and Barbara Hancock (pictured right) who I've sat with at men's and women's basketball games for many years. We check out the view from the seats..Bill is a little concerned about the view from our aisle seats...but otherwise we're in amazement about this incredible facility. We talk a bit more and I'm anxious to go back to the court, so I wander down by the area where the media will watch the game. I run into UofL Card Game website owner Charlie Springer and we stand
beneath one of the baskets...looking at sight lines, discussing the arena and recalling the old days at Freedom Hall. Charlie's got his wife Barbara with him and his trusty tape recorder and camera and he's waiting to catch a few

of the Lady Cards warming up before
practice. I offer to take him on a tour

of the media area and the three of us go back down to that area after I spend a little time talking with the Blanton's and another yellow clad CARDS CARE volunteer about the arena.

After a bit, we return to the court, where I caught Becky Bonner, UofL's Director of Basketball Operations rolling out beverages for the practice and giggling while trying to avoid me taking her picture. Not fast enough, Becky. She's pictured to the right. I also see student assistant coach Laura Terry preparing for the practice and she stops to give me a smile and pose as she attends to her duties. Fans will remember Laura from her three years of hard work as a member of the Lady Cards basketball team. 62 games and 3 years of effort.
We've got her photo over on the left side of the site.

I could go on for hours about the rest of the day in KFC YUM! but we'll just leave you with a few photos and let you know that it was a magical, exciting day.

(The Evan Williams Bourbon Bar)

(The view from section 301)

(The scorboard, as viewed from Section 116)

(Floor shot from the same section)

(Cardinal guard Shelby Harper poses for CARDINAL COUPLE during warmups.)

A different look at Shoni Schimmel

(Pictured here with Atlanta Dream's Iziane Castro Marquez and one of the youngest Dream fans around, Angel McCoughtry contributed 11 points to an Atlanta blowout of Tulsa this afternoon 105-89.)

Good thing they got the photo in before Marquez broke her nose in practice Monday. With the win, Atlanta goes to 16-9 and is 1/2 game out of first place in the WNBA Eastern Division. All Dream players scored in the win today...Atlanta led by 30 in the first half before coasting in for the "W".

Shoni Schimmel isn't your typical freshman rolling onto a college campus this fall. She might just be the best native American to play the women's college basketball game. A very revealing look at her, her decision and her hopes and expectations can found in the wonderful article written by Jack McNeel at the link listed below. It's worth a few minutes of your time to give it a read.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/Sensational-senior-Louisville-bound-98115039.html

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Day 2 concludes in the U.S.A. vs. Sypher trial. Highlights of the trial? We got to hear the phone messages Lester the Phone Guy left for Rick Pitino concerning the Sypher matter, plus a phone call to Lester from Sypher asking him to call her. None of the recordings are going to get nominated for a Grammy, I can tell you that. There were also witnesses on the stand that were in the restaurant the evening of the tryst. No word on how the house salad was tossed..

Also, portions of the WDRB tapes with Sypher describing the alleged rape were played. Once again, no award winning performances in these. She asked him what was going on and he told her to shut up. Allegedly. Sound like a normal evening in my brother in law's living room.

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Ticket selection is going on for women's basketball seats for the new arena. According to a couple of people I have talked to, it's fairly painless and a pretty quick process. You're shown a few charts of seating in the KFC YUM! Arena and what is available. Thanks to our good friends who shared this information with us and also were able to make seat selections by proxy for members of my family. We're about in the same area we were in Freedom Hall and that's pretty sweet. I guess the wrestling match will occur when we have to decide who will be covering UofL Women's Basketball for CARDINAL COUPLE down on press row. I like my chances in this one.