Louisville women's basketball -- Cards use second half to maul Michigan -- Volleyball tonight! -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

HINES-ALLEN'S 19, DEFENSE SEND WOLVERINES HOME 74-49.

(Paulie here...filling in for a stuck-in-meetings-Worldwide, who would normally have the Friday write-up. We do what we do.) 

The Ladybirds sometimes stand in front of me.
I don't complain.  (Photo by Paulie)

After 20 minutes in the KFC YUM! Center last night, many Cardinal fans were shaking their heads in puzzlement. The #5 Cards trailed Michigan 37-32 at the half and Louisville was a less-than-stellar 1-10 from the three-point arc. After the next twenty minutes, Cardinal fans were shaking their heads in amazement after a half where the Cards outscored the Wolverines 43-12. A total domination and "owning" of a team that should be in the thick of the fight for the Big 10 title. 

Defense. It was something that was a tale of two halves, as well. Louisville allowed 65.2% shooting in the first twenty. Katelynn Flaherty was doing her best Asia Durr impression with five-for-five three point shooting and Walz tried everyone but Jared Anderson in trying to stop her. Fast forward to the end of the final half. The Boots shot 19% from the floor and limited Flaherty to a scant six points. No threes in one attempt. Face guarding a hot player has its perks. Michigan scored six points in 33 minutes before Walz unloaded the bench.

I also get cheerleaders performing in front of my.
No complaints, here. (Photo by Paulie)

Jeff Walz may complain about the inconsistency. He told the girls they might as well go home in the half-time locker room chat....because no one wanted to watch this performance. He probably said a few other things that we probably couldn't print here. Whatever oratorical masterpiece he delivered sunk in. The Cards played like a squad that would like to return to Columbus in March. 

The Cards earned their right to stay home Sunday and bring Oregon into the Arena by the River for the preseason WNIT finals. The Ducks waddled past Texas A&M in the other semifinal game last night 83-68. A pre-season "Holiday Road" for them...from Eugene to College Station to Louisville. Hopefully, they'll bring Randy Quaid and leave Ruthie Hebard home. The sophomore forward went 10-10 for 24 points last night against the Aggies. 

It was a good night for Jeff Walz. Not only did his team rise to the challenge, but his Pittsburgh Steelers dismembered the Titans...Tennessee version. Maybe he should play Powerball...

I often set out cookies for the refs at halftime. They never take
them. Maybe I should add milk. (Photo by Paulie) 

Most impressive for the Cards also was their forcing 23 turnovers and creating 24 points off them. 16 in the second half, when the Wolverines looked like a Saturday Night Live parody of a basketball team. Head coach Kim Barnes Arico said it best when she commented post-game: 

"They were able to turn up their defense and create havoc for us...we started getting tighter and tighter...making one pass and taking a shot." 

The Cards were undaunted by the 6'6" Michigan center Hallie Thome. UofL won the points-in-the-paint battle 40-16 and held Thome to six points and one rebound in her 24 minutes. She fouled out with 6:16 to play and the Cards up 60-43. 

Our buddy Daryl Foust appears consternated. Maybe
by Charlie? (Photo by Jared Anderson)

Many contributions from the Louisville bench last night as well. Syd "Z" nailed to trifectas, Bionca Dunham with six rebounds and four points in 13 minutes and Kylee Shook added four points and four grabs in 12 minutes. Dana Evans, that precocious freshman with the poise of a senior, had four assists and played lock-down defense in her 24 minutes...also sinking a three. 

It may be the best start of a season for this Walz squad since the 2014-15 season, when the Cards opened 8-0 before falling to UK in the YUM! He certainly has many pieces to put on this year's chess-board and can go fast, tall or small...depending on the circumstances. Maybe it's too early to tell just how this team will fare...but they've overcome adversity twice so far in four games. 

Myisha Hines-Allen, DOOO-BLAY, with a solid effort. No double/double but proclaiming, once again, that "this is my paint, my turf and you should just leave". She'll get a test against the Ducks. Hebard is 6'4" worth of just plain nasty forward skills and Oregon has seven players 6'3" or taller. 

Rarer than a Yeti sighting...a Jeff Walz smile during
a UofL basketball game (Photo by Jared Anderson) 

Asia? Well, she can't have 47 every night...but she came up a solid 13 points after a sluggish start. She does get a little fired up when she sees her teammates succeed, as well. Call her "Nite-nite". Call her "50-Piece"...just make sure and call her number when they do the starting lineups. She logged the most minutes for the Red and Black last night with 30. 

Not quite 5800 entered the KFC YUM! Center and that's a massive downer. This team deserves your patronage and support. Forget whatever petty reasons you're coming up with and be there Sunday. 


THE FRED REPORT 

NFL wide receiver Fred Bilitnekoff  is
today's FRED pic. Fred could grab 'em.

FREE THROWS -- No complaints here. 14-16 works. On the two misses (one by Fuehring, one by MHA) the Cards did not counter with a rebound, putback or score...so the Walz "3 is better than 2" theorem did not come into play. WE AWARD A CAPITAL "F" FOR THAT FOUL LINE EXCELLENCE. 

REBOUNDS -- Louisville won the battle of the boards 35-27 after getting out-rebounded 15-13 in the first half. I liked Dunham and Myisha's effort and Asia's, too...plus holding Thome at bay. Impressive but I can only issue a small case "r" here. 

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- A tale of two halves here. For as ponderous and slow-to-react the Cards were in the first twenty, they looked like lionesses ready to pounce on crippled Caribou to end the game. We'll go with the small-case "e" here. 

DEFENSE -- Once again, good cop, bad cop. Allowing 65.2% shooting won't win you many games and that's what Michigan produced inn the first two quarters. They slipped to 43.2% for the game and Louisville did win the turnovers created battle. A tough call but, we'll stay lower case "d". 

FRED FINAL:  F-r-e-d

Michigan's Kim Barnes Arico during
a happier moment Thursday night
(Photo by Jared Anderson)

All in all, all's well that ends well. The Cards knock off a top 25 foe and do it with a huge second half. Just win, baby. 

Games can take strange twists and turns. What sometimes appears to be a struggle can magically turn into a reversal-of-fortunes and rout for the previously trouble team. We're not sure what magic dust Walz and the coaches sprinkled on the Cards at halftime, but, it worked. We're not sure what Walz said in entirety to the squad during the break, but I hope someone recorded it and keeps it on file to play back if similar circumstances develop.  

Louisville has greatness in Myisha and Asia. They have stability in Sam and Arica. They have explosiveness in Jazz and Dana. They have height in Kylee and Bionca. Add in the learning Loretta, bombing Syd and a attack Yorkie and you end up with a unit that has impressed, surprised and succeeded so far. Let's hope that mixture is still just as savory in 2018.


Please show up Sunday, fans. 

POST GAME WALZ

POST GAME SAM FUEHRING AND MYISHA HINES ALLEN

HIGHLIGHTS



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VOLLEYBALL VS. NC STATE TONIGHT

It's a battle of the top-of-conference standing teams tonight in Cardinal Arena when Louisville and NC State put their 14-2 conference records on the line at 7:30 p.m.

This should be a good one. The VolleyCards are on a seven-game win streak and hold their fate in their hands. NC State enters with five wins in a row. Something's gotta give. 

It's Stadium Cup night for the first 500 through the doors and poster giveaway, too. WE'll recap this one on THE CARDINAL CUP RADIO HOUR Saturday at 11 a.m. on WCHQ and in Case's Saturday write-up.

There could be the entire "A" team attendance tonight at the match. Wild lions couldn't keep WorldWide away, Jared will be there staring through his camera, we may have sufficiently goaded Case into attending and Paulie most likely will meander through the doors. 

Join us, won't you? 7:30 is the designated start time. 


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RADIO AND DONATIONS

We'l descend into the Basement on the Hill Saturday morning with plenty to talk about on THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR.  Jared will be off-air, turning twenties into five's and ten's...but JC (no period) Julie Sullivan will grab the bat and step into the box to pinch hit. We'll have audio clips, World-Wide provided pastries and lots of fun. 

11 a.m. WCHQ 100.9 FM. www.crescenthillradio.com Download the WCHQ app. 

We have been urging you to help us during Donation Month with your kind offerings and we're pleased with the results so far. 

Today, I bring you this e-mail, from a respectfully-requested anonymous donor: 

"What you and your team do on your website is unique on the Internet. Each day you provide readers with full coverage on UofL sports and you don't clog up the articles with ads or commercials. I can access each day, go back and read old articles and there are no exclusive or premium fees. For me, this is worth $50 a year and I have sent such to you via Pay Pal. Thank you for what you do and keep doing it." 

Please help us in these next two weeks with your kind donation: 

Mail to: 

CARDINAL COUPLE
c/o Paul Sykes
PO BOX 91521
LOUISVILLE, KY  40291


Thank you.


paulie
xxxxx 

USA U 19, Moore defeat China 88-62 in Pool Play Sunday -- Monday Cardinal Couple

Moore with nine points, three assists in 26-point win

The USA U 19 team jumped out to a 12 point first quarter lead Sunday in Chekhov, Russia against the Chinese U 19 squad and steadily increased upon that as the game progressed...winning 88-62 to go 2-0 in pool play.

Louisville's soon-to-be-sophomore Mariya Moore played 20 minutes in the romp, hitting 2-4 of her trifecta attempts and ending with nine points and a team high three assists...all points scored in the second half. She worked well with the USA bigs again in today's game. 

They all bring a really big presence,” said Mariya Moore (Louisville/Richmond, Calif.) regarding her team’s post players. “I think that other teams focus on our inside, and even though they focus on it, we still get enough points inside.”

Another slow start for USA, who started Moore, A'ja Wilson, Gabby Ortiz, Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens...trailing 9-8 after the first two minutes. When in doubt, go inside to A'ja Wilson and the USA responded with a 10-2 run over the next 150 seconds to lead 17-11 after a Collier three. 

Crystal Dangerfield hits her second buzzer beat of the tournament to make it 29-17 after 10.

Chatrice White goes for two against China

Lauren Cox may need free throw work...but she passes well and a nice feed to Shakayla Thomas gave USA a 31-17 lead early in the 2nd quarter. Mariya Moore re-entered the game shortly after and fed Cox inside to make it 35-20 with 6:35 to play. 

These officials were whistle-happy on travelling today (especially if you had USA across your jersey) but USA finished the half on a 20-9 run...following a Ortiz three with eight seconds left in the half. 

Mariya Moore got USA on the board finally...two minutes into the third quarter (another slow start to a half) with a free throw but Wilson returned to sidelines after tweaking the ankle she strained yesterday at the 5:26 mark....ending with 17 points in fifteen minutes. Moore responded to rally USA with back-to-back assists to Collier, a breakaway layup with 2:18 remaining and a three-pointer with 1:34 in the quarter to make it 72-45 USA. 

Mariya picked right up where she left off in the third by starting the fourth quarter with a three at the 9:43 mark...giving USA their biggest lead of the day at 79-47. She would eventually sit for the rest of the game a few minutes later and Shakayla Thomas took over for USA...who went on to win by 26. 

SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS:

--  KBA was back on the sidelines for USA today coaching. She's part of the three-part hand-off where....after a timeout...Staley hands the clipboard to Walz and goes to stand by the sidelines. Walz takes the clipboard and deftly hands it to Barnes-Arico who gets it to her seat on the bench safely and handles it until time-outs.

-- The Chinese line-up had two Wangs and two Xhangs. Once again, the rosters on the screen showed #14 as just "A" again for USA. (Maybe it's A'ja's nickname in Chekhov?) 

-- USA in white today. Didn't hear Walz yell "Go Big Blue" all afternoon. KBA had to be disappointed...Michigan is blue and she missed it yesterday. 

-- For the second day in a row, they shorten the USA national anthem in the pregame introductions. What's up with that? It's not like it's a 10 minute opus or anything. Communist plot, right? 

-- Kristine Anigwe dressed but didn't play. Probably the reason USA played Lauren Cox a lot. (18 minutes). Report was Kristine was a little under the weather. Too much caviar and borscht will do that to you. Feel better soon, KA. USA plays Egypt (0-2) Tuesday. 


paulie
xxxxx

Mariya Moore "steals" the show in 72-57 USA U 19 win -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

MOORE GETS FIVE STEALS IN ONE MINUTE AGAINST SPAIN

In what must surely be some kind of FIBA or International women's basketball competition record...Mariya Moore started out the fourth quarter of the pool play game against Spain with five straight steals in five consecutive possessions. The thefts led to a layup and two assists 
and pushed the USA lead to 67-40 with 8:58 to go in the fourth quarter. 

(Other writers are saying four steals...I saw five. Maybe one got officially credited as a turnover...but I say it was a steal. Went back and watched it again. Five steals.) 

Spain even took a time out after her fourth steal. It didn't matter...they came out of the huddle and she intercepted another pass and took it down court for an assist.

She looked like former UofL cornerback Gerald Holliman picking off an ACC quarterback. 


USA led 70-40 with 7:46 to play. At the 4 minute mark, Dawn Staley had reserves Chatrice White, Ali Patberg, Lauren Cox, Gabby Ortiz and Destiny Slocum in for mop up work on a 70-44 score.

No offense intended here...but with the four white girls left on the roster and the new kid who had been on a plane for 24 hours in the game... Spain outscored USA 13-2 over that final stretch. The game was way over by then. 

Moore had nine points for USA...getting the start. A slow start for USA and a brief scare when A'ja Wilson went crashing to the floor holding her ankle just two minutes into the contest. Fortunately, she returned several minutes later but USA led just 15-13 after 10...a Crystal Dangerfield three giving them the advantage.

This USA team looks to be at its best when they get the ball down low to Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Shakayla Thomas or Kristine Anigwe and once they started doing that...plus doubling down defensively on the Spanish ball-handlers...they pushed out to a 36-24 halftime lead. Wilson had two straight steals in the second quarter and Moore sat the bench the entire second quarter.

Why do people pose for pictures with their
hands over their crotch area? 

Give Spain credit for trying to keep it close. Two consecutive threes early in the third quarter narrowed it to 41-35 but the USA went on a 18-5 run to finish the third quarter and held a 19 point 59-40 lead before the Moore theatrics. 

Mariya finished with nine points...Wilson had 18 for USA and Thomas and Collier found double figures, too.

USA takes on China today in pool play. China defeated Egypt 73-60 yesterday.




SOME PAULIE OBSERVATIONS

-- I didn't see KBA (Kim Barnes Arico) on the USA bench. Squirrel hunting with Putin? 

-- I could definitely hear Walz from the bench. How strange is it to hear him yell "Way to go, Blue!" or "Nice job blue!" Is this the doppelganger Jeff Walz...who has embraced the Blue? 

-- Uh...what's Destiny Slocum doing on the bench? Answer:  She flew in to replace Katie Lou Samuelson. From Idaho. 24 hours on a plane. Arrive in time for warmups. Welcome to Moscow, comrade!

-- It's a 24 second clock in International play. I kinda like it...

-- I was OK with the YouTube, lack-of- announcers broadcast. I did notice that they aren't the best scorekeepers around, though. 

-- When they flashed the rosters on the screen...they listed #8 as Angel Salvadores Alvarez. What, she got married? The jersey still said Salvadores, though. 

-- The USA roster screen-listing left off Napheesa Collier and had #14 listed simply as "A". (A'ja Wilson). 

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ANOTHER GOLD FOR KELSI

UofLswimmer Kelsi Worrell picked up another gold medal in the 400 MR last night. Best swimmer in UofL women's swim team history? WTG Kelsi Whirl! Tearin' up Toronto! 



paulie
xxxxx

Track and Field and more on women's basketball

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Staff Columnist extraordinaire Jenny O'Bryan brings us the Friday Edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. Track and Field, Nita Slaughter and a shameless pitch to get you to the St. John's game Sunday up next. Grab a seat and call a friend...CARDINAL COUPLE comin' at ya!)  


There are no results to report today for Louisville Women’s Athletics, and only one team competes today and that is Track and Field.

The Track and Field team heads out for a weekend of competition.  The squad splits up and hits the road with most of the squad headed to Lexington, KY for the Rod McCravy Memorial.  The distance runners headed to Bloomington, IN for the Indiana Relays, which also starts today. 

You can get a schedule of events and live results through out the day by going to this Louisville Athletic website: 

 http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-track/spec-rel/012413aaa.html.

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As many of the Women’s basketball followers know, injuries have continued to plague the team this year.   In my mind, one player that has stepped up and started to make the most of her additional time on the court is Antonita Slaughter. 

Slaughter, a junior, has been playing some great, reliable basketball.  There was a nice article by The Courier Journal this week in regards to Slaughter, and you can find it here: 

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130124/SPORTS02/301240039/Hard-work-gets-Louisville-s-Slaughter-starting-spot

It is great to see Slaughter playing hard and consistently.  Keep it up ‘Nita, your team is benefiting from your play, hard work and consistency!

( Editor note: Jeff Walz confirmed Slaughter being the most consistent Cardinal on the season in his post-game remarks after the UC game. Against Marquette, she totalled 14 points and had (4) first half threes.)

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Another interesting link I found on the internet this week was 2012-13 team statistics across the nation.  The top 50 teams were ranked in categories such as offense, defense, steals, turnover, assists, etc.    

Of particular interest to me was where Louisville was ranked in terms of steals.  I have been very impressed this season with the high-pressure defense.  Any given game so far this season you can find Bria Smith and Jude Schimmel (specifically) and the Cardinals (as a whole) getting in passing lanes, disrupting passes and deflecting balls   The quick hands of this team defensively have kept them in many a games when the offense has been stagnant.  According to the link provided, Louisville ranks 6^th in the country in steals per game. 

In general, I am not a big statistics fan.  I despised the courses I had to take in college many years ago, and generally believe stats can be manipulated to further whatever agenda the statistician is looking for.  That being the case, I just found it interesting. 

On some level these stats are likely a bit deceptive as there are things that are not taken in to account, such as strength of schedule.  The better the team you are playing, the harder they are to guard defensively.  That is not accounted for in these stats.  It is purely numbers.   Take a look and see how our Cards stack up against teams across the nation.
 

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/statistics/team

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As Jeff mentioned yesterday here at The Couple, Women’s Basketball plays St. John’s Red Storm on Sunday at the KFC YUM! Center at 1:30.  Coach Walz is asking the Cardinal Faithful to sell out the lower “bowl” and help open the curtains to the upper deck.  The goal for this game is 13,000+ fans. 

The Cards lost twice to the Red Storm last season, once during regular season conference play in Queens, New York and the second time in the Big East tournament, in overtime.

While the Red Storm is always dangerous and starters are returning, I am looking forward to seeing what the new coaching staff is doing at St. John’s.   I mentioned it last summer when the news broke that Kim Barnes-Arico was leaving St. John’s for Michigan that I was a huge fan of hers.  I am excited to see how her former team looks without her at the helm. 

If seeing the Cards redeem themselves from the two losses last year is not enough to get you to the YUM! Center, perhaps a BIG Birthday Celebration for Louie (The Cardinal Bird) is.   Grab the kids and come help celebrate Louie’s birthday with some of his best friends as well as propel our team to a win at home.  

( We're hearing that there will also be cake and ice cream served somewhere at the KFC YUM! Center pre-game to celebrate Louie's birthday. The media hasn't been informed of the exact location. The KFC folks have seen what we do to a media buffet and also cookies at halftime. No chance they let us in on this...we may send Timmy the Intern in early disguised as a caterer to brief us...)
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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Whatever happen to?

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Whatever happened to...Kim Barnes Arico?

-He's back...

With no UofL women's sporting events on the horizon until Friday night...when the WBB squad takes on Colorado in Boulder...we thought we'd catch you up with a former Cardinal coaching foe who has changed directions and is having success in her new surroundings.

Kim Barnes Arico, formerly the head women's basketball coach at St. John's, is now at the University of Michigan and has the Wolverines off to a 8-2 start in her first season in Ann Arbor. The UM squad defeated Eastern Michigan 55-43 last night and has wins over Florida, Illinois State, and Xavier this year.

Losses have come to Utah and #4 Duke. Arico, who was 4-6 lifetime against UofL while at St. John's, defeated the Cards twice last season. The second win knocked Louisville out of the BIG EAST Tournament...a 68-61 win in overtime that saw her Red Storm squad hold the Cards to 1-12 shooting in the final five minutes.

Many were surprised when Arico made the switch to join Michigan and the BIG 10 after resuscitating the Red Storm WBB program. In her introductory press conference, she stressed the desire for her and her husband to raise their three children in an environment like Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus. We suspect the Arico checking account got a nice, little bump as well.

Leaving a squad that had starters Shenneika Smith, Eugeneia McPherson and Nadirah McKenith returning couldn't have been easy. She was the head coach at St. John's for 10 years and compiled a 176-133 record there.

Arico knows a thing or two about rebuilding. She took over a Red Storm team that was 3-24 and 0-16 the year before she got there. Last year they were 24-10 and 13-3 in the BIG EAST.

The Red Storm finished third last year in the highly competitive BIG EAST and put an end to UConn's 99 game home-winning streak during the regular season. The Red Storm is 4-3 this season under new head coach Joe Tartamella.  

Although we'll miss seeing Barnes Arico prowling the sidelines when the Cards play the Red Storm, sometimes it's "family first" when it comes to difficult decisions and if anyone can help Michigan return to prominence in BIG 10 hoops...it'll be her.

A bigger arena. And, getting out from under the shadow of Geno, Walz, Muffett, and C. Viv (although that reunion with Rutgers will resume since the Scarlet Knights will join the BIG 10). Good career move? You bet. From city lady to country girl...Kim Barnes Arico has made the transistion and, so far, it's a hayride...

( Sonja adds...When you first see her, you think she might be better suited to be sitting in front of a store on Bardstown Road, playing a beat-up accoustic guitar and smiling trippingly at the passer-bys while she sings Joni Mitchell. Flower child. Then, you watch her coach a game, see her in action. Thinking she picked the right career path.)

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...Also in the "Whatever happened to?" category...

He's back...

Will Big Red fit on the back of a Harley?

How about the news that WKU has hired Bobby Petrino as the new head football coach of the Hilltoppers? Just when we figured it was safe to go back to Bowling Green...
 
As the kids are fond of saying these days...it is what it is.

"I love red towels and I'm anxious to own a few more..."

Temporary stop on climbing the ladder back up the coaching profession? Probably. Wise move for WKU? Definitely. The loss of Willie Taggert had to hurt. Nabbing Bobby Offense has to be a marketing staff's dream. Job security for all in the WKU ticket office, plus maybe a new hire or two. The football S.I.D. at WKU is probably sending out resumes, though..."the Bobster" can be a bear when it comes to the boys with laptops.

With no further adieu, here's our Top 10 reasons why Bobby's back in Kentucky.

10. Always had a "thing" for the 'Topper' mascot Big Red...
 9.  Switching from motorcycles to Corvettes, Bowling Green has the National Corvette Museum.
 8. Lost a bar bet to John L. Smith. Loser had to apply for the WKU job.
 7. Wants to continue personal win streak over UK.
 6. Loves the song "Bowling Green" by the Everly Brothers!
 5. The voices in his head told him to.
 4.  Is Facebook friends with DaMarcus Smith and Ace Wales...taking the relationship one step further.
 3. Has always wanted to try the lunch special at Smokey Pig BBQ.
 2. Will only coach at places who have red in their color scheme ( Louisville, Atlanta Falcons, Arkansas...)
 1. Bowling Green has 12 letters. Bobby Petrino has 12 letters. Coincidence? Or fate?
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Softball, Basketball and the Big East

Softball takes two.

Amanda Zahui visits Louisville.

Big East Coach of the Year leaves St. Johns.

Softball headed to New Jersey and took care of business on Saturday, winning both, 6-3 and 6-1.  Taner Fowler had a week’s worth of play in just two games hitting 6-8 with 3 home runs on the day. 

Game one, 6-3

Taner Fowler went fence
three times Saturday.

The Cardinals took an early lead in this one with a Taner Fowler two-run homer in the second.   Seton Hall got one back in the bottom of the second, and the bottom of the third took the lead 3-2.     Watching my twitter feed, the softball Cards had me nervous in this one, not regaining the lead until the top of the 6^th with another Fowler home run, this one a solo shot, tying the game.  The Cards went on to score another 3 runs in the 6^th.  This proved enough offense for the game and the Cards sealed the victory.  Senior Tori Collins (20-1) got the win and sophomore Caralisa Connell got the save, her second on the year, holding the Seton Hall Pirates scoreless in the bottom two innings. 

Game two, 6-1

The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the top of the second, and never looked back.  The Pirates never threatened.  Fowler hit her third home run of the day, ninth of the season, in the top of the 3^rd bringing the score to 5-0.  The Pirates notched one in bottom of the third, which would prove to be the only run in the game for them.  The Cards scored once more in the 5^th, bringing the final score to 6-1. 

As Mark mentioned yesterday, Softball Cards return home for their final home stand of the season this Saturday against Georgetown.  Get down to Ulmer Stadium at 2:00 on Saturday for a double-header and/or 1:00 on Sunday.  The softball team is currently ranked 9^th in the country and should feel the fan support and love this weekend as they close at home for this fantastic season.  Currently, the Cardinals are 42-2, 13-2 Big East.  We’ll see you next weekend at Ulmer. 


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Amanda Zahui and Monny Niamke, both international basketball players will be visiting Louisville this upcoming week.   Cardinal Couple readers may remember Monny Niamke from recruiting news last summer. 

Niamke is from France and signed her NLOI to play with the Cardinals in 2011.  Due to academic issues she was ineligible to play last season and spent the year at Lindsay Wilson getting herself eligible, presumably.   Niamke played in 32 of 33 games on the season and had a FG% of .446, 3pt FG% of .351, FT% of .660.  Niamke averaged 3.8 rebounds/game, 7 blocks on the season, 52 steals and created 95 assists to 91 turnovers on the season. 

Amanda Zahui hails from Sweden.  Coach Walz reportedly was in Sweden a little over a month ago visiting Zahui.  Sounds like the visit paid off as Louisville is among 3 programs vying for her services.  Washington and Minnesota, along with Louisville will each get a visit from the Swede this upcoming week, as reported by Cardinal Couple a few days ago.  

Zahuia is a big-bodied 6’3.  Her body type looks tailor made for the Big East.  She looks to have the ability to clog up the lane defensively.  In an email exchange I had about two weeks ago with a Swedish sports columnist he suggested Zahui has a good shot, can shoot mid-range shots as well as from beyond the arc.  For a big body, she also shoots very well from the free throw line.  He went on to say  “although big, her best post moves are based on her being pretty quick and agile. She's quick around the rim, but she's not very good running up and down the floor.” 

Guestimates on my end are that Zahui will be on campus some time between Monday-Wednesday, for a 48-hour visit, before she heads off to Washington for her last of three visits. 

Cardinal fans, we should know about both of these young players in the next few weeks as the signing period ends May 16.


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Finally, Kim Barnes-Arico, most recent Big East Coach of the Year has left St. John’s to take a position with Michigan.  Barnes-Arico spent the last 10 years with the Red Storm culminating in finishing second in the Big East this year behind Notre Dame.  Barnes-Arico and her Red Storm also ended a 99 game home winning streak by Connecticut this past season.  She and her team finished the season with a loss in the Sweet Sixteen, the deepest post season run the Red Storm have ever had. 

This has to be a huge loss to the St. John’s faithful.  It definitely is a loss to the Big East.  Barnes-Arico was one of my favorite coaches in the Big East to watch.  I am sad to see her leaving, but happy that she is making a decision and change that is good for her and her family.   Michigan hit the jackpot with this hire, I believe.  Good luck in the Big 10, Coach.  We here at Cardinal Couple wish you well and much success!