Louisville Knocks Off Rust Against NKU; Bellarmine Next -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Use Late 3rd Quarter Surge to Sink Norse

After nearly a month out of action, Louisville fans couldn't have expected to see the most crisp return to the court for the Cards. Refreshed legs, sure, but the players couldn't have been terribly worn out after just five games anyway. Whatever you expected, it probably wasn't that Louisville would struggle so much in their return to the floor against a 4-4 NKU team that had yet to win a non-conference game. As their schedule currently stands, NKU now looks to finish the season 0-5 in non-conference. However, they're currently tied with IUPUI and Milwaukee atop the Horizon league and will play a double header against IUPUI for the conference lead next weekend.

To NKU's credit, they had a hand in the way the game went yesterday. The outcome was not just the result of Louisville's long layoff. The Norse shot the ball pretty well, were very active on the glass, and harassed Louisville defensively. After a scrappy first quarter, NKU hung on to win the second quarter by a pair and held the deficit to just two at the half. Louisville would have liked to have been in much more control, but NKU would not give up.

The third quarter saw the Norse take their largest lead of the game when they used an 8-0 run to open up a five point gap with five minutes remaining in the quarter. I quipped in our group chat asking if Louisville's offense had any plans of showing up yesterday, as the score at the time was just 41-36 with just 15 minutes to play. Right on cue, Louisville rattled off a 17-2 run, capped by a 14-0 finish, to lead by ten at the end of the third quarter. The Cards looked in complete control, with Dana Evans coming alive and the Norse looking completely lost.

That wasn't the end for NKU, though. Back-to-back empty possessions for Louisville, both followed by fouls on layups that NKU converted (they shot 13-14 from the line and 9-9 in the fourth quarter) made it just a four-point game once again. The Cards stretched the lead back to eight, but the Norse just kept holding on. With just under eight minutes remaining, Lindsey Duvall converted yet another 3-point play for the NKU, cutting the lead to just three. Louisville floated that back up to 11, and the lead hovered at 7-9 points for the next six minutes. With 52 seconds remaining, Tayah Irvin scored NKU's final points to cut the lead to five. From there, Louisville would close out the game with free throws to win by 10. 

The Norse were led by Lindsey Duvall, who was comfortable in her return to the Yum! Center and was eager to show why she got the opportunity to play there in the first place. She finished with 20 points on 7-14 shooting while going 3-5 from beyond the arc. Duvall also added seven rebounds and two assists to go along with just two turnovers. Grayson Rose also reached double-digits, with an 11 point game, and Ivy Turner flirted with a triple-double. She shot just 3-15 from the floor, but finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. 

On the home side of the floor, Louisville put five players in double-digits. The Cards were led by Dana Evans, who finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Olivia Cochran, Kianna Smith, Hailey Van Lith, and Liz Dixon were the other players in double digits. While E. Balogun struggled from the floor, shooting just 1-6 and finishing with two points, she had eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals to show why she remains on the floor even when the shooting touch isn't there. Kianna Smith added 10 rebounds to her 11 points to pick up her first double-double as a Cardinal. 

The CASE Report

Looking at the final score and having watched the game, I don't have high hopes for Louisville's performance in these metrics. However, they won, which is ultimately what matters. That said, let's take a look.

C-Care: Any time Louisville scores significantly below their average, you would expect that to be a result of some carelessness with the ball. While Louisville did turn it over 13 times, that's far fewer than it felt like in the game flow. It's also fewer than the 18 they forced out of NKU. That said, NKU really struggles to turnover their opponent, forcing just 13.33 per game, good for 291st in the country. Louisville's 13 is far greater than 60% of that average, so it's a lowercase 'c'.

A-Assists: The Cards did manage to move the ball pretty well, finishing the game with 18 assists. That's on 30 made baskets, so good for a 60% assist rate, though HVL would have liked a few more of her passes to have been finished in the basket. Unfortunately, they didn't quite double up their turnovers, and finished with a 1.38 ATO. I know, my thresholds are cruel. Lowercase 'a'.

S-Steals: Straightforward category here. Louisville finished with 11 steals, a tally that is greater than the 7.5 steal threshold and the 6 steals that NKU managed. Uppercase 'S'.

E-Efficiency: I know what you're thinking. Louisville didn't turn the ball over that much and NKU wanted to run the floor with them, so they must have been terrible from the floor to score so few points. Nope. Louisville actually finished with 41.7% shooting, although the 18.2% from three was rough. Taking that out, Louisville shot 52% from two-point land, which isn't world beating but is pretty good. The Cards also shot 76.9% from the free-throw line. It was worse than NKU, but it'll do. Uppercase 'E'.

So there you have it. Louisville was actually not that bad statistically, finishing at c-a-S-E. Having watched the whole game, I can't tell you what kept Louisville from dominating, other than NKU's scrappiness. Louisville won the battles for turnovers, rebounding (though only by 4), second chance points, fast break points, and points off turnovers. Credit to the Norse for sticking around in this one. It is likely to keep Louisville on their toes, particularly against teams they would consider lesser opponents. 

Cards Welcome Bellarmine in First D-1 Matchup Between Schools

On that note, another opponent that Louisville should have no trouble with will head to the visitor's locker room today. At noon, Louisville and Bellarmine will tip-off in what will be the first matchup between Louisville and Bellarmine in any sport since the Knights joined Division 1. While history would have leaned toward that distinction going to the men's basketball programs, I'm sure Jeff Walz is happy to make the connection, especially as today's game will put Louisville more than halfway to the 13 required games to become eligible for the NCAA tournament.

With Monday's game against Morehead State postponed, the Knights will lace them up in the Yum! Center for their final game before beginning ASUN play. It hasn't been the greatest debut season for Bellarmine, as they enter today's matchup 0-4. In their games against Ball State, Western Kentucky, Western Illinois, and Evansville, the Knights have been outscored 331-210. Interestingly, they've scored more points and allowed fewer in each successive game. Their best performance came against Evansville on December 29th, when they lost 72-62 on the road. 

The Knights are led in volume scoring by Lauren Deel, who has averaged 10.5 points in all four of their games. However, Breia Torrens is likely to surpass Deel soon, as she has averaged 16 points in the Knights' two most recent games, the only two in which she's played. 

Louisville should be able to control the pace of this one and score at will. Bellarmine is allowing their opponents to shoot 50% from the floor this season, while managing only 30% themselves. I expect Dana and HVL will both get back to the deadly duo we'd seen in the first portion of this season today. The game tips off at noon on the ACC Network Extra.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

Paulie and Jared will be at the Yum! Center for this one, but Jeff, Daryl, and I will bring you this week's Cardinal Couple Radio Hour right up until tip-off. We'll talk about Louisville's long hiatus finally coming to an end and take a look at the upcoming schedule (will Louisville finally play UNC?). Tune in to the Cardinal Couple YouTube Channel at 11AM, or check out the replay when the show ends. You can also subscribe to the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour podcast and have the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics pushed straight to your device. 

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

Making the most of a second chance -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FORMER CARD LINDSEY DUVALL HAVING SUCCESS AT NKU

With Louisville WBB on a COVID pause, not much to report on the Cardinal crew these days -- so I thought I might do a "feel good" story this Monday. After all, it is the holiday season, we report on 'the joy and excitement' of things and the age-old philosophy of "once a Card, always a Card" carries credible veracity in a lot of circles. 

Consider the story of Lindsey Duvall. 

You remember "Lil Duv", right? She was a Miss Kentucky in GBB back in 2017. Decided on Louisville after originally thinking "maybe UK" announcing her desire to be a Cat but then changing her mind and committing to Louisville. A 5'8" shooting guard, ostensibly -- for Chris Stallings at Bullitt East High School, but mostly played as a "4" for the Mt. Washington school.  A definitive three point threat and team player. Knee injuries, yes, they were a part of it as well. Six operations before she stepped on the court as a Cardinal. Having to sit out her freshman year because of knee trouble in 2017-18. 

I always wondered how'd she perform on the DI level, given 25-30 minutes a game  She never got that chance at Louisville, part of a very deep and talented roster that went 60-8 in the two years she did see action for the Cards, mostly in a reserve role.  Duvall was good, no doubt about it, but others were better and the scenario eventually came to the question of deciding whether to be a reserve or a starter somewhere. College time is limited. Players want to be productive -- to play. 

She chose to seek playing time elsewhere. She turned to NKU and Carmyn Whitaker, a coach she'd known since the seventh grade. In some circles, it's thought that when Whitaker left UK as an assistant coach to take the NKU head coaching job, that was the deciding factor for Duvall to switch commitments from UK to UofL.  When Duvall went looking for a new school, Whitaker made no promises other that she'd be given a chance to earn playing time and try competition on a slightly less difficult and competitive level that the ACC. The Horizon League. A mid-major in the scheme of DI ball, but, a Kentucky university that has a loyal fan base, is less that two hours from her home and had six or seven players she was familiar with from those high school days. 

She worked hard during the COVID summer, learned the system and she and her teammates began the season against an Ohio-based slate of schools in Cincinnati, Akron, Bowling Green and Ohio St. All on the road except for Bowling Green. All losses for NKU, but, Duvall a bright spot for the Norse in a reserve role -- with 11.25 points-per-game and nine rebounds in about 26 minutes a game. Nearly a double-double -- coming off the bench. 

Whitaker consulted with another "newbie" -- assistant coach Anthony Epps. Yes, that Epps -- the UK star. He had coached against Duvall when he was at Campbellsville High School. He knew the talent within. They gave Duvall the start in the opener of Horizon League play -- against Pittsburgh-based Robert Morris, and Duvall responded with 21 points, four threes, 13 rebound in 27 minutes in a lopsided win for the Norse. If there were sightings and reportings of a new star in the sky over Highland Heights, KY -- it was probably Duvall's ascension into stardom. 

The Horizon League is doing things a bit differently in 2020. (Aren't we all?)  So far, they are pitting opponents against each other back-to-back on consecutive days. So, the next day, another NKU win and a 12-point effort from Duvall. 

Saturday and Sunday found NKU at Purdue-Ft. Wayne, home of  one of Cardinal Couple's favorite mascots -- Don the Mastodon. Lindsey found Fort Wayne to her liking, in the two NKU wins over "Don's Gang" -- she put up 38 points in her 56 minutes of  time and shot 50% (6-12) from three-point range. 

We are proud of her at Cardinal Couple. She remains one of my favorite interviews of a high school Cardinal prospect. Shoot,, I've even walked around Lindsey Duvall Park in Mt. Washington to get a little exercise. 

For Lindsey, the second chance is paying big dividends. Sometimes...those second chances do. If Lil Duv is happy and productive in her new surroundings, then I'm happy for her.  I can remember her high school coach, Chris Stallings, telling me that he'd never had a harder-working player in his coaching career. He said something to the effect of "you might beat her, but you'll never out-work her." That persistence of hard work is finally paying off for Lindsey. and NKU. And, it's a beautiful thing to see.

If anyone deserved a break, a second chance -- it's certainly been Lindsey,.. after all she's been through. 

May the good days continue. 

paulie

Funke Returns -- Duvall to NKU -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Funke Returns

Celene Funke and UofL officially announced that the center fielder would return for a fifth season.  The Carmel, Ind., product saw her senior season cut short to due the outbreak of COVID-19, so she qualified for an extra year.

We have known for some time that Funke was planning to return for another year, but we were waiting on the process of Funke submitting the request to UofL and then the NCAA for clearance of that extra season.

Funke is scheduled to be on a teleconference today with fellow graduated senior Caitlin Ferguson and Louisville Softball head coach Holly Aprile today. Paulie will have the recap tomorrow here at CARDINAL COUPLE

On the decision to return, Funke states:

"I am excited that I will be returning for a fifth year! I would like to thank Coach Holly Aprile, Vince Tyra, the ACC, the NCAA and all other support staff that have made this fifth year possible," Funke released in a virtual letter.  "I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play in front of CardNation for one more year."

I think I speak for all of the Cardinal Couple crew when I say that we are thrilled to see her return for one more year!



Duvall Transferring to NKU

Lindsey Duvall announced last night on Instagram (@little_duv5) that she will be continuing her basketball career at Northern Kentucky University.  She announced recently her plans to leave Louisville to further her skills at another university, which Coach Jeff Walz supported the entire way. She later confirmed the transfer to the Norse in a Twitter exchange with Paulie.

"Excited for the next step but thankful for the ones that led me here! #NorseUp," Duvall said.

We are sad to see the Bullitt East product and 2017 Miss Kentucky Basketball leave us, but also wish her the best in her final two years of eligibility. Duvall averaged 23 minutes a game last year for the Cards and 5.2 points per game.

Norse head coach Camryn Whitaker has not released an official statement yet.


SCHEDULING AND A QUESTION FOR YOU

2020-2021 UofL WBB opponents have not been released, but Walz loves to face in-state teams, including four last season, so there is a good chance we may still see Duvall play in person before her career ends.

Most collegiate programs are starting to look at scheduling changes and playing schools in a closer proximity to each other, because of travelling concerns created by the CoronaVirus and also because of decreased revenues.

Pop Quiz: Can you name the four in-state teams UofL played last season?  Two of them were at home and two of them were on the road.

Remember to stay safe!  Gloves and masks can be your ally when used properly.

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Transfer Portal -- Walz Presser -- Community Services -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Duvall Enters Transfer Portal

Lindsey Duvall announced that she will be entering the transfer portal, meaning her time as a Cardinal has, in all probability, come and gone.

Duvall joined Louisville from right down the road in Mt Washington and Bullitt East High School.  She was a five-star prospect and was the 2017 Miss Kentucky Basketball recipient.

Duvall, who red-shirted her true freshman year, played two seasons with the Cards and will have two seasons of eligibility left.  However, Walz said that if she could not find another place that fits her that her scholarship at Louisville will be honored.

Duvall appeared in 23 games and averaged 6.2 minutes per game last season.  She shot 40% from three-point range in the 2019-2019 season.

Wherever Lindsey chooses to go we wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her accomplishments.

One would think her three-point skills would serve someone quite well. Internet chatter even had former Cardinal great and head WBB coach at Charleston University Becky Burke commenting favorably on Duvall on the roster. One  talented three-point shooter playing for one of the best in Cardinal history. It has possibilities, I suppose.


Jeff Walz Press Conference

University of Lousiville head women's basketball coach Jeff Walz gave a press conference via online video chat yesterday.  He sported a red polo with a white Cardinal bird head in the corner while sitting in his office at home.

Right off the bat we heard a question about Duvall, which Walz went in depth on.

Questions to follow focused on how the coaching staff is remaining in contact with the players regarding practices and workouts, as well as their travel and safety.

We heard Walz get asked about how having players getting drafted in the WNBA Draft plays a factor in recruiting.

One question that perked several ears up was his thoughts and comments on Muffet McGraw retiring. The assumption that "on-court" rivalries and words extend to off the court was shot down by Walz.

Walz was 5-14 against the Irish before McGraw retired. The Cards did win both games last year. They were blowouts.

There was also a question regarding the layoffs and furloughs, which Walz tried to keep pretty short and sweet while still responding in a professional manner.

You can check out the full video on Youtube below.

Also, thank you to Nick Evans for setting everything up and allowing us to stay in touch with Coach Walz. Paulie sat in on the teleconference and got a question in.

Community Service Recognition

13 programs at Louisville were ranked in the Top 10 nationally for their respective groups in service hours for 2019-2020.On top of their hard work in their sport and academically these student-athletes dedicate their remaining time out in the community helping others out and making the world a better place. Louisville Athletics  has had a long tradition of excelling in their social outreach from student-athletes in assisting the community, and it is also something that the players take great joy and pride in -- helping others. We salute the efforts of our Cardinals and know that they'll always be there to contribute.

Here are the rankings for each of the 13 programs:

#1 Field Hockey

#1 Lacrosse

#3 Baseball

#3 Ladybirds

#3 Men's Soccer

#3 Women's Soccer

#5 Men's Swimming

#5 Rowing

#6 Cheer

#8 Softball

#8 Women's Golf

#10 Men's Golf

#10 Women's Swimming

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!  Remember to stay safe!

Jared

More on Todd Sharp -- Cards WBB making the grade -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

        TODD SHARP ENGAGED IN FISCAL MISCONDUCT

Our mission, here at Cardinal Couple, is to promote the joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics. Some days, we take the good with the bad, though

University of Louisville women's dance coach, Todd Sharp, was let go after a six-month review found he "engaged in fiscal misconduct" after the team's deposits were over $40,000 less than expected, per a copy of his termination letter that was available from the University via open records policy. 

This investigation, performed by University of Louisville Audit Services, along with the University of Louisville Police Department, discovered deposit activity for the cheer and dance squads between May 2016 and October 2018 totaled $29,372. But, estimates show that amount, based on revenue-generating events, fundraising and other programs, should have totaled $70,000 between April 2017 and June 2018, according to a letter sent to Sharp and signed by UofL athletic director Vince Tyra.

Over $40,000. Money that went directly to Sharp in cash. That's a pretty nice yearly salary for some.

Is embezzlement too strong a word here? Pocketing money, raised -- in part by student-athletes -- but never reaching their financial institution. 

One more black eye, embarrassing situation that involves the name of UofL Athletics, who have received so many of these negative publicity items over the last couple of years. People who willingly and freely devoted time, efforts, financial contributions, goods and services to raise money for an on-campus activity and entity they believed in and supported were "ripped off". Student-athletes, lending their time and talents in the belief that what they were doing was benefiting the program and activities they participated in -- and part of the reason they were enrolled at UofL...finding out that part of their efforts were lining Sharp's pockets.

And, what did he do with the ill-gotten gains? 

Maybe, I don't want to know. Maybe we just leave this sordid story alone for awhile. For the joy and excitement that the LadyBirds have brought many a fan over the years with their dazzling routines and performances, now, we find that their leader was, basically, a crook. These student-athletes are victims as well. Not their fault. 

In the words of the late Jim Nabors, he of Gomer Pyle, USMC television fame: 

"Shameful, shameful, shameful"...Mr. Sharp. 

WBB CARDS MAKING THE GRADE ACADEMICALLY

Let's move on to good news. The Louisville women's basketball squad has their 2018 Fall Semester grades from academic pursuits back, and it's nearly as perfect as the squad's 11-0 record on the hardwood. 

The number is 3.264 (out of a possible 4.0). It's the fourth-highest semester average since Jeff Walz has piloted the program and the ninth-straight semester that women's basketball has topped the 3.0 mark. 

Asia Durr, Lindsey Duvall, Dana Evans and Sam Fuehring all topped the 3.5 mark and were named to the Dean's List. 

The other players on the squad were 3.0 or better. A total of eight Cardinals earned the prestigious Red and Black Scholar Athlete status (3.25 or better) cumulative GPA. 

Quite the academic feat for the women's basketball team. Being a student-athlete can be difficult, trying to attend classes, study, prepare assignments and such while practicing fast breaks, defense, taking extended road trips and spending a lot of time (voluntary as well as practice-oriented) in the facility formerly known as "the little Yum"...working on their respective game and technique. 

Ahead for these academic-excellent student-athletes is a trip to Mt. Pleasant, MI to play the Central Michigan Chippewas on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

A preview of that contest for you tomorrow morning. Paulie brings you the article...as Jared wanders the Southeast regions of our nation with his g/f Katie and Case can proudly mouth The Lonely Island "I'm On A Boat" lyrics with his wife Lindsey...enjoying a tropical cruise.

Hey, someone had to stay in town and feed the chimps plus respond to the comments. Between Worldwide and me, the realm of Cardinal Couple remains secure and, well, as crazy and entertaining as usual.

Paulie

Lindsey Duvall gets park named after her -- Lacrosse in ACC Today -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

2017 MISS BASKETBALL HONORED WITH MT. WASHINGTON PARK NAMING

Chris Stallings is one of those guys who you like as soon as you meet him. The Bullitt East head girls basketball coach has spent countless hours working with and developing the basketball skills of hundreds of basketball players in the Mt. Washington and Bullitt County area. He does it with a smile and encouragement. When a person loves what they do, it comes very easy and effortlessly. There's pride there. 

Ironically, one of the first times I met him, he was wearing a UConn women's basketball t-shirt. That's unique enough in Mt. Washington...but the fact that he had his star player Lindsey Duvall headed to Louisville to play for Jeff Walz in the fall of 2017 was enough  cause for me to do a double take and wonder if something was afoot and Geno had gotten to the affable skipper of the Chargers. Stallings relieved my fears instantly.

"It's just the first shirt I grabbed and put on this morning. I talked to my athletic apparel supplier this morning. There's a lot of red and black stuff on the way." 

Stallings relates this story about Duvall: 

"We do things a little differently here at Bullitt East. At halftime of games, we let the kids in the stands take the court and shoot baskets. Lindsey's older sister played for me her at Bullitt East and Lindsey would get out there when she was in the second or third grade and hoop it up. You could tell at that age, she was sticking with it and she was going to be a player. She was going to be something special. I'd tell folks that they had to watch that little girl out there and they stay in the stands and watch her shoot...not go to the concession stand. That's the beauty here. You get to see them early on. They go to the camps, middle school and end up playing ball for me here."

Mt. Washington has gotten larger over the years. From a small, sleepy town with a two-lane Main Street...hardware store, funeral home, Dairy Queen (which was a Burger Queen way back when) a Baptist church, several locally owned businesses and restaurants and surplus store to a thriving, small community with major shopping malls, a bypass around the main street and huge high school that sits right off the bypass. Where Bardstown Road meets Hwy 44. But, it still has a small town feel. Kids still run the court at halftime. Coach still shakes your hand and treats you like your kin. When people ask you how you're doing, it's a sincere and honest inquiry. A part of America I do love so. 

Duvall grew up also. She starred at Bullitt Central and was heavily recruited by both Kentucky and Louisville. She was always in a particular park shooting baskets whenever the weather allowed and she wasn't in the gym practicing her craft. Staying to watch Coach's son play baseball in that same park when she had exhausted herself after hours of dribbling, shooting and rebounding. You could say it was one of her homes away from home. 

And now it's named after her. 

The Mount Washington mayor and city council made it so. Stallings hasn't come out publicly and talked about his involvement in the naming...but one could probably correctly surmise that he was an integral part of the idea and it's rise to fruition. 

Duvall enters her red-shirt freshman season at UofL after sitting out last year due to some knee issues. She had a tumorous growth removed from her left knee while in high school but some remaining fragmentation needed to be cleaned out that was causing pain during her freshman year on the Cardinal roster. She recovered nicely and probably could have played for the Cards around the beginning of ACC season in 2017-18 but chose to continue to learn and develop without wasting a year of eligibility. Oh, the things she saw! The memories made and places visited. A year wiser and ready to go, she'll ply her trade for a team that was one missed foul call and one tip-in attempt that barely rolled out from a NCAA Championship game against a foe already twice beaten earlier in the year. 

There will be cookouts and pickup basketball games in Lindsey Duvall Park this summer. Elderly people out for a stroll or walking their dogs. Children playing tag or attempting to fly kites or playing catch. Baseball games and cheering. 

There just might also be the next Lindsey Duvall. A young girl, time after time, throwing a round orb at a round rim. Practicing the dribble so the other kids won't steal the ball from her. Perfecting the shot. Scraping a knee occasionally and contesting a foul during a one-on-one or pickup game. Maybe even Lindsey herself will drive by, stop the car and watch for awhile. Maybe hear that little girl yell out to another young girl:

 "I'm Lindsey, you're Asia and I'm going to hit this jumper to beat Notre Dame!"

Legends. Dreams. Hometown heroes. It's what America is made of. How many of us spent time in the backyard, or at a small park or parking lot throwing an old, worn-out rubber basketball at a rim with no net. In barely-above freezing weather. When it was so hot that the sweat from your head rolled into your eyes and made the basket blurry. When you challenged the kid who always beat you to just one more game of "21'...even though the light was fading from the sky. 

Lindsey's honor is an honor, in a way, to all those kids and adults out there who ignored the call for supper, in order to get a few more shots up. Who played against every kind of competition available. Who played for love of game and the thrill of seeing that long or contested shot drop through the rim. 

I'd like to think that a decade or so from now...a young mother takes her child for an afternoon walk and the child looks up and says: "Mommy, your name is on that gate overhead!" Knowing Lindsey, she's smile and tell her young charge: "C'mon, now. We need to get to the court so you can shoot the basketball." 


LACROSSE ENTERS ACC TOURNAMENT PLAY TODAY.

The Louisville Lacrosse team has safely arrived in Durham, NC and is preparing for their first game of the ACC Lacrosse Tournament. A tall order, indeed, in front of Scott Teeter's LAXERS...facing #2 in the nation and #1 in the ACC Boston College for an 11 a.m. contest this morning.

The Cards need a win today, and most likely need to win the ACC Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament. They have two players that received second-team All-ACC Honors yesterday in freshman Caroline Blalock and Emily Howell.

Boston College placed (4) on the All-ACC first team. 

Today's action will be shown on Fox Sports South. Here's hoping the LAXCards can get off to a great start and hold on to the lead as time expires. An upset in the brewing? We'll know around 1 p.m.this afternoon. 

Have a tremendous Thursday. 

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana." 


paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball --- Learning the plays, honing the skills plus Jared Anderson -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

EDITOR NOTE: This is 2 for 1 Cardinal Couple articles today. Paulie starts us out and Jared Anderson follows. 


WBB CARDS PUTTING IN THE WORK

Julie Sullivan with WBB players. Julie will be on the
Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Saturday at 11 a.m.

The University of Louisville women's basketball team had their third practice of the week yesterday at the Little YUM! and I was able to stop in and watch the Cards at work. 

I arrived shortly before 1 p.m. and ran into women's basketball assistaant Nick Evans as I got there. After he took care of a little business, he escorted me to the south court and I grabbed a chair to watch the 12 players go through practice. I ran into my buddy Bullitt East head girls coach Chris Stallings there, also attending the practice and later the Cards WBB radio voice Nick Curran stopped by and sat with us for awhile. 

The players were just coming out of a film session and head coach Jeff Walz was able to chat with us briefly before the players started their drills. A lot of fundamental coaching goes on in these early practices and the shrill Jeff Walz whistle punctuated the action several times...Coach stopping play to make a point, create a learning opportunity or just make a remark on what he had just witnessed. There was plenty to see. 

PAIGE (right) and Jenny.(Left) Paige will be on
the CARDINALCOUPLE RADIO HOUR on Saturday also! 

They have a scheduled format that they follow in the practices and we were given a sheet of paper that outlined it. Besides the players, the assistant coaches were present and about ten "practice boys" were on hand also to guard and scrimmage against the girls. After the shooting and warm up drills were completed, the team worked on a three man weave that turned into a 2 on 1 drill going back down the court. This "cone drill" as it's known needs to be run a specific way and Walz stopped it a couple of times to reinforce the correct way to perform it. I saw great hustle by all three of the women playing point guard (Arica Carter, Dana Evans and Jessica Laemmle) in the drill and it was also obvious that Myisha Hines-Allen came to play Thursday afternoon.  

Walz did make a sly, sarcastic but humorous remark to us after one stoppage...saying that none of them have great listening skills and some of them have had the symptom for three or so years. 

After the cone drill they worked on rebounding against the guys and ran a 4 on 3 scramble and triangle to the other end of the court after securing the ball. There were a few turnovers early on in this drill and Walz decreed that for each subsequent miscue the players would have to run a sprint up and down the court. The guards shone again in this drill and Lindsey Duvall and Dana Evans were particularly impressive with their shooting and passing.  I also saw great effort out of Loretta Kakala and Sam Fuehring going to the boards. Kakala has really quick feet. she's a bit slow yet in getting up and down the court, that was obvious in the sprints they had to run after the drill, but that will come. 

Next was the press offense and guard/post splits. Some nice shooting from Jazmine Jones, both driving to the hoop and outside was seen here and Sydney Zambrotta connected on a few long range missiles as well.  With so many different combinations being employed in the drills, it was hard to get a feel for any type of "A" team yet...although the combination of Kylee Shook, Hines-Allen, Asia Durr, Arica Carter and Fuehring looked pretty effective when they were up against the guys. 

The rest of the practice that I saw included situational scenarios. Terms like hook, Spartan, 41, Top, BLOB and Nova probably don't mean much to the casual hoops fans but Louisville went through all these play-sets and Hines-Allen really looked like a force in them. 

Defending ball screens had all the coaches working with the players and showing different scenarios/reactions to on-court action. Once again, it was the three point guards working with the rest of the players in different combos in trying to get the open shot or defend the shooter in the sequences. 

Shortly before 3 p.m. I made my way to the exit, stopping to thank Walz, Nick and Coach Norman for having me out. 

"Anytime you want to stop in... do it."  Coach smiled as I left, so I think I'll be watching some more prep work. Judging players this early on, especially after just watching one practice, is probably a bit unfair and inaccurate, but here's what I saw. I'll go back. With proper advance notification to Nick, of course, that I'm coming. 

Jones, Durr, Fuehring, Carter, Hines-Allen and Duvall would be my top six performers from yesterday's practice. 

- Duvall has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, passes well, is quick on her feet and can nail the mid-range or deeper jumper.

- It looks like Jones has found some control for her out-of-this-world talent from last year, is playing smarter and more effective basketball and is becoming a vocal team leader.

- Fuehring works non-stop hard. She never takes a possession off and has developed a nice putback shot. 

- Carter is very confident out at the point and her shot looks good. She's travelling the court effortlessly and looks to be 100% and ready to go. 

- The court belongs to Myisha. She's the rock in the inside and is helping Kakala a lot with positioning and motivation. She was also taking a few mid-range jumpers, w ith mixed success. 

- Durr is impressive as always. The shot looks good, she has great court awareness and involves her teammates. 

No one really looked awful yesterday. Jess Laemmle fits right in there as a hustling, quick passing point guard.  Bionca Dunham goes to the boards well but wasn't doing a lot of shooting yesterday...concentrating in trying to get her teammates involved. The drills and sequences that I saw them go through involved a lot of game situations. The squad didn't go five-on-five while I was there against each other...maybe that came later...but, just based on a two-hour look -- Louisville looks to be ready for a great season. 


paulie
xxxxx 


JARED ANDERSON

Thank goodness it is Friday. The weekend is nearly here. 

For our footballers it's going to be a long weekend ahead. The Wolkpack of NC State had their teeth sharpened for a Thursday evening game and took a big chunk out of our Cardinals. 

Me and Ms. Wuf had a good defensive game plan and the Louisville defense was with Paulie admiring Ms. Wuf's beauty instead of defending the pass. Louisville's secondary was nowhere to be seen. However, the pride of Charlotte, Jaire Alexander finally saw some snaps for UofL and played mostly solid defense. Cam Newton used to be the pride and joy of the Charlottians (if that's what they go by) until his recent unnecessary comments that set women's sports back decades. 

Seriously, our football team didn't look hot. The defense was a step slow and second late most of the evening. Coach Petrino was too stubborn on offense to let Malik Williams get a fair share of runs and only wanted to see pocket passing. I'll give major credit to the NC State crowd noise and how it affected game play. Time to prepare for homecoming against Boston College. Tear off the rear view mirror and look ahead, players and fans. 

On a lighter note, Allison Whitefield and Brooklyn Rivers led the way in a women's soccer win at Clemson. The 2-1 win was their first conference win of the season. 

Whitfield's score came off a rebounded shot by Mollie Rouse and gave the Card kickers a 1-0 halftime lead. The goal was her fourth of the year. 

After halftime many of the red and black viewers on the ACC Network Extra feed turned their attention to ESPN to see Lamar Jackson and his squad not play so well. Back at historic Riggs Field, Clemson tied things up just five and a half minutes into play. It was one of the few times the UofL defense broke during the match. 

Brooklyn Rivers scored her third goal of the season less than ten minutes following the Clemson goal. She took a nice pass from Whitfield and knocked it into the back of the net. 

Huge props to the Cardinal defense and their effort against the Tigers. They held the home team to just five shots on goal, Gabby Kouzelos getting four saves, She was in rhythm last night and had some big saves, including a huge one late in the game. 

Cards are now 8-5 and go to 2-3 in the ACC. They already have one more win than LAST SEASON. Their performance has definitely improved this year but they still have a long way to go to see any post-season NCAA tournament action.   

One game at a time. 


Jared Anderson

LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL -- Jeff Walz exclusive Interview and Paulie's trip to the D.P.S. -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WALZ ANTICIPATING THE BATTLES AHEAD

I had the opportunity to interview Louisville women's head basketball coach Jeff Walz Monday afternoon in his new office at the YUM! Practice Facility on Floyd Street. Coach's office is on the south side of the second floor is where the Volleyball offices used to be. An extensive remodeling job has been done in the space...starting with the entrance to the offices...where a new, security code enabled, installed door awaits you at the top of the stairs. 

Fortunately, assistant sports information director for WBB Nick Evans had agreed to meet me in the first floor lobby to take me upstairs and was there to greet me when I arrived at the facility. We took the elevator to the second floor...but not before we ran into Asia Durr getting ready to leave the facility. It was great to see #25 and we chatted briefly before Nick and I went upstairs. 

One thing you notice when you enter the complex is that one of smiling Kate Tucker's work stations is located inside the door directly to your right. I chatted with Kate a few minutes while Nick went back to see if Coach was ready for our chat. Over her shoulder there is a large series of windows that allow you to see the practice court. As we talked, I was able to see Lindsay Duvall and another player I couldn't quite identify but I'm thinking it was Dana Evans practicing shooting. I noticed a lot of their long-range shots going in as I sat waiting for Coach. 

After my brief, amicable chat with both Nick and Kate, Coach Walz was ready to see me. There is a small greeting/reception area before you enter coach's office. His new digs are the furthest down the hall on the south side of the building and the office is directly across from Sam Purcell's office. His desk faces eastward and a series of comfy chairs are placed in front of his desk next to a large window that allows you to see the lacrosse field further south. I could see Kellie Young conducting practice with the "Laxers" and further in the distance Papa John's Cardinal Football Stadium and soccer's Lynn Stadium are readily visible. Coach warmly greeted me, he's looking to be in great shape and was wearing the customary day-old beard stubble we see on him most of the time. He's lucky...his isn't grey like mine yet. 

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Coach and I started the interview. If you have Soundcloud, you should be able to hear the entire interview that is linked at the bottom of the page. If not, you'll have to wait until Saturday's radio show...aptly named THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. Nick Evans sat in on the interview as well. I've interviewed Walz probably over 50 times since he arrived here as head coach in some interesting settings and with various people present but never with his S.I.D. present. It was absolutely no problem, though, and we must have done a passable job because Nick didn't fall asleep during the 12 minute interview. 

Security coded access points. Security at the door. Interviews conducted under the watchful eye of a Walz staffer. What's this world coming to?  I'm beginning to get the idea that they're on to Paulie after all these years. At least they haven't implemented the body cavity search yet.  (Sorry, was just practicing my sarcastic yet humorous style in preparation for Hoops season...) 


I actually like the extra attention they're paying to Paulie and visitors these days and can understand the need to be a little tighter about things than the way things were set up over at the SAC building...where you could basically walk up on a number of coaches and staffers...even the women's basketball offices without a single check-point except for Margaret or Jeremy out front. I also noticed a couple of weeks ago that my old "back-way" to access the Cardinal Arena floor via elevator also had a security door. I'm wondering if Coach Sowry's office at the Field Hockey complex is set up like that, too? 


Coach Walz and I started with reviewing how the summer went for him. As you listen, you'll hear that he had a great trip to Colorado Springs and then to Japan as the head coach of the USA U 23 team. You'll also hear what lies ahead for him this fall and how excited he is for the opportunity to be a floor coach for the national team. Santa Barbara for the Nationals next stop on the Walz Across America 2017 tour! 

We moved on to a discussion of the 2017-18 schedule after that. Coach is excited about the preseason WNIT that starts Nov. 10th. against SEMO. That's right, kiddies...women's basketball is a mere 51 days away.  We discussed a few of the other non-conference and conference foes...including the early November trip to Columbus, OH where UofL will get a chance to play Ohio State on the court where the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four will take place. 

Our discussion turned to Jessica Laemmle's receipt of a scholarship and Coach talked about how she had put in the work to earn it. He chuckled when I referred to her as an "attack Yorkie". 

We also covered the center position and he made some very good points and observations about the history of that position since he has been the head coach of the program. Following that, we discussed the three 2017 arrivals to the squad and his expectations and thoughts for each of the three (Lindsey Duvall, Dana Evans and Retta Kakala). 

We ended our interview with a discussion of a couple of players that might warrant some special fan attention in the upcoming season...and a general overview of the new facilities. The 12-minute interview seemed to go much faster than 12 minutes. Coach stays busy, so we concluded our talks with a few off-microphone discussion topics, exchanged farewell greetings and Nick and I exited the office. 

I wish I had remembered to bring my cell phone to snap a few pictures but, unfortunately, I left it in my car. Still...a very good and informative chat with the head honcho of Cardinal women's basketball. Then, things took a downward spiral...

LINK TO INTERVIEW: 

PAULIE INTERVIEW WITH JEFF WALZ 9/18/19



PAULIE VISITS THE D.P.S.



I concluded my Monday trip to campus with a stop by the Department of Public Safety Office to re-submit my Handicapped Parking information. This was a follow-up to a previous visit where I filled out the application. The permit request was promptly denied (because it wasn't on the official University paperwork form) . Those friendly and thoughtful folks in that facility (Not!) need a few customer service lessons. They refuse to accept a legal and notarized physician's statement that ol' Paulie is still in need of accessible parking. A document issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky..the place where the campus is located...is not worth the paper it is printed on down on Louisville's Belknap Campus 

I ask you, is this anyway to treat a highly popular but non-paid, part-time radio host on a not-for-profit, community radio station? 

I'm walking a lot better than I was in May after my right hip replacement but I'm not running a 4.3 - 40 yard dash just yet. I've also got a left knee that is failing pretty badly on me. The D.P.S. folks also want the princely sum of $150 for access to what the state gives you free.

I'll repeat that again. $150 a year to park for the handicapped on UofL property. 

 Look what we can do, Louisville, indeed. This boondoggle shakedown is another fine example of how disconnected the UofL administration can be at times toward the needs of their patrons and people promoting their University. UofL doesn't offer on-campus Media Parking permits. They also don't offer much sympathy or assistance to an old man who can't walk as good as most. I thought about calling Tom Jurich...but that man has enough on his plate these days already and probably would not be able to help anyway. Inter-departmental intercourse has a way of ending up vanishing in a sea of tangled communication lines, officious documents, ignored e-mails and rigid policies.

So. A unfortunate ending to a great day. I left my paperwork at the D.P.S. and told them to figure it out. I expect I'll get an update by the first snowfall in our fair city. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the job these officers do to protect and serve on campus. But, their office staff needs to be read their Miranda rights and hauled away. 

I wish I had better bone structure and could walk normally and with ease. I am working hard every day to strengthen my body after the hip replacement and hope to have my knee up and running again someday. Thanks, UofL D.P.S. for your concern, assistance and care in helping me cover sporting events and talk to coaches. I think I'll just heist a golf cart next time and drive the campus with reckless abandon. With Bill the Goat, a passel of Chimps and maybe even a Bjerke on board. 

Back to the positive. After all, that's what we do here. We promote the joy and excitement of UofL Women's Sports. Most days, that's the easiest job around. 

A special thanks to Coach Walz, Nick and Kate for making it a very enjoyable visit, preview and glance ahead of 2017-18 Cardinal Women's Basketball. It could be a very memorable season for Walz and company and we'll be here at Cardinal Couple to cover each step of the journey! 

And...good luck to Field Hockey today at Northwestern! Go Minnie, go Minnie! This one starts at 4 p.m. and is on the BTN2GO network...which means it's subscription based and not a freebie. 


LINK TO WALZ INTERVIEW: 

PAULIE AND COACH WALZ 9/18/17

paulie
xxxxx