Louisville women's basketball -- KNOW THE FOE: Tennessee -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WHICH VOLS TEAM WILL SHOW UP MONDAY?

While a lot of the city continues to melt down over Louisville men's hoops loss to Michigan on Sunday, we'll make it short and sweet on that later in the column. Our focus today here, as it rightfully needs to be...is not that loss, Paulie's physical calamities or Louisville media coordinators. It is the upcoming match-up between Louisville WBB and Tennessee. 

Please come to the YUM! for tonight's game. It promises to be an exciting one. Cardinal women's basketball fans are among the best, if not the very best in the nation. You've been there for this team all season long. That's why the total attendance of 5400 on Saturday is so puzzling and, quite frankly, disappointing.

Lower bowl tickets are still available for only $17. BRING A FRIEND! OR...buy (4) tickets for $40. We highly recommend this option! 

The Irish rolled out in support of Notre Dame for two games. South Carolina's arena was packed for Gamecocks women's hoops. UConn had standing room only for their start to the tournament. You want to be on the level of these teams? Then support your WBB squad like these fans do.  Walz wants 8,000 tonight. I think he's a little short. I want 12,000+ plus in the YUM! I'd like to see that lower bowl packed and maybe a curtain or two having to be opened. It's a 6:30 game. You'll be home by nine, in most cases. Come out tonight!

Tennessee looms ahead next for Walz's Cards. They are a very talented, explosive team that has one of the best guards in the nation, a strong inside game and explosiveness...but they are also a quandary. At 20-11, they've got some very impressive wins. 59-51 over Stanford...maybe the best team in the west. 71-69 over Notre Dame...who a lot of people think may be in the national championship game. 76-74 over South Carolina...who is a very possible Final Four squad. Beating Mississippi St. 82-64 in the SEC Tournament. Yes, that #1 seed Bulldog squad. 

Then, there are the losses. Penn St. handles them by 14. Virginia Tech by 4. Baylor by 22 and Texas by seven. SEC losses to Ole Miss and Mississippi St. Auburn by 18. Georgia. And twice falling to that powerhouse Alabama. Alabama did qualify for the WNIT. They squeaked by Arkansas-Little Rock by two in second round action. 

So...when the sleeping giant is aroused in Knoxville...it can do dangerous and ominous things. When snoozing, it's as harmful as a Wagner symphony. (Sorry UofL men's fans...) The thing is, how do you keep Diamond DeShields, Mercedes Russell and Schaquilla Nunn asleep? 

Pressure defense on DeShields is as good as anywhere to start the scenario. She is talented, she can score and create but she can be a little flashy and careless at times and that's where you want her making her mistakes. Attacking UT on the boards is essential as well. Russell is 6'6" (and it seems like I memorized every tendency she had when the Cards were recruiting and almost signing her) but she can be a little slow in running the court and less than eager to go inside and mix it up at times. Wear her out by making her sprint back on defense and use Kylee Shook, Sam Fuehring, Ciera Johnson, Cortnee Walton, Bionca Dunham, Hines-Allen, a wooden chair, beer carts, on-court security guys and Jedi mind tricks to bang, bump, bully, belly and banish her from her comfort zone. 

Jamie Nared is the third of UT's "Big 3" that can be a game changer. At 6'2" she can be a force inside and she's the Vols second leading rebounder behind Russell and she can also step outside and make you pay with the mid-range jumper and the three. An older, more experienced version of Kylee Shook, if you will. Schaquilla Nunn, back and banging after sitting out last year with a broken foot, has given Holly Warlick big numbers lately. The red-shirt senior that previously played at Winthrop adds another dimension inside for the Vols attack. Toss in a little Jordan Reynolds, Alexa Middleton, Kortney Dunbar and Meme Jackson to assist and bolster DeShields at guard and spell the bigs and you have the Vols contingent. Holly doesn't go deep...she only has 11 on the roster and against Dayton on Saturday she went with seven primarily on the court. 

DeShields was huge with 24 in the win over the Flyers. Double-doubles for Nunn (15 pts./14 boards) and Russell (14 pts. and 10 boards). Nared had eight points and seven grabs.  

The Vols defense Saturday would have gotten then a small case "d" by our FRED metrics. They forced only eight turnovers...but had six steals and held Dayton to 4 for 20 from the deep and less the 35% from the floor overall.  Louisville will need to be alert, pass not dribble, and move the ball rapidly around the offensive sets to get Durr, Moore and Shook those trifecta ball open looks. A penetration specialist like Jazmine Jones may find it tough going amongst the trees of the Tennessee interior...but Myisha should have a field day posting up and powering inside with scoring against the foul-prone Nared and less-than-spectacular Russell inside defensive skills. 

Louisville needs to be smart, play smart, listen to the coaching staff and make sure they are recognizing who is hot, who is open and take good shots. If the Cardinal team does this..they can win this game by 15 or more. Excessive turnovers, missed defensive assignments and not curtailing DeShields could make for a long night for the Cards, though.  UT loves to get to the foul line as well...against the Flyers they were 22-33...while Dayton was 11-14. If the wrong set of officials get the call for this one, we might be there watching free throws until 10 p.m. That would be bad for Louisville...who finished the regular season at just 69% free throw accuracy. 

Get Durr the ball. Need we say it again? She's had fifteen 20 or more point games this year...which is second in the ACC behind Syracuse's Alexis Peterson. By far the leader in threes made in the ACC and, in her last nine games, has scored 22, 31, 30, 28, 24, 17, 28, 26 and 27 points in them. 

Let Moore create and dish. She does it well. Chattanooga head coach Jim Foster marveled over the way Mariya kept finding Jazmine and Asia after the  Mocs loss to UofL. We hear the complaints about her lack of scoring and point to 10 assists. That's 20 or more points she helped create. Mariya's just fine, thank you. 

Louisville wins this game by doing the things they do well and by using a little brain power along with brawn power. They fall if they lapse into the turnover and poor decisions mode that has affected them several times this year. We hope the Tennessee Bears show up instead of the Tennessee Bulls. We hope the UT vs. Alabama team appears instead of the UT vs. Notre Dame one. And, we hope YOU show up, too. 

March madness. It affects and afflicts us all. 
The only cure is more basketball. 


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CARDS FALL TO MICHIGAN

I will not belabor or moan about the loss to Michigan too much here. It was a good season for Louisville MBB overall. Three things: 

1) Quentin Snider 0-9 from the floor
2) The Cards could not hit threes
3) Michigan could hit threes

Losing a nine-point lead is distressing but it happens. Missing wide open dunks happen. This Cardinal team will be fantastic next year. And maybe Michigan is the team of destiny this year...with the airplane scare, improbable march through the Big 10 tournament and surprising Moe Wagner. 

The off-season will be a time of reflection for these talented but ill-fated Cards. Learn from it and improve. 


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SOFTBALL BOMBS PITT

Jamie Soles and Caitlin Ferguson delivered two RBI's each and Maryssa Becker fired a four-hitter to lead Louisville past Pitt 8-2 and sweep the three-game series at Ulmer Stadium. 

A three-run third and four-run sixth were the keys to the Cardinals conquest of the Panthers. 

Ferguson, Soles, Jordan McNary, Becker and Megan Hensley all had two hits in the Cardinal win. Louisville is now 18-7 on the season and a perfect 3-0 in the ACC.

The Cards step out of conference with a 6 p.m. Wednesday game against # 23 Wisconsin at Ulmer. 

Sandy Pearsall was impressed with her diamond dwellers: 

"I was really happy with how our team played today," said UofL head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I thought their pitcher came fired up to stop our offense - and she certainly was throwing well and controlling us early on - but Maryssa Becker was also controlling them. So the first part of the game was definitely a pitchers' duel. Our team needed to find a little bit of aggressiveness at the plate and took care of it. Defensively, I thought we made some great plays and our defense really came through for us again. And that's the key – we've got to play defense."


paulie
xxxxx

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MERCEDES RUSSELL SAYS...

TENNESSEE

The #1 recruit in the 2013 class has spoken...and she said Tennessee.

You win some, you lose some. Louisville got great news yesterday and earlier today about Emmonnie Henderson and Alexis Montgomery committing.  

We kept our hopes high and wish Mercedes the very best in her academic and collegiate basketball career. Not gonna kid you, this one hurts...but the Cardinal Spirit is strong, united and loyal. We'll cheer our hearts out for who is on the court.

A heartfelt thanks to the Louisville players, staff, coaches and fans who did their best to try and make Mercedes a Cardinal.

We go on. Cardinal WBB in the KFC YUM! Center tomorrow night to see a very good UofL WBB team that will be fun to watch and so very talented.

L1C4.

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Emmonnie Henderson is a Cardinal!

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE SPECIAL EDITION

- CARDINAL COUPLE COLUMNIST JENNY O'BRYAN BRINGS US THE RECRUITING NEWS...HENDERSON VERBALS TO LOUISVILLE!

- What is your question?


Emmonnie Henderson is a 6-2 forward from Edwardsville HS Illinois.  She is also a dual sport athlete in shot put and discus, and as of this early evening, a future Louisville Cardinal. 

The now defunct Hoopgurlz rated Henderson at #40 and All Star Girls Report ranks her at #21 in her class.    Henderson was on campus this past weekend, and chose Louisville over her other finalist, powerhouse Tennessee. 

For Cardinal Couple faithful readers, you may remember I wrote about her this past summer after seeing an AAU game.  Henderson will be a huge asset in brutal Big East play.  She is said to be “strong as an ox” and has a sturdy frame.  Her attacking around the basket was powerful and consistent and scouts have been noting her extending her game away from the basket.   Henderson is capable of playing multiple positions on the court and will be a matchup nightmare for opponents. 

Henderson was one of four recruits on campus this weekend, and one of five still considering Louisville.   Alexis Montgomery and Mercedes Russell, both from Oregon, will be announcing their college choice tomorrow.  Jordan Reynolds, also from Oregon, was on campus this weekend.  No timetable has been made available about when she will decide.  Imani Wright, out of Texas, was on campus about a month ago, and is said to be very high on Louisville and deciding between Louisville and Baylor. 

CardNation, it is time to stand up!  Coach Walz is doing great things with this program; top recruits are coming, and choosing Louisville over perennial powerhouses.  As a burgeoning fan base we are on the brink of overtaking the number one spot in fan attendance. 

The future of Louisville Basketball just got a little brighter tonight!  CardNation welcomes Emmonnie Henderson to the best Athletic Department in the country!

( Editor's note...A huge congratulations to Jeff Walz, the University of Louisville basketball staff and players and Cardinal fans for letting it be known that we wanted Emmonnie at Louisville. And a sincere "THANK YOU" and "WELCOME ABOARD!!" to the "Edwardsville Electrifier" -- Emmonnie Henderson! One down and more to come? Stay tuned to CARDINAL COUPLE for the latest and GO CARDS!)

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TUESDAY is Media Day for the WBB team at the KFC YUM! Center. Got a specific question that you'd like asked for one of the players and coaches? Paulie or Timmy the Intern will be glad to pose it!

Please send the question via e-mail to:

cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

It can be anonymous if you want. I need the questions submitted by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

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Volleyball win, Soccer falls

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Volleyball defeats Cincy in three sets

- Soccer falls in BIG EAST Tournament to USF

- After the recruiting visit: The waiting game

Rucker, Arslanbekova fuel straight set wins

The University of Louisville squad improved to 21-3 and 10-1 in the BIG EAST by knocking off Cincinnati 25-21, 25-13, 25-21 Sunday in Fifth Third Arena. Gwen Rucker and Lola Arslanbekova had 11 kills each in the Cardinal win.

Louisville started slowly in the first game and trailed UC 9-5 before a 5-1 Cardinal run tied the contest at 10-10. Cincinnati was able to regain the lead and Louisville didn't grab their first advantage until 17-16. UC never challenged after that and the Cards outscored the Bearcats to win going away by four.

Maybe a bit deflated by the loss...and definitely punished by the serving of Kaitlynn James, the Bearcats found themselves in a 7-0 hole to begin game two. Louisville pushed that to 13-2 and the only real question left was how many points would the Cards win by. They Cards enjoyed a 22-10 advantage and closed out the second game on a Lola kill to win by 12.

UC did try to make a match of it in the third game...jumping out to a 4-0 lead before the Cards regrouped and tied the contest at 9-9. A brief Bearcat rally gave them a 12-10 edge before the Cards went on a 9-4 rally to put them up 19-16. UofL continued the hot streak and was at set point at 24-18 before settling for the four-point win.

The Cards finally return home after the extended road trip and will face Villanova Friday night in Cardinal Arena at 7 p.m. They'll also host Georgetown Sunday at 2 p.m. in the KFC YUM! Center.

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Louisville Women's Soccer falls in triple overtime to South Florida.

The Cards and the Bulls battled through 110 minutes and two overtimes to a scoreless draw in BIG EAST Tournament action...necessitating a shoot-out third overtime. In the tie-breaker, each team got five penalty kicks to try and score on the opposing goalkeeper. With the scoring at 3-3, USF got the final attempt and USF freshman Olivia Chance sent one past UofL's Chloe Kiefer to break the tie and give USF the win.

The Cards outshot USF 16-13 in regulation and the two overtimes and Kiefer produced seven saves for UofL. Although USF advances to the semi-finals, the game gets recorded officially as a tie.

The Cards (10-4-4) now must wait until Nov.5th. to see if they get a bid to participate in the field of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

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After one of the most highly anticipated women's basketball recruiting visit weekends in the history of Cardinal womens' hoops, the questions now are:

1) How did the visits go?
2)  When will Coach Walz and the fans know about verbals?
3) What is Louisville's chance of getting all or some of the visitors?

All indicators and reports we've heard indicate that the girls visiting ( Mercedes Russell, Emmonnie Henderson, Alexis Montgomery and Jordan Reynolds) had a great time, got to go to the football game Friday, Coach Walz's birthday party, a haunted house tour, Cardinal basketball scrimmage and many other fun and exciting things. We'll keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook (and we hope you will too) to see what they're saying.

We know that verbals are on the way. We expect Reynolds', Montgomery's and Russell's on or by Tuesday. Henderson may not be far behind. We hope these verbal are in UofL's favor. We also remind you that Imani Wright is still a potential Cardinal. The impact of these five girls, plus already verballed juco Janelle Cannon is huge and would surely give the Cards the #1 recruiting class of 2013.

How will the Cards do? WE have no specific facts, no iron-clad guarantees or insider scoop...but it wouldn't surprise us if Louisville landed all five. The current players on Jeff Walz's squad were very impressed with the visitors and would love to have them join the Cardinal family. 

Even though the coaching staff can't comment about them and the visits...we know that Walz & Company must be very high and sold on each them...otherwise they wouldn't have been here and made the talk of the town.

We know your anxious. We are anticipating big things as well. We've gotten a huge amount of e-mails on the visits and they range from the well-thought out to the ridiculous yet hopeful. We appreciate your thoughts, opinions, comments and predictions.

What it shows us is something we've known for awhile. This is a very passionate, caring and knowledge fan base that wants only the best for UofL sports and love their Lady Cards to death...a fan base that is unmatched in womens' college basketball.

Good things happen to those who wait. Patience is a virtue. WE feel confident UofL will be rewarded very soon.

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Sunday with Sonja

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

**********From the scoreboard*********

- LOUISVILLE Volleyball defeats Cincy in straight sets 25-21, 25-13, 25-21.

- LOUISVILLE and USF tied 0-0 in women's soccer at end of regulation and two overtimes. USF wins 3rd overtime in a shootout 4-3. (More on these Monday...)

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-Field Hockey defeats Providence 2-1 to make BIG EAST Tournament

-Jenny's observations on WBB Scrimmage

-Russell to announce decision Tuesday

-Cards #9 in ESPN Preseason Poll

-Volleyball on ESPNU today


Cards come through in final regular-season game with win.

Knowing that the surest way to qualify for the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament was beating Providence, the University of Louisville Field Hockey team delivered...knocking off the Friars 2-1 yesterday at Providence.

The Cards (12-7, 3-3) clinched the #3 seed and will face #2 UConn Friday night in Trager Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Syracuse and Providence will match up in the first game Friday.

"We are just so proud of our team with the way we have applied ourselves in recent weeks. We knew what was on the line and we continued to stay focused on the process. We are absolutely thrilled that we have made it back to the BIG EAST Tournament and we are playing at home. To have this opportunity is fabulous and much deserved for this team." -- Justine Sowry, Louisville head coach.

The Cards opened the scoring with just 17 seconds left in the first half. Alyssa Voelmle got an unassisted score to give UofL the advantage after a half of solid defense by both teams.

Conrad comes through!

After the break, Providence tied the match seven minutes into the action. Louisville took the lead seven minutes later when the Cards capitalized on a Providence passing error near their net and Becca Maddock found Erin Scheidtmiller with a pass that Scheidtmiller converted into the final score of the game.

Erin Conrad stepped up in a huge way for the Cards with six saves. Providence outshot Louisville 11-9 in the contest.

Tickets for the BIG EAST Tournament are available through the UofL Athletic Office at 502-852-5151. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/youth and college students get in free with a valid student ID.

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CARDINAL COUPLE staff columnist JENNY O'BRYAN attended the Saturday UofL men's scrimmage that featured the WBB squad opening the event with a mini-scrimmage. Here are her observations:

The women's team spent 10 minutes before the men's game scrimmaging/playing/practicing against their men's practice players. The women "won" 21-12.

All players played for a few minutes except Tia Gibbs, Asia Taylor and Cortnee Walton. Of the three, Tia hobbled on to the court and looked like she was in pain. Asia and Cortnee "presented" fine...although Asia looked like she was dog tired.

Coach talked for most of the time with P.A. announcer Sean Moth while the team was playing.

Megan Deines came down the court and nailed a three-pointer for the first shot of the scrimmage. She took a second shot a few minutes from beyond the arc and drained it also. She looked quick and agile. Coach Walz joked that those were the first two shots that she had made in a month.

The next three-point Cardinal specialist?

Sara Hammond looked lean and more toned than last year. She had a confidence about her that I did not always see last year. She looked solid and I expect her to have a break out season. Walz stated that she has been putting in a lot of work in the off-season and is looking great.

Shawnta Dyer looked good and showed a lot of strength in the paint.

Mo Reid was only in for a few minutes but was very impressive. Nice score in the paint and great rebounding. I have so missed watching Mo play. Walz stated that Mo is still recovering from her knee surgery and will play the minutes she can play. He expects her to be at full speed by conference play.

- Jenny O'Bryan

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Thanks for the great recap of the Cards 10 minutes, Jenny! In other WBB news, highly sought-after and #1 ranked in the 2013 Class recruit Mercedes Russell was in attendance and her high school coach announced that she will announce her decision Tuesday afternoon at a press conference at her high school. 2:30 p.m. Pacific time.
The date and time were apparently set before her visit to Louisville this weekend.  

Louisville also has a media day planned at the KFC YUM! Center that day. Coach Walz is scheduled to talk to the media at noon and players will be made available at 12:30. This raises some speculation. Will Walz fly to Oregon for Mercedes' announcement and should we read anything into whether he is at the scheduled media address at the YUM! or not? Has the 6'5" center already decided? Will it be a last-minute decision? 
Are we over-thinking things here?

Big things developing for Tuesday. And, the Cards open the season Wednesday with an exhibition game against Eckerd College. Free admission for all at the KFC YUM! Center.

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ESPN has released their 2013 Women's College Basketball Rankings and Polls for Week 1 and the Cards are positioned at #9. They received 657 points. Baylor heads the poll and got 1000 points.

Other BIG EAST schools in the top 25 are Connecticut at #2, Notre Dame at #5, St. John's at #14 and DePaul at #25.

Kentucky is #6 and Tennessee #20. Link below.

ESPN WBB Rankings - Week 1

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See Lola jump, see Lola swing, see Lola kill...

Just a reminder that you can catch Louisville Volleyball today on ESPNU against Cincinnati. First serve is at 1 p.m.

Have a great Sunday everybody and GO CARDS in the BIG EAST SOCCER Tournament against USF today!
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Visits the middle part of the recruitment process

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- In recruiting, a visit means your halfway there

Normally, we tend to leave all things bright and beautiful about recruiting to our ace columnist Jenny O'Bryan. She knows it, she follows it and she understands it. And that works well for us. If you've got Eric Clapton available to play the guitar, you hand it to him instead of the guy tending bar.

Today, though. I will talk recruiting. Bear with me.

I had a former college basketball coach give me his take on recruiting once. He broke it down so a sixth-grader could understand it, which worked well for me. I don't think he ever recruited any sixth-graders...but sometimes, you just never know. Anyway, here is the process, according to him.

1) Recognition. You find out about a kid who rarely misses behind the three-point arc. Or is 6'7" in the ninth grade and starting for their high school team. You do your research and, if the prospect looks like one that might fit the needs of your team, you move onto step two, which is...
2) Contact. You let the kid know you're interested. You try and find out if the kid is interested in you. If so, you keep up the contact. You establish contact with the high school coach, the AAU coach, the parents, old Uncle Ben. You watch, you observe. You do more checking, broader-based and comprehensive. Eventually you get to step three which is...

3) Visits. You go see the kid. You invite the kid to see the campus. The NCAA has all kinds of rules and regulations about this. You follow them. Hopefully, you get to step four, which is...
4) Verbal. The kid comes out and says your school is their top choice. It's not official yet, but you're in the driver's seat for step five...
5) Signing. That's when the kid officially signs the letter of intent. A LOI isn't always 100% fool-proof...but it means the kid intends on playing for you.

This weekend, on the University of Louisville campus, step three comes to fruition. In a huge way. Four outstanding girls' high school basketball stars hit the Belknap Campus on recruiting visits. Remember the names. Nothing would please Cardinal WBB fans and Jeff Walz more than to see them move on to step four. For two of them, it's the first visit. For Louisville, it's huge.

This weekend has been talked about on fan boards, in e-mails, general discussions and on multiple web sites for weeks. This weekend is here.

MERCEDES RUSSELL
EMMONNIE HENDERSON
JORDAN REYNOLDS
ALEXIS MONTGOMERY

They're four of the half-dozen or so that Louisville desires. Imani Wright, too. Janelle Cannon already on-board with step four completed.

I have no idea what consists of a recruiting visit in women's college basketball. My best guess is they'll hit the football game versus Cincinnati Friday night. Maybe tailgate with Derty Bird, A-Tayy, Sho and Mo. Probably go see the men's scrimmage Saturday and the women's preliminary warm-ups before that in the KFC YUM! Center.

I'm sure there is "an app" for that amongst the Cardinal coaches, players, staff and impresarios that'll ensure they have a big time. They probably don't need to see me sing "Gimme Three Steps" with Robbie Bartlett's band over at the Parrish House.

Mercedes, Emmonnie, and Jordan did Tennessee last weekend. I didn't hear any verbals. Saving the best for last? We certainly hope so!

Get on the bus!

If I could sit down and talk with each girl, I'd tell them this. Get on the bus and be Cardinal Strong. That Louisville women's basketball fans are not an old, stodgy or antique breed. They're a phenomena that is young and old, fiercely proud of the program, energetic and constantly cheering for players they idolize in the hallmark of college basketball arenas.

They're alive, rapidly growing and sometimes just downright crazy, fanatical, cool, deafening and impassioned....these Cardinal fans. They're amazing. 

I'd tell them that they'd being playing for a coach that cares about them as students as well as athletes and they'd be learning from assistants, staff and trainers that are deeply committed to the concept of Cardinal hoops, personal development, character and success.

I'd tell them about the little girl in Section 114, screaming "Shoni!" at the top of her lungs, the guy up in the stands behind the media table who goes into hysterics every time a foul is called on Bria or Shawnta. I'd tell them about the three little old ladies who never miss a home game and are in their seats the minute after the doors are opened.

I'd tell them about the current Lt. Governor and former mayor who rarely misses a contest and is one of the best referee-baiters in college basketball. 

I'd tell them about the dozens of people who stop me and want to talk Cardinal women's basketball when I attend football games, charitable events, trips to WalMart or even when I'm waiting to order my Big Mac and fries. I'd tell them about the little girl, wide-eyed and grinning from ear-to-ear because Mo knelt down to talk to her, signed her poster and hugged her in the KFC YUM! Center lobby after a game.

I'd tell them about the commitment to excellence that Tom Jurich lives for in the athletic programs each and every day. About the caring professors and academic aides that want to see them succeed. About how Julie Hermann, Louisville's executive, senior, associate athletic director, never misses a home Cardinal women's event and works the crowd with the polished skill of a dignitary or politician.

I'd tell them about the Cardinal Spirit. 

I have a feeling they'll get all that and more this weekend, though. I have a feeling that they're here because they know...and they want to be a part of it.

Enjoy your visit, Mercedes, Emmonnie, Jordan and Alexis. Choose wisely. Choose thoughtfully. 

Choose Louisville. The best college sports town in the nation.

-Paulie
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Basketball season is here!

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Staff columnist Jenny O'Bryan drains one from long range today in her article on Cardinal WBB. Like all of us at CARDINAL COUPLE, her excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm for the 2012-13 Lady Cards season can't be contained by the press, referees or turnovers. She shoots, she scores with the Wednesday edition of "Da Couple"! )

- Hoops is almost here...are u ready?

- Central Cardinal Couple Holiday boutique a blast!

Basketball Fans!

We are less than a week away from the Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon.  Limited tickets are available for the event.   If you are a procrastinator, pick up your phone and call the ticketing office now @ 502-852-5151 before time runs out. 

In an email from the Louisville Athletic Ticketing Office I learned that season tickets are going in the mail this week!  Look for your tickets to be showing up in your mailbox shortly.  Parking passes, for those who have purchased them, will be arriving separately. 

A few words from the ticket office:

The exhibition game being held on Wednesday, October 31 @ 7:00 p.m. is FREE!   There will not be a ticket in your season package, it is free and a ticket is not needed to attend.  For all the families out there, take your kiddo out trick or treating early, then head down to the YUM! Center for another treat, the start of Louisville Women’s Basketball!! 

The last announcement from the ticketing office is that there is a time change for the EKU game at YUM! on November 28^th.   The actual time of the game is 7:30 p.m.  Your season tickets are going to say a different time on them.  7:30 p.m. is the changed, correct time of the game.

It was reported here in August that 2014 wing/forward Sydney Brackemyre was on an unofficial visit to the Louisville campus August 26.  It was brought to my attention that she was back on campus (presumably for another unofficial visit) this past weekend.  (Official visits can only happen during one's senior year, are paid for by the college being visited and a prospective student athlete (psa) can only take 5 official visits.  Unofficial visits are on the student/families dime and can be made at any time, and as often as wanted). 

This makes a second visit to Louisville for this rising star in the junior class, in less than two months!   We already know that Louisville is among her final 3 schools of choice (included are Dayton and Michigan) but with a second visit in less than two months WE think bodes well for our beloved Cardinals.    

Perhaps Ms. Brackemyre might just be our first commitment from the class of 2014?   It is a bit premature to speculate, but from where I'm sitting, I like our chances with this young lady.  I believe I attached the following link before, but, it bears another airing to our Cardinal faithful. 

Sydney B.

We are on the cusp of the season!  Next week I will bring you a report from the Tip Off Luncheon.  The week after that I will give you my thoughts/predictions for the out of conference (OOC) slate of the schedule.   

In the meantime we will keep you abreast of any recruiting news as it becomes available. 

A historic weekend for women’s basketball is fast upon us as the #1 recruit in the nation, Mercedes Russell, and #40 recruit Emmonnie Henderson will be on campus for their official visit October 26-28.   The early signing period begins November 14.  Keep it here, Card fans, to learn who will be suiting up as a Cardinal next season!  


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Carol Kidd and Chuck Horell were in attendance

A wonderful time had by all attending the Central Cardinal Club Holiday Boutique and Style Show held yesterday at the PNC Club in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Tons of silent auction items, many booths, delicious food and a great afternoon and evening of speakers and enertainment.

Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich spoke to the dinner crowd and was excellent as always. Swimming and Diving Coach Arthur Albiero also took the stage to speak to the attendees and Mickey Clark provided the musical entertainment.

Charlie Springer and his lovely wife Barbara

The style and fashion show was great as well, with several coaches, coaches wives and the incomprable Valerie Owens Combs, displaying some great outfits to the delight of the crowd.

Mickey Clark entertained attendees!

Thanks to all who stopped by the CARDINAL COUPLE table and purchased bracelets for the St. Martha Girls Volleyball team! We raised $110.00 for their worthy cause. Also, thanks for registering for the commemorative 1980 UofL Men's Basketball National Championship plaque and talking sports with us! We hope you enjoyed talking Cardinal Sports with Jeff McAdams, Donny Yaste, Sonja and Paulie and encourage you to make CARDINAL COUPLE a part of your daily Internet routine.

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The winning ticket number: 702211
Winner was: Al Parrish
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Thanks to Bill and Barbara Hancock, Chuck Horell, Debbie Zipperle and all the Central Cardinal Club members who made our participation an absolute joy and delight!
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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Recruiting roundup

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Basketball recruiting is one of the favorite topics and a big source of e-mails from our readers here at the ol' CARDINAL COUPLE and who else better to handle it than our esteemed recruting columnist Jenny O'Bryan? Today, she catches us up on the latest news.) 

- Meet four impact players with Louisville on their short lists


I keep getting questions as to what is going on in the recruiting world, specifically with the students who have already made their official visit. 

As was reported Monday, by Paul, Brianna Ruiz has committed to University of Washington.  Ruiz, a guard, stated that she “feels like it is better for me on the West Coast, kind of”.  Whatever her reason, Cardinal Couple wishes her well in her collegiate career.  Kevin McGuff, formerly of Xavier, coaches U. OF  WASHINGTON and he is assembling talent on his roster.  I look forward to seeing him impact the PAC-12.

Imani Wright is a 6-0 guard out of Hooks, Texas.   She was on campus several weeks ago alongside Brianna Ruiz.  She has her final official visit scheduled for this weekend at Kentucky.  Jody Demling, at Cardinal Authority, has a really nice write-up about Wright.  Check it out, here:

The Wright choice coming soon?

Saniya Chong is a 5-9 guard out of Ossining, NY.  She visited the Louisville campus a few weeks back and visited the campus of Ohio State this past weekend.  She still has an official visit with UCONN scheduled for this upcoming weekend (10/12).  To my knowledge, those are the final 3 schools on her list.  Maryland was previously in her top 4 but appears to have been cut from her list.  I have seen no timeline in regards to when she will make her decision.

Emmonnie Henderson is a post player out of Edwardsville, IL.  Her final four includes Louisville, Tennessee, Miami and Purdue.  She took an official visit to Miami in late September.  I am uncertain of her official visit to Purdue.  Her official visit to Tennessee is scheduled for the weekend of 10/19-21 and with Louisville the weekend of 10/26-28.  As recently as two weeks ago she was quoted as saying that Louisville is currently in the lead for her services.  Like the aforementioned recruits, I have not heard a timeline for her decision. 

Mercedes Russell is the #1 player in the country and is down to 2 schools, Louisville and Tennessee.  Her official visits to Tennessee and Louisville are the same weekends as Henderson’s.  Russell has stated that she intends to make her decision before high school ball starts, and most recently has stated that she hopes to make her decision a few days after returning from the Louisville visit. 

While Russell is the only Louisville recruit on record, that I can find, as having said she will make her decision shortly after her last visit, it is reasonable to think all of these recruits will be making decisions in the very near future.  They are all winding down their visits, and all have been visited at home by coaching staffs.  While the regular signing period is not until April of one’s senior year, many student athletes opt to sign in the early signing period, which is mid-November.   

Regardless of what happens with each of these recruits, it is crucial to remember the regular signing period is not until April.   Both Shoni Schimmel and Bria Smith were signed after the regular signing period.  November is not a deadline for recruiting the class of 2013.    

Another point to keep in mind regarding these recruits, each of them has Louisville in their very short lists.  Coach Walz and his staff are up against perennial programs (Baylor, Tennessee, UCONN) for these highly sought after recruits.    Louisville may land all of them, some of them, or none of them.  Regardless of what happens, Coach Walz has elevated this program to a consistent top 20 program.  Louisville is relevant, in the conversation and rising. 

I look forward to the next few weeks as decisions are made.  The season is around the corner, Louisville is ranked preseason as a top 10 team and the program is on the cusp of landing the #1 player in the country. 

Can I get an ‘L yeah? 

( Any or all of these four excellent student-athletes would compliment a very good Cardinal WBB team in the 2013-14 season and go on to be valuable and productive players in the Cardinal system. Keep it here at CARDINAL COUPLE for any late-breaking or relevant news concerning recruiting and ALL Cardinal womens' sports! )
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It's Tuesday so it must be laundry day at Sandy's!

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Our illustrious staff columnist Sandy Walker grabs the Tide and harumphs in acknowledgement as she heads to the multiplex CARDINAL COUPLE laundry room/ orchestrial chamber/ late income tax filing center and stromboli bistro. It is Tuesday. Here's Sandy: 

Volleyball falls in five sets to #11 Texas

Despite Lola Arslanbekova's season high 29 kills, Louisville Volleyball fell in five games to Texas last night in the KFC YUM! Center. The Cards played their hearts out in the 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 26-24, 15-10 loss. We expect CARDINAL COUPLE correspondents Jeff McAdams and/or Jenny O'Bryan will have more on the loss in a future article. The VolleyCards go to 16-3 with the loss. About 5,000 attended the match. Timmy the Intern was ejected for handing out whoopie cushions to the season-ticket holders and telling them that they were "thunder sticks"...

  

It's Raining Top 25 Cardinal Rankings   

KFC YUM! CENTER & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

As a follow to Jenny’s article about the YUM! Center I wanted to share a discovery I made this last week concerning the playing facility of Stanford University.  A couple of other UL fans and I are fortunate to be able to attend the University of Conn.  @ Stanford game scheduled for Maples Pavilion, which is their women’s and men’s regular home court.  At first I was concerned that the best seats available to the general public were closer to the top of the arena than to the playing floor.  That is until I was shocked to learn that the entire arena seats less than 7500 fans.      

                                               

I had no idea that a historical premiere NCAA women’s basketball team plays in such a small arena with a fan base that does not average an attendance greater than 4,250 attendees which ranks as 22^nd in the nation.  I point this out for the purpose of making sure that Louisville fans never find that we are envious of a far away or well respected team’s situation.  We absolutely are so very fortunate to have such an exciting team to watch that we drew the 2^nd highest numbers of fans per game but that as fans we are also are able to enjoy our 60,000 sq. ft. arena and a place that many indicate as the best facility in the nation.  Let’s take advantage of it again this year – and also remember to bring an extra fan to every game.

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GOLF

September’s Big East Women’s Golf Player is Louisville’s Louisville’s sophomore Emily Haas.  Emily is a Nicholasville, Ky native.                 

                                                                 

Emily Haas

Last Tuesday the women’s golf team finished in ninth at the Johnie Imes Invitational.  Update:  Former University of Louisville women's golfer Sara-Maude Juneau has recently earned her LPGA Tour card. She finished No. 10 on the season-ending money list in the 2012 Volvik Race for the Card which gives her an exempt status for the 2013 LPGA Tour season.  Juneau describes herself as a simple girl from a small town in Canada and says "I'm playing golf for a living, how can it get better?"

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SOCCER

Women’s Soccer student-athlete of the week is Angelika Uremovich.



Angelika Uremovich


Also, for those of you who have signed up for Cards TV and watched Head Coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes weekly show...  since last week, the Soccer team took away a 1-0 win (goal by Charlyn Corral) over Villanova and played to a 1-1 draw against 11^th ranked Georgetown.  Check out

http://twitter.com/ULFlyingCard/status/254354869853491200/photo/1 to see a photo of the women’s soccer team wearing their special uniforms for the Villanova October 5 PINK game.  (Nick Stover (@ULFlyingCard) is responsible for  the information and pictures)             

                                                                                  

The team does not play at home again until October 19.  In the meantime they play Rutgers then Seton Hall on the 12^th and 14^th.

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BASKETBALL

RECRUITING

Jconline reports from Purdue source 




Emmonnie Henderson

                                                                                                                                                                     
http://php.jconline.com/blogs/mike/purdue-womens-basketball-recruiting-update/ that 2013 recruit Edwardsville, Ill., standout 6’1” power forward, Emmonnie Henderson, will decide between Purdue, Louisville, Tennessee and Miami (Fla.).  Louisville is currently reported to be at the head of her list.  Emmonnie responded to questions with ”I like Louisville. I like them all. I don’t know why. It’s all based on good feelings.”  The good feelings from Louisville fans are mutual.  She has been to Miami for an official visit, will be in West Lafayette on Oct. 12 and 13, Tennessee on Oct. 19-20 and Louisville on Oct. 26-27.  She plans to be a team member of both basketball and track as she is the defending Class 3A state champion in the discus and won the shot put state title twice.  Last reports indicate a school decision will occur before the end of the year.

Coach Walz spent last week traveling coast to coast – we believe visits occurred to Mercedes Russell and Emmonnie Henderson --- possibly also to others but I don’t have specific information.  Fortunately we have the scholarships available so the more the merrier.

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TIP OFF LUNCHEON

Reminder: The basketball tip off luncheon is set for Tuesday October 23.  Be sure to call and make your reservations for the noon start time on center court of the KFC YUM! Center.   $30.00 tickets can be purchased by calling the U of L special events office at (502) 852-0706 or completing the form found at http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2012Luncheon.pdf.  Jeff Walz is the featured speaker. Bill the Goat declined an offer to sing the National Anthem.

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NATIONAL RANKING

Lindy’s sports magazine has ranked Louisville women as number 6 in the nation with UK number 7.   The December 2 UL-UK game at the KFC YUM! Center should be a match-up of national interest. 

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ECKARD COLLEGE GAME

Halloween night (October 31) is the date our U of L women will match up with the St. Petersburg, Fl. Eckard College for its’s first exhibition game of the season. Eckard sophomore guard Kayla Bowlin will get the opportunity to be back in her home state of KY. whose hometown is Monticello.

There are some who have complained that the women’s pre-season games are too easy but I think this presents a great opportunity for Coach Walz to see all of his players in action while playing together in different combinations.  If the schedule is light then we must presume that the coaching staff created the situation for a reason and the people on the outside looking in just need to come out and watch everyone have the opportunity to show their improved skills. THe BIG EAST will be plenty tough. Sometimes, you gotta ride downhill...

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CBS SPORTS NETWORK GAME BROADCASTS

This year the CBS sports network will continue its Big East women’s Tuesday night package.   January 15 will feature U of L’s game with Connecticut.    That’s great for folks who want to have a tape of the win or for those who can’t make it to Louisville for the game but the locals will be at the game packing the arena.

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VOLLEYBALL

On Sunday the VolleyCards sweep the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 25-20, 25-13, 25-18.   Lola Arslanbekova had 20 kills and 14 digs and became the all-time kill career leader in school history. The KFC YUM! Center match was also a Pink Out Dig for the Cure day where the team sported special pink uniform tops.  The Saturday Seton Hall and Sunday’s Rutgers wins bring Louisville to a 16-2 and 5-1 in Big East record.

The Cardinals are now No. 4 in the Ratings Percentage Index which is the highest in school history.

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KAITLYNN JAMES

A Courier Journal interview of Senior Kaitlynn James, both written and video at

http://buzztap.com/link.jsp?id=15693440&cid=304&source=feed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed includes her decision to transfer back to U of L after first playing for Nebraska.  The Assumption High School graduate credits the hiring of Coach Anne Kordes for her decision to return to Louisville.

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FIELD HOCKEY

On Sunday the Field Hockey team pulled off an upset by defeating number 11 Iowa by a score of 2-1. Two freshmen team members helped pull off the win with Victoria Statton making her first career goal while Elisa Garcia scored her 5^th career goal.

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CARDINAL COUPLE CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE UofL WOMENS' ATHLETE CONTEST

It does look like Becca Shine will advance to the round of eight after soundly thumping softball's Katie Keller in first round action. Congrats, Becca!

 Our next matchup features top-seeded Shoni Schimmel against Krissie Brandenburg.

Krissie is one of the best on the UofL women's swimming and diving team. She was the 2009 Kentucky High School Girls Swimmer of the Year and has been selected All-BIG EAST three times in her days at Louisville.

Schimmel...you've probably heard of.
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Sandy W.

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