Cards WBB faces Michigan tonight -- Softball beats Clemson -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 TRIP TO FINAL FOUR AWAITS CARDS IN MICHIGAN GAME

A rematch stands between Louisville and a trip to the Final Four.  

On December 2nd, 2021, the Cards hosted Michigan, returning back to the friendly confines of the KFC YUM! Center after a three game road swing out west. To say the Cards were happy to be back home would be as big an understatement as saying race track aficionados like the  Kentucky Derby, and the Cards entertained an appreciative crowd with a 70-48 rout of Michigan. A 24-6 second quarter for Louisville in that December matchup and 39-15 halftime lead for UofL..The Cards were beginning to realize just how good Emily Everything was going to be in a Louisville uniform and Louisville women's sports fans were also fired up because Volleyball was kicking off their NCAA run with a convincing win over the UIC Flames. 

When Louisville faces Michigan tonight at 9 p.m. in Wichita, they'll face a Maize and Blue squad that has improved leaps and bounds since the last time these two met. Entering the NCAA Tournament as a #3 seed, the Wolverines probably weren't expected by many to play in the final game of the Wichita Regional, since #2 seed Baylor was a "shoo in" by many experts and participants in our "pick em" to advance. Someone forgot to tell South Dakota that Baylor had the golden road lined out for getting to Wichita and the Coyotes walked into Baylor's home arena and left with the "W", 

Welcome to March Madness, Nikki Collen.

 

Michigan struggled against the Coyotes to get to tonight's game. But, in Survive and Advance City, the mean streets of the brackets care not how much you win by, any ol' "W" will do to get your name advanced across the bracket. 

We know how good Naz Hillmon is. We know that Kim Barnes Arico is an experienced and successful coach who has gone 7-1 against top 25 teams since that loss to Louisville. 

Ask guard Maddie Nolan of the Wolverines: 

"We've learned a lot and we've grown a lot and I think we've learned how to play with each other a lot more. ." 

Louisville held Michigan to their lowest point total of the season in the previous matchup.  Kim Barnes Arico will tell you she's also fully aware of what Cardinals fans have known all season -- the defense sets the tone for Louisville. 

“Their defense in that first game really surprised me,” Barnes Arico said. “Great, outstanding, probably better than I anticipated. Kind of a little bit of a wake-up call of, ‘Holy cow, this team just dialed it up against us. How are we going to handle that pressure?’

“I think they have been able to do that against a number of teams this year, and that’s going to be a challenge for us tomorrow. That’s one of the many strengths of their team, their defensive intensity.  

The Cards play a little offensive, too, Kim, and they have a significant number of players who dial that up, also.. 

SOFTBALL GETS A 4-2 WIN at CLEMSON

Hiya, Carmyn Greenwood ! How nice of you to salvage a rough weekend at Clemson for Louisville Softball with your eighth inning, two run "touch 'em all" against the Tigers yesterday.  The Cards broke a 2-all tie with the extra inning blast and Taylor Roby spent eight productive innings in the circle to push the Cards record to 18-12. 

paulie

WBB stomps Wolverines 70-48 -- VolleyCards face UIC in NCAA tourney; FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Good fall morning to all, we have another beautiful day in the 'Ville in the forecast.  Hope you get the chance to step outside and smell the leaves!  That is, until its time to get over to L&NFCU Arena for the NCAA Tournament match(es) as the VolleyCards are hosting the first round on the Cardinal's campus Friday evening.  

We will cover the tournament match later as we have the ACC/Big Ten Challenge to cover from last night... so let's get to it! 

Photo: Jared Anderson

Cardinals show out for the ACC in Annual Conference Challenge

WBB wins vs Michigan 70-48

The Cards put on a show for the crowd of more than 7,300 on Thursday night.  UofL got the victory 70-48 over Michigan.    

After starting the game 7-2, the Cards were waiting for me to get home to step on the gas on the Wolverines because when I walked in the door they went on a 28-5 run with just under 4 minutes to play in the half.  

                                                                  Photo: Jared Anderson

Emily Engstler dominated the stat sheet vs Michigan in the rebound column in the first quarter, the scoring column in the second quarter and had 18 points, 14 rebounds and a couple assists for the game.   Her on-floor presence inspired the Cardinal's offense and frustrated the Wolverine's at both ends of the floor.  A couple times, I referred to it as poetry in motion.   We are so lucky to have her wear the Louisville uniform.  

Photo: Jared Anderson

End of 1Q 15-9 Cards

FG %
6-14 42.9% Cards
4-12 33.3% Michigan
Reb. 11-6 Cards
3-pt %
2-4 50% Cards
1-6 16.7% Michigan
**Both teams had 5 turnovers

Kianna Smith lead the opening quarter with 7 points and Engstler grabbed 6 rebounds.  The two, along with Hailey Van Lith spent 9 minutes on the floor establishing the pace of the game for Louisville.  Olivia Cochran and Liz Dixon anchored the Cardinal front court while Mykasa Robinson and Chelsie Hall provided the experience. 

                                                Photo: Jared Anderson

End of 2Q 24-6 Cards

FG %
7-16 43.8% Cards
2-10 20% Michigan
Reb. 11-4 Cards
3-pt %
4-5 80% Cards
1-5 20% Michigan

Engstler explodes for 11 points on 5-6 shooting and four different Cards scored in the quarter.  HVL did not play after she picked up her second foul early in the quarter.   She was 1-2 with a turnover in the half.  

Photo: Jared Anderson

HALF 39-15

End of 3Q 19-17 Michigan

FG %
7-19 36.8% Cards
6-13 20% Michigan
Reb. 10-10 All
3-pt %
2-4 50% Cards
1-3 20% Michigan

The Card's did not slow up on defensive pressure after the halftime break, still pressing as if the score were 0-0, but they did pretty much cruise to a decided victory very early on in this one.  We got to see a variety of lineups on the floor going deep into the bench vs the #12 ranked squad in the country.  

                                                                Photo: Jared Anderson

End of 4Q 18-5 Cards

FG %
5-14 35.7% Cards
5-10 50% Michigan
Reb. 7-6 Cards
3-pt %
3-7 42.9% Cards
0-3 0% Michigan

 Photo: Jared Anderson

FRED REPORT

"we beat Michigan by how much, Fred?"

FREE THROWS -- The Cards were 3-5 from the free throw line, good for 60% but doesn't meet our  70% efficiency we prefer... Kianna Smith and Norika Konno both made and missed one of their opportunities and Olivia Cochran made her extra point.   We will give a lower case f 

REBOUNDING -- UofL outrebounded the Wolverines 39-26.  Engstler chewed up the backboards all evening for the Cards leading with 14.  Olivia Cochran, Liz Dixon and Mykasa Robinson grabbed 5 of their own.  that qualifies for a CAPITAL R

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- A second consecutive game of too many turnovers to our comfort, 5 in the 1Q, 19 times for the entire game while also turning Um over 24 times.   The Cards had 32 points off turnovers and 16 second chance points.  They also connected for 13 assists on 29 made shots.  I'll award the CAPITAL E

DEFENSE -- The Michigan senior Naz Hillmon who averaged about 24 points a game this season was held to 12 points on 5-9 shooting and went 2-4 at the FT line.  She also had 8 rebounds, an assist, 2 blocks and 2 steals but turned it over 5 times.  As a team, UM had 24 turnovers.  UofL had 15 steals, 3 blocks and 24 defensive rebounds. CAPITAL D -fence! 

FINAL FRED TALLY: f-R-E-D

VOLLEYBALL 

Ball State vs Michigan 4 p.m.

UIC vs Louisville 7 p.m. 

The winners will play Saturday 12/4 at 8:00 p.m. 

Cards vs UIC

The Flames did alot of their losing earlier in the season..  They're 20-11 on the year, winning 12 of their last 13 matches.  UIC has one of the highest-powered offenses in the country, ranking fifth nationally in total assists (1,548) and sixth in total kills (1,663) and rank 18th nationally with 202 aces on the year. The Flames' 12.69 assists per set this year rank second in the League and 34th nationally.  UIC has tallied 4,401 total attacks this season, second in the Horizon League and 15th nationally.

Paola Santiago named Horizon League Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team along with teammates Martina Delucchi and Sohila Wafeek. UIC's offense features six players with 120-plus kills, highlighted by two with more than 400. Santiago leads all hitters with 459 kills on the season and is hitting .212 with 56 blocks, 310 digs and 34 aces. Delucchi is second on the team with 410 kills, hitting .209 with 49 blocks, 357 digs and a team-high 41 aces. Wafeek has tallied 1,033 assists on the year with 246 sigs, 20 blocks and 32 aces.

We have covered the Card's accomplishments and accolades extensively this season, so you know what a historical squad we have coming into this year's dance.   They will likely watch the opening match to scout a potential next foe, but will not overlook the Flames as it would not be possible to do so.. UIC has a 6-10 freshman on the right side who is impossible to miss.  Her name is Salma Abdelhady and she was named to the All-Freshman Team in the Horizon League.

Tickets are sold out to Friday's match and only available to watch on ESPN+

NCAA Tournament results so far... 

• Miami (FL) beat South Alabama 3-1 
• Florida swept Florida A&M 3-0 

Miami (FL) will face off with Florida this evening at 7 p.m.

• Purdue swept Illinois St. 3-0
• Dayton beat Marquette 3-1

Purdue will face Dayton at 5 p.m. 

• Kansas swept Oregon 3-0
• Creighton swept Ole Miss 3-0

Creighton and Kansas will start at 8 p.m.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

I am still on radio hiatus likely through the new year.  The gang are, as far as I know, on regularly scheduled programming for Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

As always, Go Cards! 
~Daryl 

Carded. Defense, Durr lead Louisville WBB to 71-50 win over Michigan -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FIRST FIVE MINUTES FLAWLESS IN 21-POINT UOFL WIN

Yes, the fantastic foursome of Paulie, Paige, Daryl and Sonya
enjoyed this one immensely. Photo by Jared Anderson

It was a scenario we've seen many times this year with the Louisville women's basketball squad. Crush the life out of an opponent early in the game, keep the pressure on them and run away win a convincing win. 

Michigan had no idea what hit them in the first five minutes of yesterday's second round of the NCAA Tournament in the KFC YUM! Center. Between Asia Durr, a stifling defense and a crowd of 7725 that sounded like 17,000..the Cards raced out to a 19-4 lead in the early going and kept UM at bay the rest of the way in the 71-50 win, 

May we see some ID to verify you can advance to the round of 16? Sorry, Michigan. We can't allow service.

Durr had 12 of her game-high 24 point in those frenetic, fabulous first five and a squad that put up 84 points two days ago in  a 30-point win against Kansas St. looked like a group that might struggle to reach 18 by halftime. Once the nerves settled a bit and the Wolverines returned to playing something that resembled basketball, it was too late. 

Kim Barnes Arico was not sharing in our excitement. 

When Louisville plays like they did yesterday, no one in the nation can beat them. Strong words, I know, right?

But...

When you score effortlessly, deny the opponent the chance to get a shot up -- much less shoot effectively, though -- good things happen. 22 turnovers for the young Kim Barnes Arico guards, 49 shot attempts, compared to UofL's 70. 

Consider that UM's starting five had a total of 22 points. That's right, Asia outscored the Wolverine starters. Consider that UM got off just nine threes and made only three of them. And when the Ann Arbor opponent was getting shots off, they were usually one-and-done offensive sequences. The Wolverines had just nine total offensive rebounds and 11 second chance points. 

Joining Durr in the "Mich...- uh- GONE" win was Jazmine Jones with a flashy 15 points. Other double figure scorers included Steady Sam Fuehring with 10 and Dashing Dana Evans with 10. Asia was the only Card to see over 30 minutes of action, "Won-Durr-full" went 9-23 from the floor, 5-14 from three range and even tossed in a couple of spectacular "SportsCenter moment" blocks. 

I spent time watching UM head coach Kim Barnes Arico in the final half. Gone were the fiery, competitive, referee questioning nature and actions from KBA. A resignation, of sorts. Occasionally yelling out specific points to certain players but also a lot of time questioning her assistants on certain court actions. She was complimentary and gracious in her post-game comments, but, you sensed that this was a coach who knew she was beat early on and who couldn't get back on that bus to the airport fast enough. 

So touching at the end. Raucous applause as Walz sent in subs for Asia, Sam and Arica. The trio kissing the Cardinal Bird logo at center court and making victory laps in the KFC YUM! Center. Smiles and a few moist cheeks among the players and the fans.

Arica, back from the knee scare, with seven rebounds and corralling every loose or 50/50 ball. So much non-stat sheet stuff gets done from the girl who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a jumper when she was a freshman. Transformation complete. You are a shining star, Ms. Carter. 

Sam, going 4-5 from the floor...shutting down the highly regarded Hallie Thome and upcoming Naz Hillmon. You know how Sam rolls...does work, does it well, takes off the hard-hat at the end and it's a job well done. Shrugging off the dings, dents and damage inflicted upon her every night. Sam is the princess warrior and is sovereign over all she surveys.  

This says it all....

Asia. Smiling, shouting and, at the end, celebrating a career here that started four years ago, highly lauded. Living up to that hype 100% and more. Does anyone have a more beautiful, beatific smile that "Nite-nite"? When Asia smiles, the clouds part and brilliant rays of sunshine are created for Cardinal fans to bask in. She is the "alpha" of Louisville WBB. 

We may not ever see such an effective and dynamic senior trio as Asia, Arica and Sam in the downtown arena again. Yesterday, they said their goodbyes to the Cardinal Faithful, showed Michigan the way home and advanced to face either Gonzaga or Oregon State in Albany next week.

Two down. Four to go.

The road ahead will be challenging. It always is when you get down to the best sixteen in the nation. It's about YOU, though, Cards. What will you do? Are you willing  and committed toward taking that next step? And the step after. 

Or, as Sam said in the post-game: 

"We're just trying to play our game. All the time." 

And, that game can be spectacular, as the Cards WBB squad showed yesterday.


THE FRED REPORT

Fred says: "We're headed to Albany, Lamont!" 

FREE THROWS  -- Not a lot to report on here with a ref crew that swallowed their whistles pretty effectively (just 24 total fouls) for the 40 minutes. They Cards got a 3-4 performance from the line. That was in the first half, Louisville attempted none in the final 20 minutes. 3-4 = 75% and that's good for a CAPITAL "F" by my numbers. I guess you can't foul what you can't catch...and no need for silly, late-game fouls in a contest that was already over.

REBOUNDS -- Louisville takes a hard-fought 35-34 advantage here. Kylee Shook with 10 for UofL, another Card who comes to do work and is job-proficient. The Cards getting a 15-9 edge on the offensive boards, When you win the rebounding battle, you get a letter. We'll award a small-case "r" for this category. Not exactly board dominance, but quite adequate

EFFORT/EXECUTION --  If you ever want to explain to someone what Louisville women's basketball is all about, just show then the first five minutes of yesterday's game. The Cards had just 11 turnovers, allowed just three steals, shot 42.9%, won the points off turnovers battle 28-12 and second chance points column 19-11. NO QUESTION ABOUT A CAPITAL "E" here.



DEFENSE-- Louisville held a squad that averaged 72 points-a-game to just 50. The Cards capitalized on 22 turnovers and got five blocks and 11 steals. Maybe thr third quarter was the turning point here, where Louisville allowed just three made goals on 13 attempts and out-rebounded UM 13-7, No question here at all, a CAPITAL "D". 

FINAL FRED TALLY -- F-r-E-D


THEY SAID IT

Jeff Walz post-game comments:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8BgNFrEODU&feature=youtu.be

Asia Durr, Sam Fuehring and Jazmine Jones post game comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au5NlHs_Uuo&feature=youtu.be



SOFTBALL SALVAGES A WIN SUNDAY

Holly Aprile's crew stepping up to the plate against Notre Dame yesterday and slugging out a 5-3 win in South Bend. 

The Cards taking an early lead with a run in the second inning, winning the crucial fourth inning 3-2 and tacking on a run in the sixth to go 1-2 in the weekend series against the Irish and  tacking on an insurance run late to seal the deal. 

20-10 overall and 3-3 in the ACC now for UofL Softball, who returns home for a Tuesday tilt vs. Indiana at Ulmer.  Come out, a 5 p.m. start. 


Have a marvelous Monday1

Paulie

. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


THE FRED REPORT 

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

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

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

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

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

FRED FINAL:  F-r-e-d

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

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

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

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


Please show up Sunday, fans. 

POST GAME WALZ

POST GAME SAM FUEHRING AND MYISHA HINES ALLEN

HIGHLIGHTS



*******************************************************


VOLLEYBALL VS. NC STATE TONIGHT

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

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

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

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

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


************************************************************


RADIO AND DONATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mail to: 

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


Thank you.


paulie
xxxxx 

SEYGAN ROBINS INTERVIEW...WBB faces Michigan tonight! -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

THE SEYGAN ROBINS INTERVIEW

Seygan Robins is a senior at Mercer County High School and one of three signees headed to the University of Louisville for the 2018-19 season. She is also a part of the Mercer County Titans girls basketball squad that won the 2017 Kentucky Girls High School Basketball Championship. She is a friendly, hard-working and caring teammate and person, as well...qualities that stay with you a lifetime and are admirable. 

I got the chance to drive to Harrodsburg, KY on Wednesday afternoon for an exclusive interview with her and her head coach Chris Souder. It was a fun and informative time and trip. I arrived a little early and got to watch a little practice in addition. The Titans look strong again this season and a special thanks to Coach for letting me come down and chat with him and her...plus senior Lexy Lake, who is headed to Campbellsville University to play hoops next year and kept me entertained as we watched the final part of practice.

Seygan saved the team from running a couple of extra "up and backs" running drills after practice by sinking two free throws in a row. Cool under pressure, both tosses were nothing but net.  

They have a Bojangles about 10 miles away from the school. Of course, I stopped there on the way back. It's an easy 66-mile drive from my driveway to the gym and you can bet I'll make that trip several more times this basketball season to see the Titans and Seygan go for the repeat. Why not combine the best in chicken and the best in Kentucky girls basketball, right? 

Here's our chat, and there's a link to listen to it at the end of this section. 


PAULIE:  Let's start by stepping back and looking at Mercer County winning the state title last year. What were some of the emotions and thoughts you went through on that ride to the title? 


SEYGAN: It was a very surreal experience. I remember a lot of locker room moments, talks from Coach Souder before and after games. It was a fun experience! 

PAULIE: Coach is pretty easy on you all, isn't he. He doesn't really get mad at you, does he? 

SEYGAN: Oh, yeah! He doesn't really get mad. 

PAULIE: He's over here grinning right now. You can tell that for sure. Let's take a look at this year's team. Obviously, you've got Faith and Lexy back and some other really good talent...are we excited about a repeat? 

SEYGAN: I really like our team coming back and everyone seems to be working hard in practice. We have a load of talent and a lot of people stepping up this year...so we hope to repeat! 

PAULIE: You get a chance to get out on the court Saturday. It's gotta be nice getting a chance to play someone else than your own teammates. 

SEYGAN: I think we're all definitely looking forward to that. Playing some one other than the practice team. 

PAULIE: It's Bullitt East...so it's going to be the battle of the Chris's right? 

COACH SOUDER: Yeah, Coach Stallings...he's probably my best friend, in the coaching realm, we've been good friends for a long time. It'll be a little different for him, too, with Linsdey Duvall graduated and at Louisville. I'm kinda glad. (laughter) We scrimmaged them last year and I think it was like 107-104 or something. Seygan and Lindsey were just putting on a show. It was pretty fun. I'm kinda glad she's not there. 

PAULIE: So, if regulation ends in a tie, will you and Coach Stallings have a shootout or something? 

COACH SOUDER: Yeah, I'd outshoot him. Best of out five and it wouldn't take but a couple. (More laughter) 

THESE TWO WILL REMATCH THIS SATURDAY
AT BULLITT EAST IN MT. WASHINGTON 

PAULIE: So, Seygan, you're going to Louisville, you did all the announcements Monday, Coach Souder had the red shirt on, it had to be a fun experience. As you go through the season, it that going to be kinda in the back of your mind...'Gosh, I'm going to miss all this next year, I'll be at Louisville?" 

SEYGAN: It definitely will but I'm really looking forward to going to Louisville. It'll be in the back of my mind that I'm going to miss I'll this. It'll definitely be a bittersweet year. 

PAULIE: This summer, you had the chance to get to play with a couple of the girls that will be going with you to Louisville in this class, playing a little club ball with them. Talk about them a little bit. 

SEYGAN: Definitely. When Molly and Mykasa committed I was super excited for them. I think our games mesh very well and we play with each other well so I'm looking forward to doing that.

(To hear the rest of and the entire interview click on the link below.) It's on Soundcloud, so you may need to do the free download to hear it.) 

THE SEYGAN ROBINS INTERVIEW

We will also replay this on our Saturday radio show, THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR, on WCHQ 100.9 FM at 11 a.m. Download the WCHQ app at: 

www.crescenthillradio.com

While there you can also listen to the show and interview. Plus previous shows and all the great local music and chat that embodies what WCHQ is.  

A special thanks to Coach and Seygan again for having me in and doing this! I look forward to my return visits. 



***********************************************************


WBB VS. MICHIGAN

The #5 in the nation Cards roll on in the preseason WNIT and next up is #24 Michigan. 

No easy task against the Wolverines tonight at the KFC YUM! Center for Walz, DOOO-BLAY and Nite-Nite. Kim Barnes Arico has talent on her roster galore and Katelynn Flaherty is one of the leaders. She's nine points away from becoming the leading scorer in Michigan women's basketball and had 20 in U.M.'s 74-50 win over Liberty in the quarterfinals. She was was a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe. 

Junior Hallie Thome has impressed as well. She averaged 16.2 ppg in 2016-17 and grabbed an average of 7.1 rebounds a night. Walz got to see both of these stars in the U23 trials. 

Michigan won the post-season WNIT last year with a triple-overtime victory over ACC's Georgia Tech 89-79. The Cards and Wolverines have squared off three times in the series, Louisville holds a 2-1 edge. They last met way back in 1980 in Freedom Hall...UofL gathering a 89-80 win. 

This one begins at 7 p.m. and will be on the ACC Network Extra. We recommend you check out the radio feed of Nick Curran and Adrienne Johnson on WKRD 790 AM. 


RECOGNITION

Myisha and Asia have been named to the John Wooden Award watch list, that recognizes the top 30 in women's college basketball. 

The two have certainly brought a standard of excellence to Cardinal WBB this season and throughout their playing careers. 

Louisville is one of eight universities to have multiple players on the watch list. As you might guess, UConn has a starting five in Collier, Nurse, Samuelson, Stevens and Williams listed. In the ACC, Duke had Greenwell and Brown chosen. 

Excellence on the court. 

At CARDINAL COUPLE, it is our goal to cover the excellence, joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics each and every day. We're "full in" with basketball season now, but we'll still keep you up on Volleyball and any other sports events that the Red and the Black are participating in. 

We feature article about the up and coming stars, like today's article about Seygan. We look into the past and have brought you interviews with ex-stars such as Asia Taylor, Candyce Bingham, Sara Hammond and more. We'll be here every day reporting on something Cardinal related and we'd love it if you join us.

Identify this former Cardinal WBB
star for an entry in our Panera Card
Drawing. First correct answer in the
comments section is entered! 

NOVEMBER Is DONATION MONTH HERE AT CARDINAL COUPLE. We've gotten off to a good start the first half of the month but there is still work to be done, money to be raised and that's where YOU come in. 

We feel that we have a great collection of writers and radio show participants here at C.C. The young and the old. Male and female. All dedicated to what they do for love of game. 

We don't make thousands of dollars, we don't bomb you with commercials. Our information IS NOT premium or pay-per-view. We lay it out here each day and basically say, come and get it. Read, react and return. We're independent, non-profit and that'll never change. 

Give what you can. No amount is too big or too small. You can help us via PAY-PAL if you want or send us a check. We appreciate the support so far and hope that there is more on the way. You can mail your tax deductible donation to our non-profit site here: 

Cardinal Couple
c/o Paul Sykes
P.O. Box 91521
Louisville, KY 40291

Thank you. As we say, YOU are Cardinal Couple and WE never forget that.


paulie
xxxxx