Jeff Walz Radio Show is Back -- Shayla Scanlan -- Thursday CARDINAL COUPLE

 UofL Brings Back Jeff Walz Radio Show

The fan favorite Jeff Walz Radio Show is back.  There were concerns on if the show would return because of the pandemic. In past years, the show was hosted at venues such as Chili's and Mark's Feed Store.  This year, the show will not have a set location.

In fact, the show will not have a live audience.  It will be held completely over the air with fans having the option to call in. Nick Curran returns as the host for the show as he discusses recent games, upcoming games, and fan questions with Walz.

2020-21 Jeff Walz Radio Show Schedule
All shows will air on 93.9 The Ville.
Monday, December 7^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, December 15^th – 6 pm – 7 pm
Tuesday, December 29^th  – 7 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday, January 6^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday, January 13^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday, January 20^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Tuesday, January 26^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday, February 10^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday, February 24^th – 7 pm – 8 pm
Post season show 1– TBA
Post season show 2 – TBA

UofL Features LAX's Shalya Scanlan

UofL News recently shared a story featuring UofL lacrosse player Shayla Scanlan and her Native American heritage. Scanlan is believed to be the first woman from the Seneca Nation to sign a letter of intent to play for an NCAA D1 level lacrosse program. Scanlan talked about how deep lacrosse is in her roots.  Lacrosse originated from Native American tribes in North America, which they called "Stickball".

"People think lacrosse is a rich white sport," said Scanlan.  "You are able to play this game because of my people, my descendants, my ancestors."

The rising senior has used her platform as a way to educate others about Native American heritage including inviting teammates to the reservation where she lives with her family. Native Americans are a minority in the realm of college sports.  UofL fans are more than familiar with Shoni and Jude Schimmel.

It will be exciting to see how Scanlan continues to use her platform to promote and educate others about Native American heritage as she prepares to start her senior year.

My Answers to Paulie's Questions

The first question Paulie asked in his Wednesday article was which women's basketball players were named the Wooden Award winners twice during their collegiate careers.

I have only been following women's basketball since the fall of 2012 when I began my time as a student.  Thankfully, I am pretty sure I have seen a few of them in my time following WBB.

I know for certain Sabrina Ionescu is one them.  She is also the most recent recipient.  I remember the days of Breanna Stewart dominating everyone and can safely guess she makes the list.  My freshman year, the college basketball world couldn't get enough of Brittney Griner, one of few women who have been able to dunk a basketball on a regulation size goal so I will guess that she may have snuck in a pair of awards.  Anyone who follows women's basketball knows about Maya Moore and her dominance.  I assume she won two, if not even three, Wooden awards during her time.  Perhaps A'ja Wilson and Tina Charles are in the mix too?

Unfortunately, my guesses halt there.  Stay tuned for Paulie to release the answer! I expect it'll be in his Friday column, when he preps us for Louisville WBB vs. The Fighting Brunos...oops, DePaul. 

My guess for the Louisville vs DePaul game has the Cards winning.  I think this will be a close one with the Cards sneaking by a win at 85-82.  What could play in the Cards' favor is wearing down the Blue Demons, who choose to wear a mask while playing on the court.

If you remember the mascot quizzes we do in the "slow" months, you might remember that the mascot name is DIBS (Demon In a Blue Suit).for the DePaul program. Another interesting factoid is that Doug's son Bradley is on the staff as Director of Basketball Operations. 

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Lacrosse wins at Vandy -- Shook Honored -- other WBB News -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

INTERVIEWS AND PRESSERS FROM WEDNESDAY

LACROSSE WEEKLY WITH TEETER AND SHANAHAN

JEFF WALZ PRESSER


LACROSSE HOLDS OFF HOME-STANDING VANDY 15-13

The University of Louisville Lacrosse squad improved to 3-2 yesterday with a 15-13 win at Vanderbilt. A game of runs, a late-contest surge by the Commodores and strong start to the second half for Louisville. It all added up to an exciting but a bit nervous afternoon for this Louisville Lacrosse fan. 

Key for the Cards LAX squad was Shayla Scanlan's four scores. Three of them came in the second half and her final "find the net" throw gave Louisville a bit of security with 1:12 on the clock, turning a 14-13 game into the final margin. Also big was Brenna Shanahan's six assists, 

Louisville started a bit slow, surrendering the first two goals of the game, but went on a 3-0 run that gave them the lead just five minutes into the action. Two of the three goals were from freshman Allegra Catalano. Vandy responded with a similar run, firing in three straight to hold a 5-3 advantage with 17:33 until the half. 

The runs had begun and they weren't going to stop. 

Scanlan's first score and a follow up goal from --one of the Blalock sisters -- (Caroline), knotted it back up at 5-5. 

Your turn, anchor droppers.

Vandy followed with two scores in a minute and it was seven minutes before the next "drop the stick and celebrate" event took  place. With 1:45 to play in opening half action, Cards leading scorer Ally Hall connected for her first score and with a minute left in the half Paige Richbourg evened it up at 7-7. The half ended that way -- tied. 

A strong Cardinal start to the final 30 minutes ensued. Louisville outscored the 'Dores 4-1 in the opening nine minutes. Goals from Richbourg, Hall, Scanlan and Hannah Morris boosted the Cards into a 11-8 edge. Morris and Blalock built the lead to 13-9 with their second scores of the afternoon. Four minutes later, with 7:37 to play, Scanlan found success with her third goal, which gave the Cards a lead that looked insurmountable at 14-10. 

But, it was run time, again. This time, it was the home team. 

14-10 turned into 14-13 over the next five minutes. It was time for head coach Scott Teeter and the visiting Cards to talk about it. A timeout resulted in a drawn-up play, and the play produced a score from Scanlan...with just 1:12 remaining in the contest. 

It was the final goal of the game and the Cards had survived the Vandy run for the 15-13 victory. Five Cards finished with two goals each, Scanlan four and goalkeeper Rachel Florek had another big day with 14 saves. 

I'll visit Scott Teeter for another one of our Wednesday "Talks with Teeter" and post it at the top of today's site later today.

We'll also probably have a student-athlete, I let Coach decide who he wants to bring in...he has several good choices available today


SHOOK SELECTED AS SEMIFINALIST. 

When you think of Kylee Shook, you think of the blocked shots. You think about her strong rebounding skills. You also think of how she shuts down prominent opposing center's like "Big Smile" Cunane and Janelle Bailey. Yes, you also think of the three-point shooting skills (at least I do), but we'll stick with her defense. It's the defense, after all, that has her as one of ten semi-finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. 

The lone ACC nominee for the award. So, she's pretty much assured winning the honor in the ACC, right? Knowing the ACC, they'll probably go in a completely different direction...but it takes nothing away from what Kylee had done this season . 

Shook is UofL’s all-time leader with 217 career blocks. She recorded six blocks at UT Martin to become UofL’s all-time leader, surpassing Angel McCoughtry (2006-09) who had 162.

She has 80 blocks this year, which is the most in Louisville single season history. She had three blocks at Syracuse to eclipse Yuliya Tokoya’s 59 blocks in 2006-07 for the single-season record.

Shook leads the ACC and ranks 11th in the NCAA with 2.9 blocks per game and is averaging 3.1 blocks per game in ACC play, which leads the league by over half a block and is 1.3 blocks per game better than the third-best blocks per game average.

She is nearly averaging a double-double on the season with 9.6 points per game and 8.0 rebounds. Her 8.0 rebounds per game rank seventh in the ACC.

STATUS PENDING...

Word out of the Louisville WBB circles is that it is day-by-day on whether Dana Evans and Elizabeth Balogun will get the start against Boston College Thursday night. Both are recovering and receiving treatment for sprained ankles suffered in the Cards win at Georgia Tech last Thursday. 

Let's face it, you have a conference championship and NCAA Tournament coming up. Louisville is assured of a #1 seed in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro and why take the chance of playing either Dana or "E", if they're not 100% ready-to-go.

You don't want a re-sprain or any aggravation for either student-athlete. 

Yes, wins = seeding in the NCAA Tournament and I get that. I have to go with the premise, however, that you want your players who help deliver wins available when you need them in the tournament. Healthy. Ankles healed.  

We'll see what Coach Walz's thoughts are on this today at his weekly Wednesday presser today. I'll post the audio at the top of the page later today. 

Check back tomorrow, as Jared gets you ready for the Thursday night, 6 p.m. contest against Baldwin's Boston College Eagles. It's Angel McCoughtry "bobble-head" night and 1,000 of those will be available to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. Doors open at five. 


Have a wonderous, not-too-wet Wednesday! 



paulie
xxxxx

Busy Friday Sees Wins, Swims, and Broken Records -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Softball Sweeps Friday at Bama Bash

It hasn't been an easy start for Holly Aprile's squad this season. The Cards got a ranked win in their opener before losing six straight. Louisville snagged a win over Wisconsin last week to break the streak but fell again to ranked Michigan the next day. Louisville looks to turn things around this weekend, and they started that attempt with a pair of wins yesterday. Louisville shutout both Penn State and Wichita State to move to 4-7 on the season. The Cards will get another shot at Wichita State this morning before a pair of games against power house (and host) Alabama. The Crimson Tide is a perennial title contender and is currently ranked 13/10 in the polls. The Cards will have their work cut out for them. 

Harris No-Hits Penn State

In the first game of the day, the Cards got off to a promising start in the top of the first inning. Louisville got runners on first and second with two outs after a Maddy Newman walk and a Cassady Greenwood single. That would be the end of the rally, though, as the Nittany Lions got out of the jam. In the bottom half, Chardonnay Harris walked the second batter on four pitches, and Claire Swedburg stole second to give Penn State a runner in scoring position with two outs. Harris got a swinging strikeout on the cleanup hitter to keep the game level.

The next two innings saw twelve up-twelve down as both teams were held in check. Taylor Roby broke the tie with a lead-off home run in the top of the fourth. After a pair of outs, Carmyn Greenwood doubled and Charley Butler singled her home to give the Cards a 2-0 lead before a strikeout ended the inning. Harris once again sat down the side in order. 

In the top of the fifth, Louisville's offense continued the rally. The Cards used seven singles, a walk, and an error to bat around the order and score seven runs. After blowing open a 9-0 lead, Harris picked up two groundouts and a pop-out to finish the game due to five-inning run rule. As the walk in the first inning was the only baserunner allowed, Chardonnay Harris picked up the no-hitter. The no-hitter was Louisville's first since Maryssa Becker in 2014.

Offense Picks up Where it Left Off Against Wichita State

Following the seven run fifth inning that ended the game against Penn State, Louisville's offense was more than ready to keep playing. After Taylor Roby worked out of a runner in scoring position in the top half, Louisville's hot offense once again stepped to the plate. Celene Funke walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Maddy Newman then walked and stole second, giving Louisville two in scoring position with no outs. Roby promptly brought them both home with a single. After a Cassady Greenwood bunt single, Charley Butler came on to run for Roby. A double steal put runners on second and third and a Carmyn Greenwood bunt single scored one. Louisville then executed another double steal to score another run and a Rebecca Chung groundout scored the final runner. Louisville put two more on base after a single and a hit by pitch to bat around the order, but Funke flied out to end then inning.

Louisville would go on to score a run in the second and two runs in the fourth to carry an 8-0 lead into the fifth, where Roby would sit down the Shockers' batters and win in the second straight run rule game. Roby gave up just two hits and a walk, while giving up no runs. Meanwhile, every Louisville batter to step to the plate reached base one way or the other. 

The Cards will see if they can keep their hot offense rolling today as they open the day with another game against Wichita State at noon. Their first game with Alabama is scheduled for 2:30PM and will be available via WatchESPN (SECN+).

Swimming in Third at ACC Championships

Heading into the final day of competition at the ACC Women's Swimming Championships, Louisville sits in a comfortable third place. The Cards (747.5) are nearly two hundred points ahead of fourth place UNC (567) but almost 150 behind second place NC State (888). Virginia leads by a mile at 1001.5 points. In addition to their solid team standing, Louisville has currently had multiple swimmers set pool times that qualified for invites to the NCAA Championships last season. We'll take a look at the potential NCAA qualifiers once conference championships have wrapped up and invites have gone out.

Lacrosse Falls in Tough Match at #14 Michigan

Louisville Lacrosse hit the road to take on a ranked Michigan team yesterday and put up a fight for much of the game. The Cards had to weather a storm as the Wolverines opened with a five goal run over the game's first ten minutes. Louisville bounced back and Shayla Scanlan's hat trick goal with six seconds left in the half made it 7-6 Michigan. The Cards would fight again in the second half, opening the half with a game tying goal from Paige Richbourg. Scanlan would go on to tie the game at 11 with 11:30 to go but that would be Louisville's final goal of the game. As they opened, Michigan closed, scoring four goals over the final seven minutes and shutting out the Cards to claim a 15-11 victory.

Despite the loss, Louisville showed great will and toughness in their second ranked game of the season. The Cards saw a lot of lopsided losses last year and appear to be holding their own much better this season. In addition to the spread out scoring, 11 goals from six players (Scanlan, Richbourg, both Blalocks, Hannah Morris and Brenna Shanahan), Rachel Florek set a program record for saves to keep the Cards in the game. Florek finished with 17 stops, preventing what could have been a very ugly outcome for the Cards. Louisville moves to 2-2 on the year and will head down I-65 on Tuesday for a matchup against Vanderbilt at 4PM.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

After taking last week off, we're back with the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour today at 11AM. Jared and Paulie are both traveling this week, so Jeff and I will be holding down the fort, but we'll have plenty to discuss. With basketball getting into the big time part of the season and softball and lacrosse both being underway in earnest, we'll have no lack of topics to discuss. Join us as we go live on YouTube or catch the replay of the show any time.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-