CARDS WBB ENDS NON-CONFERENCE PLAY AT UT-MARTIN -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

10-1 CARDS A PERFECT 8-0 AGAINST SKYHAWKS

Captain Skyhawk says, "Hiya, Paulie !"

Louisville WBB goes into their Christmas break with a final game against a squad that has never beaten them. The Cards will play UT-Martin in Martin tonight, a 7 p.m. tipoff that will be available on ESPN+ and Cards Radio 790 WKRD. 

The teams have faced each other eight times in the past nine years, Louisville coming out on top in each match-up. Last time out, Asia Durr poured in 25 points in a 102-62 romp at the KFC YUM CENTER in early December of 2018. A 11-0 run in the first quarter helped push the Cards out to a 31-14 first quarter lead and Louisville steadily increased  the margin as the contest went on. 

So, what does the 2019-20 version of the Skyhawks offer? It was a rough start for UTM, dropping their first three games of the season to St. Louis, Mississippi State and Gonzaga...all on the road. They returned to the Elam Center for wins against Samford and IUPUI before hitting the highway again. A trip through Illinois resulted in losses to Illinois State and Southern Illinois. Getting back to Martin proven to be beneficial -- they have won their last two, against Chattanooga and Lipscomb.

Junior Chelsey Perry has been the main threat for head coach Kevin McMillian so far this season. She averages 19.9 points per game and also leads the squad in rebounding with 7.4 grabs a contest. The 6'2" forward from Middleton, TN had a career night in the Skyhawks last outing, a 83-67 win over Lipscomb, with 42 points and 10 rebounds. Perry has been named the OVC Player of the Week the last two weeks and also ranks 18th. nationally with 2.4 blocks a game.

Redshirt sophomore Damiah Griffin , a 6'0" redshirt sophomore from Memphis, averages 10.4 points a game. Of note, the Skyhawks have three players 6'2" or taller in Perry, Maddie Waldrop (Murray, KY) and Demi Burdock. The Skyhawks have four players who played Kentucky High School basketball in Waldrop, Tamiah Stanford (Radcliff, KY) Haley Harrison (Winchester, KY) and Emma Davis -- who played with Seygan Robins at Mercer County. 

For the Cards, it'll be a matter of not letting visions of home, family and friends dance in their heads as they play their only game in the next 10 days. Most of the players will be departing for their home towns after the contest. Norika Konno has already left for Sendai, Japan. She gets a few additional days of Christmas break because of the long distance and traveling time from Louisville to her hometown (6373 miles) and head coach Jeff Walz stressing the importance that all players have five days with their families. 

If Dana Evans can continue the point-guard proficiency she showed against UK and Kylee Shook can manage to school opponents inside and out, offensively and defensively, the Cards shouldn't have much trouble with their OVC foe. A chance, maybe for Walz to go deeper than the 10 player rotation that has been  protocol recently. Evans is second in the ACC in scoring with 29 points per game and has 31 threes on the season, which puts her in the top 30 of DI. 

This is the type of game that also sets up for Jaz Jones to have a big night. She saw 18 minutes of action with six points the last time UofL visited UT. The Cardinal starting lineup that night of November 11th, 2016 was Myisha Hines-Allen, Mariya Moore, Ciera Johnson, Taylor Johnson and Asia Durr. 

A contest tonight that will also give Elizabeth Balogun (Chattanooga,TN) and Liz Dixon's (Memphis, TN) parents, friends and family a bit of a shorter trek to see the two in action.

Martin is a quaint, little town in the northwest corner of Tennessee. When I was there a couple of years ago to watch the Cards WBB play the Skyhawks, the trip took about four hours. They have a beautiful campus at UT Martin, a Hampton Inn, a wonderful, old opera house and a couple of neat, local restaurants.

My favorite memory has to be going to "gas up" the vehicle to return to Louisville and waiting for the convenience store to open. 

As I waited, a "local law enforcement representative" approached me and asked what I was doing there. I explained my need for petrol and he told me that if I drove about a 1/2 mile up the road, I would find a 24 hour station open. I thanked him for that bit of knowledge, and, he was kind enough to follow me to the store. Even walked in with me as I plunked my cash payment down on the counter. And, he saw I got safely out of the city limits. 

I'm gonna miss seeing what adventures I might have gotten into this year. Family matters make it impossible to make the sojourn this time. Maybe I should call the police station and let them know. Or inform them Nick Evans will be in town. 

UTM floor (as of 2016) 

Back to basketball, and of particular note, tonight will most likely be the night that Kylee passes Angel McCoughtry as the all-time leading shot blocker at UofL. She's one block away from the tie. 

A final tune up before a brief holiday and the onset of ACC play. Let's hope that all of our WBB players have a efficient and productive showing tonight, and then safe travels home. 

And, in case you were wondering, it's 50 days until the start of Cardinal Softball. 

Have a terrific Thursday ! 


paulie
xxxxx 

EXPECTATIONS, HYPE HIGH FOR UofL WBB SQUAD...FIELD HOCKEY INTEREVIEWS -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FANS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER FINAL FOUR

The University of Louisville women's basketball team starts the regular season Friday in Martin, TN against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. Not a bad team last year...going 22-10 and defeating Memphis in the first round of the WNIT. They're picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference this year...behind Belmont (who Louisville plays after UT-Martin) and they return two starters in Jessy Ward and Emanye Robertson. It's their season-opener as well...and their fans will pack the Skyhawk Arena to capacity to take in the action.  

We'll get much more in-depth in our Skyhawk preview on Friday...(maybe I'll even get my promised media packet from them by then...)

After a feel-good win for the Cards over Lindsey Wilson 97-50, I've heard from a few of you...the Louisville fans...about the game, the team and the expectations you have for the season. As most of you know, you don't have to prod me too hard to talk about any women's sports and basketball is the one I've been following the longest...so it's been fun *and hopefully will continue to be* a pleasure talking about this bunch of Belknap Birds so far.

There are high expectations out there with you for another run to the Final Four. That's admirable...and I wouldn't mind a trip to Dallas in the spring, either...but that road will not be an easy or guaranteed one.

Howie Lindsey, he of radio morning show LOUISVILLE FIRST, asked me the other morning about my starting five again. So do a lot of you. Now that I've seen Louisville in action. I'm glad to provide it...and have pretty much given up trying to patiently explain to people that the important five is the one that finishes a close game. Taking current injuries into account...I'm fine with a starting five of Myisha Hines-Allen, Mariya Moore, Asia Durr, Briahanna Jackson and Ciera Johnson. The Cards started that combination against LWC and left it out there for about three minutes before the substitutions began. I'm not reading much into the fact that when Bionca Dunham came in for Johnson...the Cards went on a 13-0 run before the next substitution. I also think that Cortnee Walton will regain her starting role once the elbow is good to go. 

Mind you, these are all my personal observations. I have no coaches whispering in my ear (actually, much the opposite..when Coach Walz called me out in the LWC presser for poor performance) nor do I have a crystal ball into the future.

You want to know about if the Cards can beat Kentucky this year. It comes up very often when I'm talking with you. You want this "W" very bad and I think they players do as well. And, the Cats have lost a lot of players...but Epps is still on campus and that keeps them pretty much in any game they play. Do I think Louisville can beat Kentucky? I certainly do. Do I think they will? I'm holding opinion on that until I see how the Cards fare against Maryland and South Carolina. in any event, it should be a fun first Sunday in December down by the mighty Ohio. 

You have asked me how the staff is going to keep all these players happy with playing time. I'll tell you that players, in the Walz system, get playing time because of their work ethic. As Coach has said, if you feel you need to take a night off, that's fine...he's got plenty of others who would like those minutes. I know he and the staff are concerned about the overall health and happiness of their squad. They always have been. The way I see it, if you are unhappy about a situation, you need to do something to change it (like turn a few heads in practice on in the game minutes you receive) or accept your role and move on with it. It's not about who can draw the prettiest picture, it about who uses their crayons the most effectively.

I'm looking forward to the game against UT-Martin...as well as the rest of the schedule. You've made it clear to us here at CARDINAL COUPLE that women's basketball is your favorite sport we cover. It's basketball season and we plan on doing that...while keeping a eye on the other UofL women's sports going on. 

We'll have a lot of other clowns in the car with us when it comes to WBB. The main-stream media basically ignores women's soccer, field hockey and volleyball. Oh, sure...they cover a few things during the season...but it isn't to the level of coverage that they descend on women's hoops with. With that, you get the un-knowledgeable and grand-standers as well. I guess coverage is good, no matter how it manifests its-self. Or, even the slow and boring have their stories to tell as well....Don't get me wrong...there are a lot of great journalists, media-types and pundits out there. They didn't show up for LWC, for the most part, but very soon they'll be jamming up media row and most likely be sending me and Sonja to the end-zone seating areas. 

So, what you have waited for is here. 18 chances to see Jeff Walz's team in the KFC YUM! Center. TV galore between the four-letter network, ACC Network Extra, RSN and probably a couple of more outlets. You're anticipating great things for this women's basketball team...while silently hoping they don't stumble out of the gate like last year. 

Keep in mind that there will be ups and downs on this roller-coaster. How will the Cards handle the challenging stretch where they face South Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Western Kentucky and South Dakota State? Will Asia Durr continue the incredible start she has gotten off to.? Will the freshmen continue to be a significant part of the success we saw against LWC? Does free throw shooting improve? We hope and pray each year that injuries will be kept to a minimum...can Walton, Shook and Carter get back to playing and will they perform effectively? 

These two brought a lot of joy and excitement to WBB! 

Let's not forget the most important element...the one we base CARDINAL COUPLE on...the joy and excitement. We hope to see the dazzling debut of Jazmine Jones, Dunham, Durr and their teammates continue to soar. I get as excited about walking into the KFC YUM! Center each home game as I do about anything. The atmosphere, activity, greeting all of you and the games. Five months of fantastic fulfillment and electric excitement. For all the hype and explosiveness Lamar Jackson has created this fall, I hope to see several WBB players and this team get the nationwide attention, admiration and praise that #8 has drawn. 

Welcome to where dreams live. Where hope soars, giddiness and frustration stroll down the street together. A place where levity and anger share bunk beds with expectations and disappointments. Sit down, buckle up and prepare for the ride. It's going to be an entertaining one. 


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FIELD HOCKEY INTERVIEWS


UofL's Field Hockey squad travels to Durham, NC to open the NCAA Tournament against Delaware on Saturday. Coach Justine Sowry, Ayeshia McFerran, Lotta Kahlert and Erin McCrudden met with members of the media Wednesday morning to discuss the upcoming game that'll take place on Saturday. We have the audio for you below: 

LINK: Justine Sowry https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_0906mp3-justine-sowry

LINK: Ayeshia McFerran https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_0907mp3-ayeshia-mcferran

LINK: Lotta Kahlert: https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_0908mp3

LINK: Erin McCrudden: https://soundcloud.com/user-748907999/dr0000_0909mp3 


We'll have more on the tournament and the Cards on Saturday and also discuss on THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR on WCHQ 100.9 FM Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

paulie
xxxxx 

Louisville women's basketball grounds Skyhawks 88-66 -- Tuesday CARDINAL COUPLE

18-2 run in third quarter sends Cards flying past UTM.

The University of Louisville women's basketball team used a 18-2 third quarter run over six minutes to turn a one-point lead into a 19-point advantage Monday night in the KFC YUM! Center before a "red-out" crowd of 8690 in their final non-conference test before ACC play by defeating UT-Martin 88-66.  

The Cards held a 41-33 lead over UTM at the end of the first half but the SkyHawks ran off seven straight points to begin the final half to cut the Cardinal lead to 41-40 after Katie Schubert connected with a jumper in the paint with 7:51 remaining.

The Cards caught on fire after two missed shots, though, and goals from Mariya Moore, Briahanna Jackson and then threes from Moore, Asia Durr and Taja Cole put the Cards ahead 55-42 with 3:05 to play. Cole hit two more shots in the next 75 seconds and UofL had expanded the margin to 59-42 with 1:50 left in the third quarter.  

Mariya Moore commented on the run: 

"It was just a different mind-set. We knew we shouldn't have had a break-down in the beginning [of the half]...so just buckling down, remembering how the first half went and how we got that lead..playing defense, getting stops and capitalizing on our opportunities around the basket." 

Cortnee Walton spoke of the offensive spurt:

"When they first started coming back, Coach Walz had warned us to not let them get on a run...so we came back and we were scoring at will, scoring whenever we wanted to. We were getting stops, too, and when we get stops it makes it easier to get good shots and score." 

The Cards jumped out to an 11-0 lead in this one and led 16-4 after a Durr layup with 4:11 left in the first. Myisha Hines-Allen had 11 of Louisville's 20 first period points and the Cards led by eight. They were able to maintain that eight point lead going into the half...watching it shrink to two with 3:21 remaining before Walton and Carter scored four each in a 8-2 run to end the half. 

Six Cards hit double figures for the contest. Hines-Allen (13), Walton (12), Jackson (12), Durr (12) Moore (11) and Cole (11). Nine of the ten Cards that played scored. Erin DeGrate sat out the contest with a bruised knee. All players saw at least six minutes and no one played more than 33 in Louisville's seventh win in their last eight games.

THREE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE WIN: 

-- Shooting. 15-16 from the free throw line and 54% from the floor

-- Freshmen contributions. The four freshmen had 32 points and just two turnovers in 52 minutes of playing time. Sam Fuehring had seven points in the final period...Cole and Durr combined for 12 in the pivotal third quarter. 

-- Points off turnovers. 40 points off 24 turnovers. 

AREAS TO IMPROVE:

-- Shooting defense. UTM also shot 54% from the floor. How many games do you think the Cards will win in the ACC when the opponent shoots over 50%? Louisville wanted to limit UTM's threes...and they did....holding them to 6-16 beyond the arc. The Skyhawks were 21-34 on two-pointers, though...and that's almost 62%.

-- Paint protection. Louisville outscored UTM by only 46-40 in the paint. DaiJia Ruffin and Shy Copney had a field day on the dribble-drive. 

-- Visiting S.I.D. press release. We were shocked to find out from the UT-Martin press guide that the Cards had returned to the American Athletic Conference. Journalists...always the last to know. Might wanna proof-read that thing next time, Sundance...

And, for God's sake, people...Louisville's team nickname is the Cardinals...not the Cardinal. The Cardinal is a fine student-newspaper on campus. Or the Stanford nickname. 

FINAL, DELUSIONAL THOUGHTS AND MUTTERINGS

So, with conference play looming Friday against powerhouse Florida State...is Louisville ready for ACC play? I posed the question to Jeff Walz in the post-game press conference. Without batting an eye, here was his reply:

"We play Friday at 4. Ask me at 6." 

(Gotta love a coach who so eloquently pontificates on his squad's potential preparedness...)

Could me and my buddies here from Clemson
shoot 50% against Louisville? 

Let's be brutally frank and honest here. Teams seems to find easy ways to score on Louisville. The Cards let substantial leads disappear at different stages of the contests. The freshmen are getting better...encouraging but will this improvement stand the test of the FSU's, Duke's, Miami's, Syracuses' and Notre Dame's of the ACC? 

We discussed the "dependables" yesterday and they were...well...dependable. Carter, Cole and Durr had good efforts against the OVC Skyhawks and that was somewhat expected. If games were one quarter, Sam Fuehring might make All-ACC First team. 

But...as of now...this isn't the third best team in the ACC or the eighth best team in the nation. 

I'll call the Cards to task on the need for improving "FRED" .

Free Throws
Rebounding
Easy Shots
Defense

Cards, meet FRED. Get to know FRED really well over the rest of this season. Make FRED your best friend and inspiration. Without FRED, any long stay in the NCAA Tournament hopes or maybe even a .500 conference record are dead.

paulie
xxxxx



paulie

Cards must not overlook Skyhawks tonight -- Monday Cardinal Couple

7-5 UTM VISITS WBB TONIGHT

The intent and focus of pre-conference basketball games is to prepare your team for the rigors and tests that loom in the future when conference play begins. The University of Louisville women's basketball squad will receive one of those challenges this evening when they face the UT-Martin Skyhawks at the KFC YUM! Center at 7 p.m.

Tennessee-Martin (7-5) had a five-game win streak snapped last time out in a narrow loss to Vanderbilt 64-61. These birds haven't been wading in shallow water this season...with two SEC and two Big 10 opponents on the schedule...and impressive wins over Alabama and Cincinnati. They'll fly in from long range at opponents...121 threes made this season which is over 10 made per game. That's good for third in the nation.

Freshman guard Daijia Ruffin, who played her high-school hoops at Louisville Sacred Heart, leads the flock with 14.7 ppg and has 18 steals for the Skyhawks. Butler transfer Haley Howard and Jessie Ward also average double figures for the OVC squad that was picked to finish second in the preseason coaches conference poll. 

Louisville (7-5) looks to keep redemption train rolling down the tracks...riding a four-game win streak. Myisha Hines-Allen, coming off ACC Player Of The Week honors, is averaging 17 points a game for Jeff Walz's squad, shooting 57.1% and is grabbing over eight rebounds a contest. Briahanna Jackson is good for 14.9 a night and leads Louisville in steals. Mariya Moore rounds out the double figure producers at 13.3 and is Louisville's assist leader. 

Louisville did ground the Skyhawks 77-43 last year in the KFC YUM! Center and held them to under 30% shooting. That'll be a key for this evening...the UT-Martin squad isn't afraid to launch the orb toward the cylinder...especially from beyond the three-point stripe. Louisville will need to be mindful about grabbing those missed attempts and playing a sticky defense that won't allow the Skyhawks to get off easy and wide-open attempts.

It's a "RED OUT" tonight, so if you're going...break out some of that red Cardinal Christmas swag you got from Santa. If you're watching at home...CARDS TV will provide the visual and Matt and A.J. will be the audio. 

A good test tonight before the Cards roll into ACC play. Certainly one that Louisville would gladly accept another 34-point win over...but we've got the feeling it'll be closer than that tonight. 

___________________________________________________

NOW PLAYING

PAULIE, I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THE BROADCAST...
IT'S OK, MARKIE! GO TO THE CLOUD...GO TO THE CLOUD

If you missed the latest broadcast of The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour on WCHQ 100.9 FM Saturday, there's no need to gnash your teeth in despair or mope around the dining room table. It's available on the Crescent Hill Soundcloud. We've even provided a link to it below for your ease of access. (Have you actually ever gnashed your teeth? Sounds a bit painful, eh?) 

All better now, Buttercup? We thought so. Go seize the day.

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/chradio/cardinal-couple-122615

paulie
xxxxx

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Volleyball triumphs over Belmont -- awaits NCAA pairing and assignment.

-Women's Basketball 6-0 and facing a tough week ahead.

***************** SEEDING UPDATE*****************

As expected, the UofL volleyball team will play their first and second rounds games in the KFC YUM! Center on Thursday and Friday. First round opponent is Belmont University...who the Cards defeated last Friday. The other two teams that will play in the YUM! are Tennessee and Michigan. The winners will face off Friday night.

Louisville is in the Berkeley (CA) region, which means they'd travel there if they are successful in winning two on their home court. We'll have more on this tomorrow....including times, hopefully.

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

The University of Louisville Volleyball team disposed of OVC Tournament Champion Belmont Friday afternoon in Cardinal Arena and now awaits their fate in the NCAA Tournament. The Cards took the straight set sweep 26-24, 25-21, 25-14 to improve to 29-3 on the season and Gwen Rucker slammed home another impressive game with 15 kills. Lola Arslanbekova added 14. Seniors Tanya Lukyanenko and Kaitlynn James contributed to the victory as well...with eight and seven kills respectively.

It's now a matter of "wait and see" as the team awaits the NCAA Volleyball Selection Show, which will be aired on ESPNU Sunday @ 4:00 p.m. Anne Kordes and the squad will be throwing a selection watch party at Bearno's By The Bridge (near the KFC YUM! Center) at 3:30 p.m.

Lasagna with Lola. Rigatoni with Rucker. Meatballs with Mattingly. Sounds like a great time. We're huge Bearno's fans here at Cardinal Couple and recommend the Mama Bearno's pizza if you go...

It's no secret that the Cards have bid to host 1st. and 2nd. round matches at the KFC YUM! Center, beginning Thursday, November 29th. and ending Friday, November 30th. They're going to get that request, in our opinion...so here's the skinny on tickets.

All-session for adults are $20. Seniors and youth get in for $10. Bring a chimp and get in free.(Not really, but wouldn't that be fun!). Single-session are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and youth and $5 for college students. Get a group of 10 more for the single session and it's $5 each as well.

All-session tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Monday and can be purchased at the Louisville Athletic Ticket Office at (502) 852-5151, online at GoCards.com or in person at the Student Activities Center ticket office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Jeff Walz's WBB squad is 6-0 and preparing for a road trip to UT-Martin after winning three games in three days in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in the Hardwood For Hope Tournament. Three games for the Cards in a seven day stretch...they host EKU on Wednesday and arch-rival UK on Sunday.

We'll have more on UT-Martin in the Monday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE, but they're not an opponent to be taken lightly. Three starters back from a squad that went 23-9 last season and made the NCAA Tournament. This year, the Skyhawks are 1-4...but the losses have come against quality opponents like the defending national champs Baylor (82-67), Stanford --who beat Baylor last week -- (92-68), Big 10 Northwestern (79-69) and Hawaii (73-69).

You can guarantee that Skyhawk fans will pack SkyHawk Arena, on the UT-Martin campus for this one. A great early season test for Walz's squad in a hostile on-the-road environment awaits.

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FROM THE "TELL YOUR STATISTICS TO SHUT-UP" DEPARTMENT


Here's how the numbers stack up so far for the Lady Cards this season.

Points per game - Shoni Schimmel 13.0
Rebounds per game - Sara Hammond 8.7
Steals - Bria Smith 11
Assists - Shoni Schimmel 20
Three-Point Shooting % - Nita Slaughter .421 (8-19)
Overall Shooting % - Sherrone Vails .650 (13-20)
Free Throws % - Nita Slaughter 1.000 (2-2)
Minutes played - Shoni 171 (28.5 per game)
High point total (game) - Sara Hammond 20 (vs. Texas A&M)

The Cards have out-scored their opponnents 442 (73.7 per game) to 303 (50.5 per game). They're also out-rebounding foes 245-193. They've forced a total of 132 turnovers. In two home games, Louisville is averaging 8660 per game. On the road and in neutral sites...uh, well....hmmm, we seem to have lost those figures.  

TV will be available for the Monday night matchup against UT-Martin on the OVC Network. We recommend you turn down the sound and listen to Matt Andrews and Adrienne Johnson's call on WKRD 790 AM, if possible. Depending on where the two are set up...you can hear Jeff Walz join the broadcast (he doesn't even need a microphone!) with his instructions, teaching points and observations from the sidelines...along with his award-winning post game show with Matt.

OVC Network link below:

Louisville vs. UTM

Tipoff is 8:00 p.m. E.S.T.

Have a great Sunday, everybody and GO CARDS!
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