"Off the bench" Hines-Allen and Smith key 68-55 Cards win over Miami -- Monday Cardinal Couple

18-3 run to start second half lifts Louisville over Hurricanes

Jeff Walz shook up the starting lineup against the Miami Hurricanes Sunday afternoon, inserting freshman Arica Carter and red-shirt senior Shawnta' Dyer into starting roles and bringing freshman Myisha Hines-Allen and senior Bria Smith off the bench.

At first, it didn't look like such a great idea. The "U" jumped out to a 7-2 on the Cards in the first four minutes of the first half and led 11-2 after a Jessica Thomas jumper at the 15:54 mark. That brought both Smith and MHA into the contest...but, thanks to the marksmanship of Miami's Adrienne Motley...the Canes' were still up 15-4 a minute later. 


The Cards weren't handling the Miami dribble-drive very well and could hit inside or out. Hines-Allen and Smith got into the rhythm after Emmonnie Henderson joined the action, though and Louisville ran off a 8-0 run over the next four minutes...HInes-Allen getting three straight baskets inside. It was 15-12 with 10:37 to go and Louisville looked alive and ready to take over.

It didn't happen right then for UofL, though...Miami regrouped and retaliated with a 12-2 run and after a Michelle Woods steal from Dyer and layup...it was 27-14 'Canes with six minutes left in the half. 

A questionable foul on Carter at the 6:04 mark drew Walz's outrage and a subsequent technical foul. Miami was unable to convert the resulting three free throws, however and Louisville went to work. 

The Cards started whittling away at the UofM lead...a Jude three and two "E" scores had Louisville back in the contest at 29-25 with three minutes remaining. Henderson would make it 29-27 with an inside score with 2:11 showing on the clock...but the Cards failed to score the rest of the way and Miami took a 31-27 lead to halftime. 

Hines-Allen was leading the Cards with 12 points and

Louisville got strong seven minutes from "E" and six points. Mariya Moore was still scoreless after playing 18 of the 20 minutes, though...and a ineffective Sara Hammond had a zero in the point total after seven minutes, no rebounds and two turnovers. 

The Cards were having a hard time stopping guard Adrienne Motley, who had 14 first-half points on 6 for 8 shooting. 

Louisville came out strong to begin the second stanza, though and ran off on a 9-0 run in the first 3 1/2 minutes to grab a 36-31 lead when Dyer scored in the paint. Woods tried to stop the bleeding for the "U" by hitting a three..but Louisville responded with another 9-0 blast and held a 47-34 advantage after a Moore "3". 

9:43 showed on the clock and it looked like the Cards had put this one out of danger. The game got pretty physical the rest of the way...Miami doing a lot of bumping, showing and hard fouling to try and get back in the contest...but the team played the rest of the way to a 21-21 tie. 

Smith, Hines-Allen and Moore took over the Cardinal scoring, those three responsible for those final 21 UofL points. The Cards record their 18th win and sixth in the ACC 68-55. 

Louisville shot 55% in the second half (11-20) and 44.4% for the game. The Cards took the points in the pain category (30-18), points off turnovers (17-14) and created 17 turnovers while committing 16. UofL held a whopping 42-12 bench scoring advantage and had 10 second chance points to Miami's three. 

Miami committed 11 fouls (that were called, anyway...if officials Edward Sidlasky, Joe Cunningham and Dan Outlaw had been watching the flagrant bumps and elbows of the Cane players...they could have added 11 more) in the final eight minutes and had a 23 to 13 foul total count advantage. 

Louisville was able to sink 18-28 free throws for the night...all of them in the second half. 


Louisville was led by Hines-Allen's 23 points on 10-11 shooting. Moore had all her 13 points in the final twenty minutes and Smith also added 13 for the Cards. Shawnta' Dyer closed out the UofL double figure producers with 10.

Only two other Cards put points on the stat sheet. Henderson's six first half points and a three from Jude in the first half. Hammond played 21 minutes and contributed four rebounds while going 0-3 from the floor and 0-2 from the charity stripe. Carter provided 15 minutes, an assist and a steal. Megan Deines saw just two minutes...in the first half...leaving the game after a getting a hard slam from Miami's Jassamy Williams that resulted in a missed shot and no call from the zebras. 

A good win against a hard-nosed, physical team that has a bona-fide star in Motley. Credit the Cards defense for holding her to just four second half points. 9887 turned out for the contest on a day where the Louisville men's team was playing in Pittsburgh on national TV in a 4 p.m. start.

In a game where Hammond had a limited role after carrying the team in the loss to Florida State, it was Hines-Allen and Smith who responded with strong efforts from the bench after rough outings at FSU. 

Walz explained the lineup change and success as "Myisha getting mad because she didn't get the start and responding and Bria watching because of her tendency to get off to poor starts." 

If MHA is good for 23 points in 29 minutes off the bench, let her watch the first four minutes next to Walz the rest of the season... 

The homestand continues Thursday when Quentin Hillsman brings the dangerous Syracuse Orange into town for a 7 p.m. tipoff. 

paulie 

WBB: Hurricanes blow into town...Bustos delivers at Softball banquet -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

BATTLE TODAY AT THE TOP OF THE ACC

"Bassy's" babes blow into town

The Miami Hurricanes are no tropical depression. They sit at the top of the ACC conference with Florida State, Louisville and Notre Dame and are quite capable of creating havoc in the KFC YUM! Center today at 5 p.m. against Jeff Walz's high-flying birds.

The "U" is 15-4 on the season, has won seven out of their last eight and sports a 5-1 ACC record. They own a quality, blow-out win at Notre Dame earlier this month and downed Virginia 67-58 last time out in Coral Gables. 

Katie Meyer's sunshine dwellers were picked to finish eighth in the ACC pre-season poll...but have been one one of the several surprises in a league that is showing unexpected parity and laden with eight teams that could finish in the top 25 when regular season conference play ends.


Led by Adrienne Motley's 16.5 ppg, this crew also gets gale wind force performances from Jessica Thomas...who poured in 18 against the Cavs, Jassany Williams' team high 6.7 grabs per outing and Michelle Woods...who touched Virginia for 12 points. 

They are physical, go to the boards well and have several guards who thrive off the dribble drive. They're also fourth in the ACC in made 3-point shots. Miami has been knocked off foes by an average of 17 points a game and has a seven point edge in rebounding over opponents.

Losses have come at Middle Tennessee by five, at home to Arizona State by four, at Tulane by five and a 15 point defeat in Cameron Indoor Stadium to the Dookies two games back. 

The Cards will look for guards Mariya Moore and Bria Smith to have better outings that they did in Louisville's sole ACC loss at Tallahassee to Florida State Thursday night. UofL will also hope to see a continuance of Sara Hammond's recent strong play and the timely contributions of Shawnta' Dyer off the bench. Jude Schimmel's steady play will also be needed this afternoon if the Cards are wanting to deflate the big wind team that's blown into town.


Recent subpar efforts from Myisha Hines-Allen and Emmonnie Henderson also need to be reversed if Louisville wants to stay atop the ACC leaderboard and prevent a third loss on the season.

This one is a Fox Sports South broadcast and the network is rolling out "big game" Deb Antonelli and Mike Hogewood as the talking faces in front of the camera. The nation's best WBB radio team of Matt Andrews and Adrienne "AJ" Johnson is your best bet for following in you can't pack the YUM! this afternoon. 

Miami averages slightly over 1000 per home contest. Let's give them something to talk about by putting 14-15,000 around Denny Crum Court. 

We'll have the recap later tonight here at CC.


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BUSTOS DELIVERS A FENCE CLEARER AT SOFTBALL BANQUET

Speaking of big turnouts, an impressive crowd packed the Brown and Williamson Center in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium last night for the Louisville Softball banquet. 

It was a delightful evening and Worldwide Jeff, his dad Charlie, Sonja and I had a great time with pre-banquet chats (that we recorded) with former Cards stars Alicia Wolny and Katelyn Mann -- who now run 502 Softball Academy...these two are even more charming and witty than when they graced Ulmer Stadium. We've posted a link to their endeavors on the Right Side of the Site. We also got audio from senior star Kayla Soles (love that Jersey girl!) and keynote speaker Crystl Bustos. We also had a great chat with head coach Sandy Pearsall...which I definitely should have recorded.

We were fortunate enough to be at emcee Sean Moth's table for the meal...he handles any situation with aplomb and style...and he and I discussed whether he could handle calling a horse race. He has his doubts...but loves the action despite "never cashing a winning ticket." 

The food was about what you'd expect at one of these functions...a Cornish hen quarter with mashed potatoes, carrots and broccoli. The iceberg lettuce slice wasn't bad and the choice of cheesecake or chocolate turtle cake was the redeeming feature of the feast. 

After Moth's heartfelt and witty opening, Whitney Arion -- another senior star of Pearsall's roster -- delivered the invocation and the attendee's were treated to three great videos of last year's highlights, the Oklahoma City Challenge and player introductions. All were great...the girls revealing that in addition to their softball talents...they could do great bird calls, were addicted to coffee, and revealed other other fun facts about themselves. 

Coach P thinks Sonja and I are too tall. 

Sandy Pearsall took the podium first and gave the crowd a brief synopsis of the upcoming schedule and how preseason practice had been going. She's got a mix of great returning talent and impressive freshmen and her goal is to win the ACC Championship. Never one to self-promote her own personal achievements....Pearsall lauded her excellent coaching and support staff and brought recognition to the alumnae in attendance. 

We were lucky to have one of the best in Cardinal Softball history at our table. Former great Chelsea Bemis was at our table...the San Diego native is back in the 'Ville and serving on the UofL marketing staff. With her, Softball SID Lori Korte and UofL photographer Michelle Hutchins at our table...we were surrounded by greatness and enjoyed the dialogue at the table during our dinner.

They saved the best for last. Keynote speaker Crystl Bustos kept the crowd attentive and amused with her recollections of playing in three World Championship softball tournaments in 2000, 2004 and 2008. She shared her early days of softball also...she originally wanted to be a baseball player and was an excellent pitcher and hitter before she discovered fast-pitch softball. 

Bustos may have been the best hitter to ever play the game.  She's now a coach and instructor and gets to do what she loves every day...hit, teach and develop younger softball players. 

She also delivered a powerful message to the players in attendance. She sees the key to success in softball and life similar to a group putting together a puzzle. She challenged the players to solve the puzzle together that the coaches provide for the sport they administer and oversee.
Solving your daily issues is easier by combining the many mini-puzzles that can confront you into a single puzzle that you solve.

Interspersing her message with delightfully wonderful anecdotes of her own person triumphs, battles and experiences...she drew a long standing ovation at the end of her remarks. She was genuinely touched and appreciate of the crowd's admiration and we're sure she'll make good of her promise of following the Cards this season. 

A great night in a wonderful setting Saturday evening. If the Cards can pull off their season with the success they managed in last night's banquet...they'll be Oklahoma City bound in May.

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Our archived broadcast of Saturday's CARDINAL COUPLE
RADIO SHOW should be up on Crescent Hill's Soundcloud later this morning. It's a good one, don't miss it!

We're covering hoops, softball, volleyball, there's a Worldwide quiz for you to take and Kenny K. Keith and Don Paulie drop in for comments:

(I've pre-posted the link, if it doesn't happen for you when you click on it....try again in a couple of hours...or send me a scathing e-mail) 

LINK:

CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO IS ON THE AIR AND INTERNET, TOO !!





-paulie 

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Who they are

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- A look at these new (and old) ACC opponents' 




It changes up this year for the Louisville Cardinal athletic squads...new venues, old opponents from the past and some interesting mascots. Let's take a look at the mascots and traditions of five of our 14 foes...we'll get to the rest as the summer rolls along.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Louisville and Miami hook up for the first time in conference battles. We dig that Louisville got Howard Schnellenberger from the 'Canes almost 30 years ago and that Calder Race Track isn't too far away from campus. 

Sebastian the Ibus is the mascot on field and sidelines and probably Paulie's favorite new mascot. The Hurricanes claim to have invented the four fingers extended in the air at the start of the fourth quarter, indicating that they believe this quarter belongs to them. 

GEORGIA TECH

The Cards and Ga. Tech were together briefly in the old Metro Conference. We dig that Louisville got Sam Purcell from there to join Cards WBB coaching and that they'll actually bring their "Ramblin Wreck" to certain athletic contests. Probably not enough room for it in Ulmer Stadium or Cardinal Arena, though. 

Buzz the Yellow Jacket is the other, more arena-friendly mascot and will prowl the game sites. Be sure to listen for the pep band to break into the old classic "When You Say Bud, You've Said It All" at Yellow Jacket games. Not so much because of the students' love of the beer...but originally started as a tribute to long-time head coach Bud Carson.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

It's the Cards first-ever conference alignment with NC

State. We dig Al Vilcheck bringing his BBQ best up from South Carolina for hungry Cardinal fans and getting even more good eats when going to the Pit for the local BBQ. 

Mr. Wuf is a mainstay when the Wolfpack are on the prowl and if NC State wins the game, the students will gather to celebrate around the belltower, which will light up red at night. Just like the Cards like to flash their "L" with handsigns...the Wolfpack have a hand signal, too. Your ring and middle finger meet at the tips with the thumb and the index finger and pinkie stick up. It does kinda look like a wolf...

NOTRE DAME

Louisville hooks up with the Irish again after previous battles in the BIG EAST. We dig Muffet McGraw and the probably-graduated softball outfielder who exploded with a quite loud "f-bomb" after a UofL batter beat her deep and drove in a few runs at Ulmer a few years back. Sometimes, you just express your feelings...in front of an outfield berm. 

The Leprechaun brings the Irish good luck and the competition is fierce to become that little guy dressed in green at Irish athletic events. Imagine having to impress the selectors with :

- Doing 50 pushups
- Dancing the official version of the Notre Dame Irish Jig
- Leading students in a five-minute mock pep rally
- Reacting to various game situations
- Passing a Q&A with a local media personality

It ought to be worth 3 credit hours at the very least. I was out of contention after step 1...

PITTSBURGH

The Cards and Panthers have BIG EAST ties and we dig Primanti Brothers and walking Penn Avenue and Smallman Street. 

The Panther is the official mascot and Heinz Field was the first place we saw the fans rise and sing "Sweet Caroline" at the end of the third quarter with the lyrics on the scoreboard. Peterson Event Center is also where I saw the...

 Worst. Refereeing. Job. Ever.

when the Panthers beat Louisville WBB on Valentines Day in the 2009-10 season. It's a wonder Walz didn't break into flames from self-combustion.

paulie 

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Previewing the ACC: Miami

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- HURRICANE WARNING? Not so much in ACC women's sports...

- Latest CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR in the archives

We've been previewing the ACC opponents that Louisville womens' athletics will face this season. Next in the alphabet is the Miami Hurricanes:

Miami was founded in 1925 and has a current enrollment of 15,200 students. Located in Coral Gables, FL., they are the southernmost ACC opponent Louisville will compete against.

They are known as the Hurricanes...but are also referred to as the "Canes" and "The U". Sebastian the Ibis is the Canes mascot...since 1957. The Ibis is a bird that shows bravery in the face of impending hurricanes.

Famous alumni include MLB's Alex Rodrigiuez, actor Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, vocalist Grace Slick and actor Charles Grodin.

Miami participates in nine women's college sports:

Basketball                                Cross Country
Golf                                         Soccer
Swimming/Diving                      Rowing
Track/Field                               Tennis
Volleyball

We'll take a look on how the Canes fared in (4) of these.

BASKETBALL

Miami went 16-15 overall in the 2013-14 season and had a 8-8 ACC record. They went to the WNIT, but fell in the first round to Stetson. Katie Meyer has 10 years as the "U" coach and has a 163-121 record.

Lin Dunn is probably the most famous coach that came out of Miami WBB.

Here's an interesting tidbit about Canes' WBB:

Jaden Newman spent three hours taking a tour of the University of Miami last week, where the
women's basketball coaching staff urged her to keep the Hurricanes in mind when it came time to make her college choice.


Jaden also happens to be 9 years old.


The fourth-grader, who has already played two seasons on the girls high school varsity team at Downey Christian School, a 300-student private school in Orlando, is now being actively recruited by Miami. She is believed to be the youngest girls player ever to get recruited by a Division I program.

ROWING

A sixth place finish in the ACC Tournament and none of their crews qualified for the NCAA Tournament. They went up against the Louisville rowing team in the Clemson Invitational. The Canes finished seventh in 1U8, 2U8 and V4 heats...Louisville was 3rd, 1st and 2nd in the same heats.

SOCCER

UofM wide-net kickers finished the 2013 season with a 9-8-1 season and 4-8-1 in the ACC. They did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.

They'll host Louisville women's soccer on Sunday, Sept. 28th

VOLLEYBALL


Volleyball at the "U" finished 19-12 and 12-8 in conference. The Canes qualified for the NCAA tournament but ran into Oregon in the first round and lost 3-0.

Anne Kordes takes the Louisville serve n' kill gals to Coral Gables on November 7th.


ANALYSIS

Miami women's athletics, based on the reports above, appear to be middle-of-the-pack in ACC prominence. Louisville should have no trouble winning in hoops and volleyball. They would most likely out-point the Canes in any mutual rowing events. Louisville Soccer also looks to be a step ahead of the Miami squad.

This is, of course...a look at only (4) of the sports. Based on reader feedback...and coupled with the fact that the Canes don't do field hockey or lacrosse...these are the only ones that we've studied.

Miami has been well-known for their college football success. Louisville football has proven over the past few seasons to be better than "The U"...and the two will face off to start the college football season over Labor Day weekend.

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Our latest CARDINAL COUPLE Radio Hour broadcast from Saturday is up and available on the glorious Soundcloud at Crescent Hill radio. You can click on the link at the top of the page, over on the right side of the site or here to listen.

WHO LET THESE GUYS ON THE RADIO?

Worldwide Jeff McAdams rejoins the show after a three week absence. WE took it easy on him and didn't test him with a quiz. We did discuss quite a bit of basketball, volleyball and other UofL women's sports, though...and Kenny K. Keith, Otis and Don Paulie make guest appearances.

Give it a listen.

paulie