Louisville women's basketball -- Cards Face 'Dores tonight THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LOUISVILLE WBB PUTS 9-0 RECORD ON THE LINE VS. VANDERBILT TONIGHT IN THE KFC YUM! CENTER. 

Please come see us do work tonight! 

The Louisville Cardinals women's basketball looks to sink the Commodores (minus Lionel Ritchie) tonight in their first test against an SEC opponent this season. The 'Dores arrive at the YUM! Center listing badly and at less than full nautical speed but have made some improvements recently and appear to be getting back on course after winning their last two contests. They shouldn't have any trouble seeing over the horizon, Vandy lists three girls on their roster at 6'5" and one at 6'4".

Mariella Fasoula is one of the "talls" on the team. If the name sounds familiar, she was about the only bright light Boston College had on their 2017-18 roster. She's on Stephanie White's boat now and sitting this season per transfer rules but will be a valuable commodity for the Commodores for two seasons after this one. I remember watching her almost single-handedly beating Georgia Tech last year in the first round of the ACC Tournament and falling just four points short. I dreaded facing her for two more years in ACC play but that solved itself with her transfer.  

Players that could have an impact for the Nashville school tonight include seniors Rachel Bell and Christa Reed. Both are closing in on their 1000th. points for Vandy. Bell is just 51 points away from quadruple digits and leads Vandy in scoring with 13.7 p.p.g. Reed needs 177 to make the 1000-point club. Also, keep an eye on heralded freshman Chelsea Hall...she's second on the squad in scoring with 13.0 points a night. 

Melanie tended to overdress.

Stephanie White is in her second year of trying to restore Vanderbilt WBB to significance. After Melanie Baucomb's departure from the captain's chair at the end of the 2015-16 season, White and former ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck, who was White's head coach at Purdue and now her assistant,  packed gear for Music City and managed a 14-16 season in their inaugural voyage...with a 5-11 SEC record. White has had success on the hardwood, she led Purdue to the 1999 NCAA Championship title as a senior and spent five years playing in the WNBA. She also coached the Indiana Fever for two years before taking the Vandy job. Louisville will be the first top 25 opponent the 'Dores have faced this season. Vandy did look pretty good in their last outing, against Iowa St..in Memorial Gym...but you're not in Nashville tonight, 'Dores. 

I remember my only visit to Memorial Gym. It was back in 2006 and the Cards were in first round NCAA action against Vandy. Louisville fell 76-64 that evening, I wasn't doing media stuff that night and was seated across the aisle from this crazy guy wearing a Commodore naval captain's hat who would jump up and run the steps when Vandy did something good and shake his finger in my face. All I could do not to punch him and probably would have if my voice of reason (Sonya) hadn't been there to back me off the ledge. Also, Howie Lindsey suffered an appendicitis attack during the game and had to be rushed to the hospital. Hopefully, no such drama will occur tonight.  

WOO HOO! Cleveland sez
"GO CARDS!" 

For #4 Louisville, it'll be a matter of offensive execution, defense and avoiding a slow start against the southern invaders. Louisville had no problems against the first Tennessee school they've played this year...soaring past the UT-Martin Skyhawks 91-56 Tuesday night.
Myisha Hines-Allen will be needed to provide a strong inside presence for Jeff Walz's group and if guards Asia Durr, Arica Carter, Dana Evans and Sydney Zambrotta can zero in on their jumpers and spur a few fast-breaks...the Cards should be able to get to 10-0.

Jazmine Jones could also be a factor against the talented foe. We'd like to see a reduction in turnovers (close the bakery tonight, Jazz!) from the Tallahassee sophomore and improvement on her three-point attempts. Louisville has the advantage of playing 10 players and not seeing any significant drop-off in production on the hardwood. As Walz mentioned recently, the Cards had Hines-Allen and Durr on the bench against Oregon and pushed a 10-point lead to 18.  Depth profitability and success will be important tonight, we estimate, since the Cards have games upcoming on Saturday and next Tuesday during this home-stand...plus Fall semester Finals going on. 

Cortnee patrols the floor again! 

If you are unable to get downtown tonight for the contest, it will be shown on the ACC Network Extra. "Dynamic" Don Russell and former Cards coach Sara White will be in the talking chairs and Cardinal great Cortnee Walton will be prowling the sidelines...ignoring Walz's requests to report to the scorer's table and hit the hardwood. It's a 7 p.m. start tonight and it is Thirsty Thursday with $3 beverages available....so make the effort and report to the court for this excellent product from the Belknap Campus. 

You got an undefeated team here, folks. Two All-Americans and a potential Final Four team. Give 'em some love and show up. 


MEN'S BASKETBALL USES STRONG SECOND HALF TO SINK SIENA

Coach has shed his tie. I will remove
my wrist-band to support him...

It was nervous-time in the KFC YUM! Center after the first half, as David Padgett's troops found themselves barely ahead of the visiting MAAC Conference Siena Saints 39-36. 

Padgett emerged from the locker room for the final 20 sans necktie and the Cards loosened up as well, using a 18-0 run to scoot past the Saints 86-60. UofL had 47 second half points...Anas Mahmoud ending up with 17 points and 13 grabs, Quentin Snyder added 16 and Deng Adel finished with nine. 

Louisville looked like a top 25 team in the final 20 minutes. Let's hope they put that in a jar and bring it back out when needed. 

The guys bring in Indiana next for a 2 p.m. tussle Saturday. Sans tie and casual, we hope. 


What's next, D.P. hiking shorts and a tank top? Go Cards! Beat Purdue Indiana! 


MARVELOUS MAL

Is Bermuda north or south of Cuba? Be the first to answer
correctly in the comments section and we'll put you in
the $20 Panera Card drawing! 

Amazing Mallory Comerford continues to make a big splash in the Ralph Wright Natatorium and across the nation for Louisville Swimming. She was named NCAA Division I Swimmer of the Week for her performance at the USA Winter Nationals. 

At Nationals, Mal posted times that placed her 6th. in the 50 free, 1st. in the 100 and 200 free, and 4th. in the 100 fly. She was also the Women's High Point Award winners for the meet. 

She was also on the Cards 800 free relay squad that touched the wall first and tied a school record of 6:58:41. 

The Cards will be taking a bit of time off before returning to the water against Kentucky on Saturday, January 20th at the Ralph Wright. 


Paulie

Louisville Women's basketball...Cards defeat Vandy 78-66 -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

MYSHIA HINES-ALLEN GOES FOR 24 and 15 IN WIN

The University of Louisville women's basketball team defeats Vanderbilt 78-66 on the road in Nashville Wednesday night. Myisha Hines-Allen led the way with 24 points, 15 rebounds and a MMA take-down in the third quarter. It was a dogfight with Louisville going on a late 7-4 run to collect the win. 

The Cards took the lead, as it turned out, for good early in the first when a Mariya Moore three put UofL put 7-5 three minutes into the contest. Back to back scores by MHA gave the Cards a 13-7 edge and two consecutive Kylee Shook baskets made it 17-13 with 3:38 left in the quarter. Cortnee Walton's inside basket set the first period total to 21-18 Cards.

Louisville started the second frame with a 6-0 run on baskets from Jazmine Jones, Hines-Allen and Taylor Johnson and Ciera Johnson scored three straight times inside to make it 35-26 with 4:30 left until halftime. An Asia Durr three gave the Cards their largest lead of the half at 41-27 and Hines-Allen's jumper with 25 seconds remaining sent the Cards to the locker room with a 48-39 lead. Hines-Allen had 13 points and 12 rebounds after 20 and Louisville was getting their way inside on offense. 

Vandy would not go away quietly, though. The Commodores started the second half on a 7-0 run led by Rachel Bell to cut the margin to two. Sydney Zambrotta canned a three for the Cards to stop the momentum at the 7:22 mark to push Louisville out to a 51-46 lead. 90 seconds later...while going for a rebound on a missed shot, Hines-Allen ripped the ball from Vanderbilt's Cierra Walker and sent her crashing to the floor. After a 3 minute referee review a technical was assessed to MHA...but Walker converted only one free throw and Vandy failed to score on the ensuing possession. Briahanna Jackson's three lifted Louisville back to a 56-49 advantage and the Cardinal held a 58-53 advantage with ten minutes to play. 

The technical call was over the top and unwarranted. Two players going for possession. One gets it and the other doesn't and hits the floor. No technical foul here. Maybe it fired Louisville up? 

A Hines-Allen hook shot after a great move inside kept the Cards in control at 63-56 with 6:52 remaining and Cortnee Walton's score inside set the margin at 67-57 with 4:44 showing on the clock. Vandy would get no close that six the rest of the way. The Cards would lose Walton to fouls with 2:20 to go...but Ciera Johnson entered and scored on a perfectly executed out-of-bounds play 45 seconds later to make it 71-62 Cards. Hines-Allen hit a jumper, Durr got a layup and free throw and Moore a free throw in the final minute to secure the Cards 12 point victory. 78-66...Cards win....the Cards win!!

Louisville shot 47% for the game...Vandy just 31% and the Cards easily won the points-in-the-paint battle 48-26. 

Louisville is now 5-0 against schools from Tennessee this year. 


HOW DID FRED DO? 

Free Throws -- Despite Durr's 6 for 6 marksmanship, the Cards were 9-14 from the line for 64%. Vandy was getting calls all night nut only went 18-27 (67%). Unfortunately, no letter can be offered here.

Rebounds --  The Cards won the boards battle 45-44. Hats off to Hines-Allen and Shook...who had seven in 11 minutes. Louisville was beaten on the offensive boards 18-13, though. A small case "r" is what we're offering for this category.

Effort/Execution -- No doubt about the desire, drive and hustle tonight for the Cards. There were times when mental mistakes played a part in the Cards offensive execution...but they did command the paint-scoring, Jackson was seemingly everywhere again tonight and Myisha may have had her best game of the year. Louisville hit clutch threes when they were needed...so, a capital "E" is the call. 

Defense -- The Cardinal defense was overall very good...Zambrotta needs to pick it up and Vandy only scored five points in the final five minutes...we have no problem in giving a capital "D" out for this category.

FINAL FRED TALLY:  _-r-E-D


THINGS WE LIKED

Howlin' about Hines-Allen. #2 came to play tonight and made sure the Cards got out of Music City with the "W". Vandy had no answer for her and MHA's teammates realized that she had the hunger and kept her plate full. 11-18 shooting and solid defense. 

Continued solid play from the freshmen. Walz had no problem going to Jaz, Kylee, Ciera and "Z" for situational playing time and they responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds in 31 total minutes. Walz brought only five players off the bench tonight and four were freshmen. That says a lot. 

Sealing the deal. Vandy managed to get within six points with 3:38 left. Louisville doubled that lead the rest of the way.  Durr had six of those final 11 Louisville points. 

THINGS TO WORK ON

Need a little Moore. Mariya hit her first three but missed the next six. She was 2 for 10 for the night. Don't get me wrong here, she helps the team in so many other ways besides scoring...but we'd like to see that shot fall a bit more. Her eight assists led Louisville, in her defense. 

Consistency. Vandy went on a 19-7 run to end the second quarter and start the third. A lull in offensive efficiency and defense in the ACC is most likely going to put a "L" or two on the Cards record. 


SO...

This was a hard-fought win over a very good Vandy squad that is going to pull a few upsets in the SEC this year...if not contend for the conference title. Louisville took the 'Dores best effort...withstood the shots and still came out on top...thanks to Myisha Hines-Allen, Asia Durr and a stifling defense. You have to be proud of how the Cards never got too rattled and came back with clutch shots and plays when Vandy was poised to make runs. 

Louisville will be off until the 29th. Cardinal fans really need to put about 13, 000 in the YUM! that night when a very good Syracuse team comes to town...even though they did get smacked by un-ranked Texas A&M Wednesday down in Florida. This is a very special team, these Cards, and they deserve your support and attendance. It's a Thursday night game...many of you will probably be off that next Friday and there's no better entertainment value around. 

Come to the YUM! and watch the Cards win. 


😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😕😅😅😅😅😅😅


CARDS CONQUER CATS BEHIND "Q's" BIG NIGHT

A loud "WOO-HOO!!!" and congrats to the guys...knocking off in-state rival Kentucky Wednesday night 73-70. Hometown hero Quentin Snider with 22 points in the win for Pitino's Cards. 

This one was a thriller from opening tip-off to final buzzer. The KFC YUM! Center was crazy from start to finish. I called it on Howie Lindsey's Louisville First that the Cards would win...but, privately...I was really nervous about this one and was just hoping for a good game. 

I got that...and much, much more. One for the ages. 

A sweep in hoops this year over Big Blue. Who owns this state? 

hello Thursday! 
paulie
xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball -- Cards travel to Nashville to face 10-1 Vandy...WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

VANDY BRINGS NINE-GAME WIN STREAK INTO LOUISVILLE GAME

The University of Louisville women's basketball team takes its 11-2 record to Music City for a Wednesday night battle against the 10-1 Vanderbilt Commodores in Memorial Gym. The 8 p.m. (EST) tip-off will be shown online on ESPN3 and also on the SECN+ network on cable. You can listen to Nick and A.J call in on 1080 AM WKJK...Cards Radio 790 WKRD will be broadcasting the Uk v UofL men's game. 

Although the 'Dores aren't in the top 25 yet (but receiving votes) first year head coach Stephanie White has accomplished some very good things with her squad...including a win over ACC member Duke 77-73 and a hard-fought 79-77 victory at Tennessee-Martin. The lone Commodore loss came in their second game of the season...a 94-61 drubbing by IU in Bloomington. A bunch of mid-majors make up the rest of the Commodore schedule so far...Louisville will be the highest-ranked team they've faced so far.  Last time out...they blitzed Tenn. Tech 89-57 in Memorial....getting big efforts out of two reserves in Erin Whalen (23) and Lea Lea Carter (18.) 

Leading the way for Vandy are a trio of juniors that are double-digit performers. Christa Reed puts in 12.7 ppg, Rachel Bell averages 12.1 a game and Rebekah Dahlman is good for 11.1 a contest. Vandy leads the SEC in 3-pointers made per game (8.0). They also cash in well from the free throw line...they are 12th in the country in free throws made and Dahlman is hitting them at a 91.7% clip. 

They are a smallish team...with no one over 6'1" but they are managing to out-rebound opponents 40.8 to 35.4 on the season. Marqu'es Webb, a 6'1" senior averages 9.6 grabs a game. 

Louisville last faced Vanderbilt in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament at Xavier. The Cards took a 81-62 win that day...Shoni Schimmel getting 19 points to lead all scorers. The game was close with 12 minutes to play and Louisville holding a 49-42 lead...the Cards went on a 13-0 run to go up by 20 and cruise to the win. The Cards would go on to knock off the home-standing Muskies next to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. 

In the series history, this will be the 13th. time the two have met. Vandy holds a 8-4 lead in the series. Louisville has lost five straight to the 'Dores in Nashville...the most recent back in 2006 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 76-64. That was the game where Louisville First host Howie Lindsey suffered an appendicitis attack during the second half....passing out in the hallway and taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt hospital. Sonja and I were at that contest, as fans, and had spoken briefly with him at halftime...minutes before he was stricken. Walz and White have never met on the hardwood. 

White isn't the only new addition to Vandy. ESPN analyst and former college head coach Carolyn Peck is an associate coach for the 'Dores. I always enjoyed listening to her color commentary on WBB games and we have no doubt that her wisdom and knowledge has a big role as well in Vandy's hot start. Peck coached Stephanie White at Purdue...where they won a National Championship in the 1999 season. 


So...how do the Cards sink the ship of the streaking Commodores? We see several keys to a Louisville victory: 

• Be the beast of the boards. Louisville needs a big effort from Hines-Allen, Walton, Moore and whoever else Walz employs to patrol the paint. The 'Dores are a good shooting squad and grabbing their misses...plus getting second chance opportunities will be very important tonight. 
• Adjusting to the surroundings. Memorial Gym is a weird configuration...with an up-raised floor and the player and coaches benches in the end-zone. It's not the best lit facility in college basketball and gives Vandy a distinct average. 

• Providing the pressure.  Louisville is at their finest when they can force their foes into turnovers and out of a offensive familiarity with tough defense pressure. If Briahanna Jackson and the crew can get a lot of steals, deflections and force Vandy out of a comfort zone...the Cards should do well.

What does head coach Stephanie White thing of the upcoming battle? We have
her talking about the contest at the link below:

VANDERBILT HEAD COACH STEPHANIE WHITE TALKS LOUISVILLE

I was able to preview the game, plus a few other subjects with Howie on his Louisville First morning show on Cards Radio 790 AM WKRD on Tuesday morning. We appreciate Howie bringing us on weekly to discuss the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports and other subjects that cross his mind. People have asked if there is a podcast or rebroadcast for these...I'm usually on at 7:40 in the morning and I know that's a bit early for some...so there is a link below of Tuesday show. I join Howie around the 31 minute mark.

PAULIE ON LOUISVILLE FIRST WITH HOWIE LINDSEY

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

ANOTHER BATTLE OF THE BLUEGRASS

While the women's basketball squad is battling Vandy, the KFC YUM! Center will be filled with fans of the men's squad...as they do battle with Kentucky at 7 p.m. 

This is good stuff...the height of Pitino's Cards against Calipari's quickness. DeAaron Fox and Malik Monk vs. Ray Spalding and Donovan Mitchell. Red and Blue. 

We're not real tickled that this one is on a Wednesday and being played on the same day as the women's game...but the Four Letter Network dictates terms and they are promising a lot of coverage all day leading up to the tip on ESPN. 

Defend the home court, Cards. Get the "W". 

Hiya pal!

Paulie

xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball...Getting Ready -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

MIX OF FRESHMEN, RETURNEES PREPARE FOR THE SEASON

No...the game of women's college basketball doesn't just magically reappear in November. Before that, the players are working hard in the off-season to prepare for the five months that lie ahead for them. 

In UofL WBB's case...the month of June has been all about the conditioning and getting to know each other. With four of the five freshmen already on campus, they and the returnees are hitting the gym and the weight room to prepare themselves for their trip to Cuba in August and beyond. 

It's not all about the weight room and Cardinal Arena, though. Group building exercises, excursions and classes are also on the summer agenda for the 2016 team. 

Preparations in the summer are key for fall and winter success. Based on the way the players looked at the recent Walz Skills Camp, they're staying fit and ready to shine.

QUICK HITS

-- We've had a few questions on the foot fracture that Sydney Zambrotta suffered. It's doesn't seem to be of much worry to the coaching staff...based on the conversations I've been a part of. The leg scooter she's using is a preventative measure...it's a "slight" fracture and expectations are that "Syd" will be ready to go for the Cuba trip. 

-- Nashville, anyone? There is a rumor out there (unconfirmed as of yet) that the Cards may be heading south in December to visit the Music City for a game against Vanderbilt. The Commodores have new coaching in place...if this does go down, I hope they play somewhere else in town besides the "crackerbox" campus gym called Memorial Gym. How about Bridgestone Arena? Louisville fans would travel for this one...could the 'Dores fans muster enough interest to make this a 10,000 or so attended event?

Also, I would love to see the Cards "make a weekend" of it and play former Cardinal assistant Cam Newbauer's Belmont squad while in town. If not this year, maybe it's something they could work on down the road (if, in fact, it happens at all). 

Conjecture and conditioning...have a great Saturday.

            *            *            *             *

THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR

We hit the Crescent Hill studios again this morning for another exciting edition of THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. Show begins at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM and on the Internet at: www.crescenthillradio.com

A variety of things to discuss today...the Walz camp and audio from Dez Byrd, swimming, academics and a WorldWide quiz...it should be frivolity at a frantic pace!

Join us, won't you?

paulie
xxxxx

Coaching changes and additions in WBB -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

STEPHANIE WHITE AT VANDY THE RIGHT MOVE

MELANIE BAUCOMB

As of a couple of years ago, the thought of Melanie Baucomb ever leaving Vanderbilt would have drawn a raised eyebrow from me...and many basketball analysis. Not that I consider myself to be a basketball analysis, but she had a good thing going in Nashville and was producing. 310-149 isn't anything to sneeze about. You're winning two out of every three games you coach. How many coaches would snub a 26-13 season if offered to them before the season began? 

Things change. 

After a 15-16 season in 2014-15 and 18-14 mark for the Dores in 2015-16...with no NCAA appearances...there were rumblings that it might be time for a change in Music City. 

STEPHANIE WHITE

Baucomb spared herself the embarrassment of a possible firing by stepping down on April 27th. After 14 years at the SEC school, she indicated that she wanted to spend some time with her family. She also left the door open for a return to another hiring down the road. After all, you can only spend so much time with family before you start second-guessing coaching decision on televised games you're viewing, right? 

The nationwide search for a replacement didn't take that long. Stephanie White was brought on-board to take the reigns and decided to bring ESPN analyst and former national champion coach Carolyn Peck with her as an assistant. 

CAROLYN PECK

White, an excellent player in her own right and having success with the WNBA Indiana Fever, is a splendid choice for Vanderbilt. They'll have the #6 nationally ranked recruiting class to work with coming in. She'll also have the three leading scorers from last year's squad in Christa Reed, Rachel Bell and Rebekah Dahlman returning for their junior seasons.

Should her fellow SEC Coaches be worried? Maybe not this upcoming season, it takes time to set and convince a team on your philosophy and style and there can be bumps in the road...but, beginning in 2017, the 'Dores could very possibly return to the top echelon of SEC WBB. 


UK ADDS LIN DUNN TO WBB STAFF

If Matthew Mitchell is looking to bolster his coaching staff in case he doesn't survive the UK fiasco...or if he wants a few highly regarded second opinions...he's doing quite well in the hiring process. 

Add Lin Dunn to the roster as an assistant for the Cats. Dunn came out of retirement to head to Lexington and help Mitchell reassemble Humpty-Dumpty and if there's anyone who has experienced the X's and O's...it would be her. 

25 years in college for Miami (FL), Ole Miss, Austin Peay and Purdue. Seven NCAA appearances and one Final Four trip. Head Coach of the WNBA's Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever. 

You might say that...if there's anyone who has seen the game of women's basketball from every imaginable aspect possible, would you please raise your hand?...Dunn's hand would be one of the first in the air. That much coaching experience is an asset. Anywhere. 

And, with her hire, it's doubtful she'll be coming in to replace White at Indiana. 

Mitchell is assembling some nice collectibles to assist him in re-filling the curio cabinet at UK. He needs to do a bit of work on the shelf that will store players...and just how much identification will today's players have with the venerable Dunn?...but, as of now,...at least he's brought to Lexington a group of coaches and staff in Dunn, Amber Smith, Kyra Elzy and Niya Butts that would make any dinner table conversation a lively one. 

paulie
xxxxx



  

Cards win over Vandy...await Xavier

MONDAY @ C.C.
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-Louisville 81 - Vandy 62 by the numbers
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-Watson reviews the game
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-Softball romps Buckeyes
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-Sonja spanks the competition
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-A Womens NCAA quiz for you.
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Tia Gibbs (pictured here) practicing to defend the amazon front line of Xavier?
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The Cards ready themselves for a rematch against the #2 seed in the Spokane Region. Louisville will face a team in Xavier that will be playing on their home court, is decidedly taller and already owns a win over the Cards this season. Does it matter? Heck, no. It's tournament time and the upsets do happen. Ask VCU over in the men's tournament if they were intimidated. Game on!
.
Louisville used 60% shooting to down the Vanderbilt Commodore yesterday in the Cintas Center and a 35-19 rebounding edge. The shooting performance we fully expected and understand...when the Cards guards are hot and Monique Reid can penetrate and score on defenses, they're capable of high shooting % numbers. The rebounding a pleasant surprise, though. Normally the numbers are in favor of the Lady Cards opponents in the battle of the boards. Louisville had a 26-12 advantage on the defensive boards and limited Vandy to nine second chance points. Keisha Hines had nine grabs for the Cards and Tia Gibbs added eight.
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The shooting numbers were boosted by the Cards' red hot 15-21 in the final twenty minutes (71.4%). Take out Becky Burke's puzzling 0-5 performance and you've got only fifteen missed shots for the entire game. Reid and Schimmel went a combined 18-28 for the Cards and Schimmel and Gibbs 8-14 from beyond the 3 point arc. Vandy went a respectable 43.9% from the field for the game and did sink 7 of their 18 three-point attempts. It just wasn't good enough to top the marksmanship from the Lady Cards...
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Louisville was also excellent from the charity stripe, sinking 13-14 free throws. Keisha Hines sank all six of her attempts and Sherrone Vails was the only Cardinal to miss (1-2) from the line. Vandy did make 5 of 6 from the stripe. Louisville stayed out of foul trouble for once...committing only 11 fouls in 40 minutes. Hines picked up three but had 32 minutes on the court...high numbers for the senior. Vandy was whistled for 15 infractions...backup bruising freshman center Stephanie Holzer collecting four.
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The Cards gained 12 points in fast break opportunities. Several were wide open, unguarded attempts in the second half. Vandy with just 4 fast break points. The Vandy bench did contribute 27 points to the Vandy scoring, including a 19 point second half performance from freshmen guards Christine Foggie and Jasmine Lister. Louisville had only three bench points in the contest..at the foul stripe from Becky Burke's two tosses and Sherrone Vails hitting 1.
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The Cards freshmen tallied 20 of the 81 points...19 for Schimmel and 1 for Vails. All five played and Schimmel saw 37 minutes, Charmaine Tay 19, Vails 7, Antonita Slaughter 4 and Polly Harrington 1. The freshmen grabbed six rebounds and handed out 8 of Louisville 20 assists.
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Louisville blocked 2 shots and Vandy swatted three attemps away. The Cards had 10 steals (Hines and Gibbs three each) and the Commodores pilfered the orb 12 times, Elan Brown getting 5 of them. Vandy committed only 14 turnovers and Louisville was guilty of 20 miscues (Schimmel 5 and Reid 4).
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Vandy never led in the contest. The Cards led by 20 with 6:55 to go in the second half after a Gibbs score at 68-48. Vanderbilt coach Melanie Balcomb was effusive in her praise for Louisville's effort...stating that the Commodores 'actually lost the game in the first half...something I don't say very often'. She also remarked that Reid had 'improved a lot in physicality'. She had no comment on the performance of former Vandy player Tia Gibbs.
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All in all, a very good, workmanship type effort by the Cards to dispatch the Commodores. Louisville met the challenge of a 12-0 second half Vandy run with a 13-0 run of their own and were never seriously challenged in the final nine minutes of the second half.
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*************************************************************************************
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DAVID WATSON watched the fray from Section 104 and has this report on the Louisville win:
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I'll give you five reasons why Louisville defeated the Vanderbilt squad Sunday, and I'll provide them in alphabetical order.
.

Tia Gibbs. Revenge is a dish best served at tournament time and the silky, smooth sophomore showed Melanie Balcomb, head Vanderbilt coach, that she might of made a mistake in letting her get away. Gibbs first half shooting clinic left me convinced that not only is she a dead on distance shooter but she can do the things needed to get in position to attempt the deadly three. I didn't check on the way out of the Cintas Center, but it wouldn't surprise me if Gibbs was still raining down threes out on the blacktop outdoor court near where we parked. Her back-to-back threes (nearly three in a row) late in the first half keyed a 8-0 closing run that effectively sank the Commodore boat. All hands on deck, attention! We have an long range artillery specialist on board. Her three with 33 seconds left in the game was the final nail in the Commodore coffin...a three that Vandy fans cried about being in poor sportsmanship. You play to the final buzzer, Commodore crybabies. Better luck next year.
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Keisha Hines. This senior must have watched a Sylvester Stalloine or Arnold Schwartzenegger movie before the game, because she came out and became the ultimate warrior. Scoring easily inside, containing the Vandy inside game and grabbing board and board. What used to be a 'close your eyes and pray' Hines at the foul stripe has turned into an automatic point producer. Last chance to dance for the senior and she has her ballet slippers on and has cued up the mirrored ball and Bee Gees. Not Saturday Night Fever, but Sunday Afternoon Smackdown.
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Monique Reid. No disapperance for the flashly junior Sunday. Two solid halves of basketball and the classic Reid inside punishment by use of the backboard and soft jumper. Her war whoop when she nailed an inside jumper at the 8:11 mark of the second half was probably heard back in Fern Creek without the aid of the television volume. Reid layup, Reid inside, Reid layup, Reid plus 1. It may be boring script, but it is effective, successful and useful as any self-help paperback. Paul tells me that when she saw her walking out for the second half, he gave her the 'thumbs up'. She just gave him a self-assured smile that mission would be accomplished and opponent stifled. When she's golden, she shines like the sun.

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Shoni Schimmel. No first time, freshman nerves here. Beginning with a three that gave the Cards a 5-2 lead and ending with a three with five minutes remaining that made it 71-51, the Portland progeny controlled the game with a maestro's touch and was the only other Cardinal besides Gibbs to hit from beyond the arc. I'll give Charmaine Tay a prop here also, off the bench and very steady in the nearly twenty minutes she contributed. As for Schimmel, another 'Sho-Time' performance that gets her one step closer to playing in front of her fanatical followers on the West Coast. They should call her Judge Schimmel because of her court awareness.
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Jeff Walz. Coach coached the perfect game. Substitutions when needed, a persistant and wise dialouge with the officials which kept the Cards from getting too infractioned and letting the team solve their own couple of slumps during the contest. Walz knows quite well that you don't mess with good performances and gave four of the starters plenty of minutes to shine. He also saw that a three guard attack was the best way to calm the Commodores and Asia Taylor will have other days to compile points and boards. If he can figure out the mystery of the Becky Burke recent slump, we'll nominate him for Mayor of Louisville (no offense Greg Fischer). His next test is also how to contain the Xavier amazons Phillips and Harris. Don't bet against him.
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As we drove home after the contest, my daughter made a very valid and wise observation. She commented that Louisville never seemed to be flustered or panicked during the game. Even when Vandy cut the Cardinal advantage to five, the girls re-grouped and pushed the lead back to 18. Consider the situation. The Cards have been battling all season in the best conference in women's college basketball. All nine BIG EAST teams won their first round games. Think that a 10-6 SEC Vandy is going to strike fear and apprehension into the hearts and minds of Walz's bunch? Not bloody likely, sir. Past performances matter. This wasn't Louisville's first rodeo, time at bat or situation under pressure. No problems here. Onto the rematch, now. Tear down the tall timber, Cards.
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DAVID WATSON is a special contributor to CARDINAL COUPLE. He probably wouldn't make a great lumberjack or action figure hero...but we like his references and allegories. Here's hoping his 2 1/2 hour drive back from Cincy Tuesday night is one following a Cardinal win.
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Louisville softball closed out their participation in the San Diego Classic II with a 9-1 win over Ohio State on Sunday. The Cards finished the three day event with a 4-1 record and went to 18-9 overall. They took the tournament title and got the trophy thanks to the strong pitching of tori Collins against the Buckeyes. Collins allowed only two hits and fanned four in the five inning contest. She is 11-5 on the season.
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Louisville struck early against OSU, getting two runs in the bottom of the first. A Jennifer Esteban triple scored Katie Keller and Esteban touched home on a Colby Wherry sacrifice fly.
The Cards added another run in the second when Keller singled home Kristin Austin.

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Louisville took it to 5-0 in the third inning when they got fence clearers from Wherry and Alicja Wolny. After Ohio State scored a run in the top of the fourth, the Cards countered with four in the fourth. Wherry and Taner Fowler smacked back to back singles with two out. Wolny singled to get Wherry home. Austin drew a walk to fill the bags. Maggie Ruckenbrod's single scored Fowler and Wolny touched the plate on a wild pitch to make it 8-1. Walks by Hannah Kiyohara and Keller brought Austin to the plate for the final 9-1 tally.

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Louisville returns to Ulmer for their next game, a matchup against the UK Wildcats on Wednesday. Game time is 6 p.m. and admission is $5.
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Sonja is spanking the competition in the women's NCAA Tournament bracket pick 'em. Her 27-5 first and second round performance leads by 4. Losses in a #8 vs #9 matchup (won by Purdue), and incorrect picks of Iowa State, Iowa, Arizona State and Middle Tennessee were the only blemishes on a brilliant bracket breakdown. Surprisingly, Bill the Goat is in second. As for Paul, once again...he sits in the cellar of the bracket basement. 19-13. Typical. BIG EAST teams went 9-0 in their opening games. The ACC fared 6-0. Give the SEC a 3-1 beginning. The Big 12 stumbled out 2-5 and the PAC 10 went 2-1. The Big 10 advanced 4 out of 5 in the "power conferences" results.
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A short NCAA Womens Tournament quiz for you:
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1) How many states are represented in this year's tournament? Include the District of Columbia.
a) 37
b) 29
c) 33
d) 40
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2) Which state has the most participants (6)?
a) Tennessee
b) Texas
c) Florida
d) Arizona
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3) Which state has NO participants?
a) Kansas
b) South Dakota
c) Mississippi
d) Montana
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4) Name the three North Carolina participants:
a) Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina
b) North Carolina, East Carolina, Duke
c) Marist, Duke, North Carolina
d) Gardner-Webb. Duke, North Carolina
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5) Joanne P. McCauley coaches:
a) Marist
b) BYU
c) Duke
d) McNeese State.
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(answers below)
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Here in Kentucky, two teams are in the BIG DANCE (Louisville and Kentucky) and both advanced to the second round. Ohio has four universities involved and Ohio State and Xavier
were the only two to move on. The biggest upset in the first two days of action? Give it to #11 seed Gonzaga...who downed #6 seed Iowa. No #12 thru #16 seeds survived their first round games. Missing names from this year's Big Dance? Syracuse had a credible BIG EAST season but wasn't included despite going 22-9. LSU and South Carolina failed to get the call despite having .500 seasons in the SEC and winning records.
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Boo to Xavier for trying to rip off the Western Kentucky University mascot with their "Blue Blob". They're the Musketeers, but we saw no dashing swordsman mascot on the sidelines Sunday. Just a second rate imitation of WKU's Hilltopper. We cry foul!
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The Vanderbilt Commodore mascot looks like the late, great famed actor Leslie Nielsen after a few tough nights....we expected to see him stumble into the court action or create a typical Nielsen blunder or gaffe. I can hear Paul Sanderford's commentary now..."OMG! The Vandy mascot just took out Monique Reid on a fast break layup! And...no whistle? Amazing..."
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ANSWERS:
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1) c. 33 states have entries, including Georgetown, from D.C.
2) b. Texas has six schools in. Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas, Houston and Prairie View
3) c. Mississippi has no one. No Ole Miss, Miss St. Southern Miss or even a near miss.
4) d. Gardner Webb joins Duke and North Carolina from the TarHeel state.
5) c. Duke. Joanne has held the helm at Duke for four seasons.
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5 for 5...You know your womens hoops! Give yourself a Naismeth Award and apply at ESPN.
4 for 5...Not Bad. You've seen a few games this year.
3 for 5...Average. Questions one and four were tricky. You'll do better next time.
2 for 5...40% shooting. You need to watch a few more games than your hometown school's.
1 for 5...Gotta send you to the bench, with a NCAA facts book and water bottle.
0 for 5...We don't encourage UK fans to visit...but they still show up and embarrass themselves.
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Softball sweeps on West coast

SATURDAY with your friends at CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Softball takes two in San Diego

-Bergstrom in NCAA Swimming

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-Watson previews the Lady Cards v. Vandy

Louisville Softball won twice on the opening day of the San Diego Classic II, downing Cal-State Northridge 4-1 and blanking San Diego State 7-0.

The Cards (16-8) got off to a great start against CS-Northridge by tallying two runs in the first inning. Katie Keller doubled to start the game, Jennifer Esteban singled to put runners on the corners and Chelsea Bemis delivered a base clearing, two RBI double.

The Matadors got a run back in the third and the teams remained scoreless until Louisville tacked on a couple scores in the top of the seventh. Bemis walked, sprinter Tesha Payton came in to run for her and scored when Alicja Wolny smashed a double. Colby Wherry followed with another double to make it 4-1 and complete the game's scoring.

Carlisa Connell (6-2) got the start and the win for Louisville. The freshman gave up one run, two hits and KO'ed four in five innings. Tori Collins had two strong innings of relief to secure the winning...allowing no hits and fanning three batters.

In the San Diego State contest, Louisville continued the hot hitting with a run in the top of the second. Maggie Ruckenbrod and Taner Fowler provided singles and Kristin Austin reached on a fielders choice to load the bags. Hannah Kiyohara grounded out, scoring Ruckenbrod...but the Cards could not produce any additional runs in the inning.

They made up for it in the top of the third. Bemis and Wherry singled and Fowler belted a three run homer to deep left to make it 4-0. Louisville added three in the sixth. Austin drew a walk and scored on a Kiyohara double. Bemis beat out a ground and she and Kiyohara scored on a long double by Wolny....making it 7-0.

Collins went the distance for Louisville, allowing only three hits and fanning seven. It was her fifth shutout of the season. The Cards have three more games to play over Saturday and Sunday.

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Therese Bergstrom finished 13th. in the 100 meter breaststroke in the NCAA Championships at the University of Texas yesterday. Bergstrom, the BIG EAST 100-Breaststroke champion, posted a time of 1:00:70 against the nation's best. She competes in the 200 meter breaststroke on Saturday.

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David Watson, special correspondent to CARDINAL COUPLE, will be in the stands for the LADY CARDS basketball game against Vanderbilt on Sunday. WE'LL wave to him from media row. Here are some Watson thoughts on the game, and hoops in general:

It's not often that I get to spend the greater part of four days watching college basketball. My wife is glad that this is not a monthly occurrence. She's been a trooper, though, as we have reached the halfway point of this dribble, drive, shoot and score marathon. Dutifully bringing snacks and suggestions to the basement "man cave" where me, the kids, my father-in-law and assorted friends and friends of friends file in and out to participate in this roundball holiday. We've got the pizza guy on speed dial and the cans and bottles are routinely hauled out to the recycling bin by my son. It's the most wonderful time of the year.

The Watson Invitational, where we fill out the brackets and clutch our rosary beads hasn't gone as well for me. I'm tied for second to last out of the 17 participants. The madness will continue for one more day here at Hoops Central under my direction, then it's off to Cincinnati to watch the University of Louisville women's basketball team. My father-in-law Gussie, assisted by my son, will assume the duties of making sure all four TV's are working correctly and that no one overflows the basement toilet. Me and my oldest daughter will make the trek to Xavier. Wouldn't be surprised if my wife and youngest daughter escape to the malls after Sunday Mass and run up the Visa card. It's give and take this time of year. The family pooch, Wilson, has had constant indigestion the last two days from a variety of sources. All well meaning, but offering a vast array of delights and treats that differ greatly from his regimented Alpo diet. I may need to send him to a fat farm for the month of April. I may tag along.

How will these Cardinals do? I expect a hard fought victory out of Jeff Walz and his troops. Walz has had a ton of time to diagnose, review and scout the Commodores. He's usually pretty awesome when given 5 or so days to prepare for an opponent. We'll look for Louisville to use their quickness and the inside scoring punch of Monique Reid to take the fight to a well balanced Vandy squad. If Louisville can manage to grab a few boards, stay out of serious foul trouble and hit a few threes, all the better. People speak of Louisville's youth and inexperience but there are no freshmen this late in the season. Plus, you have Keisha Hines, Monique Reid and Becky Burke on board. They road the rails to the Final Four two years ago. Their leadership and experience will be counted on.

Will the Cards conquer on Tuesday night against (most likely) Xavier? An early season loss to the giant Muskies should give Walz a road map on what to do to beat them. Don't be surprised if this one is closer than expected and Louisville is in a position to win at the end. Let's not put the cart before the horse, though. Beat Vandy first. Survive and advance. It's the call of duty this time of year. Now, where did I put that bottle of Febreeze and who's been sticking chicken wing bones under the slip covers?

DAVID WATSON refuses to reveal how he got four TV's hooked up in his basement to cable. We're thinking he's got an "in" with an installer in Central Indiana somewhere. Sometimes, it's just best not to know...

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CARDINAL COUPLE will have reports from the Cintas Center on Sunday. GO CARDS!

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LADY CARDS HEADED TO CINCY VS. VANDY 1ST ROUND

-CARDINAL COUPLE WILL BE AT NCAA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT 1st ROUND WITH FULL COVERAGE OF THE SUNDAY GAMES.
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LOUISVILLE TO FACE COMMODORES
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WATSON HAS A TAKE ON 1st ROUND GAME.
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THE SIDELINE ANNOUNCERS SWEET 16.
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CARDINAL COUPLE has received word from the NCAA Tournament poobahs that WE have been approved for and will be granted media access and coverage of the games in Cincinnati on Sunday. WE'LL be there to cover the action, post game presser and all the fun and excitement surrounding the Cards vs. 'Dores. Sonja and I look forward to a 'Natti' weekend and bringing our readers the event. (Now, if they'll let us bring Bill the Goat and the intern Chimps along...WE'LL really have some fun. Strangely, they haven't been approved yet...)
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The NCAA Women's Basketball Championships have been announced and the University of Louisville has received a #7 seed in the Spokane Region and will face #10 seed Vanderbilt in Cincinnati at noon on Sunday, March 2oth.

If the Cards are successful, they would most likely face #2 seed Xavier in the next round...in a rematch of an earlier season meeting between the two teams. Xavier takes on #15 seed South Dakota State in the 2:30 p.m. game. The games will be played in the Cintas Center...on the Xavier campus.
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The game is also scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2.





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The Vanderbilt game has an interesting sidebar...Cardinal guard Tia Gibbs transferred from Vanderbilt two years ago to come back home at play for Louisville.
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As of 8:25 p.m. Monday...Ticketmaster still had lower level seats available for the game. Cardinal fans can also call the UofL Ticket Office at 852-5151 or 852-5863 and get tickets beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. Lower level seats are $20, according to Ticketmaster's website.
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The Commodores (20-11) bowed out in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament to Kentucky 69-56...the third time the Wildcats defeated Vanderbilt this season. Kentucky is the 4th seed in the same region, but plays their first and second round games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If the Cards handle Vandy and Xavier...they would travel to Spokane to play in the Sweet Sixteen.
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This will be the 12th straight season that Vanderbilt has been selected for the NCAA Championships and their 24th appearance overall. The Commodores are 37-23 in all-time NCAA Tournament appearances and have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen six out of the last ten years.


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Louisville and Vanderbilt met in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament in Nashville at Memorial Gym, on the Vanderbilt campus. The Commodores took a 76-64 victory from the Cards on March, 18th. and were ranked #25th in the nation at the time. Louisville is 3-8 all-time against Vanderbilt and the last meeting was the 2006 NCAA contest.
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Tom Collen was the Cardinal coach at the time. He had originally applied for the Vanderbilt job before coming to Louisville..but a mistake in his resume and transcript disqualified him from receiving the job. Instead, it went to Melanie Balcomb...who is still there and in her ninth season as the Commodores head coach. Coincidentally, she previously coached at Xavier before taking the Vanderbilt job and led the Musketeers to three NCAA Tournaments while there, including a Elite Eight appearance in 2001.





In the "what will he do this time?" category:
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The last time Louisville and Vandy played, CARDINAL / LOUISVILLE SPORTS REPORT guru Howie Lindsey was so upset over the officiating...he decided to leave the arena and go in for an emergency appendectomy. All kidding aside, the 'Howster" started feeling bad during the game and went to a Nashville hospital emergency room, where it was discovered that his appendix had burst. Some say he hasn't been the same since...WE'RE guessing Howie will be a no-show in Cincy...men's hoops and all going on this weekend. WE'LL alert EMS, just in case he attends...
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Vanderbilt comes into the contest with a 4th place finish in the SEC. At 10-6, their losses were to Tennessee and Kenticky twice, Mississippi and Florida. They made it to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament before losing to UK. Other losses on the season were to Fla. State, Bowling Green, Denver, and Virgina Tech. The Commodores have lost three of their last five games and are 6-4 over the last ten. They are 2-1 on neutral courts. The drew well at home, with an average attendance of 4589. Common opponents are UT-Martin, who they beat 72-40, Kentucky and Tennessee. All three schools received NCAA Tournament bids.
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The Commodores feature a balanced attack...with five players in double figures. Lence Rhoads leads the Commodores in scoring (11.9). Jasmine Lister, Hannah Tuomi, Stephanie Holzer and Christina Foggie also score over 10 points a game. Tuomi and Holzer are the leading rebounders...6.2 and 6.1 a game. The three point threats are Lister (62-171), Foggie (41-114) and Angela Puleo (40-104). Rhoads and Lister see the most court time...about 35 minutes a game each. They shoot 70% from the free throw line...Tuomi, Foggie and Holzer the ones you want to keep off the stripe. Holzer has blocked 39 shots this year, Rhoads has 30 steals and she is the assist leader, too...with 4.8 per game. Tiffany Clarke came on strong beginning in Feburary for Coach Mel's squad, leading the 'Dores in scoring in the Florida and Miss. State games in conference play and in the Miss. State and Kentucky games in the SEC Tournament. She also led Vandy in rebounding six out of the last ten games and in both SEC Tournament games. Clarke was a late bloomer for Vanderbilt, starting only 16 of the 31 games for Vandy. She saw early schedule starts and then was banished to the bench until late in the season
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Vandy averages 71.6 points a game and allows opponents 63.6. They out-rebound foes 39.8 to 36.5. In three pointers, they're 173-498 (34%) and teams shoot 30% against them from beyond the arc.
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SONJA SAYS:
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Vanderbilt plays the smart, paitent basketball that has been a Melanie Balcomb trademark since she arrived there 11 years ago. With a little less than 17 turnovers per game, they tend not to beat themselves with unforced errors. Against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament, they got off to a very slow start...hampered by Kentucky's all-out full court defensive pressure. Walz would be wise to employ the same strategies against the Commodores. A rapid-fire transition game could work to Louisville's advanage...because Vandy would rather take you down to the half court game and make you beat them from outside. Louisville can rebound against them...but blocking out and positioning will be a key...since they swarm to the ball and there really isn't one player...it's a team effort...who is the dominant force for them in the paint. Strength against them has been successful...UK's Victoria Dunlap and Tennessee's powerful front line prospered on the boards.
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Louisville wil win this game if they have a decent shooting afternoon and can get the powerful Monique Reid into her inside game. The ball-hawking Tia Gibbs and Shoni Schimmel have to be ready to roll and take the transition game right at the Commodores. Hines needs to avoid the foul trouble which usually plagues her in big games and a strong Asia Taylor effort in the paint could be a key factor to Louisville advancing to the second round. Cards by 5 in a nail-biter, in my personal opinion.
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DAVID WATSON looks at the Lady Cards opening
game as only he could possibly see it:
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Yeah, yeah,. The Commodores again. At least it's on a neutral court. I was at the last match, down in the barn where Vanderbilt plays their home games. A weird little venue...benches under the baskets and an elevated floor. It's like somone saw Memorial Coliseum in Lexington and said...'Hey, what if we add this and subtract that?' Whoever designed the Tennessee version should have his architect license revoked but they've probaby gone on to their great reward years ago. This matchup could be called The Gibbs Grudge Match..since Tia Gibbs started at Vandy and ended up at Louisville. Also could pass for being called the Tom Collen Spurned Suitor Event. The 'Dores dumped him and he dumped the Cards.

Would anyone get upset if I referred to it as the L&N Collision...since the schools are located in Louisville and Nashville? How about the Derby City vs. Music City Showdown? What I really want to see happen, though, is the Cards advance to play Xavier on Tuesday night. Louisville has become a much better team since the Muskies put a 15 point beatdown on Louisville back in November. I'll be in the seats somewhere. Ticketmaster, here I come.

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Eamon McAnaney downed Sam Ryan in the Sideline Announcers contest by just one vote. Guys are now 2-0 against gals in the tournament. On the left, Rebecca Lobo (or "B") as they refer to her at the four letter network takes on veteran sideline troll Andrea Kramer (right) in the final match of the Sweet Sixteen round. Lobo is best known (away from her stellar hoops career) as following the UConn Huskies women's team from the sidelines whenever they're on TV...but she does occasionally do other basketball games. Kramer (right) is a football side liner mostly, but we've seen her on other sports sidelines as well. WE think she bears a striking resemblance to Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos). Separated at birth? Vote in the comments section here or by e-mail to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com.

Carm checks out the wide screen to see if her twin sister Andrea Kramer is on the sidelines for the Giants vs. Eagles game. Tony Soprano refutes any rumors that he had an affair with Kramer on his boat...and denies that Paulie wanted to marry Kramer after meeting her while she was slugging back Cosmos at the Bada-Bing. Also unconfirmed is the alleged "hit" that Erin Andrews ordered several years back on Andrea and Carm. Seems Andrews thought the two were part of the conspiracy when some guy secretly taped Andrews in a hotel room undressing and practicing the alphabet. Turns out Andrea hired the guy to video her in Andrea's hotel room...doing a Sopranos screen test as Carm's long lost sister April... but the doofus showed up at the wrong location. Allegedly.

Fagettaboutit...

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