WUGs and More -- Sunday Cardinal Couple

The monsoons have stopped, and the temperatures are reaching into the 90s, and we're about to switch over into the collapsed, "Ain't nobody here but us chickens", July calendar on the GoCards website.

The WUGs Return

The biannual World University Games, the Cardinal Couple beloved "WUGs" return this week.

The UofL rooting interest in this one is for Tori Dilfer, one of the two setters on the US Women's Volleyball contingent.

The US Volleyball WUGs participants depart for Napoli Italy today.  The beginning of the volleyball competition is Thursday with qualifying rounds getting underway.

Dilfer is officially listed as being from the Cardinals, but has yet to hit the court for an official UofL Volleyball match as she joined the team in January after transferring in from TCU.  The current expectation is that the fall setter role on Cardinals squad is Dilfer's position to lose, though there is a good incoming freshman from Arizona, Shannon Shields, who will be looking to win some time in the position.


Name to know? 

The Louisville WBB coaches are always on the lookout for talent. a 2021 COLLEGE PROSPECT, Meg Newman -- a 6'3" post out of Indianapolis North Central, is getting a lot of attention from the coaches.

She attended the Walz elite camp in mid-June. She also spent some time checking out the campus and facilities after the camp. She was very impressed with what she saw and called her relationship with the coaching staff and Walz as "close" and went on to say she was impressed with everything she saw and mentioned:

"I like them (Louisville) a lot. Louisville is really impressive. It is obvious the staff is exellent at player development. And, the facilities are unmatched. I've never been to a school with such impressive facilities for all sports in place."

Newman is a very agile "4" that can create in the paint, operate well in the half-court offense and works hard on both ends of the court.

She's #49th currently in the ESPN rating system for 2021 prospects and is also being courted by Arizona, Arizona State, DePaul, Indiana, Michigan, Minn, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Vanderbilt.

She also plays soccer at North Central. I'm guessing most opponents quake at the sight of a 6'3" attacker approaching the goalkeeper...


The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

(PROBABLY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE SHOW...)

Case, Paulie and Jeff took to the airwaves and Facebook Live for the weekly Saturday CARDINAL
COUPLE RADIO HOUR yesterday at 11 a.m. A lively discussion ensued about UofL women's sports and the second half of the show featured another Worldwide Cardinal Couple Quiz, administered by Paulie.

UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A MINUTE OF THE SHOW EXISTS. on the Facebook Live link below..gremlins again attack our broadcast. Hopefully you heard it live...the Facebook Live feed seems to have disconnected and there is no audio backup of the show.

It was a mascot quiz and the boys didn't do too badly on it...Case scoring the best and getting the ceremonial one-eared, toothpick-holding bear (with toothpicks) for his "win".

Be sure to catch The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour on Saturdays at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100.9 FM, (usually Facebook Live) or dowmload the WCHQ app.

Cardinal in the Big Leagues

Brendan McKay made his Major League Baseball debut with Tampa Bay yesterday.  He pitched for 6
innings, and retired his first 15 batters with no one getting on base.  McKay also showed some fielding prowess in the 2nd.  The infield was shifted heavily to the right but a pop up just into foul territory by left base had no other infielders left to field it.  With a quick run over to the 3rd base line, McKay helped his own cause catching the fly just in foul territory.

McKay, who was much beloved as a Cardinal, has rocketed up through the ranks of pro ball, spending barely a month at the AAA level before being called up to the Rays.  OK, admittedly, the Rays have had a rough time of it of late, so they're looking for answers.  With the 5-2 win over the Rangers, it looks like they may have one.  They may have found two, even, as word on the street is that McKay, who has always gone both ways, with a history of producing some prodigious offense as well, will be getting a chance to shine in the batter's box as well.

We don't typically follow Cardinal Baseball too closely, here at Cardinal Couple, but I did want to stop and take a moment to recognize McKay as an Cardinal to continue to be proud of.


"Big Wol" and GB Win Opener

Alicia Wolny connected on a two-run home run to left-center in the second inning for Great Britain...as they won their opening game in the 2019 European Softball Championships.

Great Britain defeated Greece 12-5.  .

Wolny played for Louisville Softball from 2010-13 and was selected for the 2013 NFCA Second-Team All-America squad.

It's her second stint with Great Britain, playing for them also in 2013. Wolny's mother is British, so she is eligible and can play for the squad.

Here's to many more "long balls" and "fence clearers" for Cardinal Forever "Big Wol" -- Alicia Wolny !!!!

--
JMcA

Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- USA WBB WUGS get Gold

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- USA WBB WUGS roll past Russia 90-71

- Corral, Mexico fall in final to Great Britian

- Two days left to vote for ESPY's

It was hyped to be the ultimate matchup. A Russian team that had obliterated its previous five opponents against a USA squad, also undefeated, that had undergone a blood pressure check in escaping against a determined Aussie team two days earlier. Russia and the USA in a donnybrook.

It turned out to be a rout...USA jumping out to a 13-3 lead to begin the game and never in any serious danger while winning the third consecutive gold medal for the United States in World University Games women's basketball.

Offense, it is said...fills the seats but defense wins games. The USA WUGS applied a blistering first half defense that limited Russia to 31.4% shooting and a 41-27 halftime lead

With four players in double figures and shooting 52.5% for the game, the United States led by 24 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and Russia never got closer than 15 the rest of the way.

As for Ms. Schimmel...three minutes of mop up play...gathering one assist and taking no shots. She finished the six games with a 4.6 ppg, 3 assists stat line while averaging 12.6 minutes a game. Those numbers pretty much garnered from the first three games...she saw a total of 10 minutes and no points against Brazil, Australia and Russia in the final three USA contests. 

Still, she's only the second Lady Cardinal to ever win a gold medal with USA Basketball...Angel McCoughtry preceding her in the category. On a team deep with guards, Schimmel fell to the bottom of head coach Sherri Coale's rotation..behind talented Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Bria Hartley, Odyssey Sims, Ariel Massengale, Aaryn Ellenberg and Crystal Bradford. We've expressed our thoughts on Coale's rotation...the bottom line, however is that it takes a team effort to win championships and Shoni's role, although limited, was in a team venue and concept.

Hey...there's a lot worse ways to spend two week in July. Shoni got to travel, practice against the best in women's college basketball and add to her resume. All things that will bode well for the UofL senior as she and her teammates attempt to return to the NCAA WBB Final Four. A quick turn-around for Shoni...from Kazan, Russia to the ESPY awards Wednesday night in Los Angeles...where her 2012-13 UofL team is nominated for Upset of the Year.

Could anyone blame her for wanting to take the upcoming weekend off?

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Louisville women's soccer star Charlyn Corral scored once in Mexico's 6-2 defeat to Great Britian in the WUGS women's soccer gold match.

Her goal gave Mexico a 2-1 lead at the 28 minute mark of the championship game. It was 2-2 late in the contest before the Brits exploded for four goals after the 86 minute mark.

Corral's 10 goals in six matches was four goals better than anyone else in the competition. The senior-to-be at Louisville brings the silver back to campus after a outstanding performance on the world's stage.

Could anyone blame Louisville head soccer coach Karen Ferguson Dayes for walking around campus with a big smile these days? A healthy Corral and Christine Exeter gives Louisville two prime weapons against the competition this fall. We're trying to catch up with Coach Karen for an interview for Saturday's radio show. We may have to check the stratosphere...since Coach Karen is probably walking on air lately...

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The ESPY's are Wednesday night. Two Louisville categories we think you should for for are the best coach and biggest upset. Louisville in each category, of course.

Just got off the phone with coach Jeff Walz this morning, who is driving to St. Louis to fly out for the ceremonies. He'll hook up with Jude, Shoni, Bria, Sara and Nita out there for the show.

We'll have the full phone interview on the Saturday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO on Crescent Hill Radio. A couple of teasers...

-What benefits does Coach Walz think being a candidate for an award provide for Louisville women's basketball?

-Is it Coach Walz's first trip to the ESPY's?

-Were Coach Walz and Shoni staying in touch during the WUGS?

Tune in Saturday morning for these answers and more words from Walz at 11 a.m.

www.crescenthillradio.com
 
You can also listen to last Saturday's show and previous CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO shows in the archives section at Crescent Hill Radio's homepage.

Also, when listening to the show "live" ... you do have to pick a selection (like Windows Media or another) to hear the broadcast. The preview that plays on the home page DOES NOT automatically connect you to our show. Sonja found that out the hard way last week.



--Paulie

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Monday Cardinal Couple -- Two Cards in U.S. Women's Am

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Petrino, Andreas qualify for U.S. Women's Amateur

 UPDATE: USA Women's Basketball WUGS win the gold over Russia 90-71.
Shoni gets three minutes of mop up.

Mexico women's soccer finished with silver, Corral scores once. We'll have the full stories in TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE...


Two golfers for the University of Louisville women's golf team have qualified for the 113th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship set for Aug. 5-11th at The Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, SC.

Junior Katie Petrino and incoming junior transfer Haley Andreas are two of 156 players that will vye for the title.

Petrino qualified on July 1st. with a 71 in sectional qualifying at Kiawah Island, SC. She was ranked fourth on the Cardinal women's golf squad last season.

Andreas transfers in from Arizona where she played for the Wildcats for two years. Her qualifying came Thursday with a 73 in Dayton, OH.

It's the second year in a row Petrino has qualfied for the Women's Am.

WE wish both the best in the upcoming tournament and also in American Athletic Conference (we think) competition this upcoming season. The site for the AAC does list golf as one of the conference sports...but makes no distinction bewteen men's and women's sports in it.

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USA Women's basketball WUGS take on Russia for the gold today at 1:30 p.m. in Kazan, Russia. ESPNU will have the coverage. Louisville's Shoni Schimmel is a participant on the 12 player roster.

Get the gold, girls!

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Cardinal women's soccer forward Charlyn Corral will be going for the gold also in the WUGS finals for Mexico against Great Britian. She has nine goals in the games...tops by far for leading scorer title.

Louisville women's soccer gets underway against Vandy in Nashville for an exhibition game on August 12th.

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Don't forget to vote for the ESPY's at www.espn.com Louisville WBB is a candidate for biggest upset for the year for their win over Baylor in the NCAA Regionals.

-Paulie

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Women's WUGS escape against Australia 79-78

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Bradford's follow allows USA to reach final vs. Russia

Crystal Bradford. Who knew?

She was the girl who made the USA Women's basketball World University Games squad that caused us to raise our eyebrows and wonder aloud here at CARDINAL COUPLE. Was a guard from Central Michigan really better than Bria Smith?

What could she add to a team that had Bria Hartley, Odyssey Sims, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Ariel Massengale and Shoni Schimmel already in the backcourt.

Turns out, she sent USA to the finals against Russia with a follow-up of her own miss with 14 seconds to put the USA WUGS ahead for good in a game that seemed to be wrapped up for the Americans with seven minutes left in the final quarter and a 71-54 lead.

Meet Crystal Bradford.

Bradford tells the story of the final basket:

"We had an offense that was already set up with a play but we didn't execute it, so at this point we started cutting. I saw that if I cut, I would be open. When I got the ball, it was time to go. I sidestepped and saw I was open. I thought my first shot was going in, so I didn't expect to get the rebound, but it came off and I grabbed the rebound. I knew I had to go up strong. I didn't even want to shoot free throws. And I went up, and I made it an I was excited."

Sims drives to the hoop with the stagger of a
drunken sailor on shore leave.

The final fourteen seconds provided their own drama. Aussie Marianna Tolo took a close-in jumper with eight second left on the clock. It rolled off. Odyssey Sims apparently had the rebound but a jump ball was called, Australia had "the arrow" and one more chance. "Toto" took another jumper. Another miss. Another Sims rebounds and game over.

"Toto" became the wicked witch in the final seven minutes
for the Aussies.

Key fact: Aussie "big" Marianne Tolo only played 21 minutes because of foul trouble. She was instrumental for them down the stretch in erasing the USA lead in the final quarter. Still, 16 points and seven boards. Give her five more minutes on the court and Team USA is playing for the bronze instead of the gold Monday.

Eight points in the final seven minutes for a USA squad that trailed at halftime. Missed opportunity galore...including  a missed free throw by Bradford with 54 second left that would have tied it.


Sheri's hairstyle for the WUGS games
nowhere as nice as this photo.

No, this one wasn't pretty and hats off to an Aussie team that never gave up and gave USA all they wanted in the first quarter with leads of 17-6 and 20-13. But, you survive and advance with a few breaks and Sherri Coale's team gave Odyssey Sims a happy 21st. birthday gift an a date Monday night with powerful Russia.



Plaisance a def baller!

Sims led USA with 20 points. Hartley added 14, Mosqueda-Lewis 12 (with 11 rebounds) and Theresa Plaisance chipped in 10. Bradford ended up with nine.

And Shoni Schimmel? Goose eggs. Never took the warmup off. All we can do is wonder why...she didn't appear to be injured and all of the 11 other girls on the squad saw action. Controversy between her and Coale? It was disappointing to see her anchored to the bench the entire time when the USA's other guards weren't exactly burning the nets up. USA shot 38.9% for the game (28-72) and couldn't seem to buy a three-pointer for most of the contest.

I'm calling you out, Ms. Coale. Zero minutes for Shoni and just one minute for Reshanda Grey of California, an awesome defenser and rebounder? Letting a 17 point lead flush down the toilet? Getting outrebounded by eight? Can we get Geno, Walz or Doug Bruno on a flight to Kazan?



Will the "no-Sho" saga continue Monday?

Nevertheless, Shoni has a chance to get a gold medal if USA can turn the tables on a very strong, talented and disciplined Russian squad.

Game time is 1:30 p.m. Monday on ESPNU and we can only hope that they find two announcers to call it that actually know a little something about basketball. The chimp and princess who handled the USA vs. Australia on-air duties for "the U" Saturday must have been attending their first-ever basketball game.

Another reason why Jeff, Jenny and I need a play-by-play gig in women's sports. We can determine why the clock has stopped, who committed the foul and read jersey numbers pretty accurately.

Whatever. GO USA!

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Be sure and vote for all three UofL contenders in the ESPY awards over at www.espn.com

Voting closes Wednesday night...so don't delay, vote today! We feel that the Lady Cards upset win over Baylor in the NCAA Tournament is the hugest upset in the history of College WBB...but the gals are going up against men's sports' upsets over the last year...so your vote is needed!

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The epitome of tackiness...

Cardinal Couple Radio from yesterday is now up on the SoundCloud at:

 www.crescenthillradio.com

It was a very good show yesterday and we need you...the fans and listeners to support and encourage Jeff McAdams as he tries to duplicate the Arianna Freeman workout we discussed on the broadcast.

E-mail Jeff at cardinalcouple@twc.com and give him props.

And, as promised...here's a picture of my airbrushed hat I bought from one of the 5,000 air brush guys who are set up in Gatlinburg. Don't worry, we have NO plans for offering these for sale. Fact is, we probably couldn't give them away...but since there are no duplicates of this original creation from some guy named Skip...the point is moot.

First member of the Paulie Fan Club...

Skip works at the t-shirt shop in the Reagan Terrace Mall in case you want to make the drive to Tennessee and get your own designer Cardinal Couple cap...or if you want to beat him senseless for allowing me to buy one, tell me how I wanted it to look and then wear it in public.

I should have stayed in the free moonshine tasting store...

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-Paulie

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Cardinal Couple Thursday

Whither the WUGS

Not exactly a powerhouse showing for Shoni Schimmel yesterday in Kazan, Russia at the World University Games, scoring 4 points in 18 minutes of play.  We'll look on the positive side and focus on her 4 assists while protecting the ball well for no turnovers.

The US WUGS team has a day off today, though not that we'll really get to appreciate it here.  They play a 10:30am game against Sweden, who only lost by 6 points to Russia to land in second place of their group.  Adjusting for timezones, this will be a 2:30am tomorrow morning (Friday morning) tip for the east coast, which means our west coast readers will get to start watching this tonight at 11:30pm.  Wow, timezones make this far harder to figure out than it should be.

One Month

We're now only a month away from the beginning of fall sports.  Women's Soccer kicks off fall play with an exhibition match at Vanderbilt on August 11th.  They also get to be the first regular season game on the 23rd against Butler.  Other fall sports start regular season play on the 30th, with Volleyball and Field Hockey both having road matches.

Field Hockey opens their home slate of games on September 6th against William and Mary.  Volleyball doesn't make it back home until September 20th hosting Virginia Tech.  If you would like to make the trek to Lexington, matches against Kentucky, Minnesota and Pepperdine on the 10th, 13th and 14th.  I'll be there, come say hi.

Paulie and the Bears

Word is that Paulie has managed to avoid getting any restraining orders taken out on him by any of Great Smokey Mountains bears.  I hear some rumors of some stern meetings with Human Resources, however.  Assuming he's allowed to leave the jurisdiction, Paulie should be back with us for the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour.  Check in with us Saturday at 11am to hear his escapades.


Jeff McAdams

( Editor Note:  The IOOBIS...International Order Of Bears In Smokies...has new leadership...a couple of former BIG EAST referees are now president and shop steward. This did not bode well for me, of course...especially during the procedings when I kept yelling 'L1C4!' and 'RED....BLACK...RED...BLACK!' Nevertheless, I was acquitted of all charges of detaining a minor bear, knowingly contributing to the delinquency of a bear and inciting a peaceful riot. On the good side, quite a few bears know the lyrics to "Free Bird" now and have learned 'The Dougie'. I did pick up several absolutely fabulous fruity drink umbrellas that I've shipped to Jeff. Who says bears can't party? Two word of advice....if a bear says he is picking up the tab...never argue and never let Bill the Goat organize a mosh pit. -- Paulie)

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Cardinal Couple Tuesday

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE



(Welcome to the Thursday Edition of the Cardinal Couple...wait, that's not right.

Welcome to the Paulie's-on-vacation Tuesday Edition of the Cardinal Couple.

Good luck on getting photos with articles until he returns..)

What's the Word with the WUGs?

You know, if you've been paying any attention to The Cardinal Couple, that Shoni Schimmel is in Kazan, Russia playing for Team USA at the World University Games...or as we've playfully been calling them, The WUGs.

The US women opened play with a Monday evening game against Mali.  Sticking with the "W" alliteration, let's say the US wailed on Mali, with a final score of 120-32.  Bria Hartley, out of UConn led the scoring with a perfect 7 for 7 shooting for 17 points, Cassie Harberts of USC (Southern California) claimed 14 points, Tricia Liston of Duke gets 13, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis also of UConn got 12, and Aaron Ellenberg of Oklahoma chalked up 11.

Let's be honest, though, if you're here on The Cardinal Couple, you want to hear about Shoni.  With 13 points, she certainly earned her spot on the stats sheet, but perhaps even more impressively, she dished out 9 assists.  Sherri Coale credited Shoni's passing and awareness on the offensive transition as well as the team getting more coherence in defense for their success on the floor, which has to make Jeff Walz happy to hear.

The US Women's WUGS team plays The Czech Republic at 8:30pm local time, which is a 12:30pm tip here in the Eastern timezone of the US, 9:30am for our west coast contingency.

What's up with Kellie Young's Twitter Account

Regular readers of The Cardinal Couple, or regular listeners of The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour, are well aware that the head coach of the Louisville Lacrosse team, Kellie Young, is a good friend of The Cardinal Couple media empire, but I do have a minor bone to pick with The Keeper of the Crease.

The official twitter account of Louisville Lacrosse is @LouisvilleLax, which makes complete sense.  Coach Young, maintains her own separate account, which is not in itself unreasonable or out of the ordinary, but her twitter handle is @KYlacrosse.  That's not at all confusing, right?  OK, sure, "KY" are her initials, so I understand where it comes from, and the University down the road in Lexington doesn't field a varsity Lacrosse team so there's no real danger of Big Blue Nation finding her account instead of one for a UK team.  But it did take me, someone fairly well versed in using Twitter and more aware of UofL women's athletics than most, a few minutes to figure out that her twitter account was her account versus an account for some other organization supporting Lacrosse in the state of Kentucky.

We love ya, Coach Young, but perhaps you would want to consider if there is another twitter handle that you could use that might be a little less confusing on first glance?

-Jeff McAdams

Where's Paulie?

As I referenced at the top of the article, Paulie is on vacation this week.  He's looking to add to his fruity drink umbrella collection, but I fear he may be a bit disappointed as Gatlinburg isn't exactly known for its fruity drink umbrella variety.

In Paulie's absence, Jenny and I will be picking up an extra article each, this week.  In addition to today, I'll be writing my normal Thursday article.  Jenny will be writing her normal article for tomorrow and will be back for an encore performance on Friday.  Paulie will be back with us with Saturday's article and for our weekly radio romp on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour.

(Editor's Note: Don't be so sure...I'm digging the woods and the Yuengling. Someone stop by and feed the attack dogs and make sure Bud the Goldfish has fresh water. Now that they've discovered Broadband out here in the forest. all I need now is a couple of chimps and a golf cart...Paulie)

Sunday Cardinal Couple --Women's WUGS get scrimmage test

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- USA WBB WUGS' fall to Russia in exhibition 83-78

The 2013 USA Women's World University Games team saw its first action against an international opponent on Friday in a scrimmage against the Russian World University Games squad. The Russian team outscored USA 83-78 in the closed scrimmage held in Basket Hall in Kazan. Theresa Plaisance (LSU) led all players with 17 points...going 5-8 from the floor and 4-4 from the line. The scrimmage was the first time Team USA has scrimmage since arriving in Kazan early Wednesday morning.

We did an exhaustive (for me) search but could not find a boxscore for the scrimmage...so no word on how Louisville's Shoni Schimmel fared. If anyone finds a link or boxscore, we'd love to see it in our comments section.

USA Women's WUGS Sheri Coale's take on the scrimmage:

"It was good to get out on the court and play against somebody other than ourselves. We were pretty vanilla with our approach, but the scrimmage exposed some things we need to improve on, particularly on the defensive end. It certainly got our attention."

We hope that Coach Coale experiments with a different ice cream flavor in the next outing...

The training camp for the USA WUGS continues with another scrimmage that took place Saturday against Canada and participation in the opening ceremonies. No score has surfaced yet for this closed scrimmage.

Louisville men basketball star Luke Hancock was the flag-bearer for the USA contingent in the opening ceremonies. The WBB WUGS will practice today and begin pool play competition against Mali Monday. Game time (EST) is 12:30 p.m. Kazan is eight hours ahead of Louisville. The WUGS will also play the Czech Republic on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. (EST) and Brazil on Wednesday at 4:30 a.m. Quarterfinal action begins on Friday, July 12th.

USA Basketball will update fans on action on social media:

www.facebook.com/usabasketball

www.twitter.com/usabasketball

GO WUGS!

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WE would like to thank those who have donated to CARDINAL COUPLE...either by PayPal or through the mail with checks. You are helping us keep CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO alive and also maintain the expenses and costs involved with keeping our website going.

If you would like to donate to CARDINAL COUPLE, please check out the ways at the top left side of our website.

We are "in awe" of what individuals have stepped up to do for us after "corporate America" failed to respond. WE humbly thank the fans out there for helping keep this fan site going. The old adage is true...you can always count on the people.

We are a non-profit LLC and the monies we receive from you go directly toward covering our costs for radio, website and supplies related to both. I draw no salary, I'm still paying a bit out-of-my-own pocket and our writers Jeff McAdams and Jenny O'Bryan do what they do free.

Independent. Non-profit. Sponsored by YOU..the fans.

Thank you...



-Paulie

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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Hoops and WUGS

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- A Granny's Got Game update

- Plenty of WUGS action to be televised

- CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR today!

Last year our writer Sandy Walker gave us news about senior women's basketball and the accompanying National Tournaments games the gals play. Although Sandy is on sabbatical, we got a nice e-mail from Angela Alford, who is the Director/Producer of Granny's Got Game.

http://www.granny'sgotgame.com

Hi, Guys!

Last year, your site featured an article on my documentary film "Granny's Got Game" about a senior women's basketball team here in North Carolina. The article also mentioned the Louisville Survivors team and their hopes to go to Nationals in Cleveland.

I'd want to let the Louisville Survivors and all your readers know that the film is finished and has been well-received. In fact, we will be screening the film in a one-night movie event in Cleveland during the National Senior Games on Monday, July 29th. I'd love to meet some Louisville fans and hope some can attend. Here's the details:

http://www.tugg.com/events/4780

If people can't make it to the screening, but would like to see the film, they can sign up for our newsletter on our website:

http://www.granny'sgotgame.com

Thank you for spreading the word about this inspiring story that proves we are never too old to do what we love!

(No, thank you...Angela...for showing us that dreams, aspirations and hopes are just as strong at 65 as they are at 15. We are fans. Keep us in the loop!)

--Paulie

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It loos like those wrasically WUGS are we-writing the ESPN schedule in July. The Four-Letter network plan on showing 115 live hours of the 27th. edition of the Summer Universiade. Forty hours includes the USA WUGS in men's and women' hoops, beach volleyball, track and field and even water polo. Almost five days worth of total coverage in hours. A nice start.

Here's what gets us. Straight from ESPN'S mouth:

"Should the U.S. women's basketball team advance in pool play, the semifinal game will be broadcast live on ESPNU on July 13th and the gold medal game is scheduled for July 15th on ESPNU..."

Point 1#  ESPNU? Really, ESPN? You can show some guy stuffing hot dogs down his throat at a sickening rate on ESPN but the stars of tomorrow are regulated to ESPNU?
Shame, shame...

Point#2  The USA women's WUGS in hoops have to advance to the semis before you'll condescend to showing them on your third rate network option? What...bowling or curling got priority here? Thanks for being red, white and blue...ESPN. Who the head of the Politboro there these days? Nikita or Stalin? And, do you have any doubt that WBB WUGS Style WON'T get there?

Pitiful...sad...

And people ask me why I bash ESPN....

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We return to the airwaves and Internet meanderings today with the 11 a.m. broadcast of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. A good show in the works, with coach and player interviews and expert deliverations and deliberations from my excellent co-hosts Jeff and Jenny. I'm there for the shock effect.

We are encouraged by the listeners and reader support through donations that is helping us become free of any sponsors. You can help, too...through PayPal. See "The Left Side of The Site" and click on an do what you can.

If corporate American wants to say..."No soup (or funding) for you...we are proving that the ordinary, average guy is stepping up and saying:

"How can I help, CARDINAL COUPLE?"  

Well, you are helping with your individual donations. We appreciate it...more than you will ever know. We are the fan voice for UofL Women's Sports and if the stuffed shirts and muckity-mucks won't dip into their hog troughs and sponsor us...we are more than happy to make it individual and personal. We are the people. We attend, we cheer and care.

Check it out. We have discontinued ALL advertising on the site. WE will be known as "the fan site that is sponsored" by fans through donations.

And that, my friends...is pretty cool and fun to be a part of. Thank you for caring and helping.

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Monday Cardinal Couple -- Angel soars, Kazan impresses

MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-McCoughtry magic leads Dream to win

-WUGS headed to impressive Kazan

The Atlanta Dream improved their WNBA record to 7-1 with a exciting 78-77 road win over the Connecticut Sun behind Angel McCoughtry's 34 points in Uncasville, CT. The same place where the University of Louisville women's basketball team will chase the AAC WBB Conference Tournament in 2014...Mohegan Sun Arena.

It was Angel here, Angel there, Angel everywhere for Atlanta...breaking the Dream's record for most shots in a game with 33. The Dream led 73-59 late in the contest before Connecticut put together a 18-3 run to take the lead with a little over a minute to go. McCoughtry scored the final goal of the game with 51.4 seconds left to keep Atlanta atop the Eastern Division standings.

McCoughtry reflected on the contest:

"I should have played better defense when they were coming back. We kind of needed this test because we haven't had many games like this. This is good for us. Mohegan Sun Arena is one of the toughest places to play."

I wonder if she celebrated after the win at Geno's Italian Restaurant?

Connecticut's Allison Hightower missed a potential game-winning three with one second remaining. The Sun, under former Seton Hall coach Anne Donovan, has lost six out of their last seven. After a McCoughtry miss with 10.9 seconds to go, Connecticut retained possession and Donovan called a timeout with two seconds remaining to set up the desperation three....since the Sun was apparantly in no hurry to try and move the ball offensively.  

Dream coach Fred Williams stated what UofL fans have known for years after the contest...with a wrinkle. 

"She's (McCoughtry) a competitor. Angel is really going to compete hard wherever she plays anytime she is on the floor. This is all I ask of her. I think she is a new person this year to really come out and play a lot of hard defense and be a passer at times. We needed a lot of scoring and she did that for us."

Sorry to disagree, Fred...but UofL WBB fans have known that Angel since 2005. Just sit on the bench, enjoy the game and don't pull a "Marynell"...pal. It's Angel's team and you're getting paid. Try not to mess that up.  

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Shoni and her WUGS teammates will participate in the World University Games beginning July 5th. in Kazan, Russia. The host city has put out a very nice video on the facilities that all the athletes will compete in.

Kazan. Who knew? Very impressive...link below. (Thanks to Doug for the idea...even though I could never get his link to work...the one below is pretty cool). Self promoting, yes...but still worth a look.

CAPTURING KAZAN


Paulie

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Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Shoni pleased, Walz prepping.

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Walz, Schimmel address media

-Newbauer accepts Belmont position

For someone who had just completed three intensive days of basketball, flown across country and even attended class on Monday...Shoni Schimmel looked fresh as a daisy and ready to go out and pop threes for several hours.

She and Jeff Walz answered various questions from the media yesterday in the SAC and both seemed quite pleased with the way things had been going lately.

Schimmel is excited about being selected to the 12 player USA Women's World University Games team roster and related that all she did was go out and play as hard and as smart as she could during the trials. She also added that draining five or six threes in a row during competition probably didn't hurt her chances.

The selection list announcement had her a bit nervous and confused at first. The committee was going in alphabetical order and she was the second to last one named to the team...the final being Odyssey Sims. Technically, Bria Smith was still alive in the naming, too...for the last spot...but the Baylor guard got the nod.

When asked how she and Sims got along, Shoni smiled and commented, "Pretty good, actually."

I asked Shoni if playing against quite a few of the players involved in the tryouts over her career helped her in preparation for trying to gain a spot. She replied that it wasn't so much that...but playing with them during the sessions is what she believed helped her make the squad.

Shoni will tell you, she likes to play and that is what she goes out there to do. It has reaped pretty good rewards for her. A first trip ever to Russia coming up in a couple of months. The chance to shine on the world's stage. And being on a roster that includes seven other guards and "even bigs that can step outside and light it up"....according to her.

She also mentioned that Bria and Sara were excited for her selection and helped her celebrate...something that she noted some of the other players on other teams didn't seem as excited when their teammates, but not them, got selected. The mere experience of getting invited to participate with such a select group of college players is quite an honor in itself. It will be most beneficial to all three Cardinals who took part in the sessions.

Shoni also mentioned that several parents of the players and a few recruits complimented her and the squad on their magical run to the NCAA Championship game. When asked how many autographs she has been asked to provide over the last couple of months...she grinned broadly, in that unmistakable Shoni style, and replied:

"You'd be surprised..."

A fun summer ahead for the illustrious Shoni, doing what she loves best...playing the game.

Something she does quite well.

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Jeff Walz is a humble man.

When asked if he would follow in Coach Pitino's footsteps and own a few thoroughbreds or Derby contenders...he smiled and replied that it would more likely be a couple of plow mules in his case. He's not ready to enter the world of horse-racing ownership.

He also dowplayed his role in helping get Cameron Newbauer primed and ready for his first coaching job...explaining that it was the incredible group of young ladies that drew the attention of the world to Louisville women's basketball and eventually Newbauer. He is proud and happy for Cameron, proud of all three assistants that have left his tutelage and assumed head coaching roles...but insists that his role in getting them there was based on what they wanted to achieve in terms of future goals and how he could help them get there. A true sign of humility and unselfishness. 

Walz also explained that there is no secret system or magical strategy involved in his successes and runs he has had at Louisville. He defers to the teaching that Paul Sanderford provided him when he was an assistant at Western and Nebraska and insists that the most important thing he learned was just how to "roll with it" as the game progresses. 

He also doesn't expect the proposed 10 second rule for women's college basketball will change the game dramatically. Maybe a bit at the end if a team is trying to protect a lead and can no longer dawdle in the backcourt for 15-20 seconds...but not for the majority of a contest. 

He is excited about Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon and Starr Breedlove arriving on campus to join the returning team and thinks they'll provide depth and immediate rewards for the squad. When pressed about the potential depth of sixteen players being a great benefit to Louisville...Walz gently reminded the questioner that he had similar teams with just as apparent depth but things can happen and he is choosing to take a wait and see approach on how things turn out.

Roll with it.

Walz maybe satisfied with mules in the field...but the championship fillies he'll have on the hardwood will provide Cardinal WBB fans with plenty of happy returns and exciting wins.  

A link below with Walz discussing Shoni's selection:
It'll get you to the main video page and you can go to
"Sports" and check out Walz's words.


WALZ ON SHONI'S WUG SELECTION

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Cameron Newbauer made his acceptance speech at Belmont this afternoon and displayed a nice sense of humor in his opening remarks. Here's a link to Cam's words:

Cameron Newbauer talks about being head coach


-Paulie


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