Cards vs. Wolfpack Tonight -- MONDAY CARINAL COUPLE

 TOP 5 SHOWDOWN TONIGHT IN KFC YUM! CENTER

A photo of a previous battle

The Louisville women's basketball squad takes part in Big Monday tonight with a game against visiting NC State.  This has been ballyhooed as a #1 vs. #2 showdown for weeks now...then NC State flipped the switch and lost to Va.Tech in overtime their last time out. 

So, let's call it a top five showdown, because I doubt the WolfPack fall out of the poll's top five when they are released later today. That is one sub plot. 

The other is the status of NC State center Elissa Cunane. She sat out the Va.Tech games because of COVID protocol. That's right, I said games, because the Hokies and WolfPack actually met back-to-back last week -- NC State narrowly winning the Jan 24th. contest at Reynolds Coliseum -- home of the WolfPack --  89-87. The contest at Blacksburg, on the 28th went the Hokies way, in overtime, 83-71. It took a last second three from Wolfpack sophomore Camiile Hobby to create the overtime. 

Now that I've caught you up on WolfPack history for the last several days, let us reflect on, just briefly, whether Cunane will be cleared to run Denny Crum Court Monday night. or not.  Coach Walz is preparing the Cards as if she will. Wes Moore is probably fervently praying she's available. I expect we'll know for sure when the WolfPack come out to warm-up tonight and when the starting lineups are release, usually about 10-15 minutes prior to tip-off. 

Without Cunane, the WolfPack have tried two different starting lineups. The first time around against the Hokies, Moore sent Jakie Brown-Turner, a 6'0" wing, Kai Crutchfield a 5'9" guard, Jada Boyd, a 6'2" forward, Raina Perez, a 5'4: guard and Jada Rice, a 6'1" forward out to greet the VT squad, with Kayla Jones, a 6'`" forward and Camille Hobby, a 6'1 forward, seeing the substitution minutes. Four days later, Moore switched out Boyd and Rice as starters and plugged in Hobby and Jones...Boyd coming in as a sub and the only sub seeing any significant minutes. Ah, the musical chairs in Raleigh are alive and well, dancing to the COVID tune, it seems. 

On the season, NC State (11-1) has faced a #1 before, and did well, knocking off South Carolina back on December 3rd, 54-46. They are tops in the ACC in defensive rebounds (32.7), field-goal percentage (.486) scoring margin (+18.7) and scoring offense (81.8). Four WolfPack average in double figures, Cunane the leader at 16.2 ppg, followed by Turner (14.6), Jones (13.2 and Boyd (10.8). 

Will "Big Smile" be grinning in 
Louisvville tonight? 

So, how does Coach Walz and the Cards get ready for the Pack with the Cunane question looming? 

I see it this way. You just go out and play Louisville basketball. You have Dana Evans, Hailey Van Lith, two formidable centers in Cochran and Dixon, a rapidly improving Elizabeth Balogun and a strong bench that includes two "some-time" starters in Robinson and Kianna Smith, plus Norika Konno.. You force the issue when you can offensively, pushing the pace and trying to create the fast break points and remember that points-in-the-paint could be very promising if Cunane sits. Jeff Walz is an expert at situational, "coaching-on-the-fly" tactics (unless he's up by 32, then the brain goes into pause, it seems). NC State does not go very "deep" in their rotation,...they play 7-8 players an night 

Without Cunane, just one starter for NC State is over 6'1" (Boyd at 6'2") .  You have to hit the boards hard against NCST, the guards MUST rebound and let's hope the threes are falling for UofL. How do the Cards decide a starting lineup? That might well depend on whether Cunane starts or not. At 6'5", she poses obvious threats and is the WolfPack's leading scorer, rebounder, shooter and shot blocker. 

Remember these two Cards ? 

NC State has held five of their opponents to under 30% shooting this 2020-21 season and nine of 12 to under 40%. Cunane has been a big part of that, without her, Va.Tech went 48.5% in the first meeting between the two and 38.8% in the second-time around. When you have Elizabeth Kitley and Aisha Sheppard, though, you going to get a lot of buckets. 

A chess-match awaits, then, at 7 p.m. tonight on Denny Crum Court. ESPN 2 has the coverage, Nick and A.J. bringing it to you also on Cards Radio 790-AM WKRD. If you're "doing" this one at home, you might also try to catch the pre-game preview with Allison Cook and Jazmine Jones that starts at 6:30, and will be available on Twitter (@uoflwbb), Facebook and youtube.com/GoCards.  

My girlfriend, Ms Wuf, won't be making the trip and that saddens me, and we DON'T get Deb Antonelli (dammit) for this one either...Rebecca "UConn" Lobo, that Ryan guy and Holly Rowe will bring it to you on the four-letter network squared. 

So many scenarios, possible plot-twists and variables tonight...it's almost a "Clue Board game" -type situation, so, I'll go with...."Dana Evans, with a jumper, on Denny Crum Court" as my suggestion on "who does it" tonight...

We'd like to hear your thoughts on tonight, drop a comment in our comments section! Anonymous remarks are fine if you're the shy and bashful type...

Have a marvelous Monday!  

paulie

WBB: Seniors Celebrate Strong Night Against NC State -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Durr Goes Off for 47 as Cards Rout Wolfpack

Won-DURR-full.

Asia Durr tied a career-high and program record 47 points as #3 Louisville overwhelmed #10 NC State, 92-62.

Louisville celebrated Senior Day featuring pregame festivities for Asia Durr, Arica Carter, and Sam Fuehring.  The trio is set to be the winningest class in program history.  One more victory will put them in a tie and two victories will put them in the lead.

Durr set an ACC record with 11 made three-pointers as she went 11-17 from deep and 17-27 from the field for 47 points.  She scored more than NC State's first three quarters combined.

Fuehring posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and added five assists.  Dana Evans was the only other Cardinal in double-figures with 15 points and also dished out six assists.  Jaz Jones also contributed six assists.

The Wolfpack had three scorers in the double-figures  Elissa Cunane posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Kiara Leslie and Kayla Jones each scored 10.

After NC State scored the first bucket of the game Louisville went on a 36-11 run the rest of the period for a huge 23-point lead.  Durr dropped a bomb with 22 points in the period.  The Cards had a mere four possessions in the quarter where they came away with no points.

The Wolfpack wouldn't go away easily as they took advantage of the Cards' comfortable lead to go on a mini run to bring the score within 16.  There was also mass confusion and eventually an arena in an uproar after the officials spent several minutes reviewing a play that resulted in a double technical between Bionca Dunham and NC State's Kiara Leslie.  The Cards ultimately won the quarter 17-15.

Coming out of halftime, Louisville pulled further ahead.  At one point Louisville doubled up NC State's point total, leading 70-35.  In terms of turnovers it was the Cards' worst quarter, posting three.  Durr had another big quarter with 13 points.

NC State won the final quarter 19-17, but it seemed to have no effect.  With 3:31 remaining and the Cards holding a dominating lead Coach Walz decided to pull the seniors out.  As each senior checked out of the game they were rewarded with a standing ovation by the crowd of 10,602.  Nine Cards saw the floor in the final quarter and committed a total of zero turnovers.

Yes, it was a "won-DURR-full" night in the KFC YUM! Center. Can you think of any better possible way to send these three seniors out during their final regular season appearance on Denny Crum Court ? I can't.

WORDS

LINK: POST GAME ASIA, SAM and ARICA

LINK: POST GAME JEFF WALZ

LINK: POST GAME N.C. STATE WBB HEAD COACH WES MOORE AFTER LOSS TO LOUISVILLE  (Audio Only)



F-R-E-D Report

Freddy Mercury would have realized it.
We are the champions, my friends. 

Free Throws: Louisville didn't spend much time at the free throw line, but made the most of it.  They shot 5-7 from the line for 71.4%  Award them a capital "F".

Rebounds: The rebounding was incredibly close with the Wolfpack holding a 36-35 advantage.  Neither side had much like on the offensive glass, but the Cards posted 12 second chance points on six offensive rebounds.  The rebounding wasn't great but the second chance points saved the Cards with some form of letter.  After all, N.C. State had been out-rebounding opponents by 10 a night Lowercase "r".

Effort/Efficiency: There is no question that the effort was there, especially when a player goes off for 47 points.  Louisville shot 36-69  (52.2%) from the field and 15-34 (44.1%) from three-point range.  Take out Durr's numbers and the rest of the team shot 19-42 (45.2%) and 4-17 (23.5%).  Of the 36 made shots 23 were assisted.  They also limited the turnovers to five while NC State finished with 14.  They also capitalized on transitions and speed to when the fast break battle 16-2.  Capital "E".

Defense: The Wolfpack scored over the 50-point mark- 62 to be exact- and scored in the teens each quarter.  But they shot 38.2% from the field and committed 14 turnovers.  The Cards got nine steals with Evans leading the way with six.  Shook recorded two of the Cards' four blocks.  When going back-and-forth on what to award the Cards here I ultimately used NC State's 73+ points per game before facing the Cards as the deciding factor.  UofL held the Wolfpack well under that mark.  Capital "D".

F-r-E-D isn't too bad for Senior Day and a victory against another Top 10 opponent.

Caption This

Let's bring it back for one more time this season.

Similar to Asia Durr's scoring, I was on it last night with pictures and had plenty of good ones to choose from.  Have your take with this one...

EDITOR NOTE: 

(See Jared's other photos from the Thursday night game at the bottom of today's column. We sincerely appreciate his hard work and dedication in his continual quest to catch the "sights" and "scenes" of Louisville WBB and all Louisville women's athletics)


Softball Opens Home Season this Morning

With the rearranged schedule Louisville softball schedule this weekend it's going to be an early morning for the Cards.  They face the Sycamores of Indiana State at 10:30 this morning and will turn around and face Missouri immediately after.

Madi Norman, who spent her freshman year with the Cards, is now a redshirt senior for the Tigers.

Daryl Foust will attempt to make it out with me to Ulmer Stadium in some chilly weather.

Happy Friday, enjoy a few more pictures from last night, and Go Cards!

Jared

Senior Night for Louisville women's basketball -- Seniors and Walz Presser -- Lacrosse falls in O.T. Heartbreaker. -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LACROSSE STAGES HUGE RALLY BUT FALLS IN OVERTIME 9-8

When this 2019 Louisville Lacrosse team can put together a full 60 minutes, they will be one of the elite teams in Division I Lacrosse. The process is still not quite there. Louisville looked like much the best of the two teams for 36 minutes -- and the majority of the second half --  in yesterday's match against Vanderbilt...but the gaps in continuity and team play the rest of the way proved costly in the 9-8 overtime loss to Vanderbilt at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium. 

The Cards surrendered an early goal to the Commodores before putting three straight on the scoreboard to hold a 3-1 lead with 13 minutes until halftime. It looked like the rout might be on, but...

Vanderbilt used their fast-break, all-out jail break style of offense to counter against the Cards to end the half. The visitors ran their way to six straight goals in the final 13 minutes to grab a 7-3 lead. A buzzer-beater by junior Gwyn Devin with four seconds until halftime set the tally four goals in favor of Vanderbilt. For Devin, the kamikaze pilot of the Commodores attack, it was her second goal of the match and the 'Dores had the momentum going into the break.

Head Louisville Lacrosse Coach Scott Teeter delivered a "stay-within system" and play as a team halftime message and the words proved to be just what the Cards needed in the final 30 minutes. After a quick Vandy score from Devin to start the second half, the Cards applied excellent defensive pressure and two quick scores by sophomore Ally Hall brought Louisville back to a three-point deficit at 8-5.

Red shirt sophomore goalie Rachel Florek and the Cards defense were slowing the Vanderbilt squad down and finding ways to keep the Commodore off the scoreboard. Florek's second half performance "between the pipes" was one of the most impressive I've seen "in goal" since I've been following the Teeter era at UofL. 13 saves for her and the Cards were utilizing the team concept by getting scores from three different players to roar back and tie the match when sophomore Shayla Scanlan delivered her third goal of the match with 29 seconds to play on an unassisted shot to te the affair at 8-8. 

To overtime the two squads went. 

Overtime in Lacrosse is a bit different that most sports. It is a mere three minutes and whoever scores first wins. Vandy got the winning goal with four seconds left in the overtime session for the 9-8 heart-breaker.

Despite the loss, we may have seen the Louisville squad take a huge step towards success in the rebuilding process Teeter and the LAX girls are undergoing. This was a poised, confident and productive Cardinal squad in the second half. The defense made the adjustments and the offense was finding out that scoring could happen when they stayed in system and passed the ball. 

The two game home slate ends with a 1-1 record. The Cards travel to South Bend for an Irish match-up this Saturday. Then, it's off to Butler for a Wednesday match. The Cards will need to be at their best, offensively and defensively against both. 

Yesterday, the team showed a lot of heart, refusal to quit the fight and some stellar performances. Let's hope it is a continuing  sign of a team that is beginning to "get it" and moving forward together in the reclamation project currently being engineered by the players and staff. 

Rebuilding can take time, ask my adopted sister, as she goes through the rebuild from the fire that destroyed her beautiful house in Oldham County. This particular Lacrosse rebuild is underway and there will be highs and lows, bumps and smiles and peaks and valleys. 

If these LAX girls and this staff can learn from this one and push forward...then the rebuild gains a welcome boost and step in the right direction.

Scott, Rachel and redshirt junior Brenna Shanahan talk about the match at the link below

LINK: TEETER, FLOREK and SHANAHAN POST GAME VANDY


SENIOR NIGHT AGAINST THE WOLFPACK FOR WBB

Has it really been four years since Asia Durr arrived on campus? Someone tell me I'm dreaming and she, Arica and Sam are not getting ready to play their final regular season home game in the KFC YUM! CENTER. 

Maybe it's my huge fondness for these three, but it is hard for me to come to the realization that their time as Cardinals is drawing to a close. 11 possible games remain for them and this 2018-19 UofL WBB squad (counting tonight, at Pitt, three potential games in the ACC Tournament and, hopefully six in the NCAA Tournament). Where has the time gone? 

The foe tonight is a top ten squad. The N.C. State Wolfpack started the season 21-0 and sits at 24-3 coming into tonight's match-up. They are #10 in the nation. Projections have them as a solid #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, so far.  A win for Ms. Wuf's bunch would tie them with the Cards in conference standings at 12-3. A lot on the line for both teams as we prepare to honor and celebrate these three seniors (despite what a certain TV talking sports-head blundered out -- yes...only three seniors, not four).

This Wolfpack team has been average their last six games with a 3-3 record. It has been an arduous stretch for Wes Moore's squad, though.  

The Pack fell to a rapidly improving UNC squad in Raleigh by 13. A trip to FSU produced another loss, to the Noles in a close one 75-70. Then, it was off to Syracuse an a hard-fought 77-73 win over "Q's" bunch. Hosting Notre Dame next, the Wolfpack were punished 95-72. Wake Forest came to the NC State campus next and was dispatched of 80-46. Last out...NC State got revenge at Chapel Hill for the previous loss to UNC with a 74-69 victory. 

Freshman center Elissa Cunane and veteran Kiara Leslie have been the leaders of the Pack since talented Grace Hunter went down with a season ending injury after 14 games. The two combine for 30.6 points a contest and are aided in their offensive success by the heady, point-guard play of Aislinn Konig..who leads the squad with 107 assists and adds 11.4 points a game. 

N.C. State holds foes to 58.6 points per game while averaging 72.2. They out-rebound opponents by 10 a night...a team effort, no N.C. State player averages more than 7.6 a contest. Konig and Leslie are the three-point threats...Konig good for 82 makes on the season and firing at a .412 success rate.  

Like the Cards, they are primarily "seven deep" with Erika Cassell, DD Rogers Kai Crutchfield and Kayla Jones augmenting the main three threats of Cunane, Leslie and Konig. 

Louisville has to avoid a slow start tonight, play with intensity for 40 minutes and find a way to battle on the boards with the Pack tonight. A ball-hawking defense might serve to the Cards advantage by keeping Konig from releasing the three or finding Leslie and Cunane. 

The motivation should be there, with Senior Night and a crowd over 11,000 + expected. Get there early, the senior introductions begin around 6:45 p.m.

The Cards are 5-3 lifetime against the Wolfpack. A nervous, "grab-a-big-lead" and "hold on for dear life" 55-47 win last year in the conference regular season at Raleigh. Sonya and I were there for that one and I was honestly glad just to get out of a packed and crazy-loud Reynolds Coliseum seeing a Cards road win on New Year's Eve Day.  Another nail-biter in the ACC Tournament semis last year in Greensboro. 64-59.

A referee contingent today that includes Eric Brewton (Jerry Abramson's favorite stripe shirt) he was one of the crew that called the Louisville vs. Notre Dame game earlier this year in South Bend. 

We hope Asia Durr does "Asia-Durr type things", Arica and Sam produce at what they do well and the force of "B" and Kylee rebound and score frequently. Jazmine Jones could use a stat-stuffing night. The key tonight just might be speedy Dana Evans...her disruption of opponent's defenses and play-making abilities need to be at their best tonight to assure a Cardinal win. If Kasa is cleared from concussion protocol, any minutes she can contribute will be welcome and, hopefully, effective.

We think Dana is the ACC's "Sixth Player of the Year" and tonight would be a good time to mark her territory on that accolade. 

With the tournament seedings for the ACC still up in the air, the Cards need a convincing performance tonight to solidify their claim as potential ACC Co-Champs. Let's hope the Cards can "make it so" and "Pack up the Pack" and send them home with the "L". 


WEDNESDAY WBB PRESSER

The three seniors and Walz spent nearly an hour in front of the media yesterday to primarily discuss their careers and the team. It is certainly worth listening to and there were some great revelations and stories told.  You need to set aside an hour and listen to it in it's entirety. 

Here is the combined clip: 

LINK: ASIA, SAM, ARICA AND jEFF 2/27

Sorry that the questions were mostly inaudible after my opening question. My guess is that the Courier-Journal guy asking questions turned the media microphone off.   For better audio where the questions can be heard, try the two links below: 

LINK: WALZ (Audio only)

LINK: PLAYERS (Audio only)

Have a tremendous Thursday!


paulie
xxxxx 

Louisville women's basketball -- Early season losses aplenty for top ACC WBB teams...WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ACC PRESEASON TOP-FIVE HAVE ALL LOST IN EARLY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

One of the terms that you can use about the early ACC WBB Conference play would be parity. A glance at the top four in the league reveals NC State on top at 2-0, Virginia Tech 1-0, Duke 1-0 and Boston College 1-0. None of these four were picked in the top four in the ACC preseason poll. 

Duke was predicted to finish sixth, NC State seventh, Virginia Tech 12th and Boston College 13th. Sometimes, the favorites break slow out of the gate, right?

NC State is the early surprise team in ACC WBB...with wins at Notre Dame and at home against FSU. These two squads were picked to finish first and third in the preseason Coaches and Blue Ribbon Panel polls. These weren't squeakers, either...the Wolfpack downed the Irish 70-62 and the Seminoles 70-61.

A thriller last year! 

Wolfpack Coach Wes Moore is getting it done with several players. Dominque Wilson, a 5'8" red-shirt senior guard had 18 against the Irish and 19 at Florida State. She's in her third season at NC State after transferring from Arkansas. Miah Spencer, a 5'8" senior guard tallied 17 against UND and 12 against the Seminoles. She's been a starter all four years in Raleigh. Inside, the Wolfpack look to Jennifer Mathurian, a 6'1" senior that had 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Irish. She's been on the NC State roster all four years. Chelsea Nelson, a 6'2" junior, went for 17 against FSU.

None of these four made the Preseason All-ACC Team. No Wade Watch List, Naismith Trophy Watch nor Wooden Award candidates among them. NC State has had three losses on the season...like Louisville...their defeats coming to Kansas State and LSU in the Paradise Jam and at Tulane. Miami comes to visit Reynolds Coliseum Thursday. Louisville gets them Thursday, Feb. 2nd in the KFC YUM! Center. Who could forget last year's nail-biting 92-20 Cardinal win in Raleigh last year in the high school gym the 'Pack played in while Reynolds was being renovated? 

Experienced upperclassmen, especially at the guard slots for Mr. and Mrs. Wuf's squad. Louisville has already seen that twice in league play with Syracuse's Peterson and Sykes and Duke's Greenwell and Brown. 

Virginia Tech continues to surprise with a 14-0 record. They're the only team that is undefeated for the season so far in the conference. UNC was their victim in Cassel Coliseum 76-68. Chanette Hicks is the story in Blacksburg...the sophomore guard had been named ACC Player of the Week twice already. The Cards go to Va.Tech Thurs. Feb 9th. to face the Hokies. Louisville won an ugly one against them in the YUM! last year 56-45. 

We know how Duke got their lone ACC win. They head to Georgia Tech Thursday and FSU Sunday. Boston College downed Clemson in what would have been a battle for the cellar last year in the ACC. They stay up north this week with trips to Pitt and Syracuse. 

The top five teams in the preseason rankings...#7 Notre Dame, #6 FSU, #8 Louisville, #14 Miami and #25 Syracuse are 1-1 in conference play. They consist of the middle of the pack in the ACC. Wake Forest still hasn't played a conference game and Clemson, Ga. Tech, UNC, Virginia and Pitt are all 0-1. 

Of course...it is way early in the conference schedule. 230 ACC games yet to be played. Eight teams ranked in the USA Today top 25. 

Thursday's slate has some great match-ups.

Syracuse goes to Clemson and should get a win, although "Q's" bunch had to come from 17 down to beat Virginia last time out.  Duke heads to Atlanta to take on the Ramblin' Wreck and should pick up their second conference win. The Miami-NC State contest in Raleigh should be a thriller...I'll go with the 'Canes coming in and getting the road win. Florida State and UNC should be a good one, too. I like the Seminoles over the TarHeels. Wake Forest opens their conference slate at Notre Dame in what should be an easy Irish victory. Boston College at Pitt is a toss up. I'll take the home Panthers. Louisville at Virginia will be close...the Cards get the "W". 

I was 5-2 last week...Louisville and Florida State were my losses. I'm a so-so 
6-4 on the ACC schedule so far.  

My top five performers from Monday? I'll go with Lexie Brown (Duke), Chanette Hicks (Va. Tech), Dominque Wilson (NC State), Alexis Peterson (Syracuse) and Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame). 


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CARDS MBB TRAVELS TO NOTRE DAME TONITE

Rick Pitino takes the men's squad to South Bend tonight to face the Irish in
a 9 p.m. match-up in the Purcell Pavilion. (We didn't know Sam Purcell had a pavilion...that guy is everywhere!) The Cards enter at 12-2 and are ranked #9 nationally.

We'll see how the new starting lineup of "Q", Ray, Donovan, Deng and Anas does in their second outing against the the 12-2 #23 Irish. It looked pretty good against IU. Having Jaylen and Mangok coming off the bench could provide the spark the Cards need to gather their first win in South Bend since 1994. 

This one will be televised on the ACC Network...WHAS TV locally. Case will have the write-up on it Thursday. 

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


"HAPPY TO BE HERE" ASIA TAYLOR FLOURISHING IN AUSTRALIA

If you've followed us for a awhile...it should come as no surprise that Asia Taylor has been a Cardinal Couple favorite for a long time...especially with our ops manager Sonja. The former Cardinal from Columbus, OH has found success and happiness in the land down under...playing for the Sydney Flames. 

Since graduation, A-Tayy has remained active in the women's hoops professional ranks with a couple of WNBA teams and abroad. The 25 yr. old is arguably playing the best basketball of her life these days and we couldn't be more pleased for her. Good to see "Tigger" healthy and pain-free! 

Reader Sandy W...a big A-Tayy fan as well...sends us this nice link detailing her impressive 2016-17 season. Post 'em up and take it to the hoop! 

LINK: A-TAYY ON THE PROWL OVERSEAS


have a Wonderful Wednesday! 
paulie

xxxxx

Louisville women's basketball faces Wolfpack attack! -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

11-5 NC STATE faces #4 CARDS tonight

Wes Moore brings the latest ACC foe up at bat and looking to see if they can take down the #4 Cardinals tonight when North Carolina State hits the river to play in the KFC YUM! Center tonight.

NC State is 11-5 and has a 2-1 ACC record...beating Virginia Tech and Clemson and losing to North Carolina.

Moore, the longtime head coach at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, was 25-8 with these Carolina Wolves last year and reached the NCAA Tournament...getting sanctified by BYU in a 17 point first round loss. Moore may best be remembered for handing Holly Warlick and UT a stunning loss a couple of years ago in his final season at UTC. 

The other NC State losses beside UNC came to George Washington, Tulane, Minnesota and Villanova. They have no breath-taking quality wins on the 2014-15 slate worth mentioning. 

KELLIE HARPER used to coach
NC State. She's now at Missouri
State. (We're big Bears fans..) 

Leaders of the pack would be Miah Spencer who tosses in 14.8 ppg and shoots 47% from the floor. Dominique Wilson isn't far behind with 14.1 a contest. NCS gets scoring help from Carlee Schuhmacher and boards backup from Jennifer Mathurin...they both had doubles in their respective categories against Clemson last time out.

A return to Denny Crum Court after a prolonged absence by Walz's women. Sporting a brand new, elevated national ranking and atop the ACC standings...these Cards look to eliminate the first half road woes they've had in their last two outings and play with increased interest and intensity.

It's a ESPN3 game...lovers of the two minute differential in the radio vs. internet feed. Louisville trots out another broadcasting legend to sit next to Sara White for this one...longtime former Cardinal sports announcer Don Russell will call the action. This should be good...

No, this is NOT Briahanna Jackson. It is soph. guard Miah
Spencer...who will try to defeat UofL tonight. She will fail.

Who can forget Don's wild and wacky calls of Cardinal football "back in the day" with Dave Sullivan? Don's toupee almost flying off his head during a windy football afternoon in Houston...Standing next to Anthony Munoz in the original Dr. Evil/Mini Me configuration?  He's currently the play-by-play guy for the Gulf Coast Conference TV broadcasts. Nice golf weather down there...

What's up with this ESPN3 rotation of announcers pairing up with Sara White? Who's next? Van Vance? Uncle Ed Kallay? Barack Obama? 

Nice upgrade tonight, Don! 

We'll recap in the Thursday edition of Coupled Cardinals.

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Get those entries in. Or, we'll have "E" post up against
you in the paint. 

Final entries for the January Cardinal Couple contest MUST BE IN by 1 p.m. today. And...just what is that contest, Paulie? (Hmmm...someone hasn't been paying attention...)

Pick the total number of points Mariya Moore scores in January. You win a splendid CARDINAL COUPLE T-Shirt !!!

Send 'em in...cardinalcouple@twc.com

paulie