Louisville women's basketball -- So, How Does The ACC look so far? -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

SOME EXPECTED RESULTS AND SOME SURPRISES IN ACC WBB SO FAR

Although we haven't seen any head-to-head ACC games yet...the ACC seems to be having a great pre-conference season for the most part. Through Monday, the ACC WBB teams were a combined 104-24 overall. In the recent ACC vs.Big 10 match-up, played last Weds. and Thursday...the ACC won the 14 game match-up 9-5. 

Three teams in the ACC are still undefeated. Notre Dame, Clemson and Virginia Tech are all 8-0. Only Boston College (2-6) is under .500. In national rankings, the AP Poll has seven ACC schools listed...#2 Notre Dame #7 FSU #8 Louisville #14 Miami #20 Syracuse #21 Duke and #25 Virginia Tech. The USA Today poll differs only slightly...Notre Dame is #1 there...Miami #13 Syracuse #19 and Virginia Tech not ranked. 

Notre Dame has been seriously tested just once...in a 71-67 win at home over Green Bay...but will host 1/2 Connecticut in Purcell Pavilion tonight. Clemson hasn't seen any real top-flight competition yet...but did win the San Juan Shootout. They'll get Oregon Monday and South Carolina next Thursday. Virginia Tech is a major surprise...with wins over Georgetown, UCF, Tennessee and Nebraska. 

Do I think Clemson and Virginia Tech will be powerhouses this year in conference play. No. Do I think Notre Dame will? Yes, I do. 

A group is massed with just one loss. Duke, FSU, Miami, Georgia Tech and UNC. Coach JoAnne P McCauley's Blue Devils took down South Carolina...and that is impressive. Florida State lost to Connecticut by just two and has wins over Michigan, Minnesota and Gonzaga. Miami lost their opener to UK, but has set aside Charlotte, St. John, Texas Tech and Ohio State. Georgia Tech was thumped pretty well by Michigan but came out on top against Georgia, Dayton and Missouri. UNC was demolished by South Florida but did get by Wisconsin and Minnesota. They also had trouble...but beat Elon by only five. That raises a eyebrow.

Duke, FSU and Miami are to be feared. I'm not so sure about UNC yet...I need to see them against some good teams and Georgia Tech will eventually settle in the middle of conference standings by this time in mid-January. 

We've discussed the Cards plenty here at the site. They'll fare well in conference play. I do expect a lot of close game, though...and any of the schools I've mentioned above are perfectly capable of adding a third loss to the Cards record. 

Also with two losses are Pitt, NC State, Virginia and Wake Forest. NC State is a good team with a win over Indiana. Losses to Kansas State and LSU show me that they're not ready for prime time yet, though. Pitt, Wake and Virginia will settle into the lower regions of the conference in time. 

Syracuse with three losses can't be ignored. A wealth of talent returns for Coach Q...Losing to Ohio State is understandable. The shellacking at the hands of DePaul a bit surprising...as is the loss to Drexel. Q will get them back together, though. 

And then, there is Boston College. A lot of work to be done there. 

TEN TO WATCH

Here's ten players that are lighting in up so far that don't play for the Cards...

Lindsay Allen -- Notre Dame
Brianna Turner -- Notre Dame
Jackie Young -- Notre Dame
Alexis Peterson -- Syracuse
Rebecca Greenwell -- Duke
Lexie Brown -- Duke
Leticia Romero -- Florida State
Shakayla Thomas -- Florida State
Paris Kea -- North Carolina
Stephanie Watts -- North Carolina

So, with seven teams in the top 25 and a 80% win average so far in the 2016-17 season, the ACC has shown, once again, that it is the toughest conference in Division I women's college basketball. Conference play is less than a month away and the Cards begin with two tough tests when they host Syracuse and visit Duke. There is, of course, plenty of basketball to be played before the ACC tips off. The Cards have five games before they face Syracuse on Thursday, Dec 29th. Four at home...and an easy-to-travel-to road game against Vanderbilt. 

Who will surprise? Who will rise to the top and who will prove to be just a flash in the pan? 

It's all ahead. The ACC is a road full of challenges and obstacles. Who has the vehicle to safely navigate the trip ahead and reach the finish line first? 

paulie
xxxxx 

Cuba Trip -- From Jenny O'Bryan -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CUBA WITH THE UOFL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

( Jenny O'Bryan made the trip to Cuba and has written us an article on what she was there. We thank her for the reporting, insight and commentary. She also included many pictures...some from other sources. Enjoy this excellent piece of work!)

As I secured my spot on the Cuba trip, much of all I could think about was getting a sneak peak of our upcoming women’s basketball team.   As a novice to international travel, I was also looking forward to exploring a new land and culture.  The bulk of my thoughts prior to the trip, however, were dedicated to the team.

I will preface the rest of this article with the statement that while I enjoyed seeing the team play I was very quickly distracted and intrigued by my experience of foreign travel.

As all are aware by now, the team went 2-1 against the Cuban National team.    If you are reading this to get a lot of stats, you can stop right now.  I don’t have stats.   Actually, I only attended two of the three games played.  I spent the second day in Cuba on an excursion, exploring the countryside on horseback, away from the group and team.

One thing I expect people to ask is “Who started?”.  I only noted the starters in game one.  The starters were Mariya Moore, Asia Durr, Myisha Hines-Allen, Taylor Johnson and Cierra Johnson.   (As an aside, with the team having pulled away near the end of the game, the players that finished the game were all newbies).   That being said, every player got court time, Coach Walz’s first substitution being the entire line up for a fresh 5.   Is this a likely opening game line-up?  Hard to know.  There is a lot of time between now and the tip of the season.

You should know the arena where the team played was outdoors.  There was a roof but the end zones were open to the elements.  In fact, game 3 got a bit of a later tip as a strong storm had just finished and the court was wet as a result.  As we arrived, much of the Cardinals staff were on their hands and knees drying the court.    The elements were not ideal.  As a fan on the sidelines, I found the heat and humidity overbearing.  Youth being what it is, I am not sure how the players felt about it, but suffice it to say the dog days of August in Louisville might of felt like an early Autumn day, compared to the heat and humidity in Cuba.

Game one was also on the heels of traveling overnight.   We had to be in the lobby of our Miami hotel at 2:30 a.m.  Upon arriving in Cuba somewhere around 8:30 a.m. or so, our rooms were not ready.    We all went straight from the airport to a driving tour of the city, exploring a Fort, and spent some time at a cigar store at the Fort .   We arrived at the hotel around 1:00 p.m. had lunch, and had to wait for our rooms to be ready.   The team barely got checked in (some of the coaching and support staff did not get checked in until we returned after the game) before they were back on the bus heading to the arena.   So, along with the heat, the team had to be exhausted.   The fact that the team won the first game by a score of something like 80-67 was surprising.

Game one opened with a ceremony of sorts, where each team paraded in and faced each other near center court.  The National Anthem of each country was sung, and the game tipped.

What I can tell you about the games in general, is that they were very, very physical.  For our Baby Birds, that have yet to play their first collegiate game, the physicality of the games had to be an eye opener.    By the end of the first game, my hope was that we would get out of Cuba without an injury.  I am grateful to say that we did.

 I said as game one was being played, and I stand by my initial thoughts, that I am not sure how much we can extract from the games.   Rather, the experience as a whole and the ability to have the July practices as a team, are where the true benefits are reaped for the program.  (It goes with out saying the trip provided an even greater cultural experience).    The opportunity to get to practice during the summer, with another large class of freshman, will certainly give the team a leg up as we head into basketball season.

I can’t write this article without commenting some on the newcomers to the team, as well as initial thoughts about some returning players.

I’ll start with a few of the players that we already know.

To my untrained eye, Arica Carter, Sam Fuehring, Myisha Hines-Allen  and Durr all seem to have put work in this summer.  Carter actually looks more muscular to me.  Could be an illusion, as I am seeing the players up close in a way that I have not previously seen them before.  That being said, she looks stronger.  Fuehring looked more confident and her shot seemed to be falling more than I remember from last season.  My memory last season of Fuehring is that she found herself in foul trouble a lot.  Hard to know how that will play out, as these were very physical games with few fouls being called.  Hines-Allen looks to be in the best shape we have ever seen her.  At the end of last season, it was almost as if she could not miss a shot.   I can’t say that from this trip.  However, I have no doubt that she is as strong, focused and ready for this season as she looked at the end of last season.

Asia Durr was probably the bright spot for me.  As the number 1 recruit in the nation last year, we never really saw that player.    Durr looks completely healthy and full speed.  It was obvious last season that her speed was hampered by the injury.  She looked like the player I know we all expected to see last year.  A healthy Durr and a focused Hines-Allen will make for an exciting season.  This is not to say that the other returning players have not put in work this summer.  I am sure they have.  These are the observations that jumped out at me.

There are a lot of new faces on the team.  I will give you my initial thoughts on each of them.

Taylor Johnson, the graduate transfer will have one season as a Cardinal.  My assumption is that she was brought in to help with the point guard duties, having lost Taja Cole in the off-season.  What stood out to me with T. Johnson was her defense.  She was fast and interrupting plays and getting her hands on the ball and in the passing lanes.

Bionca Dunham, is one of the two uber athletic freshman.  That is the immediate impression I got from seeing her.  Her size and body remind me of Asia Taylor.

Ciera Johnson, looked good to me around the basket and mobile for a big.   She scored the first basket in the opening seconds of the game.  Known as a strong rebounder in high school, she had more than one rebound knocked out of her hands.  I know this will be remedied, and she will get stronger and grow as a player as she adjusts to the physicality of college ball.

Jazmine Jones, is the second of the uber athletic newbies.  This young woman has a high motor and can jump out of the gym.   If she has the basketball acumen to match her athleticism she is going to be an incredible player to suit up for the Cardinals. 

Jessica Laemmle, the local walk on from Mercy High School.   Cardinal fans have grown to really embrace walk-ons .  Past walk-ons have gained the reputation of being spark plugs off the bench, good defenders and hard workers.  Too soon to know the impact Laemmle will have on the team, but this youngster does not seem intimidated by size or strength of her opponent. 

Kylee Shook, the 6-5 player out of Colorado and all time shot blocker in the sate.   She impressed me with her defense in the paint, blocking and altering shots.   Within seconds of coming in to the game for the fist time, she made her first basket.    She is going to need to get stronger, but her wingspan is going to give Cardinal fans plenty to cheer about.

Sydney Zambrotta, the guard out of New York.   Seems to be comfortable from behind the 3 point line.  Is she a shooter, or a maker?  I know Coach Walz wants makers and assume he knew what he was getting with this long ball shooter. 

I head in to this season a bit more reserved about the potential about the newcomers.  I think many fans last season were overly exuberant by the freshman class, but quickly realized it takes time for the game to slow down for freshman.   It will be no different for this group.  One major difference, however, is that this group has a more seasoned roster to work alongside them.  Last year's freshman needed to be impacting from the start.  We were an exceptionally young team last season.   This years group of newcomers actually have the luxury of upperclassmen and not being needed to make strong contributions out of the gate.  If they can, that is great, but the need is not as great.  

My take away:  The Cardinals are loaded with talent, across all positions.  Practices should be good and players pushing each other to get better and earn their minutes on the court.   I am excited for the season to begin!

Jenny O'Bryan

( We appreciate all the hard work, time and effort Jenny spent on compiling this article for us. As she wrote me in the preface, 'I am sorry it took so long to get to you, but you know how slow I write'.

We've been known to say that good things can take awhile and this was certainly worth any amount of wait!  -Paulie) 

Pat Summitt...What she strived for we can not forget -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SUMMITT REACHED FOR HARD WORK AND COMPLETION

"One of the things I learned about her from the times I had the chance to sit down and talk with her on the recruiting trail: if you're going to do something, do it right." JEFF WALZ

It was what Pat Summitt was all about.

Accomplishment and gain earned by effort.

From her early days working her father's fields in Cheatman County to her final years working to raise funding for the terrible disease that finally ended her life...Pat Summit had a sense of direction, of being and purpose and the dedication to achieve the best results. She could drive, motivate and send out a resounding call-to-action in her own unique style. Hard work and doing it the right way were the basic tenants. 

Although she is gone, the lessons must not be forgotten. Especially in the dreaded Alzheimer's disease. 

We all know someone who has been affected by the villainous robber Alzheimer's. It may be a friend, family member or acquaintance. It has hit my family and took the most precious gift of all...the ability to relate, interact and remember. Seeing my father go from a vibrant, strong man...clear of thought and purpose to a shell of himself...asking me if he was my son...wondering where he was and why...and then the dull, blank expressionless stare.

We must find a cure for this life-taker. It is such a cruel and unfair way to go. Alzheimer's takes one's dignity. It robs you of the very real things that are you...your memories, your personality. So many things left to say that won't get said. So many words that might be heard but not understood. It takes you away from you and yours. I cannot imagine much more horrible than that. 

Pat Summitt knew the battle ahead. She chose to fight it while she could...just as fiercely and bravely as her attempts to drive each Tennessee Lady Vols squad she coached to victory. She said about the battle with Alzheimer's:

"Competition got me off the farm and trained me to seek challenges and endure setbacks. In combination with my faith, it sustains me now in my fight with Alzheimer's disease." 

Striving. Knowing the odds, the battle ahead, the probable end result and still going out to fight the fight. 

We cannot forget that. 


It is easy to give up, to do less than your best. We tired, we become disillusioned, resigned to what will most likely happen and we surrender to it. It is hard to still carry the banner when all around you predict defeat. 

Still, you must try. If only for the reason that it might make a difference for someone else, to show that there is still hope, pride and courage. 

My father taught me many things...many of which I didn't fully understand until later in life...but one that still rings true is that you cannot quit. Accept defeat if it comes with humility and in a gracious manner, but learn from it and create an opportunity out of it to do better next time. 

Pat Summitt's fight is over but we can learn from it and continue to carry the banner. The banner of hope, hard work and finding a cure for this cruel killer. Jim Valvano encouraged us by imploring "don't give up". Pat Summitt embodied that as well in her actions.  


I'd like to think that if Pat could have sent a final message to us all, it might have been something like this. Don't give up. Don't quit. Continue to work hard. Somewhere...there is an answer, somewhere there is a cure. We must find it.

Good words to live by in a world where it is very easy sometimes to surrender. Let not the precious memories fade. Don't just participate, strive to win. Yes, we all lose at times. Learning from loss, though, is a victory in itself.

Help CARDINAL COUPLE in the fight against Alzheimer's. For us, for all, for those we love. LINK BELOW:

www.alzfdn.org

paulie
xxxxx

Tyler Summitt...WTH? -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

SUMMITT RESIGNS FROM LA. TECH AMID INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP CHARGES

What in the wide world of sports is going on here? Tyler Summitt, head coach of Louisiana Tech and son of legendary coach Pat Summitt, has resigned from his position as head coach of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters.

" It is with great regret that I resign from my position as head coach of the Louisiana Tech women's basketball program. I am profoundly disappointed in myself for engaging in a relationship that has negatively affected the people I love, respect and care about the most." 

Multiple sources are indicating he has impregnated a player on the squad (whose name is being with-held currently). Summitt was head coach at LA Tech for two years...compiling at 30-31 record and also served at Marquette as an assistant coach at Marquette from 2012-14. 

A scan of the LA Tech roster...and by no means an implication of any sort...shows that two players transferred from Marquette to LA Tech to play under Summitt...senior guard Brooke Pumroy and redshirt junior guard Ashley Santos. Both were starters in the 2015-16 season...Pumroy the second-leading scorer at 12.2 ppg and Santos averaging 9.6 a game. Once again, we have NO knowledge on whether it was either of these two women or not. It's very possible both transferred seeking more playing time or because of their confidence in Tyler as a coach and mentor. They may have decided to transfer after Terri Mitchell left Marquette as a head coach on April 9th., 2014. 

Whoever the player is, though, is irrelevant. The act itself is the issue and the concern. 

There is an implicit trust that is established between a player and coach throughout their time in school. It extends off the court in the time a player attends school...preparing for the life after graduation, social commitments, interacting with the community and representing the university as an ambassador. There are ups-and-downs in those relationships. I spoke with a former student-athlete at the University of Louisville about that relationship and trust in a coach...who requested to be un-named. 

"When you arrive on campus, your head coach is basically your father or mother, your confidant, your nemesis at times and the one you place your hopes trust and future in. They teach you how to play better. The coach also helps you get ready for life after college. Sex is something I never would have considered with my coach. Going to a coach with a relationship problem, yeah...I did that twice but those were private and confidential things...and I got good advice. It's a growing time for a young women. You're learning things, you're experimenting. For a coach to take advantage of a vulnerable young woman like that...it's unacceptable. On both parties parts...but especially as far as the coach goes." 

Poor Pat Summitt. I sincerely hope that the legendary coach's memory has gone to the extent where this won't affect her. After all her accomplishments, her triumphs and records...to have something like this hit her in the twilight of her cognitive existence would be a cruel and mortifying issue to deal with. If, by some chance, she is still able to comprehend and understand what has happened here...one can only hope that she isn't too badly scarred and affected by this indiscretion. She deserved much better from her only son. 

Tyler Summitt married his high-school sweetheart in June 2013 and accepted the LA Tech job in April of 2014. He's a young man we watched grow up by the side of his mom during the years of Tennessee women's basketball golden years. He played for the Tennessee men's team. He stood by his mom's side when the horrible diseases that are dementia and Alzheimer's were announced. He learned a lot of things over the years as a close insider to one of the most successful programs in the history of college sports. When he landed at LA Tech, he brought aboard one of his mom's best friends and a former head coach in Mickie DeMoss....a person that was well capable of helping him continue his learning and knowledge of the game and learning the mechanics of being a head coach.   

Apparently, fidelity and morality weren't in the curriculum. 

__________________________________________________

THANK YOU

Thanks for all the texts and e-mails about my recent medical procedure. I appreciate your concerns and well-wishes. The colonoscopy was a success, all good to go for another five years. And, I slept 12 hours yesterday...which was a rare and needed treat. 

paulie

Changing the game in NCAA WBB -- Friday Cardinal Couple

NCAA Rules changes for WBB in 2015-16

The game is changing for the three divisions in NCAA WBB and the changes are good.

A fan of the one and one...were you? Say goodbye to that feature. Absolutely in love with two halves instead of four quarters? The halves are gone and the quarters are here. Couldn't wait for those (4) media timeouts each half? You'll get half as many chances to watch Mr. "Better ingredients, better pizza" try to sell you on his pie now. Tired of seeing 10 seconds stretched into minutes when a team is advancing the ball upcourt? That 10 seconds is actually 10 seconds now. 

Change is here. Long live change!


The women's college game will now be like it is in high school and the pros. Four quarters. No more one plus one to dread. Instead, teams will reach the double bonus at the fifth team foul in each quarter. 

This should speed things up a bit, eh? 

And, we're not done yet....folks. Teams will no longer get a new 10 seconds to advance the ball if a defensive deflection out of bounds happens. It is about time that good defense gets rewarded for their hustle and offenses will now have to concentrate on advancing the orb over the timeline as quickly as possible. 

In that final, sometimes very crucial, minute of the game...a team can now advance the ball to half court following a timeout. Goodbye 60 foot desperation heave...hello quick pass and 20 foot jumper. 

Coaches determining how many timeouts happen per quarter. 10 seconds (and only 10 seconds) to get the ball over the stripe. Has the NCAA Rules Committee gone completely mad and actually implemented something that is beneficial to the game? 

 It's about time, NCAA WBB.

Can the jump ball instead of alternating possessions be next?  

paulie
xxxxx

Cards WBB home attendance 4th in nation -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

CARDS WBB Drawing 8926 per game

The University of Louisville continues to be a top-five draw for women's basketball in the NCAA D1 ranks. Through seven games and a non-conference schedule that has featured only two top 25 teams, Walz and the Cards are pulling in 8926 per game.

That number was boosted by the 14862 that hit the seats Sunday for the Kentucky visit. Before UK, the Cards had drawn over 8,000 twice...for Ball State and WKU. 

Louisville's 8926 is fourth highest currently in NCAA WBB attendance. Here's the top six so far:

South Carolina     9964
Iowa St.               9336
Tennessee            9219
LOUISVILLE          8926
Notre Dame          8750
Connecticut          7123


The numbers are a bit surprising. South Carolina did not make the top five last year in attendance. Dawn Staley (or is it A'ja Wilson?) has sparked a newfound level of support for the Gamecocks. That'll only increase when SC starts battling conference foes like Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

Iowa St. finished second last year and holds second so far this year. Al Greener, the affable UofL pep band director and Iowa native, explained to me the large draw for a program that seldom sees the top 25 rankings.

Girls basketball on the high school level is immensely popular in the Hawkeye state. It often outdraws the boys' games and this spills over to supporting the three major university women's basketball teams. The other major universities in Iowa don't do too badly either. Iowa averages 4342 per home game, Northern Iowa draws 2172 a contest and Creighton brings in 1113 per tilt. 


Tennessee is third currently with 9219 hitting the seats for home contests. This is a bit down so far from the 11038 that led the nation last year. Those numbers will undoubtedly rise when Holly's Volunteers start SEC play.

At fifth is Notre Dame, barely trailing the Cards with 8760. They recently faced Maryland in Fort Wayne on the IPFW campus and drew almost 10,000 at the neutral site. The ACC schedule will keep the Joyce Center seats filled. Attendance is slightly up from last year's 8694.

Connecticut bears mentioning as well. Geno's Huskies have two arenas they frequent...on campus in Storrs and the XL Center in Hartford. They seat 7123 so far when they're the home team. The AAC schedule probably won't add much to those numbers. UConn brought in 8313 last year. 

Will the Cards be able to consistently draw 8,000 the rest of

the way in home affairs? ODU and Evansville, the next two home opponents, won't get many more than 8,000 in the KFC YUM! Center...if that. Monday night games...

The ACC schedule should pack the red and black wearers in.
Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia, Miami, Syracuse, Pitt, UNC, and Boston College will all visit Denny Crum Court. Four during the week night games and four Sunday contests.

Having Duke and Notre Dame at home would help boost the numbers...but these are road trips for Walz's troops. 


What does Louisville need to do to lead the nation in women's basketball attendance? Besides suiting up Shoni and Angel again? Here's one man's opinion:

Our student attendance for WBB is lacking. Maybe a cheap or free attendance with ID in a good section would get the collegians off campus and in the YUM! Promotional draws like free t-shirts, hoodies, discounted food prices and drawings or contests for the undergrads with quality prizes couldn't hurt. Free bus shuttles to and from campus. A mid-court shot chance with maybe a car or free year's tuition on the line. Opening one of the "rooms" inside the YUM! for a college pre-game tailgate party? 


8926 isn't bad. 300+ D1 schools would die for their women's basketball programs to be doing so well. Let's get some more rowdy college kids in the KFC YUM! Center, though...to create an even more deafening greeting for the Cardinals' opponents. 

paulie 

.
TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Commish Mark on the current state of women's basketball.


-Wolny, Collins get BIG EAST softball honors


-Cierra Warren resurfaces at San Diego State.




(WE are pleased and honored to feature our newest addition to the CARDINAL COUPLE writing staff Mark Schneider "The Commish" today. We know you'll enjoy
today's offering and look forward to his contributions!)




More than once on message boards  I have seen negative comments posted  about Women's basketball such as: "Women's basketball sucks", "Don't want to be a male chauvinist pig but Women's basketball is hard to watch".  Or how about these excerpts from two 2010 articles that I saw:
From Dan Bernstein's CBS Chicago's article 12/22/2010: "Bernstein: Women’s Basketball Sucks"

"The commish" may be the only writer out there that has
a dog as his literary agent and counsel. 

"Their sport is painful to watch......and that "telling the truth is considered mean, and it deviates from the gender-equity guilt narrative."
He claims he supports their "right to play" and his "right not to watch".  He feels it is "obvious" women's basketball is "awful" and that "Everybody knows it but can't bring themselves to say it." He does not consider Women's basketball "real basketball"


The reason the fundamentals look more prevalent is because "It’s easier to see passes and half-court sets in a women’s game because it’s happening slower".  He feels "We get all that from real basketball, just at much higher speed, with much more successful, explosive conclusions". (Assume he means a dunk compared to a lay up)

Then there is a September 2010 article titled: "The Hate Corner I hate Women's Basketball" from Pete D (no last name)--a blogger for a Chicago blog called Sports fix Chicago (What is it about Chicago writers hating on Women's basketball?)

"The game is WAY too boring.  It is too slow.  It is too sloppy."

His solution?---"take the average height of the players in the men’s leagues and then take the average height of the players in the women’s leagues.  Whatever the difference is, lower the hoop that much for the women."  Does this mean each level--Grade School, College, and Pro would have rims with different heights based on his formula? And since average heights may change from time to time, would the height of the rim have to change once in a while as well?  He feels that the result would be  "chicks dunking on each other, and possibly even talking serious "smack" (original word replaced with "smack" by me--this site is rated G so use your imagination) to each other". And to speed the game up "shorten the court".

Would lowering the basket lead to more dunks?  Using NBA/WNBA average heights: NBA players average height is 6'6"  minus a WNBA average of 6'0" then the goal would be lowered by 6 inches to 9'4".  Since we don't use goals 9'4" in height, let us use Brittney Griner as our example:  She is 6'8". Basket is "low enough" for her right now. She has no trouble dunking a basketball. In effect it is "lowered" for her now. So, how many dunks does Griner have for her career after 3 years?  Is she a dunking machine?  Does she have at least 75? 150? How about 200?  The answer is..........7. Yes------7 dunks.  She is tied with former Tennessee star Candace Parker--who by the way is only 6'4"!  She is 4 inches shorter than Griner. Candace did this on of all things a 10 foot goal as well.  Candace only played 3 years of college.  Brittney should break the record since she will return for her Senior year.

A Dunk is not always the most exciting play in basketball.  (Whether a play is judged exciting may depend on the point of the game in which it occurs).  However, there is something to be said about seeing a player threading the needle via a 45ft no look pass to a player under the basket for a lay-up.(Shoni Schimmel). Or seeing a player help her team  mount a comeback by pulling up for a shot and hitting it from around the hash-mark helping her team  gain momentum and take the lead in an NCAA tourney game. (Shoni Schimmel vs Xavier) Or  actually seeing  gifted athletes receive degrees and  develop their game for 4 years and not bolt for the pros after 1 year (Shoni Schimmel,Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins).

In regards to Pete D (no last name) saying the  game was slow, boring, and sloppy and thinking shortening the court to "speed the game up" is a solution to his perceived faults of the Women's game: Apparently he never really watched a WNBA game.  I tend to follow the WNBA because of Angel McCoughtry.  She peaked my interest in Women's basketball.  First time seeing her play in person was when her Atlanta Dream played in Indy a couple years ago. Here is what I noticed about the game:

a) The players were bigger, stronger,and faster.

b) The speed of game was dramatically faster than college-(Played on a regulation sized court too! No need for a shortened one)

c) Their passes were crisp and the players were fundamentally sound. 

d) It was a wide open run up and down the floor style of play.

e) The physicality of the game was evident. Would venture to say several players were probably sore the next day and needed to get in the whirlpool.

f) They played defense the whole game.

For those who have yet to attend a Women's game because of a lack of interest or preconceived ideas: Try it.  You just may like it: Obviously someone does--and it seems the sport is growing and becoming more popular.  Check the latest stats from the 2012 Women's NCAA Tournament;

All three games were sellouts, with 19,028 in attendance for the national semifinal games on April 1 and the national championship game on April 3.

Baylor vs Notre Dame had a 3.2 rating---3,137,00 households and 4,244,000 viewers.(It was the highest rated and most viewed since 2004 Championship UCONN vs Tennessee).

There were 570 members of the media credentialed for NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Radio broadcast reached 250 stations

UCONN vs Notre Dame semi final game
1.8 overnight rating (up 6% from last years first game)

Stanford vs. Baylor second semi final game
2.2 overnight rating (same as last years second game)

Some do not wish to give Women's Basketball a chance.  They snub their noses or write disparaging articles downgrading the sport. Some don't feel it is legitimate and even boring. Have these people ever been to a Women's basketball game? 

For the most part, not all of the women are playing to "make it to the pros." (The closest thing to a one and done was Candace Parker.  She left Tennessee after her Junior year for a successful career in the  WNBA).   Most are playing because they love the game.  Players playing with passion and heart. And it shows.  How refreshing to see players giving it their all every game. Not just when playoffs roll around.
 

You can e-mail Cardinal Couple and also guess how
many of the people in this picture ever read the site.

As far as  Women's basketball is concerned--some may love it and some may hate it but, one person had this to say about the subject: "The top women athletes play a more pure game than the men", "They play below the rim and fundamentally better," and "Women's basketball is a beautiful game".  Who said that? James Naismith? Geno Auriemma? No.....those words were spoken by none other than the late John Wooden.  As a matter of fact starting in 2004, the John R Wooden Award was extended to Women's Basketball.  John Wooden had no problem with Women's basketball. He enjoyed the game.  Now maybe others can leave their prejudices aside and start enjoying it too.

Thoughts on the subject?  Email Cardinal Couple with your thoughts about the subject and you just might see your words in print on this very blog!  What do you like about Women's basketball? What don't you like? What changes can be made to make the game better? Do you hate Women's basketball?  Why?  Just a few questions to kick around.

Commish Mark




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Congratulations to Cardinal Softball players Alicja Wolny and Tori Collins for receiving BIG EAST weekly honors! 

Wolny led the Cards in hitting last week, batting .692 with nine hits, eight RBI's and four runs scored. The junior is batting .395 on the season, second best on the Cardinal squad. She tied for the team lead in home runs also with five on the year. This edition of Louisville softball has a great combination of hitters who combine speed, power, hitting and pitching.

Collins was untouchable in 21 innings pitched last week. She threw two no-hitters, three complete games and earned a save. Tori is 18-1 on the year with a microscopic 1.11 ERA. Opponents bat a meager .160 against her. 


Louisville battles league-leading South Florida Wednesday at Ulmer Stadium in a double-header that begins at 4 p.m. 

WE strongly suggest you take off work early, grab the neighbors and relatives and head out for this epic BIG EAST Softball battle.


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Finally...ex-Louisville and North Carolina post player Cierra Warren has taken a westward swing and will play for San Diego State beginning in the 2013-14 season. 


Originally out of Rancho Cucamonga, California and Los Osos High School, Warren transferred to Louisville after a season at UNC. After a year of sitting out...she appeared in 22 games as a Cardinal, starting in 10 during the 2011-12 season.


WE wish her the best out there. Never really understood why she couldn't dedicate herself and develop into more of an impact player here at Louisville...maybe she'll find that drive on the left coast.
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Harvard risk taking pays off against St. Johns

I always take an interest in players, coaches or employers who operate outside of the box and who are willing to take a risk of doing something different such as continuing to allow a player to be on the floor with 2 fouls in the first 1/2 or the football coach who goes for it on 4th down.

This makes me curious if Coach Walz will run our normal defensive game against St. Johns today or follow the example of the gamble taken by Harvard women's coach Kathy Delaney-Smith whose team was 5-5 at the time of their December 22, 2011 meeting with St. Johns. She gambled that St. Johns's could not win while shooting only outside jump shots and in doing so instructed her players to sit back in a tight zone for the entire game which included not defending against the three while packing all of the gaps so the drive was not available.

From the field St. Johns hit only 27-77 for a total of 56 points for the game. Fortunately for Harvard, they were able to score 63 points which produced their first win over a BCS conference opponent this season.

Sandy W.

Notre Dame women retain # 2 ranking over UConn

How awesome was it that yesterday women's Basketball had 2 national games on prime time Saturday sports on CBS!?!?

I had predicted that both games should be VERY competitive as at 2 PM CBS featured Big Ten Conference Michigan Spartans (10-5) meeting at the home of and defeating the 19th / 22nd ranked Penn State Lady Lions (11-3) at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA by a score of 75-65

At 4 PM CBS featured Big East Teams where the 2nd ranked Connecticut Huskies now (12-2) and (2-1) were playing at the home of 3rd ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish now (15-1) and (3-0) which is the Edmund P Joyce Center in South Bend, IN.

It was Notre Dame's time to shine as it was their game to lose in the comfy confines of their home arena with a more than ready and very vocal crowd.

With the UConn - ND women's game shown opposite the University of Louisville men who were at home also against ND it made for an interesting situation, but one which could be handled. We taped both games and each time one had a time out... we switched and caught up play of the other game although I have to confess that we ultimately stayed on the UConn - ND game through the overtime as it better caught our attention as the games neared their end and went into overtimes. It was interesting to see and compare the styles of both the men and women's Notre Dame teams with both eventually pulling out the win as the women defeated UConn 74-67.

Sandy W.

"Coach" passes on

The legendary basketball coach John Wooden has gone to the big fieldhouse in the sky. "The Wizard of Westwood" was 99 and died Friday night.

John Wooden changed the game of basketball. He had three basic rules. Don't be late, don't use profanity and don't disrespect you teammates. He was a man who acheived his great success at UCLA while making $35,000 a year.

I was lucky enough to meet Coach many years ago. He seemed so small, so fragile up close when you spoke with him. He spoke with a gentle confidence...no bragging, just a matter of fact acknowlegement about his successes and his life.

It took Wooden 14 years at UCLA before he won the first of 10 NCAA Championships. In today's "what have you done for me lately" coaching circus...this seems incredible.

We cover University of Louisville women's sports here at CARDINAL COUPLE...but sports as we know them...male or female...were changed by Wooden. He created a dynasty in college basketball...one that will never be equalled again in the game. You can talk about the UConn Huskies and Geno's reign over women's hoops...but his great accomplishments pale against what Wooden did.

Wooden was an Indiana farmboy. He coached in Kentucky briefly at Dayton High School. A small northern Kentucky school..right outside Covington. I played basketball in the tiny gym at Dayton back in the early seventies. A small, nondescript gym...bleachers right up against the court and deadspots in the wood. A plaque in the gym honored Wooden, unfortunately the players at Dayton that year were far removed from the skills of Wooden's UCLA teams.

As we prepared to get back on the bus to return to Louisville after drubbing Dayton by 30+ points, our coach led us out to see the plaque one more time. I don't recall exactly what he said, but he talked about Wooden's ideals. Never giving up, pride and respect for the sport and those who participate in it. Hard work and dedication.

I don't know if that small school and that small gym still exist. I do know, though the the large legacy of the coach who once patrolled those floors will live forever.

Rest ye easy, Coach. Thank you.

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Don't freak out because of all the fire engines and sirens the rest of the weekend here in Louisville. It's Crusade for Children time. Carry a little extra change around with you today and tomorrow and donate to this very worthy cause. The Crusade was my late father's favorite charity and all the volunteers that work the intersections, ride the fire trucks and walk the streets collecting money get a big tip of the hat and sincere thank you from CARDINAL COUPLE.

Does women's college basketball need the 10 second rule?

(The "big guy" (pictured here) is in favor of it. Sonja is not. Today, we get the opinion on the lack of a ten second rule to get the ball over the timelime from a former high school and assistant college women's basketball coach. We have respectfully kept her comments anonymous per her request...as she is looking to be hired soon and doesn't want her comments to possibly go against any type of hiring decision.

The lack of a ten second rule to advance the basketball past center court makes no sense anymore and needs to be changed. Along with it, the NCAA women's rules committee needs to increase the shot clock to 35 seconds like the men's teams have.

There was a time when the women's college basketball game had a jump ball after each made basket. Imagine that today. There were also players who could not go past the half court line since they were designated either offense or defense roles. That rule was changed also. It is now time to get rid of another antiquated rule and this rule is the lack of a ten second clock to advance the ball past half court by the team in possession of the ball.

With the advent of the increased progressional skills of today's college women's basketball player, the ten second rule no longer makes any sense. For years now, women point guards have developed the necessary skills to dribble, cut, switch directions and pass the basketball. The days of frantically holding the ball and waiting for someone to pass it to are gone. The whole point of a full court press by by the defense is seriously undermined also, because the most you can hope for if you are pressing is a turnover. Good defense on the inbounds possession should be rewarded if you are able to prevent your opponent from advancing over the half court line in 10 seconds.

There are certain things that women basketball players don't do as well as their male counterparts. Dunking is one, obviously. Offensive or defensive goal tending isn't a call made very often in the women's game. Dribbling and handling the basketball, though is no longer a skill that women basketball players lack.

How many times have you seen a team dawdle getting the ball over the half court line late in a game and then find themselves faced with only 10 or less seconds to get ther offense in motion? If this team is winning, it does serve as a clock killer but it is also a penalty to the team trying to catch up.

Time to change this antiquated rule and allow good defensive pressure to reap another reward for a team. We teach our young players that guarding an opponent is just as important as being a scorer. An installment ofthe ten second rule would only enforce that philosophy and help teams improve on their transistion games.

There is a popular comic who uses the gag line 'Git 'er done'. It's time for the NCAA rules committee in women's college basketball to follow this comic's advice.