Lady Cards take a break for a few days...the future lies in front of them.

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Holiday Traditions

-The brutality factor in WBB...just how serious is it?

-Watson assigns grades

(Today at CARDINAL COUPLE, WE turn the site over to our beloved writers David Watson and Sandy Walker. So, pull up a chair, spike the Egg Nog and enjoy! Or, take a nap and un-plug the phone if you stayed up and watched the 97-80 beat-down Stanford put on Tennessee last night. WE like the elder Ogwumike. Pat doesn't.)

...Sandra Walker starts it off today with a look at Holiday Hoops...

December of 2011 finds many families in the midst of building new holiday traditions where the women's college basketball schedule has an effect on annual holiday gatherings. One such illustration occurred last week when a family's get-together date was shifted so that several relatives could attend the UofL vs. UK women's basketball game. Last Sunday, another Louisville family's pre-Christmas gathering included the UK at Notre Dame WBB game instead of one brother's expected pro football game. Fortunately, such an exciting game transformed what was a "beginning of game sulk" -featuring him sitting alone across the room - into a front of the screen position - urging on his beloved UK.

Who knows?  A new tradition may begin where male family members begin hosting and cooking the holiday meals in order to regain control of the household remote control. Hopefully by the time that happens, more hosts will voluntarily choose to view the more exciting WBB game.

Holiday hoops are sometimes excellent match ups

This year we are fortunate to have the addition of many more televised women's games and several holiday period top 10 match ups to enjoy. During this wonderful time of the year, we've had great competitive match ups that were well attended. UConn at Baylor, Tennessee and Stanford, Duke at UK, Louisville at UK, Connecticut at Baylor, UK at Notre Dame...and many more.

Games like these serve to not only provide enjoyment to viewers to pre-existing fans but also raise the awareness and appreciation of the women's game to those  who are newer to it.

It has been suggested that one way to promote WBB is for teams that are projected to possess the next year's highest pre-season ranking to make a special effort to schedule non-conference games with one another. Perhaps a nightmare for the schedulers - but a definite dream and a "win" for the fans. One guarantee would be a sold out venue where tickets would sell out weeks in advance. 

What do you think, CARDINAL COUPLE readers? 

(Sandy Walker is a staff correspondent for CARDINAL COUPLE. We like her ideas above. We'd also like to see Geno and Pat mend the fence and give us a Connecticut vs. Tennessee game yearly. Another idea is to have a pre-Christmas tournament here in-state...maybe a double header at rotating locations...where Louisville plays an in-state opponent...let's say Eastern...in the first game and UK takes on one also...maybe Murray. Who doesn't think this double-header wouldn't sell out if you staged it on a Saturday or Sunday and also offered it as a TV package?)

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(Sandy also reviews the recent UK vs. Notre Dame game below)

Here are a few late comments regarding last Sunday's top 10 Kentucky vs. Notre Dame match-up. They packed almost 9000 into the recently remodeled Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the Notre Dame campus for this one.

The game may have applications to UofL's late season BIG EAST meeting with Notre Dame - the Irish were very successful in locking down UK leader A'dia Mathies and her shooting game. She was not as effective at directing UK's offense, which counts on the transition and running game. Without it...and her...UK did not have a very organized half-court attack either, which hurt them later in the game. UK fans that were fortunate enough to attend the contest report that Notre Dame was able to really take Mathies out of her game and normal role just like UK did to Shoni. Mathies and Samantha Drake were forced to sit out the end of the first half, which allowed Notre Dame to change a neck and neck battle into a six point halftime lead.

Physical games in women's basketball have become commonplace but this particular game was reported to be very rough both physically and verbally. 

Fans sitting at the court level locations commented on the number of "no calls"  as well as poor calls at both ends of the court by the officials. There were also reports of the officials allowing on court activities to get out of control.

Samari Walker, a Connecticut transfer to UK, was a particular target of the Notre Dame players and fans - whose verbally harsh taunts continued throughout the game. On Walker, it looks like she will provide a solid improvement to UK, despite her year off. She had seven points and seven rebounds against the Irish off the bench - her first game of the year. 

When Mathies picked up her fifth foul at the 7:25 mark in the final half, UK's running game took a hit. They managed to stay close for awhile - it was 78-75 Notre Dame with just 3:43 left - but Skylar Diggins capitalized on not being guarded so skillfully with Mathies on the bench and took over the contest. Her three-pointer with 3:32 remaining allowed Notre Dame to streak to the win.

(We also wonder just how many teams, including Notre Dame, will utilize the "Shut down Shoni" game plan the rest of the year? Basic basketball philosophy tells you that when an opponent double or triple teams a player...someone else is wide open. Getting the ball to that "someone" is essential. We'll see how the Lady Cards respond to it. Great articles today, Sandy!)

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(Lastly, David Watson posts grades for the Lady Cards and their first semester performances on the court. WE'RE glad David isn't a real professor...they'd have to take the whole academic structure we now know and run it through the car wash several times to remove his grime from it...) 

OK, by now the Lady Cards are all home with their families and loved ones, except for Shawnta Dyer probably - whose still slamming imaginary opponents in the paint and going to the boards -all in the Spokane airport, waiting for her plane, in front of bewildered but appreciative Northwest Airlines employees. 

I got together with my buddies Mr.Obvious and Professor Skip Academics and we graded out the UofL Lady Cards performance for the first semester on the court.

The Lady Cards are 11 for 13 this year as a team. That's a solid "B" performance. At home, they're 4-0 which warrants an "A". On the road Louisville is 7-2..which is is about 77% - so we'll give them a "C". Before you start wadding up paper and throwing it at the professors, put a little chewed gum in the middle. It improves accuracy and flight distance.

Individually, we pleased to present Shoni, Bria, Becky, and Sherrone with "A" grades. Asia, Shawnta, Jude, Mo, Shelby get "B"'s. Cierra, Sara and Antonita receive a "C". Tia gets an "incomplete" for the semester and Charmaine Tay a one way ticket to Jersey. We know that some of you out there will find issue and disagree with these mid-year grades. We don't care. Hey, this is our article and we can say anything we want, as long as it gets past Sonja and her editing. You got different ideas? Send them in and Paul will probably post them after Sonja proof reads them.

Some individual awards:

Is Becky Burke the
Lady Cards Tebow?

The Tim Tebow Inspirational Award. Goes to Becky Burke for lifting the hearts and minds of the fans and her teammates with those "absolutely, gotta have it, need it now" clutch threes.

The "I will shoot anywhere, anytime" Award. Your winner is Shoni Schimmel. We have no doubt that Shoni would fire up her assortment of attempted baskets while crammed in 5 p.m. wall-to-wall subway traffic in mid-town Manhattan. (And probably hit most of them.)

The "What was I thinking?" Award. To Jude Schimmel, for her clock ticking to zero, up by four, foul at Washington State. Ms. Schimmel, write on the backboard (or chalkboard) 100 times "I will not foul when the game is over and we're up by four." 

The "Aliens have invaded my body and there's nothing I can do about it" Award. We're pleased to give this one to Jeff Walz. His sideline movements, mannerisms, feats of agility and vocalizations are un-worldly.

Send the real Walz back to us at the end of the season, please, ye visitors from another world. We're enjoying the alien version. 

The "Where's my insurance card and can I get a ride to ER?" Award. Monique Reid. The coaching staff needs to pack her in bubble wrap and foam packaging for the rest of the year. (And don't let UPS deliver her.)


Finally, some 'best of' awards.

BEST performance of the year (individual): Antonita Slaughter's 23 against Gardner-Webb. She was alive, in the zone and all over the court in the romp. We're sending out search parties to find that version of Nita for BIG EAST play.

BEST game of the year (team): The inspiring nine point win over a good Florida State team on the road after Thanksgiving. The Cards had it together and Shoni was electric in that one.

BEST post game quote of the year: Monique Reid, with her defiant statement. "Hey, I'm a scorer. That's what I do and that's the way it is and my role." (Any questions should be directed to opposing defenses - who will verify the comment.)


FIRST SEMESTER MVP. This was a really hard one to pare down to just one person. We're going with Becky Burke, though. She's played in all thirteen games, performed well in the vast majority of them and has expanded her role from just being a three-point shooter.

FIRST SEMESTER FRESHMAN MVP. Goes to Bria Smith. All three freshmen have played well at times, but Smith is the most impressive of them, so far. (Bria on baseline = two points or a trip to the foul line.)

GAME we'd like to forget: UK. For many reasons.

GAME we'd like to request a "do-over" for: Texas A&M with Shoni and Mo in the lineup. At a neutral site.

PLAYER that we'd hope picks it up the rest of the year:

We could make a case for several Lady Cards here, but we're going with Cierra Warren. Her size, ability and skill should translate to double-double figures each and every time out. Time to go to work, Ms. Warren.

Finally -- (drum roll, please!!!): 

This will most likely be my final article for CARDINAL COUPLE in 2011. A busy holiday schedule ahead, trip to visit my wife's family for the holidays and other duties of the season await me and my family.

Many props to Paul and Sonja for the job they do here at CARDINAL COUPLE. This "fan voice for Louisville womens' athletics" is a labor of love for them and I'm proud to be a small part of it.

Thanks, David for your
2011 observations and
articles!

I'd like to wish each and every one of you a hopeful Christmas, health and prosperity in 2012 and peace on earth. See you next year.

(David Watson is a special correspondent for CARDINAL COUPLE. He'll also most likely be in the witness protection program very soon after our readers and the Lady Cards read his offerings today. Happy Holidays, David!) 
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Second half rally leads Lady Cards past WSU 75-71

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FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Shawnta Dyer with 16 in "cardiac" Cardinal comeback

-Stats and analysis of the game

What a night...

Andrews switched
to cell phone after the
feed died.

Gametracker was freezing up, WKRD lost the radio feed and Matt Andrews ended up calling the final minute of the game on his cell phone back to the station in Louisville...but the Cards created even more excitement (and frustration) than that by rallying over the last six minutes to beat the Cougars by five.

A bizarre ending to this one tonight. WSU's Sage Romberg nailed a three with 12.9 seconds left to cut the Louisville lead to 73-71...but a WSU foul on Shawnta Dyer and subsequent technical foul on WSU's coach June Daughtery for calling a timeout with none left gave Louisville a chance for four free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining.

Shoni Schimmel cashed in on the technical shots to make it 75-71 but Dyer missed hers and then a foul was called on Jude Schimmel with 0.3 on the clock...putting WSU at the line. Fortunately, they missed and the Cards had survived a nail-biter. Here's the rest of the wild night in Pullman...

CARDINAL STARTERS: Asia Taylor, Shoni Schimmel, Bria Smith, Sherrone Vails and Becky Burke. The same starting line for the last three games now.

Burke saddled up and nailed a few threes when the
Cards needed them...

Louisville took the early lead on a Becky Burke putback and after a Schimmel jumper, the Cards led 4-0 at the 18:26 mark. Following a Cougar three...Louisville ran off eight straight points to lead 11-3 when Cierra Warren connected inside with 15:53 left in the first half.

It was the largest Cardinal lead until late in the second half.

The Cougars rallied with a 7-0 run to cut it to 11-10. Louisville countered with a 8-4 run and a Shoni layup had the Cards enjoying a 19-14 lead with 11:03 left in the first twenty. 

Romberg hit a big three late

Then, the wheels fell off. WSU ran off seven straight to take their first lead at 8:57 when Ireti Amojo sank a three to make it 21-19. After the two teams traded baskets, WSU took off again with seven straight and held a 30-23 advantage with 4:07 left. That increased to 35-25 with 1:28 remaining...Antonita Slaughter sank a free throw with 54 seconds to create a halftime score of 35-26 Cougars.

Louisville had managed just three points in the final 6:38 of play.

Play that had been delayed for five minutes while officials checked a TV monitor to figure out a foul sequence that occurred with 7 minutes to go and ended up assigning a technical foul on WSU's Hannah Potter for elbow swinging. Sure shot Becky Burke went to the line for two...and missed them both.

 

Dyer a game high 16,
eight each half.

Poor shooting plagued Louisville in the first twenty. They were 11-34 for 32% and a sad 1-10 from three point range. Shawnta Dyer's eight points led the Lady Cards...Burke had five, Shoni and Warren four each, Smith and Vails contributed two each and Slaughter had one.

The Cougars were 14-35 for 40% and an impressive 5-10 from deep. Jazmine Perkins has 12 to lead the WSU assault.

The Cards were lacking energy, passion and needed a spark.

They found it early in the second half from Bria Smith. She scored the first seven points for Louisville but the Lady Cards still trailed 39-33 with 16:47 left in the game. Taylor and Dyer went to work inside over the next couple of minutes...still, it was WSU 46-38 at the 13:05 mark. Louisville was
needing a spurt...and they found it in Jude Schimmel.

After two Bria Smith free throws, Jude got free on fast breaks and hit two consecutive layups. The Cards were within two. Cierra Warren tied it at 46-46 but WSU forged back ahead to lead 50-46 with 10 to go. Who would step up next for Louisville?

It was Becky Burke. Back to back threes by "Bigshot" gave the Lady Cards a 52-50 advantage. Then, up 54-51...Louisville head coach Jeff Walz gets a technical for protesting a foul. Three free throws tied it at 54-54. WSU snuck back ahead 57-55 but Warren hits a jumper...starting a 10-0 Louisville run, aided by threes from Shelby Harper and Burke, to lead 65-57 after Dyer connected on two free throws. She had 14 points, the Lady Cards were up by eight and 4:41 remained.

This one was far from over, though. WSU cut it to 65-60. Then, radio communication died and Sonja went scrambling to the laptop to access GAMETRACKER while I listened to the Cardinal Fight Song about a dozen times on WKRD. (They REALLY need to get a better version of that to play when their fixing glitches and gremilns...). We were able to piece things together slowly. The Cards were up 69-65, thanks to four points from Shoni. Then 69-66. Then GAME TRACKER froze up.

An anxious moment later, it started again and the voice of Matt Andrews crackled back over the radio. 71-68 Cards. Dyer gets loose on a fast break (I think he said...) 73-68. Romberg bombs a three. 73-71. He's calling the game on his cell phone and it sounds like the game is being played in a bar...

And, then the wild chain of events that we described in the opening paragraphs ended it. 75-71. Cards win, Cards win!

Dyer led the Lady Cards with 16, followed by Shoni and Burke with 14 points. Smith hit double figures also with 11. Warren finished with eight, Jude and Shelby four each, Vails two and Slaughter and Taylor one each. Sara Hammond played but did not score. Monique Reid's left knee will be evaluated again when the Lady Cards return to Louisville. She sat out this one.

For WSU, 22 from Ireti Amojo and 19 out of Perkins led the way.

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Let's not underestimate this Cougar team and the hard effort they gave last night. They beat BIG EAST member Marquette earlier in the season. They fell just short against Gonzaga, who knocked off Georgia last night. Their match-up zone was effective on bottling up Shoni for most of the game and they did have nine steals. Perkins and Amojo are quality players that will have some big games against PAC 12 opponents this season.

-Louisville narrowly won the rebounding battle 39-36 last night. A team effort...no Lady Card had more than five (Shoni and Warren).

-The Cards cut back on turnovers with only 14. They forced the Cougars into 17. Bria Smith guilty of four - no other UofL player had more than two.

-Louisville's three point efforts improved dramatically in the final twenty minutes...going 4-7. For the game, the Cards were 5-17.

-Missed free throws were a factor...Louisville obtaining only 57% accuracy from the line (16-28). The Cougars slightly better with 16-24 shooting (66.7%)

-Only one player fouled out, and that was WSU guard Tia Presley. Warren picked up four for Louisville.

-Walz played all eleven available for duty...Shoni seeing 38 minutes and Burke 35. Dyer and Smith logged 25 each, Jude 19 and Taylor and Warren with 16 each. Vails saw 10 minutes, Harper seven, Hammond five and Slaughter four.

-2019 watched this one, pretty much evenly divided between Coogs fans and Schimmel/Lady Cards backers. I'm convinced Louisville could draw record numbers to Ice Station Zebra in the South Pole, if Shoni and Jude were playing. 77 penguins, 11 polar bears and a few whales...

WHAT WE LIKED:

-It's not over till we say it's over...Louisville battled back from an early eight point second half deficit to take the lead for good with six minutes left in the game. The eight point advantage with 4:41 left - capping a 10-0 Lady Cards run - was fool's gold, though...the Cougars came back and cut it to three several times and two with 12.9 seconds left. Louisville never relinqushed the lead, though...and took WSU's best efforts and shots.

-Hiya, Harper! Shelby gave Louisville seven key minutes, all in the second half. Her free throw gave Louisville a 55-54 lead after WSU had tied it after
cashing in on free throws after Walz's technical. A Harper three with six minutes left gave the Cards the lead for good. 

-Big shot Becky. Burke's three second half threes all came at critical points in the game. Two in a row erased a four point Cougar lead. Her final of the half put Louisville up by six with 4:56 left. Senior stability and leadership at work.

-Dyer circumstances. WE like the way Shawnta Dyer has stepped up her game on the west coast swing. Louisville needs a dependable "big" to go to and take some of the pressure off Shoni and Becky. With Monique Reid hobbled, looks like Dyer is applying for the job. Hired.

THINGS TO IMPROVE ON

-It's a forty minute game. Louisville appeared very out-of-sync and dis-jointed near the end of the first half. Three points in the final 6:21 of that half very seldom puts a team in a winning position. The Cards need to improve on the continuity and finding someone to step up and prevent lapses like this.

-Again, it's a forty minute game. Louisville had a seemingly sufficient 73-68 lead when Shoni found Dyer with a fast break pass with 21 seconds left. Then, a defensive lapse allows the Cougars' Romberg to nail a three. Louisville has it won when Jude inexplicably fouls Rosetta Adzasu as time expires and the Cards have a 75-71 lead. Two shots from the line. One make and a desperation three on a miss ties this thing. Fortunately, Adzasu misses the first.

The foul was not needed. Freshman error...hopefully, she'll learn from it.

With the win, Louisville improves to 11-2. They'll take a few days off to spend the holidays with family and re-assemble for two-a-days before facing Tenn-Martin next Wednesday. Rest up, ladies. After the break, it gets a whole lot tougher.
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Cougars bring 6-4 record, challenging schedule into tonight's game

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Cougars face 10-2 Lady Cards in Pullman, WA.

-Recapping Sunday's BIG EAST action

-Sandy Walker discusses a "foul" subject

The Lady Cards conclude the west coast trip this evening with a 9 p.m. tipoff (E.S.T.) against the Washington State Cougars. WSU (6-4) comes into the game on a two game win streak and it is the final of four in a row at home for the Cougars. They've defeated UC-Riverside and San Diego St. in their last two.

Carly Noyes (right) is a 6'5"
junior center for the Cougars

WSU has faced a challenging non-conference schedule while building their 6-4 record. They've also defeated UNC WIlmington, Wisconsin, MARQUETTE (65-52), and Prairie View A&M this season. Losses have come to Penn State, South Dakota State, MIchigan (69-39) and a narrow 71-69 loss to Gonzaga. After Louisville, they'll conclude their non-conference slate with a trip to Ohio State.

Daughtery also had previous stints at
Boise State and Washington. She digs the
northwest...

The Cougars are coached by June Daughtery. She's in her fifth season at Pullman and has a record of 38-93 as the WSU head coach. They're 2-1 at home this year. Her husband Mike, is an assistant coach.

No Cougars are averaging in double figures.

Soph. guard Ireti Amojo ( a play-by-play announcer's dream name for a player) has nine points a game, junior center Carly Noyes checks in with 8.2, Tia Presley is good for 8.1 and Sage Romberg at 8.0. Jasmine Perkins leads WSU with 6.5 grabs a game.

Louisville and Washington State have never met before.

For the Lady Cards, it'll be a matter of another "home game" on the road, since it's Native American Appreciation Night and Schimmel fans will flock to see the girls in their last Northwestern U.S. appearance of the regular season. Louisville will look to continue the impressive defensive performance that they threw down on the Portland Pilots on Saturday...when the kept the Coogs from scoring a basket for nearly 13 minutes in the first half. They could have their hands full with the 6'5" Noyes on the boards and road fatigue could be a possible issue for the jet-lagged Cards...who are off for nine days after tonight's contest.

WKRD 790 will have the call in the Louisville area, WSU's official sports website offers a pay-per-view of the match and Gametracker will be a step slow and a half hour behind in giving reports on the action. 

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Cats lost their claws when A'dia
fouled out.

 BIG EAST women's basketball went 4-1 yesterday...with UCONN falling to the Baylor Bears 66-61. Winners were Notre Dame over Kentucky 92-83, St John, with a 64-60 triumph over Memphis, Rutgers easily handled Iona 62-29 and Syracuse (not Georgetown, like we reported yesterday) squared off against Xavier and took the win 70-67.

Would these "Young Guns" fared any better than UCONN
did against Baylor?

The UConn-Baylor contest was an exciting one...the Huskies looked like they were in control with a 10 point second half lead but the Bears, led by Odyssey Sims and Brittany Griner came roaring back, buoyed by their home crowd support, and took the win. WE actually had turned it off for a few minutes (Paul and his love for the Emilio Estevez "Young Guns" movies) and were shocked to find Baylor back in it. Is there a better center in WBB College than Griner? 

UK lost A'dia Mathies to fouls in the second half and watched Notre Dame go on a 10-0 run to pull away from a stubborn, overachieving UK squad in South Bend. WE had talked about how we thought the UofL inside game was superior to UK's a few weeks back. We were wrong and we admit it. Drake, and now Samari Walker, will punish SEC competition. As for Notre Dame, we called it right...Novosel applied the novocaine to the Kats. 23 points, one of five Irish in double figures.

ON TAP TONIGHT:

--SYRACUSE vs. Oklahoma ("Q" gets his Sooner on...)
--PROVIDENCE hosts Delaware (The big girl..Elena Delle Donne..has the Blue Hens at 8-0)
--CINCINNATI at home against Indianapolis (no, in WBB...not NFL)
--DEPAUL travels to Illinois State. (But, they're from Illinois, the state.)
--MARQUETTE invites SDSU to Milwaukee. (That's the South Dakota State Jack-Rabbits)

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(Sandy Walker is a contributing writer for CARDINAL COUPLE. She looks at foul strategy today.)

FOUL STRATEGY

Is benching a player after two first half fouls
for the rest of the half the right thing to do?

Last night I watched a college game where, once again, players were benched after picking up their second foul of the first half. What had been a multiple lead-changing game changed into a half-time six point deficit after two starters were sat down for committing two fouls each. I'm guessing that a lot of the CARDINAL COUPLE readers are younger than me, so you can be forgiven for not remembering far back enough into basketball history when after two fouls, you might sit a player long enough to calm them down and think it over a bit...but that player would re-enter and play in the first half until they picked up a third foul.

(Please share your comments and any education you have on this subject with me, either in the comments section or by e-mail to Cardinal Couple.) 

NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy, who was calling the game, said:

"Smart players have to be able to learn to play with fouls."

How does this happen while sitting on the bench? When did this "shifting of strategy" occur and  why is a player sitting on the bench in the first half with two fouls contributing more to their team than the same player sitting on the bench with five fouls in the second half?

(PAUL)
I'll take a crack at addressing this one with my own opinion. Never been a fan of sitting a player with two first half fouls. Maybe because I was a fouling machine when I played. But, if you are a good player and are important to your team...picking up a costly third foul in the first half can have dramatic effects on your, and your team's game. The opposition will try to get you to commit that fourth foul as early as possible in the second half. Then, to the bench you go, again.

In my case, it was usually "just let him stay out there and bang on the opposing center until he fouls out or injures him..."

(I played basketball just like I did football.)

You can weigh in, also. Feel free to leave a comment or e-mail us with your take at cardinalcouple@insightbb.com

WE'LL HAVE A FULL GAME RECAP AFTER THE ACTION TONIGHT. SEE YOU THEN !!
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Burke, Shoni lead Cards to win over Pilots

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SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Aggressive defense the key in 71-42 Lady Cards win

-BIG EAST WBB Saturday results.

The University of Louisville's womens' basketball team started their two game west coast swing with an easy victory over the University of Portland Pilots yesterday in front of 3211 fans...mostly clad in red and cheering for the Lady Cards. For Louisville (10-2) the usual suspects showed up...Becky Burke going five for nine from the deep and leading all scorers with 17 points. Shoni stepping up strong in the second half with three threes and 14 points for the game.

The Cards did not start out like the #14 team in the nation, however. They battled back and forth with the pesky Pilots for the first five minutes of the contest ...trailing 10-8. Portland's zone was giving Louisville trouble and only Bria Smith was looking like she was ready to play...with five of Louisville's points.

Then, the Cards got untracked. Whatever jet lag might have been in play quickly disappeared when Shawnta Dyer scored in the paint to tie it at 10. That was followed by four straight points from Asia Taylor and a second Burke three of the first half had Louisville up 17-10 with 13 minutes left. After a Portland hoop, Burke drilled another trifecta, Jude Schimmel connected on a jumper and cashed in a free throw and Shoni's first score of the afternoon (a three - what else?) had Louisville up 26-12 near the halfway mark of the first half. Portland was in trouble...could not score against the Cardinal defense pressure...and the Lady Cards were effectively shutting down the Pilots leading scorer Natalie Day. The 18-2 run over five minutes had propelled Louisville into a 14 point advantage.

Things didn't get any better for UofP. After managing a couple of free throws...the Lady Cards took off on a 14-2 run over the final seven minutes...five different Cardinals contributing to the scoring action. Louisville held a 40-16 halftime lead.

Portland had four free throws but no baskets in the final 12:41 of the half. 

Louisville was shooting a red-hot 52%. Bria Smith paced the Lady Cards with nine first half points.

The Cards continued their mastery in the final twenty. Threes by Shoni, Burke and Shoni again had the Cards up 49-20. Another Shoni three gave Louisville their largest lead of the game...57-24 with 14:55 left. The two teams played on a pretty even keel after that...Portland actually outscoring the Lady Cards 18-14 the rest of the way...

Natalie Day recovered from her scoreless first half to end up with 14 second half points. ReZina Teclemariam (trying saying her name fast five times...) also hit double figures for the Pilots with 11.

Walz played multiple combination over the final twelve minutes...Sara Hammond, Dyer, Cierra Warren, Vails and Burke all scoring over the final 12:05. 

All 11 available for Louisville played and all of them scored. Burke was high scorer with 17, Shoni added 14 and Smith had nine points...all in the first half. Shawnta Dyer followed with eight, Antonita Slaughter and Jude with five each, Asia Taylor ended up with four points, Hammond three and Sherrone Vails, Shelby Harper and Cierra Warren contributed two each.

Slaughter led the Cards with eight grabs and Bria Smith followed with seven. Burke distributed a team high five assists...no Cardinals fouled out and Smith pilfered three steals.

The Cards outshot the Pilots 45.6% to 28%. Louisville was an unusually high 10-30 from three point range for 33.3%...Shoni trying an arm weary 13 and hitting four. The Cards won the rebounding battle 43-29. Louisville did commit 23 turnovers...one less than the Pilots.

Walz distributed the minutes fairly evenly...no Lady Card getting more than 30 (Shoni) or less than seven (Harper). Monique Reid was in attendance in street clothes and on crutches. No immediate timetable has been set for Mo's return and UofL is expected to release more information on the extent of her injury and the MRI results of the knee on Monday.

A good afternoon for seeing family and friends for the Schimmel's.  A winning, workman-like effort for the team. Second half play got sloppy and disjointed at times and the Cards did go for five minutes plus with only one score...but when you're up 30...does it really matter?

THINGS WE LIKED ABOUT THE GAME

-THE FIRST HALF from Bria Smith. She's settling in well to her starter role at guard and was the only Louisville offense for the first four + minutes of the game. We hope those skills continue to grow.

-Louisville fans (Rez Version). Just an incredible turnout to travel in by bus and car across the state to put 3211 in a gym against a team that averages around 500-600 a game. Watching it on "Pilot-Vision" ...it was obvious that there were a lot of youth in attendance, they were smiling and happy and Shoni, Jude and the team were "mobbed" (as PDX Phil described in yesterday's comments) by their adoring fans. 

-Jude Awakening. She produced 21 minutes of stable basketball yesterday, sharing the court at times with Shoni. Her numbers...five points on 2-6 shooting, three rebounds, no fouls, three assists, two steals and (a team high) five turnovers. Still plenty of things to work on...but she's getting better each game and you can see her confidence level rising. 

THINGS TO WORK ON:

-Serving up turnovers. It's was an afternoon game, so no pastries were needed...but the Cards coughed it up 23 times against a 5-7 team and gave up 17 steals...five each by Day and ball-hawking guard Alexis Byrd. I know, I get it...what does it matter in a 29 point blowout? We'll see if these numbers get better against Washington St. on Monday. 

-Sloppy ending. Coach Walz will tell you he has no "mop up" squad and that he evaluates just the same whether the team is up by twenty or down by two. His evaluations of the final seven minutes of this one probably didn't warrant any medals of bravery or honor, standing ovations or shouts of "Bravo!". At least Sara Hammond and Cierra Warren got to work together for a good while. The frustration of both in the paint is still very obvious though...Sara still foul prone and Cierra still needing to just learn and go back up with the ball instead of flashing, dashing, dancing in the paint and trying fall away hook shots.  

Louisville travels to Pullman, WA. next for a late one against Washington State.

9 p.m. tip E.S.T. A Native American Appreciation Night promotion and tons of Cardinal fans / Schimmel fans are expected to attend this one, too.

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BIG EAST WBB went 4-2 in Saturday action.

-- St. John's handling Prairie View A&M 66-50

--Cincinnati falling to Miami (OH) 74-69

--West Virginia dropping a close one to Duquense 61-55

--USF romping Maryland Eastern-Shores 71-50

--Seton Hall getting the win over Stonybrook in convinving fashion 65-30

--...and the Cards with the 71-42 win at Portland.

Four games on tap for Sunday...and two great matchups. Notre Dame hosting UK at noon and Connecticut travels to Baylor to meet the Bears. Rutgers plays Iona and a interesting matchup with Georgetown and Xavier doing battle.

UK and Notre Dame on ESPNU...UCONN and Baylor on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. 
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Louisville romps Portland 71-42

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CARDINAL COUPLE GAME REPORT...

-LADY CARDS roll past Portland University 71-42 this afternoon in front of an announced crowd of 3211...the highest attendance to ever see a Lady Pilots home game.

Louisville used a 32-6 run over the final fifteen minutes in the first half to overcome a 10-8 deficit and lead 40-16 at the end of the first half. They would start the second half with threes from Becky Burke and Shoni Schimmel to propel them to  a 57-24 advantage after another Shoni three with 14:55 remaining in the game.

Becky Burke had 17 points for the Lady Cards. Shoni and Shawnta Dyer had double figures also for Louisville. The Lady Cards shot 52% in the first half and held Portland to 22% shooting.

All eleven Lady Cards that dressed for the game played. Monique Reid was on the bench in street clothes.

STARTERS:

Asia Taylor, Becky Burke, Shoni Schimmel, Sherrone Vails, Bria Smith. They also started the second half.

Due to a prior Saturday night engagement commitment, that's about all we have time to report this evening.

We'll have much more for you in the Sunday edition of CARDINAL COUPLE...be sure to check back!

Charmaine Tay leaving the Lady Cards

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Sophomore guard Charmaine Tay to transfer

-Busy BIG EAST WBB weekend

-Cards @ Portland...what to expect?

The University of Louisville women's basketball program has announced the decision of Charmaine Tay to transfer from the Lady Cards at the end of the
first semester. Tay was academically ineligible for the Lady Cards first 11 games and sat out the Cardinals' contests. There is no word on whether she
re-gained eligibility this semester...but, it's a moot point...since she's outta here.

Tay was a key for Louisville in the Xavier game

Can't say WE didn't see this one coming.
When it was announced this summer that she wouldn't be accompanying the rest of the team to Oregon and Canada, staying in Louisville to take classes..we figured it was the first step toward a possible departure. Then, when the classes weren't enough to give her eligibility and she was forced to sit out the first eleven games, WE saw it as another footpath to leaving the program. Finally, when she returned home to New Jersey after finals this December...we figured she was gone. Her "tweets" and Facebook entries lately indicated something might be up. We now know. What looked like a log-jam in June, with eight potential back-court possibilities has been pared down to just five players...with Tia Gibbs injury, Monny Niamke going to Lindsey Wilson and Tay's departure. Five very good guards remain, but Tay's ability to slash and drive could have been a boost to the Cards' guard play in BIG EAST competition. 

Tay, in her freshman year at Louisville, played in 30 games. She came on strong during the end of the season, especially in NCAA Second round action at Xavier...when her drives to the basket and success at the foul line helped Louisville pull away late from the Lady Musketeers. Her stat line for the season was 3.4 p.p.g., 2.8 boards, 43 turnovers and 50 assists. She was 4 for 16 from three point range for her freshman year and didn't start any games. 

Yes, there were periods and stretches were she languished on the bench. Six minutes against Tennessee. Four vs. Kentucky. Eight at West Virginia and no double figure scoring efforts until the Xavier game. She was good off the dribble-drive for the Cards late in the season...but faced with the aspect of two talented guards in Bria Smith and Jude Schimmel coming in as freshmen and a already crowded Louisville back court...Tay's prospects for significant playing time were remote. Then, there was that whole messy grades thing.

We wish Charmaine the best of success wherever she ends up. We hope she's learned that academic performance off the court is just as important as athletic performance on the court. And, hopefully, she won't resurface at a BIG EAST school to battle the Lady Cards... 

"We appreciate Charmaine's effort and dedication to our program last year. We respect her decision to return to the east coast, to be closer to home so she can concentrate on her academics. We wish Charmaine the best of luck wherever she chooses to continue her career."  -- Jeff Walz, University of Louisville head women's basketball coach.

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BIG EAST WBB is set for a huge weekend of non-conference showdowns. Last night, DePaul easily handled Arizona State in Chicago 73-55...without Keisha Hampton...who sat out with an unspecified injury. Freshman Brittany Hrynko stepped up huge for the Blue Demons with 25 points.

Saturday offers some very good games...but Sunday features the two best matchups...when Notre Dame hosts Kentucky and Baylor hosts Connecticut.
Here's the breakdown:

Saturday

St.John's vs. Prairie View A&M
Cincinnati vs. Miami
WVU vs. Duquense
USF vs. Univ. of Maryland Eastern-Shore
Seton Hall vs. Stony Brook
Louisville vs. University of Portland

Sunday

Georgetown vs. Xavier
Notre Dame vs. Kentucky
Rutgers vs. Iona
Connecticut vs. Baylor

Will A'dia assimilate another
adversary?

We'll have big interest to see how Matthew Mitchell's squad does on the road against a very talented, top five Irish squad. Also, the heralded showdown between #1 and #2 takes place in the Huskies den. Some great pre-conference matchups!

We'll venture a prognostication here and go with one home team and a visitor in these two big matchups.

Kentucky's faced Duke, who's pretty good...but they haven't played in the likes of a place resembling the snake pit known as the Joyce Center yet. UND's height and guard play tack a "L" on the Wildcats record.


Baylor and Connecticut will be a battle but we believe this Husky squad is better than last year's and the Baylor home crowd advantage won't be enough to matter. Griner vs. Dolson, good match-up!

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Louisville WBB has safely arrived in Portland and is probably still asleep as we're writing this. They'll face the University of Portland Pilots at 5 p.m. this afternoon. The return of Shoni and Jude to their second home...where they played their final years of high school hoops and where their mother is still coaching. What will we look for today?

--Cards in transition. The Louisville squad seems most dynamic when they can get the defensive stops and turnovers and put the fast break, transition game into full usage. Half court sets with intense defensive pressure, like the Bearcats forced upon the Cards Wednesday night seem to confuse and baffle the Lady Cards at times and if the Pilots try to double and triple team Shoni, UofL must recognize, find and get the ball to the open player(s).

Welcome back, welcome back...
welcome back !!

--A case of hometown jitters? We know that Shoni and Jude must be very happy to be playing in front of local fans and family this afternoon, but will it have them a bit nervous and too ramped up to play efficiently? We don't think it will. Shoni is the consummate professional, already ready to take the battle to the foe, regardless of venue and location. Jude has matured quite a bit this season and should be able to handle the pressure of playing in front of her peers and supporters. Let the game come to you, Schimmels'...and have fun!

--Which "big" will step up? We'll watch and see whether Vails, Dyer, Taylor, Warren, Hammond and Slaughter are "on" or "off" for today's contest. They've all had big performances this season at times...but they've also disappeared on occasion this season. Wouldn't it be great to see all six have huge efforts today? Rebound, block out and guard the weak side, ladies!

Will Mercedes drive her Ford to
Portland? Check the oil and tires!

--Visitor in the mix? Lady Cards target Mercedes Russell is from Springfield, OR. Will she make the two hour drive north on Interstate 5 to watch the game?

--WE'VE heard it through the grapevine that two Louisville starters may be sitting out today. Not sure who or why...we'll be watching the starting lineup with interest. Also, Walz and staff went to watch Mercedes Russell play Friday night. She had 29 points, 14 grabs and three blocks in Springfield's win over Willamette. She's just a junior, folks...

We've heard from several readers in the area that will be attending the game. We hope that PDX, Umatilla 23,Terry and the rest of you have a fun afternoon and send us your thoughts and observations on the contest. We hereby deputize you as CARDINAL COUPLE correspondents and assign you the duties of cheering, reporting and representing the LADY CARDS Nation today. Carry on! 

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Another good read on the Schimmel sisters return to Portland:

http://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/pm_29234/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=uYLAw46H



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Previewing the University of Portland Pilots

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FRIDAY Cardinal Couple:

-A preview of the Portland Pilots

-David Watson's take on the Lady Cards season (so far).

The University of Louisville heads to (and is probably already in) Portland, Oregon as part of their two game, West Coast, "say Hello to the Schimmel's again" tour to face the University of Portland Pilots at 5 p.m. E.S.T. in the Chiles Center. The game is a NCAA "Pack the House" promotion and the Lady Cards will likely face a capacity crowd in the 4,852 arena.

The Pilots are 5-6 on the season and have faced some pretty good competition in 11 games. Their losses have come against DePaul (99-64), Oregon, Washington, Eastern Washington, Montana State and Seattle. Portland has wins over Hawaii, UC-Irvine,  San Diego State, cross-town rival Portland State and Montana. 

Day leads Portland in scoring

UofP is led by senior guard/forward Natalie Day. The 6'0" Pilot averages 18.4 points per game and leads in rebounding with 7.7 per contest. ReZina Teclemariam, a 5'8" senior guard is the other Portland WBB player in double figures with 10.1 p.p.g. She leads the Pilots in minutes played with 35.8 a game and has taken the most threes on the season...going 15-54. Cassandra Brown ( 6'2" soph. G/F), Amy Pupa ( 6'1" soph. F) and Alexis Byrd ( 5'10" senior guard) fill out the rest of the starting line up. The Pilots also bring freshman Jasmine Wooten off the bench extensively.

The Pilots are coached by Jim Sollars, entering his 26th. year as the skipper of UofP. He guided the Pilots to a 16-15 record last season, has been named WCC Coach of the Year five times during his stay with the Pilots and has a 356-381 record as the Pilots head coach.

Jasmine Wooten is a talented freshman
for the Portland Pilots.

Portland and Louisville have never met in women's college basketball. The Pilots are currently on a four game losing streak, falling to Seattle University last time out. 

On the season, Portland averages 61.9 points a game, while allowing opponents 67.0. The Pilots grab 36.8 rebounds a game while giving up 38.3. UofP attempts 6.3 three pointers per contest and defend 7.0 per game. They shoot .687 from the charity stripe.

The Lady Cards will look to improve off a dismal performance at Cincinnati on Wednesday night. Although the Cards won 64-59...they trailed the majority of the second half and shot only 38% from the field against UC's stifling defense.

The main attraction, of course, will be the Schimmel sisters return to the city where they played their final years of high school basketball and their home state. A large contingent of Umatilla Reservation fans will most likely be in attendance to watch Shoni and Jude and their six brothers and sisters will be watching along with their mother.

No status on Monique Reid's second half injury was available as we went to press. It's expected she'll make the trip...but her playing availability is unknown as of now. Also in question is the status of sophomore Charmaine Tay's eligibility after sitting out the first semester because of academics.

We hope to be able to watch this one through the Portland University Athletics website. If not, it's available on 101.7 FM WKRD.

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(David Watson is a special correspondent for CARDINAL COUPLE. Today, David weighs in on the Lady Cards after 11 games.)

David Watson

Hard to believe for me, but about 1/3 of the Lady Cards basketball season is in the books. At 9-2, the Cards have pretty much met my expectations so far for the year. They lost at Texas A&M and I expected that. They lost to UK, who I thought they might have a chance against. They underperformed at Cincinnati last night, which I didn't expect either. They still won, though, and are a perfect 1-0 in the BIG BEAST...oops EAST. The girls are ranked #14 in the nation.

Why am I not happy?

It's probably because I just can't figure out this year's team. Raise your hand if you're in the same boat.

 Last year, there were certain things you could count on. Shoni dazzling the fans with her WNBA moves, long range bombing and "sho"manship. Monique Reid getting a workmanlike 15-16 points a game with the consistancy of my neighbor's penchant of letting his dogs out at 6 a.m. to awaken everyone on the block. Keisha Hines battling inside. Tia Gibbs being an all over the court warrior. Becky Burke bombing from the perimeter with the frequency of a State Farm commercial on television. 

This year, no Gibbs. This saddens me - I really liked to watch her play. Shoni seems a bit more inconsistent and almost tame at times this year. Mo has been injured more often than the skateboarders over at the park down the street from me. Cierra Warren, who came in with such lofty potential has been average, at best. At least we still have Burke. And we'll always have the fearless Shelby Harper, who would probably try to break the men's team's press wearing snowshoes and a snorkel mask (and probably succeed). I should be encouraged by the improving play of Jude Schimmel. Bria Smith has been all that was advertised and I see big things coming from Sara Hammond down the line. The other bigs...Dyer, Vails, Slaughter and Taylor have had shining moments this season, which should give me reason to believe.  

Still, I worry more about this team than I do about rising gas prices and what will happen to my questionable credit score. 

Maybe it's because I think this year's BIG EAST is stronger than last year (hard to believe but true.) Maybe the Cards can get to double figure wins in conference play, but I'm not holding my breath. Maybe it's because I look at all this talent Jeff Walz has on his roster and can't figure out why they occasionally take a siesta and call it in. Maybe Walz is wondering the same thing.

Writer Sandra Walker brought up a very good point in yesterday's column when she wondered about the consistency issues in the lineup and rotation. When the lineup on the court changes with the frequency of my youngest daughter's clothing changes...something isn't right.

Figure it out, Jeff. The conference awaits.

(David Watson also worries about male pattern baldness, enough fiber in his diet and whether the sun will come up tomorrow. Catch him here exclusively at CARDINAL COUPLE...and in selected Wal-Marts in central Indiana.)
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Louisville wins BIG EAST opener at Cincinnati by five...64-59

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THURSDAY EDITION CARDINAL COUPLE

-Burke's free throws key in Lady Cards win at U.C.

-Lola named 3rd team All-American by AVCA

-Sandra Walker's review

The University of Louisville got a bank-in three from Shoni Schimmel with 1:30 left in the game to take a 58-55 lead and Becky Burke went 4-4 from the foul line in the final 25 seconds to preserve a win for Louisville WBB against the Bearcats tonight in Cincinnati.

"It's good to get the win and I'm happy about the way we battled in the final five minutes...but we didn't have the effort you have to play with to win on the road in the BIG EAST." -Louisville coach Jeff Walz.

STARING LINEUP: Vails, Taylor, Smith, Shoni and Burke

The Cards opened the game with a 2-0 lead on a designed play where center Sherrone Vails tipped the opening tipoff to Shoni Schimmel...who fired a pass to streaking Becky Burke for the first score. The Lady Cards would not see the lead again until a Jude Schimmel layup to make it 14-13 with 8:24 left in the first half. UC's Tiffany Turner was doing the work inside against the Cards defense and Louisville was struggling offensively with Shoni Schimmel being bottled up by the UC defense pressure.  It wasn't until the Cards went on a 10-0 run over seven minutes - to turn a 11-8 deficit into a 18-13 lead when Burke hit a jumper with just over five minutes remaining in the first twenty - that the Cards bore any resemblance to the #13 team in the nation.

UC would battle back, though, and chip away at the Lady Cards advantage, cutting it to 23-22 after the first three pointer of the game...by Kayla Cook.

It was a foreshadowing of things to come.

Louisville did score the final three points of the half to take a 26-22 lead into the locker room...but the Cards were anything but convincing. Louisville was having trouble stopping UC penetration in the paint, missing horribly from three point range (0-8) and unable to getting rolling on offensive sets due to the UC efforts on Shoni.

Bria Smith led the Cards with seven first half points, Burke with six, and Shawnta Dyer had four. Monique Reid had three and Shoni, Jude and Sara Hammond had two each. Walz played all twelve Lady Cards in the first half...looking for answers.

Shoni had three of the four Cards 3-pointers in the win.

Reid and Dyer replaced Taylor and Vails as starters in the second half...but Cincinnati opened the second half with the first two buckets before the Cards scored to regain the lead at 28-26 on a Cierra Warren jumper. Warren had replaced Reid at the 19:29 mark when she called knocked out of bounds, called for a turnover and injured her leg on the play. Warren's shot spurred a 7-2 Lady Cards run that had them ahead 33-28 with 15:37 to go. The success was short-lived, though.

UC began finding the range from beyond the arc and responded with a 8-0 run to grab a 36-33 lead with 14:31 left. Shoni tied it with the Cards first three of the game...but UC took off on a 7-0 run after that and had the Cards on the ropes at 43-36 after a Kayla Cook three at the 12:34 mark.

The threes kept falling for the Bearcats and the Cards wre trying to chip away at the lead. Shoni's five straight points tied it at 46-46 with 8:20 left. Louisville was down 53-49 after Bjonee Reaves knocked down the Bearcats sixth three of the half with just over four minutes remaining. Shoni had four fouls and the Cards were with their back to the wall again.

Shawnta Dyer played well tonight

Louisville persisted, though, and went on a 9-2 run (where four different Lady Cards scored) to take a 58-55 lead with 1:30 to go when Shoni banked in a three attempt to give Louisville their first lead since the 14:41 mark. A Shawnta Dyer layup made it 60-57 with 38 seconds left...setting up Burke's clutch free-throw shooting to preserve the victory. Final 64-59. Cards.

This one wasn't pretty. Louisville managed to shut down UC in the second half inside...but couldn't contain the hot "beyond the arc" efforts from the Bearcats.

Still, the Cards did manage to outscore UC in the final four minutes 15-6. 

About 900 were in attendance, according to reports. We'll hopefully hear from CARDINAL COUPLE contributing writer Sandra Walker today, who was in attendance and will share her observations.

Shoni led the Lady Cards with 16 points and Burke added 14. Smith reached double figures with 12. Dyer had seven...Warren, Hammond and Jude had four each and Reid finished with three. 

Reid's knee was examined during the second half and no major injuries were discovered...she was able to return to the bench for the final minute of the game. An MRI will be performed tomorrow in Louisville. The play she injured it one was a play where she was forced out of bounds from a UC PLAYER'S HARD BUMP...but the referees called Mo for travelling instead.  

Harper, Taylor, Slaughter and Vails played but did not score.

Cincy had four in double figures...led by Reaves game high 18. Cook nailed three second half threes and Reaves had two. UC's Dayeesha Hollins left the game with a separated shoulder midway through the second half.

Louisville went 23-60 from the floor for 38%...UC shot 21-49 for 43%. The Cards won the rebounding battle 38-32 and forced UC into 23 turnovers while committing 17 of their own. Louisville shot 14-19 from the charity stripe...UC 10-14. The Bearcats made seven of the 24 three pointers...the Cards four of 18.

"We've got to learn to play within our offense. Shoni was disappointing in the first half but came back to lead us to the win. Becky wanted the ball at the end of the game and I was proud of her and her free throws at the end. I thought Shawnta Dyer gave us a great effort tonight." - Jeff Walz.

Louisville travels to Portland, Oregon next to play the Portland University Pilots. Game is Saturday, 2 p.m. West Coast time and will be broadcast on 101.7 FM WKRD only for radio (the men's team will be on 790 AM).

Regular reader Jeff S. may have a solution for those of us who don't pick up 101.7 very well (about 99% of the listeners.) Portland shows games live with no user fee. The link is http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/up.portal#

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Congratulations to...Cardinal Volleyballer Lola Arslanbekova, who was named to the AVCA All-American 3rd Team. The junior was also 2011 BIG EAST Player of the Year. The awards were handed out in San Antonio on Dec 16th. 
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(Sandy Walker is a contributing writer for CARDINAL COUPLE. She attended last night's game in Cincinnati. Here is her report.)

Last night I was fortunate to be a part of a small but very vocal group of UofL fans.

I am always impressed to see how "basketball knowledgeable" UofL's road warriors are. I have attended games where the opposing teams supporters were almost rabid in their behavior but rarely owing a higher basketball I.Q. than the Louisville fans.

Last night's travelling supporters were no different and I was glad to be there with them. One fan support issue that I do see missing is any regular efforts to pre-organize group travel to any away games. A fairly late notice of buses available to the UK game produced five busloads of Cardinal fans. Perhaps an organized, early in the season, promotion for traveling to specific games would result in a starting point for an even larger number of away fans supporting our teams. Announcements a few days before an away game does not allow for work or financial arrangements to be made. This should be a pre-season promotion. It may result in one rented mini-van of additional fans, a large caravan of personal vehicles or could grow into a huge, game changing crowd. Just a thought. Ideas, anyone?

Paul's article gave a great read of how the game went down...including the update on who started tonight's game. I'm sure readers appreciate this information. Again, last night...the players on the floor at any one time continued to look like a game of musical chairs. They move in and out until the music stops...and then you look to see what combination is on the floor at the particular moment.

By this time of the season one would think it important for a regular starting lineup and established playing group to be on the floor at any one time. So far, that combination of players does not appear to have been established by Coach Walz or his assistants. Instead, we seem to see substitutions made upon each and every error made by a player.

I would think that at some time...players need the opportunity to "play through" an error and have the knowledge that they would be able to stay on the floor. (You don't put your five iron away for the rest of the round if you hit one bad shot with it.).

I realize that we are not the coaches, but only fans, still...a common thread of fan chatter includes unrest as to...how can a group of individual players evolve into a cohesive playing unit when no one group is ever on the floor long enough to settle in together and rise as a unit.

Without a cohesive unit on the floor rather than five talented and unique individuals - games like last night's against non-ranked but cohesive units are going to be challenges. I fear this is going to be a terribly long season if the cohesion isn't found before the Georgetown's DePaul's, Notre Dame's and Connecticut's roll around.

(Thank you, Sandy, for your take on the Lady Cards. There is an old quote out there that goes something like..."Individually we may grow..but as a unit we can grow AND prosper.")

TOMORROW, We'll take a look at the Portland Pilots...the Lady Cards next opponent and David Watson has promised us something. (What it is, we're not exactly sure...and David isn't always, either.)

Click the link below to get an intersting take on the Schimmel's from Portland Tribune sports guru Stephen Alexander.

http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story_2nd.php?story_id=132390114237697500



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