SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE -- Cards vs. Cal

LOUISVILLE LOOKS TO BEAT BEARS

I spent over an hour this morning formatting an article on today's game in New Orleans. Also included softball's double-header win over St. John's and a Lacrosse preview.

I posted it, but I was actually on my personal web blog instead of here. First turnover of the morning. You can read all about it at:

www.paulsykes.com

Too much caffeine or not enough...hard to say. Go over there and read it.

So, I'll offer a second attempt here at the CARDINAL COUPLE site. And, since we are a Louisville Womens' Sports fan website, I am going to give a shout-out to you to begin. The fans. The ones that come here every day to read, to comment or just the casual fan who stops by every now and then to view.

You are the reason we do this. When we got CARDINAL COUPLE off the ground in January 2010, we had no idea how it would go. Would anyone bother to check it out or care what we had to say? It was a "shot-in-the-dark", a guess that it might be something readable and relevant.

Today is April 7th, 2013. WE now have nine writers, an average of 2700 "hits" a day and have spawned a weekly radio show to take the joy and excitement of Cardinal Womens' Athletics to a different, exciting level. We remain shocked, pleased and humbled on how this infant has grown into a strapping teenager...full of energy and optimism.

You are the reason for that.

In the early days, it was just Sonja and I. Then, David Watson jumped on board. Then Donny, Jenny, Mark, Sandy, Jeff and Quentin. The two-seater became a passenger van and all that they have done for the site over the past three years plus has been irreplaceable and unmeasurable in terms of what it means to us and the site.

I owe them so much, it can never be properly or fully repaid.

And the readers...what can I say about you? You shared in the triumphs here and commiserated in the losses. You've agreed, disagreed, reflected, opinionated and make every day an exciting adventure for me to wake up and see what you are thinking. Friendships have been formed from this site, avenues and opportunities opened and the span ranges from Oregon to Florida, from California to Maine. In Europe, Russia and Asia. I look at the "came from" tallies on our stat-tracker...where you are reading from...and it still amazes me and makes me smile.

From the "rez" to the Department of Homeland Security, from barbershops to boardrooms. From college campuses to comfy livingrooms...you've read, responded and we thank you. We're just starting, y'all. This site is getting noticed. We haven't heard no bell. Hang in there with us.

Now, to the task ahead.

Louisville will undertake another leg in the journey tonight in the 2013 WBB season. A journey that has been so much fun to be a part of. A journey that has surprised so many, including us, and that has stunned the basketball nation and the "talking heads" who cover it in the media.

They'll go up against a California team that is 32-3 and #2 seed from the Spokane Region. Layshia Clarendon, the 5'9" senior guard and leading scorer (16.4 ppg) who sports the eye-catching blonde mohawk. 6'3" center Talia Caldwell, who averages 9.1 points and 7.3 grabs a game.

Lindsay Gottlieb, the second-year Cal coach who is faced with designing a defense to stop a team that has posted 80+ points against the #1 team in the country and a #2 ranked Tennessee team that gives up points as sparingly as the freebies offered at a minimalist convention. What say you, Lindsay?

"We care about what they're running and how their getting those open looks. And, yeah, sure, I'm cognizant of the fact that they're hot. And why are they hot? And what do we need to do to cool them down? We talk to our players about that, but it becomes more about specifics of how we want to defense them or what they've been doing well and not."

Jeff Walz has had 96 hours to come up with a game plan to advance to Tuesday night. His game plans in the previous four NCAA Tournament games should be offered as a "for credit" course at all universities that offer sports administration, theory and/or management as a major.

If he'd been born sixty years earlier and been on Hilter's planning staff, we'd all be speaking German today. The man is a mastermind of design and shrugs it off with the nonchalance of a man going for a stroll in the park on a sunny day.

I do believe Louisville will win tonight and await the foe from the fourth meeting of Connecticut and Notre Dame. I do believe that the Cards are a much different team than the one that lost twice to the Irish and once to the Huskies earlier this year. I had Louisville going out of the Tournament against Baylor and 99% of you probably did as well.

Somebody forgot to tell the Cards they were supposed to be back on campus now studying for exams and watching tonight's semifinals on television. No pressure, no worries and no problem. Play like it doesn't matter, like no one believes in you and for love of game and competition. Play for the little kids that flock to you after games for autographs and pictures. Play for the hobbled old ladies who creep into their seats at the YUM! Center and scream like 21 yr. olds during games. Play for a bunch of unassuming and dedicated sports-writers here at a website who has followed every step of this journey this season.

Play for yourself and enjoy every minute. Times to shine like this are few and far between and the long hours of practice, the debates and lectures with coaches about why and how you do this or that have gotten you this far.

Enjoy the rest of the ride and know that you, too...can be and have been shining stars to a city and fan base that has been there every step of the way.

We'll be back later tonight with the report ON THE WIN.

Fill up the comments section with your thoughts and to see the well-laid out and original report I did for today's column, please go to www.paulsykes.com

Here's Saturday presser in New Orleans. Thanks, Kenny!

Final four press interview -- New Orleans

-Paulie

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Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Still on the journey

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Louisville WBB "still on the journey"

-Lacrosse suffers double overtime loss to Irish

-Fan itinerary of events in New Orleans

-CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO This Morning!

-Softball on the road


It was Jeff Walz who said it best after the WBB win over Tennessee in the Oklahoma City Regionals:

"No one expected us to get this far...and we're still on the journey."

A journey that has been as exciting as a roller-coaster ride at an amusement park and just as scary at times.

A journey that has 100's of native Americans travelling 1000's of miles to converge on New Orleans to represent the Schimmel sisters and the Lady Cards in the Final Four.

A journey that very few thought would last this long but has picked up speed, admiration and excitement the longer it lasts.

Louisville is in the final leg of the trek now. Sunday, they'll

face California for the right to play in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game on Tuesday night. It was a journey that began with the Cards facing a very good Texas A&M team in the KFC YUM! Center on November 9th. and showing the women's college basketball world that they were a team to be reckoned with in the 2012-13 season by beating the Aggies.

The wins came fast and furious after that. Portland, Austin Peay, Central Florida, Gonzaga, Missouri State, Ut-Martin and EKU all fell to the Cards multi-pronged attack and Louisville went into the Dec. 2nd. game against UK with a 8-0 record and high national ranking.

Say what you will about the loss to Kentucky on Denny Crum Court...but remember that the Cards had a double-digit lead on the eventual #2 seed in Bridgeport before a cold streak and a precocious freshman helped UK eke out a one point win.

The fans had questions. Jeff Walz realized that there were still many games to be played and that the end result of the season was much more important than a early-season regrettable loss to a rival.


Valpo was handled in fine fashion but, on the road without Sara Hammond, Louisville fell prey to a super-hyped Colorado squad. The Cards ended 2012 with three wins and was ready to enter BIG EAST play. Shawnta Dyer suffered a season-ending ACL/MCL injury in practice prior to the Washington State game...a rebounding and scoring force the Cards could ill-afford to lose...but, as we know, injuries are a part of the game.

DePaul pulled off the shocker in Chicago against Louisville. Louisville went through the remainder of the BIG EAST schedule with expected wins but a few more losses...UConn, Syracuse, Notre Dame and a puzzling defeat at home to South Florida three weeks after beating the Bulls in Tampa. The Cards finished the BIG EAST slate at 11-5 and had secured the #4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament.

After a double bye and quarterfinal win over a determined St. John squad...the Irish were next in the semis. After a strong, encouraging first half...the Cards were routed and awaited their NCAA seeding fate.

Most expected a #4 or #5 seed. Selection Monday came and Louisville was a #5 and faced with the prospects of playing Sun Belt champion MTSU to open the tournament in the YUM! MTSU trailed big early, made a huge rally and then a huge fold as Louisville advanced to take on #4 seed and BIG 10 Tournament champion Purdue. The Boilermakers never got untracked and Louisville gained the win and the assignment of facing #1 in the land Baylor.

You know the rest of this story. Giant-killers, the ugly ducklings...ruiners of all traditional and expected...the Lady Cards find themselves in Fat City with a huge assignment ahead.

ESPY, yes. Title...nope

Perfect.

You beat Baylor and Tennessee...well, California just doesn't strike fear into your heart. The Cards have played with no fear, no worries and no pressure. We hope that continues. We feel certain it will. When they tip it up Tuesday night and Louisville goes against either UConn or Notre Dame, remember that they are one of two teams still standing...and that is remarkable and amazing in itself. Notice I said when...because I do believe that Louisville will defeat Cal. Belief. An important thing

Sure, Connecticut and Notre Dame both beat Louisville in the regular season. This isn't the same team that faced them, though...and with a little

prayer, luck, looseness and belief...it just might happen.

Lady Cards. The 2013 NCAA Women's Champs. Nothing to lose, nothing to fear...playing on the house's money.

How great would it be to have both the 2013 men's and women's NCAA Basketball champs trophies in the case down in the athletic offices down on Floyd Street?

Believe.

(Just in case you've missed it, here's the gif of Mulkey going Gangum Style below)

LINK:

She's a dancin' dancin' dancin' dancin' machine


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Tough loss for Lacrosse Friday at Louisville Lacrosse Stadium to #7 Notre Dame...falling 16-15 in double overtime.

Kinda.

Lacrosse rules for overtime are that the first session is six minutes long. If a tie still exists, it goes to a sudden-death second overtime.

What kinda way is that to run an airlines? Can you imagine softball, hoops or volleyball with that rule in place?

Nevertheless, the Cards..behind an eventual six Nikki Boltja and four Katie Oliverio goals...led by three with 16:35 left in regulation. A strong Irish finish sent it O.T., though and the teams played the first OT to another tie...Katie knocking one home with 2:20 remaining to force the second session.

Then, this silly second overtime stuff. The teams change goals they defend after three minutes in overtime. The score was 15-15 after the first three minutes of the second overtime. 19 seconds later, the Irish scored and the game was over. Barely enough time to get set and situated after changing ends of the field. Why not just play out the remaining 2:41? It's not like they're paying rent for the facility by the hour or anything...

WE are still learning things about Lacrosse here at CARDINAL COUPLE. One thing we've learned is that the overtime system sucks...

Louisville (7-4, 0-3) entertains Syracuse Sunday at noon. It's the 'Cuse's first year playing Lacrosse. This should be fun...

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Here's a list of things happening in New Orleans over the next four days. Party on!

NCAA Final Four Ticket Pick Up
Saturday
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Sheraton New Orleans - Lagniappe Room - 2nd Floor
** To avoid will call on game day at the arena, we would like

"Hey, Merl...let's head down to Nawlins and watch sum hoops!"

to encourage you to pick up your tickets from University of Louisville staff. Any unclaimed tickets will be taken to the New Orleans Arena on game day for pick up. Will call at the arena will start at 4 p.m. at the New Orleans Box Office located on Dave Dixon Drive.

( We don't think that Dave is Merl and Daryl's brother or dad...but you never really know...I guess. WALKERS!)


Men's Basketball Final Four Watch Party
Saturday
4 p.m.
The Crazy Lobster
500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 83
**This event is free to fans. If able, the women's team will make an apperance (no autographs).

Pre-game Semifinals Send Off
Sunday
Time:TBD
Sheraton New Orleans-Lobby
**Free to fans. Pep Band, Cheer and Dance team will perform

(Potential) Men's Basketball National Championship Game Watch
Monday
The Crazy Lobster
500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 83
7:30 p.m.
** Free to fans

(Potential) Pre-Game Finals Send Off
Tuesday
Time:TBD
Sheaton New Orleans-Lobby
**Free to fans. Pep Band, Cheer and Dance team will perform

Sounds like Tom Jurich and the gang have a lot planned for those headed or already in New Orleans. Be sure to check our comments section here at CARDINAL COUPLE over the next four days for fan reaction, reports and comments.

AND:

Yes, the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR is STILL on this morning from 11 a.m. - noon. It'll just be Paulie (and maybe Sonja) in the studio. Two staffers already on the way to NOLA, one covering a volleyball event today and one already in Atlanta for the men's Final Four.

And all I got was a lousy t-shirt.

Nevertheless, it'll be a fun show with plenty of sound-bytes from the arrival of the CARDS back on campus Wednesday, some "can't miss" Kim Mulkey clips, reports on basketball, softball and lacrosse.

Without Jenny and Jeff in the studio, it's going to be a challenge and a test, but we think we cdayan, we think we can.

We'll try to hookup with Jenny via phone as well during the show....out there on the road to NOLA.

If you miss the live broadcast, don't fret or make gnashing noises...it'll be archived on the site like the others are..on the heavenly Soundcloud...where angels fly and pigs don't.

It's on Crescent Hill Radio. Link below:

CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO ON CRESCENT HILL RADIO

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You can catch UofL Softball on ESPN3 today against St. John's. First pitch is noon, so right after you listen to the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO SHOW, stay on your laptop or PC and watch the Softball Cards do battle. They play the Red Storm Saturday and Sunday and then head to Providence for a Tuesday double-header.

Over the fence and around the bases. It's what they do...


-Paulie

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Friday Cardinal Couple -- More Bears

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Just another bunch of Bears.

-Lacrosse today!

Just when the Lady Cards thought it was safe to continue up the trail to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament title, another bunch of Bears are in the path. This group is of west coast variety...Cal Bears...and, while not as tall or widely known as their Texas counterparts...still just as dangerous and appear to be fully out of hibernation.

Coached by relatively unknown (but hugely successful) Lindsay Gottlieb, Cal has put up a 32-3 record on the season...losing only to Duke in early December, Stanford on January 8th. and to UCLA in their second game of the PAC-12 Tournament.

The Bears were picked by a lot of writers to finish second in the PAC-12 and a check of our CARDINAL COUPLE Pick' Em contest showed that 25% of the entries had Cal going to the Final Four.

In the NCAA Tournament, they opened with a thumping of Fresno State 90-76 and squeaked by South Florida in overtime 82-78 in Lubbock. USF came from 10 points down late to force the extra five minutes.

Moving to Spokane for the regional, UC sent LSU home with a 73-63 defeat and eliminated underdog Georgia 65-62 in overtime. They were the #2 seed in the Spokane regional and avoided a third game with #1 seed Stanford in the regional finals after Georgia pulled the upset.

Lindsay is also an expert at the
macarana...as seen here.

"It's hard to argue that Louisville is the hottest team in the country right now. They're clearly an exciting offensive team. They put a lot of fine players on the court at one time and we're going to have a challenge to slow them down." -- Lindsay Gottlieb

(We should also note we contacted Ms. Gottlieb about an e-mail interview several days ago. One of her administrative interns sent a response e-mail that Lindsay would be glad to answer the questions we sent later that evening. That was two days ago. It is the left coast, however. Or maybe we just got 'catfished'...)

It's California's first trip to the Final Four and Lindsay's as well. She was Joanne Boyle's assistant at UC before taking the UCSB head coaching job a few years ago. When Boyle departed, Gottlieb was offered and accepted the job last season.

So which Bear will try and keep Shoni contained? We expect

Cal sophomore Brittany Boyd will draw that unenviable assignment. Boyd is also the second leading scorer for UC with 12.6 ppg a game. Top honors go to Layshia Clarendon with 16.4 points a contest. The Bears average 72.8 points a game while allowing just 58.3...and outrebounded their foes prior to Louisville by 11.3 a game.

Throw all that out the window and give it a David Akers kick as well. Statistics have meant nothing to the Lady Cards over the last three games.

Purdue...rough, tough and BIG 10 Tournament champs. Currently back in West Lafayette or on Spring Break. A #4 seed that played like a #14.

"Don't you know who I am and why am I not winning?"

Baylor. Oh, yes...Baylor. #1 seed, #1 in the nation and #1 in most fans hearts and minds. A 28-point favorite in Vegas to beat UofL. Someone forgot to tell Shoni, Nita and Mo. Mulkey getting some early, unexpected flower-planting and mulching time in currently...when she's not whining on podcasts or TV about the horrific abuse that her precious darlings received from those mean-spirited Cardinal girls...and the unjust, horrific referees who conspired to turn a women's basketball game into a MMA event.

Tennessee. Came out bewildered, baffled and blown away by Louisville's defense and audacity to challenge them on the boards. Holly Warlick did a fine job in her first year as the head Volunteer. Maybe she needed a few more hours of community service or a book on the Schimmel sisters. She's back in "Orangeville"...probably hoping Mercedes Russell missed viewing the game.

Win or lose Sunday, it's been one heck of a fun and wild ride for Louisville WBB. The team that so many turned their back on after the loss to Kentucky. A guard that people said weighed too much, shot too often and never played defense. A coach who couldn't prevent opponent runs, didn't play the right combinations and wasn't kind and gentle enough with his players. A collection of not-ready-for prime time underachievers and timid prima donnas...according to some. Or thugs and villains, according to others.

A team in the Final Four.

They may be ugly ducklings and party crashers...but they are OUR quackers and interlopers...and we couldn't be prouder, happier or anymore in love with them.

They've been through the season from hell, as far as injuries go...but still smile like heavenly angels and play like possessed demons.

And all you can do is just smile. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script or plot line. Just one question, if it were to go to film...

Who would play the evil Waco witch Kim?  

-Paulie

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Cortnee Daley is a freshman mid-fielder for
the UofL Lacrosse team.

Lacrosse returns home today after a month on the road to play rival Notre Dame. Got two great interviews with Cortnee Daley and Kay Morissette Wednesday on campus while waiting for the WBB bus to pull up at the SAC...but you'll have to listen to the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO SHOW Saturday to hear them. All I can say is...if I liked lacrosse before, I'm absolutely enamored with it now. Two very nice, polite and exuberant young women, those two.

Notre Dame is currently #7 in the nation, so a Louisville win would be the highest ranked opponent to fall to the Cross Cards in Louisville Lacrosse history. 

We think you should go to the Lacrosse game today. Starts at 5 p.m. You're gonna have a good time and you may even see a couple of CARDINAL COUPLE staffers out there as well. Or chimps. We never really know for sure...

Free pizza for UofL students. I'll find a way to circumvent that...

If you can't make the Friday game, they play again on Sunday at noon against Marquette. It's Marquette's first year in Lacrosse...but their head coach is a former Notre Dame assistant. Also, Marquette does not play in the BIG EAST in Lacrosse...but Loyola, MD does. Go figure.

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Thursday Cardinal Couple - Is It Sunday Yet? Edition

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Jeff McAdams dashes from Ulmer to the lacrosse fields and from New Orleans to the presentation of the naming of the conference UofL will spend a year in for Thursday's edition of CARDINAL COUPLE. He even made stops to help little old ladies dodge traffic on Cardinal Blvd. and help Mo off the bus at the SAC...that's our guy!)



I hope its not Sunday yet, because that would mean we missed some more good Cardinal Athletics in the meantime.

Softball Swings for State Swagger

While the Louisville Baseball team forced an inning of bonus baseball before falling to our neighbors to the east, Sandy Pearsall's Softball squad had better luck, and continues the great week in Louisville Athletics.

The scoring started in the second, and yes it involved a ball landing on the very crowded outfield berm. Taner Fowler got on base by being hit by a pitch, with Hannah Kiyohara following with a walk.  The setup in place, Kayla "De La" Soles put one over the left field fence to put three on the board.

The Cards put up another couple of runs in the 5th when Jordan Trimble singled to start the inning.  Alicja Wolny followed with a deep shot to right that didn't quite clear the fence, but did drop in and was more the sufficient to get Trimble home.  Wolny made it to 3rd.  Unfortunately, she got caught at home in a fielder's choice by Maggie Ruckenbrod.  The Ruck advanced to second, where she's usually throwing people out from her catcher's position, on a Taner Fowler sacrifice.  Hannah Kiyohara's single got her to 2nd on an overthrow at first and gave Maggie the chance to make it home for the final Card point of the game.

The Kentucky Wildcats picked up their only score in the 6th inning, but otherwise "Good Carl" Caralisa Connell was in control in the circle.

The Softball squad next take a trip to New England for a three game series with St. Johns with a noon and 2pm double-header on Saturday the 6th and a noon followup game on the 7th.  They'll then scoot over to play a noon and 2:30 double-header on Tuesday the 9th with Providence in Rhode Island.  Game times won't conflict with any Final Four basketball games in either bracket, and ESPN3 is apparently streaming the St. Johns games, so this would be a good time to check out the Softball Cards without suffering from a wind chill factor.

All's Quiet on the Western...er...the Lacrosse Front

Kellie Young's Lacrosse squad managed to draw a large media response to the Yum! Center on campus for their practice Wednesday afternoon, though rumor is that there were other goings on in the building...something about a broken leg?

Lacrosse has had a good break between games, giving them a good chance to practice for Notre

Dame's arrival at the UofL Lacrosse Stadium, adjacent to the Yum! Center on campus tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm.  6/7 ranked Notre Dame continues the steady stream of quality opponents that the Louisville Laxers are coming up against.

Marquette comes to join the fun on Sunday for a noon first draw, which leaves plenty of time to check out the Lacrosse game and still get home or wherever you're going, to be glued to a TV at 6:30.

Cardinal Couple Crashes the Crescent City

While much of CardNation is heading to Atlanta, at least a trio of Cardinal Couple writers are travelling to Lou Orleans for the Women's Final Four.  Jenny, Sandy and myself have travel plans in place to be in NOLA Sunday through Tuesday to cover Jeff Walz and the Louisville GiantSlayers as they hope to continue to shock the basketball world. Paulie will man the fort back here in Louisville...feeding the staff chimps and hopefully getting reports from us as time allows.

The fun continues Sunday evening at 6:30pm for the Cardinal Women's Basketball team.  Opinions have certainly turned as I note that all five of the ESPNw analysts have now picked our 5 seed Cardinals to beat the 2 seed Cal Bears.

If you're not making it to Nawlin's, all of the games will be on ESPN.  We're in the first game at 6:30 Eastern Time on Sunday, as mentioned.  The second game, the ever-expected UConn vs Notre Dame matchup should tip around 8:30.  The finals, hopefully an all-Big-East affair, will be Tuesday with an 8:30 Eastern Time tip.

New Conference Name

We've known for a while now that the seven Catholic schools are buying out the Big East name from the current conference.  What wasn't known is what the new name for what remains of the Big East was going to be.  The announcement has occurred, and the result is, "The American Athletic Conference".

The conference administration has already stated that they don't intend to use an acronym, instead referring to it in common usage as "The American".  I'm skeptical that the general public will follow
along and will instead use the acronym AAC, as is common practice with many conferences.

In any case, its only of minimal concern for us in Louisville given our imminent switch to the ACC.  The announcement on the Big East's website makes no mention and doesn't use any of the logos of the departing schools such as Pitt, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Louisville...no surprise, really, and I can't say that I blame them.

( An excellent report...by Jeff today. After an extensive review of the CARDINAL COUPLE Pick 'Em Challenge for the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, it seems our intrepid writer is in second place...as well..with a record of 50-10 as the team roll into New Orleans. Keith B. hangs on to a 52-8 mark to lead the way and Steve O. is in line for the show money at 49-11.

Also a great time for Paulie earlier Wednesday at the SAC Building for the greeting of the victorious WBB team. Lots of good interviews for our Saturday Radio Show and I also made it on a video! Several times. See if you can pick me out...link below)

Paulie

LINK:
CARDS RETURN TO LOUISVILLE


FINALLY.....WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THIS? CARDINAL COUPLE CO-OWNER SONJA ISN'T IN THE RUNNING TO WIN THE PICK 'EM...HER 43-17 RECORD IS A BIT BEHIND THE LEADERS...BUT HER FINAL FOUR?

UOFL, CAL, NOTRE DAME, UCONN.

SHE LIKES THE CARDS TO WIN IT ALL...

(SHE ALSO HATES THE SINGLE POINT PER WIN SYSTEM WE USE.)

ARE YOU LISTENING, SHONI? SONJA SAYS TITLE 'EM UP!

(PIC OF HER BRACKET)

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Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Final Four Bound!!!

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Cards headed to the Final Four!

(Jenny O'Bryan with the byline on the thrilling Lady Cards victory that puts them in the Final Four Sunday night against California.)

Wow, where do you start?  This team is absolutely peaking at the right time.  Good coaching?  Believing?  Hard work finally paying off?  All of the above?  Whatever it is, it looks good on these Cardinals!

Louisville Women’s Basketball pulled off yet another shocker in the world of women’s basketball.  Defeating Baylor on Sunday night was a shock like none other in this game.  Everyone questioned how Louisville and Coach Walz would rebound from that emotional outing.  Question answered!  Louisville takes down Tennessee to make only their 2^nd ever Final Four appearance.  This could not have happened to a better group of young women. 

Louisville started the game with a bang.  Hot out of the gates the Cards were passing nicely, hitting some shots and causing all kinds of turnovers for Tennessee.   Tennessee looked dazed and confused.  Louisville was crashing the boards, especially the offensive boards, better than I have ever seen during the first half.   Louisville takes a 41-26 lead into halftime. 

The Cardinals came out of halftime and opened with a pass to Mo Reid down low under the bucket for an easy 2.  After a turnover, the Cards hit back-to-back 3’s to grow the lead to 20 points.  It seemed too easy.  Well, easy it was not.  Tennessee was not going away quietly.  Senior Taber Spani got hot in the second half and slowly helped to chip away the lead Louisville had built.  From about the 12 minute mark until the 3:00 minute mark, it looked like Tennessee just might catch the Cards.    It was not to be.  The Cards sparked a scoring spree, led by a lay in by Shoni Schimmell that saw the  

lead balloon back up to 12 with just under a minute to go.

The Cardinals held on and won, 86-78. 

Shoni Schimmel was named the Regions Most Outstanding Player, and with good reason.  She has found her groove this postseason and led the team in scoring in both the Baylor game (22) and the Tennessee game (24). 

While S. Schimmel has really stepped up her game and is deserving of the award, overall, all of the Cardinals are playing incredible ball this post season.  Coach Walz has said it all season long, we have said it here, if this team could all play well on the same night, they can compete with anyone in the country.  That is exactly what they are doing this postseason. Every one of these players has upped their game!

From crisp passing, crashing the boards, stellar defense and an onslaught of offensive options the Louisville Women’s Basketball team is putting it all together at the right time.  They are playing hard and having fun and winning.  What more can you ask for? 

The Cardinals will head to the Final Four for just the second time in the history of the program.  Both appearances in the Final Four have been led by Coach Jeff Walz.  Louisville is just the second 5 seed to ever make it to the Final Four. 

This is also only the 10^th time that the same University has both its men’s and women’s team both in the Final Four.

This has been no walk in the park for Louisville Basketball.  Louisville has played and beaten a #4 seed (Purdue), a #1 seed (Baylor) -- the overall #1 team in the country and prohibitive favorite to repeat as National Champions -- and a #2 seed (Tennessee). So much for your seeding theories, NCAA.

Louisville will face the #2 seed California Golden Bears in the semifinal game on Sunday evening in New Orleans.  Should the team win that game they will face another #1 seed in either UConn or Notre Dame.   It should be noted that Cal is making it to the Final Four for the first time in their programs history. 

Coach Walz said it best in his interview after the game.  “We are the ugly ducklings of the tournament.  No one wanted or expected us here.  But our journey continues”. 

So it does.  My room is secure in New Orleans.  I anticipate securing my tickets to the games early   Will you be headed to New Orleans to ride this wave with our beloved Cardinals? 

 

Congratulations Coach Walz, and the entire coaching staff.  You have given this team every opportunity to grow as players, and they have risen to the occasion.  You have given this team the belief and confidence that they can win, and they have.  You have given this team every reason to believe that there are still 2 wins left to be had.   Excellent, excellent coaching!  Congratulations. 

 The media is calling this team Cinderella, I simply call it Louisville Basketball!

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Just a quick thought.   I have said it, the media has said it, Coach Walz has said it, Cardinal Couple has said it…just think what this team could do if it were healthy.   With 3 would be starters on the bench, just how good could this team be if they were healthy? 

We will never know the answer to that questions, but….

This is the second season that Louisville Basketball has battled significant injuries.  Due to those injuries, Bria Smith and Sara Hammond got thrown out of the frying pan into the fire their freshman year.  Due to injuries this year, Jude is getting more time, and Antonita Slaughter has had a break out year.  Injuries are a part of the game.  Every program deals with them.  Perhaps Louisville Basketball is as strong as it is because of these injuries.   The growth of the aforementioned players has been critical in getting the team to where they are today.  Maybe, just maybe, the injuries have helped this program.

I have my opinions.  What are yours?  Let us know in the comment section.  

-Jenny O'Bryan

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In a season where the Lady Cards have through the benching of Shoni for a half, a thumping by Syracuse to end the season and by Notre Dame to end the conference

tournament...plus the death of two of the players' grandmothers...the adversity, injuries and conflicts are all now water under the bridge.

Jeff Walz is headed to Lou Orleans. 64 entered, four remain.

Celebrate with other Cardinal fans tonight at Ulmer Stadium as Louisville plays UK in softball at 6 p.m. We have confirmation on the report that the team will be arriving back today at 12:45 p.m. at the Student Activities Center. 

-Paulie

Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- UT next UofL

GAME REPORT -- GAME REPORT -- GAME WON!

Guess who is headed to the FInal Four in New Orleans?

Your LADY CARDS! Louisville defeats Tennessee 86-78 in Oklahoma City tonight to gain a Sunday 6:30 p.m. berth against Cal. Shoni and Jude Schimmel spectacular at the end!

Jenny O'Bryan with much more later...but it's Lou Orleans again in 2013!

UofL...they never believed they couldn't. And, they did.

They've ruined the prom. They're the unvited party guest. And Coach Walz loves it.

Shoni with 25, Jude with 15 and Mo...god bless Mo...32 minutes and 13 points. Five in double figures as Louisville led by 15 at the half...20 in the second half and saw that lead drop to three with 4:28 left in the second half. A determined UT effort falling short due to the Schimmel(s) wizardry, Mo and Jude's free throws and grit, determination and refusing to lose. As Coach Walz says...it's all about the kids...but given enough time...I honestly believe he could devise a plan to end world hunger, erase the national debt and clear the streets of crime.

Kim Mulkey, how do you like us now?

-Paulie

"We ruined the entire party. We're the ugly ducklings that ruined the party. No one gave us a chance and we shocked everybody. It's a journe and we're going to continue."

-- Jeff Walz



TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Talented Tennessee next for Walz's Wonderkids



So...how do you send the Volunteers home after putting the Bears into hibernation? Unlike Baylor, which had two definable targets in Griner and Sims, Tennessee has seven players who can potentially be game-changers and make an opponent pay.

Meghan Simmons (who Cardinal fans may remember from her breakout performance in the KFC YUM! Center the last time UT came to town) leads Tennessee in scoring with 17.0 points a game. The flashy, quick guard also is UT's leading three-point threat...with 65 out of 177 trifectas on the season.  Bashaara Graves is next in line, averaging 13.2 ppg and a team-leading 8.0 boards per game. Veteran Taber Spani provides the Vols with 10.8 points a night and is also a long-range threat with 47 of 124 threes in 34 games. Isabelle Harrison works the paint for 9.5 ppg a game and is second in missed shot collecting with 7.6 grabs.

It doesn't stop there. Cierra Burdick's numbers are 8.5 and 6.8 a night. Ariel Massengale adds 8.1 ppg and is 34 for 95 from the deep. Kamiko Williams rounds out the "magnificent seven" with 7.2 points a contest.

It is a team built by Pat Summit but one that has prospered under first year head coach, long time assistant Holly Warlick. UT is 27-7 on the year, a questionable loss to Chattanooga early in the season...a stumble to Missouri but somewhat understandable defeats from Kentucky, Stanford, Baylor, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. 

Louisville will need to have another superlative night from long range and play overall great defense against a Vols squad that can come at you in waves.

We know not what game plan Jeff Walz has come up with but you can rest assured it is one that will give Louisville a fighting chance. Tennessee is a team that can basically get their scoring from anywhere on the court and the speedy Simmons is a magician at making slow to react defenses pay.

It should be another thriller in Oklahoma City tonight. Will defeated Baylor fans hang around to throw their vocal support to the "Red" or the "Orange"? Can the Cards keep the wonderfully wild and world-stunning triumphs coming?

We'll be back tonight with post-game recaps and analysis.

They are Tennessee, but she is Shoni Schimmel...and has nine believing teammates ready to head to New Orleans. Confident and hopefully not suffering from an elation-hangover after shocking the women's college basketball world.

Let's just hope Holly doesn't have a wardrobe malfunction...

Link for Cards presser from Monday below:

Pre-Tennessee presser

-Paulie

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