Category Archives: Basketball

Seedy K’s Scrimmage Notes

Basketball,

It’s been decades since I declared for myself that John Barleycorn must die.

Yet every once in awhile, white lightning will still affect my day.

Like Saturday, when the Bourbon Half Marathon caused some street closings. Which meant I couldn’t take my normal route to the Yum!

Which is far from a Woe is Me moment. But said nonsense did allow for one of my self indulgent ledes.

Truth: It was great to be back in the gym after a 19 month absence. Last season was the first since 1952 that I didn’t attend at least one U of L hoops game in person. Usually it was way way more.

But, hey, who’s keeping score.

 * * * * *

A couple of sidenotes, before I weigh in with some anecdotal observations about the ’21-’22 Cardinals on the court. Continue reading Seedy K’s Scrimmage Notes →

Cardinal Fans’ Hopes are . . . Up!!!

Basketball, College Sports, Football, ,

Maybe I’m delusional, perhaps it’s a phenomenon I’m simply conjuring in my mind.

But, maybe not.

Seems like in the past several days, I’ve seen more people out and about in Cardinal gear.

The grocery. When filling up the tank of my Crosstrek. At a couple meetings I’ve attended. In the park.

The Red & Black Faithful are walking just a bit taller in the last few days, there’s a strut in their steps.

After a long, lingering malaise.

This is not to say this virulent bug which has laid the Louisville fanbase low for oh so long now has completely been eradicated.

But the fever has broken. For now anyway. Enjoy. Continue reading Cardinal Fans’ Hopes are . . . Up!!! →

Those Hits Just Keep on Comin’

Basketball, College Sports, ,

So, yeah, I was just about to open up my writing app early Friday afternoon, keyboard in some fluff about the Cards, how some national scribes are looking at U of L football, a sweet moment for Cardinal hoops icon Angel McCoughtry and then . . .

. . . oh, if you’re reading this, you know already.

I should have known something untoward was going to happen sooner, rather than later.

I’d just watched this week’s episode of the most always heartening series, “Ted Lasso.” Even though the Nelson Roaders upset my favorite EPL team Tottenham, in the quarters of the FA Cup, this edition was way more melancholy than most.

Coach Beard’s romantic situation.

Becca Welton’s fraught relationship with her mum.

And ever bubbly Ted Lasso’s anxiety attack in the middle of the game against the Hotspur.

Then, boom, yet another explosion on Floyd Street.

The ongoing travails of Louisville Cardinal basketball are gifts that just keep on giving.

Yet another virtual Vince Tyra press conference to follow. Continue reading Those Hits Just Keep on Comin’ →

Nightmare on Floyd Street, Part ??

Basketball, College Sports, Fandom, , , ,

So, this is what Roman Numerated sequel to this series, Part IV?

Let’s see. Yeah, that’s right. Sypher. Stripper. Bowen. Gaudio.

One of the cottage industries I’ve embarked upon since my retirement from the Bar, is reviewing films for public radio, a dalliance really, but I take it seriously.

I choose never to view or review slasher or horror flicks. The last one I believe I saw was “Macabre” in ’58, a William Castle movie, where you got a $1500 life insurance policy in case you died of a heart attack during the showing. My 13 year old pals and I sat in the balcony and laughed our way through the whole thing. To the annoyance of others in attendance.

OK, I did see “Psycho.” Anyway, get to the point, c d, I hate such fare, am not entertained a bit.

I couldn’t tell you the difference between “Saw” and “A Quiet Place,” between Freddy Krueger and that guy standing by the chainsaws in that TV commercial, where the dunderheaded HS kids don’t get in the running auto and escape.

But, as a lifelong close observer of U of L sports, I can’t take my eyes off the screen, when yet another of these Cardinal dumpster fire plotlines premieres.

It’s getting oh so so very old.

This week, it was the filing of his Sentencing Memorandum, by Dino Gaudio’s attorney. Continue reading Nightmare on Floyd Street, Part ?? →

Games That Never Came: U of L vs UK 3/13/82

Basketball, College Sports, Fandom

Fans, coaches, and athletes of every school, team, franchise, and sport have those “If Only” battles through the years, the ones that never came about. 

This is the fourth installment  of a here’s-what-never-happened series of indeterminate duration featuring what might have been but never was for various Louisville Cardinal contingents through the decades.

The Dream Game was truly epic.

Despite three national crowns, it remains their favorite basketball game ever, in the minds of many long time fans.

At least that’s how it’s fondly remembered and rehashed by Louisville Cardinal faithful.

Winner to the Final Four.

Close proximity of Knoxville.

A stand alone NCAA game with no fans of other teams in the building.

Denny vs. The Beasmon back and forth.

Decades of pent-up longing.

And the delayed reality that it was finally coming about. After the Wildcats beat IU. And the Cards survived Arkansas.

And after two previous near misses in the Dance. Continue reading Games That Never Came: U of L vs UK 3/13/82 →

Monday Musings: Satt & Speed, Harrell & Helmets +

Basketball, College Sports, Football

When Scott Satterfield was handed the reins to U of L football, I went and perused videos of App State games, when he was coaching there. Including the famous W in the Big House over mighty Michigan.

(Which, trivia note, happened to be the first game ever televised on the Big Ten Network.)

What struck me about those Mountaineer squads was how many really fast footballers played for them.

Which is why I knew immediately and intuitively that Tutu Atwell was going to be the focus of the offense. Every once in awhile, I get it right.

And is why I took notice of this recent proclamation by the Cardinal coach: “Tyler Harrell is the fastest player I’ve ever timed in my career.”

Which is why one must assume we’ll see the redshirt soph from Miami targeted early and often this season, starting in the Chicken Sandwich with a Pickle Kickoff opener, against the Johnny Rebs.

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Speaking of football, which by the by is only a bit more than a month away, here’s some minutiae. Which I can pass along, thanks to the obsessiveness of a college football fanatic named Blaise D’Sylva. Continue reading Monday Musings: Satt & Speed, Harrell & Helmets + →

Hump Day Hustle: Nwora, Davis, Vax & Layla

Baseball, Basketball, College Sports

How about my main man?

My most favoritist Louisville Cardinal hoopster . . . ever? Well, almost.

Anyway, add this to Jordan Nwora’s resumé: NBA Champion.

Good for him.

Go Dude!

 * * * * *

Speaking of former U of L Cards who hit the jackpot.

How about Henry Davis?

The #1 pick in the MLB Draft signed on to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a cool $6.5 million.

Brother, can you loan me a dime? Continue reading Hump Day Hustle: Nwora, Davis, Vax & Layla →

Games That Never Came: U of L vs. Indiana State 3/17/79

Basketball, ,

Fans, coaches, and athletes of every school, team, franchise, and sport have those “If Only” battles through the years, the ones that never came about. 

This is the third installment  of a here’s-what-never-happened series of indeterminate duration featuring what might have been but never was for various Louisville Cardinal contingents through the decades.

Most always lost in the lament over the extremely disappointing final weeks and eventual meltdown of the ’78-’79 men’s hoops season is the intriguing encounter ahead, had the Cards not lost to Arkansas to end their season.

The Louisville Legend vs. Larry Legend.

Dr. Dunkenstein and mates against The Hick from French Lick and his fella Hoosiers.

The Cardinals would have battled Larry Bird and the undefeated Sycamores of Indiana State, in that school’s first Dance ever, for the opportunity to compete in their fourth Final Four, third of the Denny Crum Era.

But, history books chronicle how that campaign ended with the proverbial whimper, not a bang.

On the morning of February 9, Louisville stood 21-3 after besting Tulane in New Orleans for a 16th W in a row. The Cardinals were ranked #5 in the country by Associated Press. Continue reading Games That Never Came: U of L vs. Indiana State 3/17/79 →

Hump Day Hustle: The A B C Ds of U of Ldom

Baseball, Basketball, College Sports, Fandom, Football

Yeah it’s Thursday, not Hump Day as we have  traditionally come to know it.

Hey, I just got my full rant on. So, deal with it. Blame it on the NIL if you like. Borrow somebody’s new iPhone and call someone who cares.

Now, getting to it.

 * * * * *

A is for Aspect.

As in mine. My point of view. My perspective.

Specifically to give context to my opinonating about the Butch Beard stuff. Which, obviously, comes next, under, you guessed it, the B section.

As with all matters that deal with racial issues — which this does, Beard’s denials to Bob Valvano notwithstanding — I need to explain my viewpoint.

I am an elderly Caucasian, with enough sense to understand, I cannot for a nanosecond pretend to know what it’s like to grow up with black skin. Or, know how that would affect my world view. Such is obviously alien to my life experience.

I can listen. I can attempt to understand, but I cannot truly empathize.

So, that’s where my soapbox is situated.

 * * * * *

B is for Butch Beard. Continue reading Hump Day Hustle: The A B C Ds of U of Ldom →

Games that Never Came: U of L vs. Notre Dame 4/01/18

Basketball, ,

Fans, coaches, and athletes of every school, team, franchise, and sport have those “If Only” battles through the years, the ones that never came about. 

This here’s-what-never-happened series of indeterminate duration features what might have been but never was for various Louisville Cardinal contingents through the decades.

If you have any suggestions, put them in the Comments section below.

First up, the national championship tilt, Jeff Walz’s women’s basketball squad never played against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2018.

March 30, 2018. Columbus, Ohio.

The U of L Cards suffered a serious setback, down 2, with 2:42 to play in the national semi-final against Mississippi State.

Eye of the Tiger pivot Sam Fuerhing didn’t like a call. She slapped the floor in disgust and frustration. The T was her 5th. DQ.

The Bulldogs converted both charity tosses, for a four point advantage. Continue reading Games that Never Came: U of L vs. Notre Dame 4/01/18 →