Tag Archives: College Hoops

Crawford Chronicles: Shay Edition

Basketball,

He arrived at Louisville the same year as Denny Crum.

Planning to try out for the Cardinals’ freshman team. A New Yorker he was aware of but not fully immersed in local hoops culture.

Needing to ball, Rich Shay meandered over to Crawford Gym one afternoon before classes started for the semester.

The gym was empty but for one guy shooting around by himself. Soon enough, they started playing one on one. First half court, then full court.

Shay advises he held his own, could get to the hoop. But was dazzled by the fellow’s long range shooting.

“Louie Dampier.”

Welcome to the epicenter of hoops, my man.

Shay’s next significant encounter in Crawford was with the answer to the great Louisville hoops trivia question, who was Wes Unseld’s backup? Continue reading Crawford Chronicles: Shay Edition →

Crawford Chronicles: Holden Edition

Basketball, ,

It was one of those glorious early days of spring that celebrate the Birthday of the World.

Warm, not hot. (Obviously before the Heat Dome/ Doom descended.)

Crystalline azure sky.

The trees along the tracks and Frankfort Avenue turning new green.

The kind of day when I drive by Blue Dog Bakery, my mind, ignoring an expanding waistline, implores “You sure you don’t want a croissant, or a small five grain loaf, or maybe one of those killer chocolate bouchons?”

Of course.

Lured by an available parking spot just ahead, my Subaru pulls over as if on its own.

There, sitting outside, staring off into the middle distance, luxuriating in the early afternoon, the table a splay of brunch delectables, former Cardinal guard Fred Holden, the set up guy during the Wes Unseld years.

An old pal, I greet him, and advise, “Hey I’m crafting a series to run during the summer. Ten years ago they tore down Crawford Gym . . . ”

Out of character the normally reticent Holden interrupts, blurting out, “I’ve got a story about Crawford.” Continue reading Crawford Chronicles: Holden Edition →

Pat Kelsey & The Snub

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Sunrise/ Sunset/ Since the beginning it hasn’t changed yet/ People fly high begin to lose sight/ You can’t see very clearly when you’re in flight — “On Your Way Down” Allen Toussaint

To be honest I didn’t pay much attention initially when Pat Kelsey was first asked Monday morning about not being invited to attend the NBA Draft.

He was diplomatic, commenting how Mikel Brown Jr. only had so many invites, etc, etc.

Then he said this, and my ears perked up.

“Although he was only here for one year, that young man is going to be celebrated and remembered and revered around here for a long, long time.”

I. Don’t. Think. So. Continue reading Pat Kelsey & The Snub →

Finally A Glimpse of the New Look Cardinals

Basketball,

Sunday was the summer solstice, longest day of the year.

Because of the severe meteorological conditions, it was also a Marc Weinberg kind of nighttime. The hyperventilating TV weather junkie surely set a PR for screen time, tracking tornado warnings, wind rotations, dust signatures, and admonitions for viewers to “get to your safe place NOW.”

The dude was in heaven.*

*Which peripheral mention has nothing to do with U of L hoops; I just get such an addictive kick when he’s on a roll.

Anyway, the morning after, a day a smidge shorter, arrived with a softball sized raindrop deluge that soon abated.

And then the treat. A first hint of what’s ahead. A hoopaholic’s heart was full.

Pat Kelsey and some of his/our still mysterious team were having a presser.* Continue reading Finally A Glimpse of the New Look Cardinals →

Crawford Chronicles: Scooter Edition

Basketball, ,

Second in a series of remembrances by former Cardinals about iconic Crawford Gym.

If not nearly as magnificent as those dimes he fed Bobby Turner through traffic as a high profile, eerily impassive freshman, it was still “Assist Scooter McCray.”

I was on my way out to chat him up and had misremembered the exact location of his La-Z-Boy store on Hurstbourne Parkway.

“Sorry,” I apologized upon arrival after he guided me in over my cell, “just an old man with a bad memory and aches and pains.”

“Tell me about it,” he responded pointing to his legs, “I have to wear compression socks.”

“It’s the tenth anniversary of the summer they tore down Crawford, just wondering what you remember about practice and those summer nights?”

“There were no ticky tack fouls.

“The games were very competitive. We all just wanted to win. You were really pushed if you wanted to keep playing and not sit out. Really quality players.”

Remember this is a fellow who grew up competing in the City. For the Trio Crusaders in the Bronx. For the famous Riverside Church team. Summers in the Rucker.

“Those crowds in the summer meant a lot. You were really pushed to be better. It was a continuation of my New York experience.” Continue reading Crawford Chronicles: Scooter Edition →

Crawford Chronicles: Burkman Edition

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The first in a series of unknown duration, where former Cardinals reminisce about their days in Crawford Gym, on the tenth anniversary of its demolition. 

The former Cardinal guard, whom I hadn’t seen for awhile at the JCC where we both work out, was limping toward his favorite elliptical.

Roger Burkman. Member of the 1980 national championship squad.

“Dude, bad wheel?”

“Yeah. Foot surgery. Metatarsal. Plates, screws, no ligament damage. ”

Call it an after effect decades later of a baller who toiled for that initial title.

Hours and hours in the crucible of champions.

Shirts and skins in the cauldron of summer. Where the obsessed among us shvitzed through our shirts, watching Cardinal warriors in pickup games.

Where Denny Crum arrived and thrived, teaching how to use the backboard on angled jumpers, a U of L signature technique.

“Been hoping to run into you. It’s the tenth anniversary of the demolition of Crawford Gym.

“I trust you have some memories.” Continue reading Crawford Chronicles: Burkman Edition →

Love the Ones You’re With

Basketball,

And now-uh let’s meet your-a University of-a Loo-uh-vullllllll!!!! Cardinals.*

John Tong voice.

At guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama . . . Adrian Wooley.

AW* is the lone holdover who saw action for the Cards last season. Playing 22 minutes a game, the 6-4 PG/SG averaged 8.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg. 35% from long range. 62 assists vs. 39 turnovers. 24 steals.

*When keeping in game notes, I use players initials as shorthand. Given there are no duplicates, it may/ probably will carry over to GameCaps. Deal with it.

At guard from Norcross, Georgia . . . London Johnson.

The redshirted 6-3 former ****/ Georgia state champion/ G League player is U of L’s wild card mystery baller. To say the least. In ’21 he played for Jamaica in the FIBA CentroBasket U17 tourney. Averaged 36 ppg in five tilts. Continue reading Love the Ones You’re With →

Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Monday, Monday

Basketball,

And, so the long obsessional wait in the Land of the Dark & Bloody Ground continues.

As of 9:43 AM Monday June 1, addled fans with no other life of the Louisville Cardinals and Wildcats — Kentucky and Arizona — continue to hold their breath.

The Pride of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, three point marksman Milan Momcilovic has yet to reveal at which college he might be participating as a member of the basketball team next season.

It’s an odd one.

Reports surfaced on Saturday, most on UK fan sites, that MM had advised U of L and UK of his decision.

Could be true.

Very well might not be fact. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Monday, Monday →

Hoopaholic’s Gazette: NBA Withdrawal Dreadline

Basketball, ,

How does the line go?

He played ’em like a Stradivarius?

Something like that.

I’m thinking about Milan Momcilovic (and his very adroit financial team).

By waiting until the last moment to report he shall return to college hoops, he shall be reaping the benefits of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

His ability to deposit a basketball through the netting in the basket from long range, combined with his perception of the situation shall make him a very wealthy college student.

It is said that the Universities of Kentucky, Arizona, St. John’s and Louisville are those competing for his talents.

One senses that the NIL offers have increased by the day.

Let me be very clear. I would love for him to be wearing a University of Louisville uniform next season.

But how much is he really worth? Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: NBA Withdrawal Dreadline →

Bidunga & Other Pending Decisions

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Even though I have not seen a statement from Flory Bidunga himself, or his agent, the reports are so many that he is withdrawing from the NBA Draft, such that I feel more comfortable this May morning that he’ll suit up for the Cardinals come autumn.

Earlier reports that he “signed” with the Cardinals were too sketchy for this former prosecutor. I have remained skeptical.

Even though the current reportage is also hearsay, it has the appearance  of validity. Ah, how one’s standards slip in retirement.

Am I being cautious with my emotions? Continue reading Bidunga & Other Pending Decisions →