It was announced to the joy of his mates that the Frosh PG from the Bronx has been declared eligible.
Which seriously bolsters U of L’s backcourt for the upcoming rebound season.
I mean, you know, a NY PG.
An AAU tourney MVP. New Jersey PoY as a junior when he played at St. Benedict’s.
For more bio info, click here.
I’ve not seen him play yet. But am advised by those who have observed him in practice that he’s the real deal.
— c d kaplan
Were I more of a professional, not so disinclined to do actual research as to whether there is some symbiotic connection between Cardinals and Lions in nature, this would be a totally different, more informational lede.*
*Yes, I’m going to get get to the U of L victory over the Wolfpack in a sec. Bear with me in the flush of W(s).
Were I a better more pithy fashioner of phrasing, like, say, Charles Pierce or Ryan McGee*, this might be more to the point while still elegantly snarky.
*In yet another aside, which has absolutely nothing to do with the Cards gritty victory in Carter-Finley, I must share this brilliant bit of writing from ESPN’s McGee. Speaking of a center snap that caught Heisman holder Caleb Williams by surprise, the scribe said, “Oh, and he also received a direct snap that hit him right in the family planning aisle.” Wordsmithery of the highest order, there.
So, where am I going with this, ye Cardinal faithful are wondering? Here:
For the second time this season, I am basking in the glow of a Detroit Lion/ Louisville Cardinal Thursday night/ Friday night double W. (So too, Glorious Editor at the Chron, who happens for some reason to also be a Lions fan. My allegiance comes honestly, I was born in Motown, and have been longing for success since the days of Leon Hart, Joe Schmidt, Night Train Lane, Bobby Layne and Les Bingaman.)
So, yeah, on separate football weekends, the Lions won in Arrowhead and Lambeau in Thursday night previews to the University of Louisville Cardinals prevailing in Atlanta and on Tobacco Road on Friday.
Can I get a witness?
How ’bout a Huzzah! Continue reading U of L CardFile: NC State
It is obviously difficult to pick nits — or clean the burrs out of your shoes — when your team beats a conference foe with four touchdown 56-28 dispatch.
Yes, I’m most pleased, as I’m sure most of the Cards’ fans are.
But there are reasons for concern, mostly on the defensive side of the ball.
* * * * *
But, first there’s these smile inducing observations.
In the first half, the Cards had six possessions. They scored six touchdowns.
To quote Ed Kallay, long time Louisville play by play guy a long time ago, “You can’t do much better than that.”
The last tally was the sweetest. With :33 on the clock before halftime, the Cards got the ball on their own 25, after BC had scored TDs on consecutive possessions.
As he did last week, when in a similar situation, Jeff Brohm called a timeout.
This time around the team lined up for a half ending kneel down.
Did you groan? I certainly did. Continue reading U of L CardFile: Boston College
Last musings on the TBT thing.
I was not present at any of Peyton Siva’s meet & greets with the press. But seem to recall, though it might have been reading between the lines, he indicated his playing days might be over.
If so, here’s what I hope happens.
That there’s a spot for him in some capacity on the U of L Men’s hoops staff. If not there, somewhere in the Cardinal athletic apparatus.
He’s always been mature beyond his year. He’s an incredible leader on and off the court.
He’s a winner. Like, you know, an L1C4 Certified National Champion®.
If Siva is actually hangin’ up his Chucks, I pray it happens.
Josh, Kenny, if by some slim chance you are listening to these rambling thoughts, git ‘er done.
As for Peyton’s running mate, the reason he’s never had a shot at the NBA was on full display. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Cardinal Hoops, What Else You Expect?
OK, truth is I didn’t see Cardinal Manny Okorafor’s breakout performance against Arch Rival up in Land o’ the Big Smoke.
Why not?
Since you asked, I was on a one day rock n roll road trip to Indy to hear Tedeschi Trucks Band, my faves these days, at that great amphitheater in White River State Park. Ziggy Marley opened. I’ll be weighing in on the incredible show in other venues soon. I’ll try to remember to put a link here somehow.
As for Manny?
Well, it turns out he was 6/6 from the field, 4/6 from the stripe, grabbed a half dozen or so boards, blocked a couple shots.
More than a workmanlike effort it would appear. Given he’s still not fully recovered from his foot/ ankle issues, and that due to visa problems he never practiced with his fellow Team Africa mates before the little tourney began.
Most heartening indeed.
* * * * *
Speaking of Cardinals participating in that event.
Jeff Walz’s team won the women’s side, with a two point get back W over Canada. Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Manny’s Game, Women Win, Gym Tidbits ++
Spotted over the weekend after workouts and pick up games: Projected best Cardinal baller Trentyn Flowers, and new kid in town, Koron Davis, hangin’ out, trading dunks.
And shooting videos of each other.
My man courtside, Gym Eyes, opines they seemed to be bonding, as we’re wont to say.
Camaraderie. Team chemistry. Good thing.
Ty-Laur Johnson remains MIA. I have no insider info as to the reason.
Everybody else on the extreme makeover of U of L hoops is around, and in the gym.
As is my guy, Gym Eyes.
Here are some of his further observations. Second hand hearsay obviously.
When I asked who looks to be the team leader, he immediately responded, “Skyy Clark.”*
Of whom was offered, “He’s All That!!!”
Other descriptors used: “Quick.” “Shifty.” “Strong.” “Finds his teammates and gets them the ball.” “Plays D.” Continue reading Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Gym Report
Can’t say I’ve ever been a huge follower of track and field.
Like most, I’m a once every four year follower, when those Olympic Games are all that.
But, I gotta have some U of L sports to root for. It’s an addiction.
So, with all the equipment from the other spring sports stored away — including yet again, the balls and bats of the Cardinal nine — the NCAA Track & Field Championships have grabbed my attention.
Several Cardinal athletes shall be competing. Both on the track. And in the field.
Synclair Savage will be striving for the Long Jump crown. (I am old enough to remember when it was called the Broad Jump.)
Aliyah Welter will be going for the Pole Vault crown.
ACC champ x3 High Jumper Trey Allen is making his third straight trip to attempt to leap for the whole enchilada.
Bryan Hudson is going to be putting the shot. Continue reading Tracking the Cardinals
Yesterday I was daydreaming, wondering about how far fans will go when they are in love with a team or a school?
So, I thought it would be cool to see if any of the Red & Black Faithful who are the vast majority of my readers have stories have any stories?
Which I hope all will share in the Comment Section below.
I’ve got some. Mine involve Cardinal hoops, but the sport does not matter, it’s what was done in the name of loyalty.
Three here underscore how strong my love is.
To start. It would be disingenuous not to admit my entire professional career path was altered by a U of L basketball game.
Truth is I never in my callow youth contemplated adulthood. Marriage. Family. Career. Never gave ’em much thought.
So, my senior year at U of L arrives in ’66-’67. Vietnam is the black cloud over all of us military age. I hadn’t a clue what I was going to do after graduation. I had a humanities prof whom I really liked. So, what the hell, I signed up to take the Graduate Records, and apply for a Masters or beyond in Humanities.
Like I said, not much aforethought.
But the week of the Saturday I’m going to take them, a pal walks into the Cardinal Inn with this.
Great news, he advises, he’d scored some tickets to the Cards hoops encounter that Saturday afternoon at Cincy. In their old gym. Continue reading Let’s Have Some Fun, Card Fans!
Disinclined to attend such affairs — they often become tedious — I went anyway.
So glad I did.
Out of respect for my favorite coach ever.
Out of thanks to the human being who was the catalyst for more joy in my life than any other than my bride.
Denny Crum.
The evening was sweet.
The evening was touching.
Beyond reiteration that he stands among the best college basketball coaches ever, it cannot be shared enough what a decent, giving, important man he was. To the players he coached. To the fans he touched. To the community of Louisville. To the world of college basketball. Continue reading The Denny Celebration
Sigh.
Every Cardinal diehard who was there in the moments of those halcyon days has stories.
From 1971 to 1986, it was a magic carpet ride.
Mine begin in my funky $60/ month attic apartment in the Triangle with my pal, fellow fanatic Ben. Listening on the radio to Denny Crum’s first game as Cardinal coach from Gainesville.
Cards 69, Florida 70.
Stoned I am sure and stunned, we looked at each, deflated.
It had been a strange few years for Cardinal hoops, leading up the new era.
Legendary Peck Hickman unexpectedly resigned after the ’66-’67 campaign with his Wes Unseld-led best ever squad returning. Long time assistant John Dromo took the reins.
A couple solid but unspectacular seasons followed. Then Dromo had health issues, and had to step down. Assistant Howard Stacy moved over a chair. U of L lost 6 of its last 8.
Enough for the powers that be to understand it was time to look elsewhere. A faculty committee led by Econ prof Carl Abner did the heavy lifting. John Wooden’s right hand man was the choice.
Hope ensued. Continue reading Denny!