Category Archives: Basketball
NCAA Still Finds Way To Make Money Off A Title They Ruled Shouldn’t Exist
As you probably know by now, the NCAA came down hard on the Louisville Cardinals basketball program in the wake of the Andre McGee/Katina Powell sex scandal. The program faces the potential of getting 100+ wins vacated, as well as the 2012 Final Four and 2013 National Championship. Lost in the sanctions though, was the forfeiture of all conference revenue sharing gained from the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 NCAA postseasons. Also, “future revenue distributions that are scheduled to be provided to the university from those tournaments also must be withheld by the conference and forfeited to the NCAA“.
So essentially, UofL has to give up all the TV money they earned, and they have to give it up to the NCAA. They also have to give up any potential money they would earn in royalties from those 4 postseasons, and also give it up to the NCAA. Because, you know, the NCAA says those wins and title don’t exist anymore. So how can you make money off them? Well, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for them.
Huh, fancy that? The official locker room 2013 National Championship (which doesn’t exist, mind you) shirt has had a drastic price reduction from an official NCAA licensee. In fact, both Fanatics and CBS Sports have the same shirt listed with the same exact price reduction.
Purely coincidence, right?
This is just an addition to the long list of hypocrisies that the NCAA has committed over the years. Trying to figure out a way to still make money off a 4 year old event, that you ruled doesn’t even exist anymore? This is so shady that it’s almost brilliant.
Maybe I’ll go take a class at UNC about how to be as sleazy as them.
Friends Of The Ville: A Letter From Rick Pitino
The following is a candid update letter, regarding the NCAA’s ruling, from Rick Pitino to members of “Friends of the Ville”, a philanthropy group managed by the university.
“June 21, 2017
Dear Friends of the Ville
I am writing to you as close supporters and Friends of the Ville members. You are special to me and I realize you have endured a lot over the last two years. When the news first came out in 2015, it sunk my emotions to the lowest point anyone could possibly imagine. I write this letter to tell you and encourage you to keep your spirits high.
Charity Basketball Game For Officer Rodman This Saturday
The Russ Smith Foundation, TBM and Sullivan’s Tap House have teamed up to form a charity basketball event in honor of Officer Nick Rodman, who was killed in the line of duty this past March. The event will feature the Metro City Stars, a team comprised of former Louisville players and prominent local figures up against a team of members of the LMPD, and will be hosted by Ballard High School this upcoming Saturday, June 24th at 6:30.
Metro City Stars roster:
Players:
Montrezl Harrell
Terrance Farley
Tim Barnett
Perrin Johnson
Matt Brown
Tim Henderson
Russ Smith, Sr.
Chane Behanan
Phil Morrison
Charles Franklin
Chris Pointer
Coaches:
Denny Crum
Peyton Siva, Jr.
Russ Smith Shares His Thoughts About UofL’s Punishment
Earlier today on Twitter, Russ Smith became another one of the former UofL players to offer his thoughts on the NCAA’s harsh sanctions imposed on the University of Louisville.
He took to Twitter to talk about those who have actively cheered for UofL’s downfall. Read below:
(Click more for the rest of the story)
Press Release: Impressive Year For The Cards
PRESS RELEASE
Kenny Klein
The University of Louisville’s appearance in the College World Series will cap off a terrific 2016-17 season for the Cardinals. Lofty team finishes, impressive individual achievements and nationally recognized academic success have highlighted UofL’s extremely productive academic year.
18 NCAA PARTCIPANTS — Eighteen UofL sports – 10 men’s and eight women’s – had teams or individuals participate in NCAA postseason competition in 2016-17. Baseball has won a school-record 52 games and has advanced to its fourth College World Series, including its third in the last five years. UofL’s men’s soccer team was the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight. UofL’s women’s cross country advanced to the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history. Louisville’s women’s swimming team finished sixth in the nation with Mallory Comerford sharing the 200-free NCAA championship with Katie Ledecky. The Cardinals’ men’s swimming team finished 11th in the NCAA Championship.
Brian Bowen Commits To Louisville
Well that escalated quickly!!!! Days after an official visit to Louisville’s campus it has been announced that Brian Bowen, a Small Forward out of La Lumiere School in Saginaw, Michigan is officially a Louisville Cardinal!!!!
Bowen is a 5 star player and was also a McDonald’s All-American this year. He is ranked the 13th best player in the ESPN100 and chooses the Cards over such schools as Arizona, Michigan State, and Texas to name a few. Bowen was thought to be Michigan State bound but with the return of Miles Bridges that commitment became a bit uncertain.
His addition bolsters an already big recruiting class as Bowen joins the likes of other ESPN100 signees Malik Williams, Darius Perry, and Jordan Nwora. Add Lance Thomas and this completes a dynamic class. Bowen will now compete with V.J. King and Dewayne Sutton for playing time at the 3 spot.
Louisville is projected to be a top 10 team going into next season. With this addition one could argue they are now amongst the top 5. Kudos to the Louisville staff for getting this done. We here at CSZ welcome Brian to the Ville.
http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/777196?referrer_id=1156386
Interview With Donovan Mitchell
Even as he was on the west coast preparing for the upcoming NBA Draft, former Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell was still able to find the time to sit down for an interview with myself on behalf of Cardinal Sports Zone, and talk about the draft as well as his time at Louisville.
Matt McGavic: Thank you for doing this interview, it’s a pleasure to get to talk to you even with your busy schedule. First of all, how excited are you to take the next step in your career?
Donovan Mitchell: I’m very excited. It’s definitely tough to make it to draft day, and I wouldn’t be there without what Louisville’s done for me, and being in that environment is awesome. I’m excited, I feel like I’m ready. I came out here to L.A. and started performing well, and I just feel like I’m ready to do this, ready just to be a pro and play against pros and take that next step.
Updates From The Katina Powell & Andre McGee Criminal Case
Katina Powell, the center of the Louisville basketball recruiting sex scandal, and her accomplice as well as former Louisville player and staff member Andre McGee were brought before a grand jury today to begin the hearing on the criminal case against them. Special thanks to our good friend Jason Riley over at WDRB for providing us with updates as the hearing proceeded.
Deng Adel To Return To Louisville
After declaring for the NBA Draft without signing an agent, Junior forward Deng Adel has decided to withdraw his name from the draft, and return to Louisville.
Wassef Methnani To Visit Louisville
Following Donovan Mitchell’s NBA Draft announcement, thus freeing up a scholarship, the Louisville basketball program will be hosting Class of 2017 SF/PF Wassef Methnani out of Knox School, a prep school in New York. He will be pay the University of Louisville a visit this upcoming Tuesday, and is also considering Fairfield and Canisius. If he chooses to enroll at UofL, he will be immediately eligible to play. He is listed as 6’8″, 216 lbs, and specializes as a wing.
Coach P Drains Threes, Former Players Comment (Roast)
We all know that Rick Pitino is amazing coach, after all, he is a Hall of Famer for a reason. Even though he probably has knees that would make Greg Oden and Derrick Rose envious, Coach Pitino showed us all that he has the mamba mentality on the court as well, and isn’t afraid to pull up a shot right in your face and make you look silly.
(Click on more for the rest of the story) Read the rest of this entry
The Overreaction Of Louisville Twitter
It sucks…….we know. You know, I know, CardNation knows.
While we all wished Donovan Mitchell luck and will cheer like hell when his name is called next month in the NBA draft, part of us now only have to wonder what could have been had he returned. But he isn’t and all we have is great memories and insane one handed dunk highlights.
Donovan Mitchell Signs With Agent
Photo Credit to NewsOK.com
Donovan Mitchell has decided to forgo his final two years at Louisville, and will sign with an agent to remain in the NBA Draft. We wish him the very best of luck at the next level.
Jay Henderson To Transfer
Another week, another transfer. Following in the footsteps of Tyler Sharpe and Matz Stockman we now learn that walk-on Jay Henderson also intends to transfer from the Louisville Men’s basketball team. Henderson originally came to Louisville after transferring from St. John’s.
Jay saw the floor sparingly only playing 2.1 minutes per game. However, he was constantly cheering on his teammates and still holds the title for the most glorious head of hair on the team. We here at CSZ wish him the best wherever he lands. Always a Card!
Two Louisville Women’s Basketball Signees Named State Players Of The Year
Class of 2017 recruits and Louisville signees Lindsey Duvall and Dana Evans have landed on USA Today’s State Players of the Year list, with Duvall named to Kentucky and Evans named to Indiana. The two signees make up a recruiting class for the Cards that is ranked fourth nationally.
Tyler Sharpe Will Transfer
Freshman walk-on and former Bullitt East star Tyler Sharpe intends to transfer. He appeared in only 7 games this season scoring only 2 points.
With a loaded class coming that features Darius Perry and Jordan Nwora and the addition of Dwayne Sutton it would seem Sharpe would find playing time to be scarce next season. We here at CSZ wish Tyler the best wherever he lands. Always a Card!!
UCONN Transfer Picks Louisville
Steven Enoch has confirmed reports that he will transfer to Louisville to continue his playing career. At 6’11 Enoch will be counted on to help at the 4 or 5 spot for the Cards. He will be forced to sit under NCAA rules next season but will then have two years of eligibility remaining.
A former 4 star prospect out of high school, Enoch averaged 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds with the Huskies last season. He typically saw 12 minutes of play per game. We here at Cardinal Sports Zone welcome Steven to the Ville!!!!
Class Of 2018 Guard Mykasa Robinson Commits to Louisville
Class of 2018 point guard Mykasa Robinson (@mykasa_baller23) has verbally committed to the Louisville Cardinals. Robinson is the 4th ranked point guard in the class and the 13th ranked overall player by ESPN (96 grade). She is a 5 star prospect & committed to the Cards in a very cool way…
Welcome Back NCAA Tournament
It was announced today that the NCAA has chosen Louisville to host a Regional in the NCAA Tournament. The KFC YUM! Center will open its doors the weekend of March 28th and 30th. Louisville last hosted the big dance in 2016 and hosted eventual champion Villanova.
The most exciting part of this news is that the city is on display nationally. Congrats to the city of Louisville.
http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2017-04-18/2019-2022-future-di-ncaa-championship-sites
Darius Perry KDF Dunk Contest Finals Video & Photos
Photo: Jeff Nunn
.
Darius Perry was not even originally scheduled to be a participant in the KDF Dunk Contest but when Lance Thomas decided not to do it, Darius stepped up and made it to the finals. He didn’t win but his attempts are worth watching especially since he had help with future teammate (I hope), Donovan Mitchell. Darius played a nice game and scored 22 points in front of a crowd of 4,812 in Freedom Hall. Here are some pictures and videos of Darius. Full photo gallery from the game will be posted soon so please check back with us for photos of all 4 future Cards. Read the rest of this entry
