Category Archives: Louisville 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.
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.
Cards Could Potentially Add 5 Star Bowen
It was discovered on Tuesday evening that Louisville hosted 5 Star SF Brian Bowen on a campus visit. Bowen, a McDonald’s All-American, was thought by many to be a solid Michigan State lean but after the return of Miles Bridges who opted to not enter the NBA draft deadline, it appears he is still searching for a school to land his services.
Louisville would join a list of schools trying to sign Bowen. So far he holds offers from such schools as Arizona, Michigan State, NC State, Texas, and UCLA just to name a few. The SF position at Louisville is pretty stacked with the return of Deng Adel and V.J. King although Pitino has hinted he will primarily use Adel as a shooting guard. Add Dwayne Sutton to the mix and you have some nice depth at the 3 spot.
We here at CSZ will be keeping a close eye on this story. Louisville is already a projected top 10 team next season and this would do nothing but bolster that claim. “Crootin” remains a funny business. …
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.
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.
Kylee Shook Invited To USA Basketball U-19 Trials
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Incoming sophomore Kylee Shook is one of 33 student-athletes invited to the USA Basketball U-19 World Cup Team Trials.
Shook is set to fly out to Colorado Springs, Colorado, her hometown, to compete for a spot on the 12 woman roster. The trials will begin on May 18th and end on May 21st.
Once the team is selected, it will contend for its seventh-consecutive gold medal from July 22nd-30th in Cividale del Friuli and Udine, Italy.
Shook played in 35 games during her freshman season and averaged 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a team-best 1.0 blocks per game. Her 34 blocks on the season falls at third among freshman in school history.
Stay tuned to Cardinal Sports Zone for further information as Kylee Shook competes for a spot on the U-19 team.
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!!
Two More Transfer from Women’s Hoops
Photo: usatoday.com
Sophomore Brianna Jones and freshman Ciera Johnson will transfer from the University of Louisville.
Johnson was a McDonald’s All-American in 2016. She played in 37 games for the Cardinals, averaging 4-points and 2.3 rebounds.
Jones entered Louisville as a five star recruit and played in 43 games during her tenure with the Cardinals.
Both players are looking to expand their minutes. Which is certainly understandable considering Louisville is welcoming a top four recruiting class that boasts three 5-stars.
Card Nation will certainly miss these two outstanding young women and we wish them both the very best at the new schools.
Yesterday, CSZ reported that junior Mariya Moore would transfer to a school on the west coast so she could play closer to her home.
While the Cardinals have lost three players this week, Louisville is bringing in the fourth ranked class. The 2017 class boasts three 5-star rated players, two of which were McDonald’s All-Americans.
Mariya Moore to Transfer
Junior Guard Mariya Moore is transferring from the University of Louisville, per several sources.
The news comes one day after Louisville and head coach Jeff Walz nabbed Five star point guard, Mykasa Robinson. Needless to say, it’s been a roller coaster for fans of the Louisville women.
Moore, a Hercules, California native, wants to be closer to home. While the specifics of where she is transferring are unknown, Coach Walz told the Courier-Journal, Moore wanted to go back to the west coast so her family could watch her play her final season.
Moore has been granted a full release from UofL.
Mariya Moore came into Louisville as a highly touted recruit. Moore was tabbed as a McDonald’s All American and was ranked 42nd in the 2014 class.
Last season, Moore started 36 games for the Cardinals. The junior averaged 12-points, while leading the time in assists with 175 on the season. Moore was the third leading scorer for Louisville and a crucial part of Big Three.
Mariya Moore will certainly be missed as she has had a profound impact on the Louisville Cardinals. But, CSZ and all of Card Nation wish her the best as she finds a new home closer to her family.
Thanks for the memories, Mariya!!
Matz Is Transferring…
In a move that was expected & speculated upon all summer, Kenny Klein and the University of Louisville announced that Jr Matz Stockman will transfer to Minnesota. We wish Matz madness the best of luck going forward.
Clash of the Titans: Louisville vs Tennessee
Louisville, KY – The stage is set for two of the top women’s basketball programs in the nation as the 4 – seed Louisville Cardinals take on the 5 – seed Tennessee Volunteers.
This matchup has the potential to be one of the greatest games of the NCAA Tournament. On one hand, you have the legendary Tennessee Volunteers, who have been inconsistent at times this season, but have turned the corner in the nick of time. On the other, you have Louisville, a relatively new powerhouse looking for its first National Championship in women’s hoops. The Cardinals have been to the championship game twice in the past 10 years, but have yet to win the coveted title.
Louisville vs Jacksonville State: Cards Return to the NCAA Tournament
After a year of no postseason basketball, Louisville opens their NCAA tournament as the 2-seed in the Midwest region against 15-seed Jacksonville State today in Indianapolis at approximately 2:45 on CBS.
Jacksonville State earned its bid against most odds by knocking off the 1 and 2 seed enroute to their conference championship. This is the first time the Gamecocks will appear in an NCAA tournament game, thanks to new coach Ray Harper. Harper may be new to Jacksonville State, but he’s no stranger to Louisville. He was the infamous coach of the WKU team remembered vividly among Cardinal fans for the incident with 4 Hilltoppers and Montrezl Harrell a few years ago.
WBB: Louisville Earns A Four Seed & Home Court Advantage
The field is set and your Louisville Women grabbed a four seed in the OKC Region.
As a four seed, the Cardinals earned home court advantage for the first and second rounds. Louisville will face 13-seed Chattanooga on Saturday at 1:30PM.
Ticket information:
Full women’s bracket:
