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2019 4 Star SF Samuell Williamson Commits To The Cards
Photo Courtesy of Samuell Williamson’s Twitter Account (@S_Williamson35)
Chris Mack has the Cardinal Caravan rolling as UofL picks up their third commitment for the 2019 class in 4 Star F Samuell Williamson.
C O M M I T T E D ‼️🔴⚪️⚫️#GoCards pic.twitter.com/u8J77xyI3Y
— Samuell Williamson (@S_Williamson35) September 17, 2018
Williamson, a 6’6 180 lbs SF from Rockwall High School in Rockwall, TX, is ranked 44th overall in the 2019 class per 247sports composite rankings. He chose UofL over Kansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Florida, and a host of other schools. Luke Murray was his primary recruiter.
I have watched highlights of Williamson, but we at @CardSportZone also got to see him in person at the open gym the UofL Basketball team held on Saturday. This guy is a cool customer on the court with a high basketball IQ and we came away highly impressed.
Williamson is in constant motion without the ball on offense; always forcing his defender to move and working his way to get open. He loves to get open in the corners for 3s. What stood out on his highlights and in the practice was that his movement isn’t a token gesture. He always moves with purpose; either to create spacing for teammates to work or to get open. He loves to go back door on over eager defenders for alley oops or layups.
However, Williamson can also handle the ball in the open court and in the half court. His ball handling is as smooth as his personality seems to be. He handles like a 6’2 PG and can actually run some point. It is entirely possible to run an offense through him if need be.
Photo Courtesy of Samuell Williamson’s Twitter Account (@S_Williamson35)
Williamson matches his ball handling with excellent court vision, awareness, and passing. In one of his highlights, he grabs a rebound, brings the ball up the court, and makes a nice pass between two unaware defenders to his teammate for an easy layup. At the open practice, he did an excellent job of feeding the post when a big had a favorable one on one matchup; he used very simple, crisp passes.
UofL’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge Game Now Has A Time And Channel
We already knew UofL Basketball and Coach Chris Mack would be facing Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans on November 27th at the KFC Yum Center. What we didn’t know was the time of the game and the channel that would carry it…until now.
Men’s Basketball Buffs Up
Sooooo, it looks like Coach Mack made the right choice in his strength and conditioning coach…
UofL Men’s Basketball Tickets On Sale Now
Press release from the University of Louisville athletic department:
UofL Mens Basketball Season Tickets on Sale
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Season tickets for the University of Louisville’s 2018-19 20-game home men’s basketball schedule in the KFC Yum! Center are now available for purchase.
Under first year head coach Chris Mack, the Cardinals will face an impressive list of home games highlighted by teams such as Duke, Michigan State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and Notre Dame. The Cardinals enter their ninth season in the spectacular 22,000-seat KFC Yum! Center with eight returning lettermen and four talented transfers among the accomplished UofL roster.
Mack Continues To Work To Dissolve “Eras” Of UofL Basketball
Chris Mack promised at his opening press conference, there would no longer be “eras” when it came to UofL basketball. Three months on the job, and he has already shown how determined he is to keep that promise. The 2013 National Championship team held their 5 year celebration on Friday night and the former players talked about how Mack has gone above and beyond to make them feel welcomed on campus and in the program.
UofL VS WKU To Tip Off In Nashville In 2019
According to John Rothstein, Louisville and Western Kentucky will begin a four-year series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Dec. 20, 2019.
As more details are released, Cardinal Sports Zone will have the information at your finger tips!
Louisville To Host Michigan State In 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge
According to John Rothstein Louisville will host Michigan State in this years 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge!
This has now become officially official as both the UofL Men’s Basketball Twitter Account and ACC Men’s Basketball Twitter Account are both confirming UofL is indeed hosting Michigan State this season for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday 11/27 and has the potential to be a Top 25 matchup. A tip-off time and TV network have yet to be determined for the game according to UofL.
Robbie Valentine Stopped In On Middays With Marques Maybin
Photo Courtesy of KFCYumCenter.com
Robbie Valentine was on air with Marques Maybin and Steve Rummage for the Tuesday May 15th edition of Middays with Marques Maybin. They discussed everything from Robbie’s upcoming 33rd (!) annual basketball camps to the type of recruits coach Mack has been bringing in. They also discussed the incredible Donovan Mitchell and the impact he has had on the Louisville and Utah communities thus far. Take a listen below!
UofL Men’s Basketball Names Kahil Fennell New Director Of Operations
Photo Courtesy of Kahil Fennell’s twitter
Kahil Fennell is coming to the University of Louisville after spending one year as an assistant coach at Portland State. He played three years at Redlands University where he graduated with a degree in history and earned all-academic honors.
We here at Cardinal Sports Zone would like to give a warm welcome to Kahil and his family. Welcome to Louisville!
Chris Mack Joins Midday’s With Marques Maybin
The University of Louisville men’s basketball head coach, Chris Mack, joined Midday’s with Marques Maybin and Steve Rummage on Tuesday. They talked about everything from grad transfers, to workouts and everything in between! Listen in below!
Deng Adel Declares For NBA Draft
Deng Adel announced today that he has hired an agent and will remain in the NBA draft. He has endured some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows during his time at UofL, but he did it all with a smile on his face. We here at Cardinal Sports Zone wish him the best of luck as he follows his dream to be come a professional.
What Is Next For Anas Mahmoud?
Anas Mahmoud recently sat down with KingFut, a website that covers Egyptian athletes from all over the world. Malek Shafel and Anas talked about everything from when he started playing basketball, how the recruiting process went and what is next for him. Anas did say that he plans on giving his best effort to the draft process this summer and he has signed with Leon Rose from CAA as his agent. His main goal still remains to graduate in May. We here at Cardinal Sports Zone, wish Anas the best of luck in the draft process!
Chris Mack Completes His Coaching Staff
Press release from the University of Louisville:
Mack Fills UofL Coaching Staff with Three Experienced Assistants
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three experienced assistant mens basketball coaches have joined head coach Chris Macks staff at the University of Louisville, including Dino Gaudio, Luke Murray and Mike Pegues.
Pegues (pronounced puh-GEESE) has worked as an assistant coach with Mack for the past six seasons at Xavier, Murray has been an assistant coach with Mack for the past three seasons at Xavier, and Gaudio is a former basketball television analyst who has 23 years of collegiate coaching experience, including a stint at Wake Forest with Mack.
Luke Murray
Murray has operated on college basketball staffs for the last 11 seasons at Xavier, Rhode Island, Towson, Wagner and Arizona. During his three seasons at Xavier (2015-18), the Musketeers produced an 81-26 record (.757) and advanced in the NCAA Tournament each year. Their 2017-18 squad achieved a 29-6 record, won Xaviers first Big East Conference regular season championship, earned the schools first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished third in the final Associated Press poll. In addition, Murray played a key role as the Xavier staff assembled three straight nationally-ranked recruiting classes.
Luke Murray is a superstar, said Mack. No detail goes unnoticed with Luke. Whether its working with our perimeter players, scouting, or recruiting, Luke excels. Hes one of the most organized, detailed and high-energy recruiters that Ive ever been around. He carries the role of recruiting coordinator on the staff and allows us to leave no stone unturned when searching for the next University of Louisville great.
Murray worked two years at Rhode Island under current Connecticut coach Dan Hurley (2013-15), including the 2014-15 season when the Rams finished 23-10 overall, tied for second in the Atlantic 10 Conference and earned an NIT berth.
Preceding his time at Rhode Island, Murray spent two seasons (2011-13) as an assistant coach at Towson under Pat Skerry. In 2012-13, he helped Towson orchestrate of one of college basketballs greatest turnarounds as the Tigers set an NCAA record for the best one-season improvement, rising from a one-win campaign in 2011-12 to an 18-13 mark and a second-place finish in the CAA in 2012-13. He was an integral part in attracting the top-rated recruiting class in the CAA for 2012-13, including 2013 and 2014 CAA Player of the Year and former Utah Jazz forward Jerrelle Benimon.
Murray was an assistant coach for the 2010-11 season under Hurley at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. In the 2009-10 season, Murray served as a graduate assistant on the Arizona staff under former Xavier head coach Sean Miller, while working on his masters degree in educational psychology. Murray broke into the collegiate coaching field as the director of basketball operations at Quinnipiac in the 2007-08 season.
A native of Palisades, N.Y., Murray earned a degree in sociology from Fairfield in 2007. He and his wife, Kara, have one son Luke Jr., who was born in October 2017.
Mike Pegues
During Pegues six seasons at Xavier (2012-18), the Musketeers produced a 142-67 record (.679) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament on five occasions, reaching an Elite Eight and Sweet 16. Xaviers 2017-18 squad achieved a 29-6 record, won Xaviers first Big East Conference regular season championship, earned the schools first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished third in the final Associated Press poll.
Pegues contributed significantly to Xavier gathering multiple nationally-ranked recruiting classes, including three straight top 20 ranked classes in his final three years there.
Mike Pegues is one of the best post coaches in the country, said Mack. He does a terrific job of teaching footwork, positioning and understanding of the game. Having been with me for the past six seasons, its been impressive to see the development of big men during Mikes tenure. Our players will love his energy, IQ for the game and his sincerity. His relationships with coaches around the country have allowed us to recruit from some of the best high school programs in the nation.
Before his arrival at Xavier, Pegues spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Delaware, under head coach Mont Ross. Delaware finished 18-14 in Pegues final season, including a 12-6 record in the CAA. Pegues served as video coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth during the 2009-10 season, helping the Rams to a 27-9 record and the Collegiate Basketball Invitational title.
Pegues had a stellar collegiate career at Delaware, where he earned a degree in communications in 2000. The all-time leading scorer in Delaware mens basketball history with 2,030 points, Pegues led the Blue Hens to two NCAA Tournament appearances while playing under former UD head coach and current Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey from 1996-2000. He was a two-time All-District selection and a 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-American and became the first UD mens player to be named the America East Conference Player of the Year as a junior. He was inducted into the UD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
A native of Washington, D.C., Pegues attended Delaware after an impressive career at national power DeMatha Catholic High School.
He played professionally in Italy, New Zealand, England and Argentina, as well as one season in the Continental Basketball Association. After suffering a knee injury, he returned close to home to teach at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He served as an assistant coach for three seasons at Bishop OConnell High School under Joe Wooten, son of legendary high school head coach Morgan Wooten. He also coached the DC Assault AAU squad.
Dino Gaudio
Gaudio has most recently served as a basketball analyst for ESPN for the past eight years, but has 23 years of collegiate coaching experience and has previously worked with Mack.
Dino Gaudio is a home run for us, said Mack. Hes trusted, loyal and a person that I have always looked up to in this profession. Not many head coaches have the luxury of having a former head coach in the ACC on staff. Dinos role on the floor coaching our players will be immense. Our players will benefit in ways that other staffs cant duplicate. Im excited to get him out of the studio and on to the basketball court where he belongs.
In three seasons as the head coach at Wake Forest (2007-10), Gaudio guided the Demon Deacons to a 61-31 overall record and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. His 2008-09 team opened the season with a program-best 16-0 start as the last unbeaten team in the nation, finished second in the ACC behind 2009 NCAA Champion North Carolina (who Wake Forest beat that season), and rose to the nations top-ranked team before finishing 12th in the final Associated Press poll.
In 2010, despite losing two players to early entry in the NBA Draft, Wake Forest won 20 games including all five of its overtime games that season — and reached the NCAA Tournament. He was twice recognized by a media organization as the ACC Coach of the Year, achieving that honor by Rivals.com in 2008 and CBSSports.com in 2009.
In his nine seasons at Wake Forest (2001-10), including six years as associate head coach and three as its head coach, the Demon Deacons compiled a 187-99 record, participated in six NCAA Tournaments and all 21 Demon Deacon seniors graduated. The only players in nine years who did not graduate were Chris Paul, Jeff Teague, James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu, all who were first-round NBA draft selections after their sophomore seasons. While at Wake Forest, secured a pair of top 15 recruiting classes, including the 2008 class that was rated third in the nation.
It was in the first three years at Wake Forest (2001-04) when Gaudio and Chris Mack were united under the late head coach Skip Prosser. Mack left to be an assistant coach at Xavier.
In addition to Wake Forest, Gaudios 10 years of Division I head coaching experience included four seasons at Army (1993-97) and three years at Loyola (Md.) College (1997-2000).
At Army, Gaudio inherited a team that had gone just 4-22 the year before his arrival. In his second year, Gaudio led the Black Knights to a 12-16 record. Gaudio helped the Knights win the only two Patriot League Tournament games in the school’s 17 years of membership in the conference. After his stint at Army, Gaudio was named the head coach at Loyola in 1997 and posted 12 wins in his first year and 13 in his second. The 25 victories in his first two campaigns marked the best start by any Greyhound coach over the previous 26 seasons.
Gaudio broke into the college ranks at Xavier, serving as an assistant coach for six years under Pete Gillen (1987-93). In six years, Gaudio helped the Musketeers to a 136-49 record, five 20-win seasons and five NCAA Tournament berths. Xavier won four Midwestern Collegiate Conference regular season crowns, three MCC Tournament titles and made the school’s first trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1990. He later returned to Xavier as an assistant under Skip Prosser in 2000-01 before moving to Wake Forest.
Gaudio’s association with Prosser began in 1981 when he served as an assistant coach for four seasons at Central Catholic High School in Wheeling (W.Va.) while Prosser was head coach, and the duo led Central Catholic to the 1982 state championship. When Prosser left to become an assistant coach at Xavier in 1985, Gaudio became the head coach at Central Catholic and promptly guided the Maroon Knights to the state championship game in his first season. The following season, Gaudio directed Central Catholic to a 22-4 record and the 1987 state AA championship.
A 1981 graduate of Ohio University, Gaudio earned double bachelors degrees in accounting and secondary education. He attained a master’s degree in secondary education from Xavier in 1991.
A native of Yorkville, Ohio, Gaudio and his wife, Maureen, have two adult daughters, Kaylan and Alyssa.
Jordan Nwora Will Return For His Sophomore Season
After last week’s introductory press conference of Chris Mack, Jordan Nwora told the media that he wanted to stay at the University of Louisville. He just needed to talk to Coach Mack by himself and have Coach Mack talk to his parents. He wanted to start building that trust. After things have started to settle down, Jordan’s dad did confirm that he will return next season. According to Jeff Greer, Jordan Nwora reached double digits in scoring 9 times this season, that is a number that is sure to increase next season as he will more than likely become a key player on the UofL roster.
Chris Mack Introductory Press Conference
Photo courtesy of 247Sports
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ESPN Louisville Brings You The Chris Mack Press Conference – 3-28-2018 – SoundCloud Listen to ESPN Louisville Brings You The Chris Mack Press Conference – 3-28-2018 by ESPN Louisville #np on #SoundCloud
Press release from the University of Louisville athletic department:
Chris Mack Chosen to Lead Louisville Mens Basketball Program
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chris Mack, whose teams have participated in the NCAA Tournament in eight of his nine seasons as a head coach, has been selected as the head coach of the University of Louisville mens basketball team.
In nine seasons as the head coach at Xavier University, Mack guided the Musketeers to a 215-97 record and eight NCAA Tournament appearances (the last five straight years), including reaching the Sweet 16 on four occasions and the Elite Eight in 2017. His teams won or shared three conference regular season championships while compiling a 105-49 league record over nine seasons in the Big East and Atlantic 10.
Quentin Snider Selected To Participate In Inaugural Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship
Press release from the University of Louisville athletic department:
UofLs Quentin Snider Selected to Participate in Inaugural Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship
LOUISVILLE, Ky. University of Louisville senior guard Quentin Snider has been selected to participate in the inaugural Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship. This ground-breaking new event will pit 32 four-man teams consisting of players from every Division I college basketball conference against each other in a three day, 3-on-3 tournament. These teams, comprised of seniors who have exhausted their collegiate eligibility, will compete for a $100,000 prize pool viewable live on Twitter and ESPN2 fromFriday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, 2018at St. Marys Universitys Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio. Snider is one of four players selected from the ACC
Chris Mack Named UofL Men’s Basketball Head Coach
After months of speculation, Chris Mack was formally announced as the new head coach of the University of Louisville. Coach Mack had previously been the head coach at Xavier University since 2009 with a record of 215-97. He lead the Muskateers to be outright champions in the Big East as well as a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament this year.
We here at Cardinal Sports Zone would like to welcome Coach Mack and his family to CardNation and we look forward to seeing him lead this program!
UofL Officials To Meet With Chris Mack This Weekend
Photo courtesy of CBS Sports
For months, Chris Mack has been the name atop the UofL list for candidates for the head coaching job. This weekend, the first step in that becoming possible , takes place. Chris Mack himself has confirmed this to a USA Today network reporter in Cincinnati. Tyra said in his press conference yesterday his goal is to have a coach hired in the next 8-10 days.
NIT Quarterfinals Ticket Information
Press release from the University of Louisville athletic department:
Ticket Information for NIT Quarterfinals in the KFC Yum! Center
The University of Louisville mens basketball team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2018 National Invitation Tournament in a game to be played in the KFC Yum! Center against Mississippi State on Tuesday, March 20 at 9:05 p.m. ET.
Rick Pitino Is Ready To Work Again
Photo: ESPN.com
Rick Pitino has announced he has hired an agent to help him with his next career move. This comes about 5 months after he was fired from the University of Louisville and just a few weeks after stating that he was “dead in the water” when it comes to coaching. Only time will tell if someone can look past all of the scandals tied to his name.
