Brandishing, another altogether.

Rick Pitino has used the former, advertising terminology, regarding his mission at U of L. As in “rebranding the program.” I hate such talk, but know what he means.

Brandishing is what former Cardinal baller Terrence Williams has been charged with. As in waving a gun about in a threatening manner toward the mother of his child.

The former might be a reprehensible concept as far as college athletics are concerned, but it’s accepted behavior, even the norm these days.

The latter is a crime.

T-Will’s pro career has been spotty at best. This development certainly can’t help his standing with the Celtics, who apparently can opt out of their contract with Williams anytime before Halloween.

The occurence, sadly, is not surprising. It was well known in and around the U of L community that Williams had a predilection for packing heat.

While he was one of the more popular U of L players of the Pitino Era, I found him to be a most disagreeable sort. Frankly, he’s my least favorite Cardinal of the Pitino Era, but that’s neither here nor there. I certainly don’t wish him ill. But do hope that justice is served. The charge against him is serious.

* * * * *

At the other end of the spectrum is Teddy Bridgewater.

Who, it is reported, has asked Charlie Strong and the U of L starmaker machinery to forgo any Heisman Trophy PR campaign.

* * * * *

An eagle-eyed reader sent me the latest Capital One Cup Standings.

Even that program’s web site doesn’t fully explain how the points are calculated. But the purpose is to measure the strength of the entire athletic programs of the nations’s colleges. Louisville’s male athletes rank 3d behind Michigan and Indiana, which are knotted at the top of the standings.

U of L’s female athletes rank 16th.

I know that national championships get you points. I’m not sure if how far a school advances in the post season is a factor? Or, if league titles count?

Whatever. Those lofty perches confirm what Louisville Cardinal fans have been saying to each other this entire school year: “It’s a great time to be a Cardinal fan.”

* * * * *

By the by, the U of L nine won the Big East regular season pennant with a sweep of Pitt last weekend.

* * * * *

Coming soon are some of the biggest events internationally in car racing.

Indy 500.

Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

Coca Cola 600.

And the grandest event of them all, coming up on the 25th of the month right across the river on the hallowed asphalt of the Jeffersonville Sportsdrome.

School Bus Figure 8s.

To paraphrase someone more eloquent than myself, about a far lesser event, “You ain’t been nowhere, or ever done nothin’ til you been to the School Bus Figure 8s.”

There is no exhilaration in the world of sport quite like seeing a couple of big yellows t-boning at the crossroads.

* * * * *

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my Detroit Red Wings are up 2-1 on Chitown in the Western Division semis of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Black Hawks have been on cruise control all season after starting out unbeaten in something like their first 25 games. The boys from Hockeytown seem to have caught the Second City gang looking ahead.

* * * * *

While I’m on the subject of sports you could care less about, and to clear off the desk, did you notice what’s happened recently in the world of European soccer?

Of course not. Briefly . . .

Lowly Wigan upset Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Athletico Madrid beat crosstown rival Real Madrid for the first time in like a quarter century to capture the Copa del Rey.

And Dortmund Borussia will face Bayern Munchen in all-German Champions League Final on the 25th. (Don’t worry the game at Wembley will be over in time for you to make it across the river to the Sportsdrome.)

As I’m sure you’re aware, this matchup is also totally unexpected. An all-Spanish final would have been chalk. Dortmund bested Real Madrid by aggregate score in the semis, while Bayern bashed Messi-less Barcelona, 4-0 and 3-0. (Each match has two games, one on each team’s pitch. Total score advances. Away goals trump home goals.)

* * * * *

Brett Favre is still retired.

Later.

– Seedy K

Forced to walk the plank off the Cruiser Cardinal by Cap’n Rick, Jared Swopshire swam to shore off Lake Michigan, landing in Evanston at Northwestern. Where he’s been toiling this season for the ever underperforming Wildcats under the mediocre tutelage of Bill Carmody.

As I’ve mentioned probably too many times, I think the kid got a dirty deal here. Which he handled like a mensch. He wouldn’t have played much this season for the Cards. And his spot has been filled with the serious potential of Silent L. But, you know, U of L had a commitment to the kid, but The Rick wrapped his arm around his shoulder, praised his efforts as Cardinal, all the while hipchecking him out the door. Okay, enough.

Anyhow, last night the former Cardinal led NW to its best W of the season, a 7 point smashing of reeling Minnesota. (Tubby’s Golden Gophers have dropped 3 in a row, the L last night and two to Top 5 squads.) Swopshire tallied 16 with 8 boards and a couple steals.

The Mildcats still stand 12-8 on the year. They’ve never played in the NCAA. Ever. The only big conference school that hasn’t. And they shan’t again this post-season, unless they happen to stun the world with a Big Ten tourney title.

If Vandy and Duke can be legit, so can Northwestern, another of them academic schools. It’s time to can Carmody.

* * * * *

It’s the time of year when Ls by Top 25 teams are less noteworthy than which schools continue winning. (With the exception of that dumbfounding performance by the Blue Devils in Coral Gables.)

Just last night, in addition to Duke and Minnesota going down, so did Butler to LaSalle and Creighton to Drake.

Florida continues to pummel conference mates, smashing Georgia by 17 in Athens, after trailing by 3 at the break. New Mexico hung tough, holding on against feisty Colorado State.

* * * * *

The only descriptor for Miami’s smackdown last night is “stunning.” Okay, that’s the one I’m going to use.

The Canes are good. They now lead the ACC by two games. Winning at home was not an upset. Beating the top-rated team in the land by 27 is, well, you choose your own words. I watched with my mouth agape.

The Blue Devils would miss a shot, Miami would get the rebound and move the ball with dispatch down court unimpeded for a hardly contested bunny. Duke played like a bunch of guys in sweatpants at a Wednesday night beer league at St. Polycarp.

It was the sixth worst beating in the Coach K era. They got trapped a couple of years ago at Clemson. The other losses on that list are from the 80s. Including a 38 point lesson from Denny Crum’s Louisville Cardinals in January of ’82.

The Hurricanes were en fuego. They hit 57% from the field, 9/19 long balls.

Duke didn’t turn it over much. Only 10 times. They simply couldn’t score the ball. And donned their Jarlsberg costume on defense. As my nemesis David always says, “You look good when you’re making your shots.” And vice versa. Playing defense also helps.

* * * * *

I don’t talk much about high school sports around here. Don’t follow it that closely. Even the Trinity/ St. X football rivalry that is in this burg’s thrall.

But I must note that the Tiger Community seems to have said to itself, “Enough is enough.” Trinity has become a national power. St. X also ran.

So the Poplar Level Road gang hired former NFLer Will Wolford, who has brought on board Browning Nagle and Mike Flores. They’re in addition to 13 other assistant coaches retained from Mike Glaser’s staff.

* * * * *

I’ve been watching a bit of the Aussie Open each night. If only so the warmth of Melbourne summer helps heat up my abode. The ladies semi-finals were contested in 97 degree heat.

Saw the beginning of last night’s Sharapova loss to Li Na. I was taken by what a funny gal the player from China is. They played a clip of her explaining her husband’s reaction to the new training regime she undertook. Very cute. The gal’s got personality.

* * * * *

Here’s how Drexel (Milt Wagner’s Original “One of them Academic Schools.”) beat Hofstra last night.

* * * * *

Looks like another botched investigation by the NCAA may free many involved at Miami — including U of L’s Clint Hurtt and Missouri b-ball coach Frank Haith — from future sanctions.

I’m always bemused at those who throttle the NCAA in these situations, when it is simply an organization made up of the nation’s universities it monitors in athletics.

Which is why I’m reminded of the famous Walt Kelly quote in the comic strip “Pogo”: We have met the enemy and he is us.”

– Seedy K

Didn’t think so.

Surprisingly, Celtic is up early, 1 nil. But you really really don’t care, right?

I’ll move on.

* * * * *

Despite all the negative tests, Lance Armstrong did take performance enhancing drugs, it seems.

Imagine my surprise.

Those 7 Tour de France titles. Forgettaboutem.

As I’ve mentioned before, cyclists taking drugs doesn’t bother me that much. They all did it. Perhaps still do. So that evens things up. Besides, that event is far and away the most arduous sporting contest in the world, so all the more power to them if they need some juice to pump 12 miles up a 12% grade after cycling 100 miles.

Armstrong though is another matter. He’s been so aggressively arrogant about the whole thing.

Bottom line, the guy’s a real schmuck. He’s helped raise tens of millions to fight cancer. Good for him. He’s still a putz.

Disgrace suits him.

* * * * *

As a Tigers fan, I was kind of hoping St. Louis would take the NLCS.

Not that I like the Cardinals. I don’t. They still have the stench of retired Tony LaRussa about them.

But Detroit and St. Louis have a rather testy World Series history. ’34. ’68. ’06. Kind of a rivalry there. A renewal of tensions would have been an interesting dynamic.

But, San Francisco continued its resilient run. Three elimination game wins over the Cardinals. To match the three over the Reds. Six straight elimination game Ws. Got to admire that.

I don’t hate the Giants. But I’ll be sure to be rooting against them.

First pitch tomorrow night.

* * * * *

Iniesta just tied the match 1 apiece for Barca in the 45th minute, right before halftime.

* * * * *

Would somebody please explain the concept of defense to Dana Holgorsen?

The state of West Virginia would be most appreciative.

* * * * *

It’s that time of the year, kids.

When I start to rant about how there’s no college football playoff. And how even the new soon to be seen four team playoff isn’t enough.

Right now, Alabama, Florida, K State, my Quack and, sigh, Notre Dame would all deserve a shot. At the very least.

Eight teams is the absolute minimum number of title contestants that should be competing. Sixteen would be optimum. That way, every school with even a glimmer of a claim to contest for the championship would be included.

Four’s a start. It will expand in the years to come. Because . . . well . . . money talks. And ESPN shall wish it to be so.

* * * * *

No I don’t have any idea why Chane Behanan is in The Rick’s doghouse.

My guess is Pitino needed somebody on the team to rag on, so he pulled Chane’s name out of a hat.

* * * * *

Does the winner of the Ohio State/ Penn State game this weekend get time off its sentence for good performance?

* * * * *

Beaver fever. Oregon State is 6-0. The half dozen Ws is twice as many as it captured all last year. The school hasn’t been 6-0 since the oughts. The 19 oughts.

* * * * *

Why did Cincy go and lose at Toledo last Saturday?

* * * * *

The NHL and the player’s association are still at loggerheads. No pucks yet. Sigh.

Oh yeah, I forgot, you’d just as soon have an update on Messi. (Still 1-1 in the 65th minute.)

* * * * *

Since the real refs returned to the NFL, there hasn’t been much to talk about in the play for pain league.

* * * * *

Our local cable network now carries NBA TV. Haven’t watched for a nanosecond.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/10/23/tuesday-sports-update-a-little-of-this-some-of-that/feed/ 1 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/07/fridays-snippets-many-sports-included/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/07/fridays-snippets-many-sports-included/#comments Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:06:35 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7813 Revised 9/07 10:20 am

U of L finally released its men’s (and women’s) basketball schedules.

Last year’s Final Four team warmed up for the conference campaign with the most ambitious home schedule of the Pitino Era. Long Beach State, surprising Ohio, College of Charleston, Vanderbilt and Memphis all visited the Yum!. Cardinal fans actually had some real basketball games to savor for their money in November and December.

While this year’s non-conference home schedule isn’t quite as lackluster as the decade before last season, it isn’t nearly as scintillating as one might hope. Manhattan and Florida International will be in town so The Rick can teach his son and prodigy a lesson. Samford and Mizzou KC should have the bars in the corridors plenty busy by halftime. Those lackluster games more than offset the Western Ky visit, which is always fun, and the possibility that Illinois State might challenge. A tilt against Murray State would be spicy.

And, here comes some heresy:

I never really look forward to the annual tussle with UK. The only moment the cannon ball in my nervous stomach passes is the moment the final buzzer sounds and the game is over. Win or lose, it’s the only relief this fan gets. The joy of winning the rivalry encounter, and the disappointment of losing, simply aren’t worth the angst of the run up to tipoff.

I assume I’m in the minority here. (I’m so very sure I’ll hear from some Cats’ fans, accusing me of turning into a scaredy bird. Truth is it’s less onerous now that Coach Cal has turned UK into the behemoth of college hoops. It’s impossible to deny the force of what he’s doing in Lexington.)

Anyhow, most red and blue fans are counting the days until December 29. I’m looking forward to the normal blood pressure that will return only after that game has come and gone.

* * * * *

As I write this, I’m still waiting to hear back from either Rick Bozich or Eric Crawford. In their Football Notebook this week, they mention that U of L’s 3d Down Efficiency Rating ranked 104 in the land. Which is perilously close to the bottom of the heap. I went to the NCAA official stats site, but the numbers were only through 9/01, so Louisville isn’t listed. I trust Eric and Rick’s number is valid. After all, unlike yours truly, they’re real reporters. I was just curious how or where they got the figure?

Note: Of course, I heard from both these pros, after I’d posted this. Please, fellows, next time I’d appreciate you being a little more responsive. Bozich, of course, passed the buck to Crawford. Then he went Lou Holtz on me while mentioning the upcoming series between his ChiSox and my Tigers. Crawford referred me to cfbstats.com. Which now ranks the Cards 105 out of 118 in that category.

I was certainly aware during the Kentucky game that the Wildcats were converting on 3d down way more than U of L would like. But had no idea it was that bad.

Given that Charlie Strong is a defensive coach at heart, I’m sure he made his troops aware of their disappointing performance. Hopefully Missouri State will not be a test. So it might not be until Saturday a week when the Tar Heels come to town, when we can observe if the deficiency has been resolved.

* * * * *

Pittsburgh. Now there’s a really bad football team.

Yoo hoo, Bobby Petrino, you doing anything?

While I remain pissed that Pitt and Syracuse are jumping ship to the ACC, I can’t help but smile at the reality that they will help diminish the already fading image of Atlantic Coast Conference football.

* * * * *

Speaking of Syracuse, their opening game conqueror Northwestern is playing one of the more intriguing games of Week II. Vandy visits Evanston Saturday night for a match-up between two of them academic schools. But schools that are legitimately on the cusp of, well, legitimacy.

* * * * *

Despite a stunning -17 run differential on the season, Baltimore has tied the Yankees (+81) atop the AL East.

Beltway Series, anyone? Orioles vs. Nationals, which nine, by the by, sports the best record in baseball.

I still have hope for my Detroit Tigers. But they did it again this week. For the second time this season, they swept a series from division rival Chicago. For the second time this season, they failed to take advantage and immediately fell behind the White Sox again.

The teams hook up next week, but Detroit visits L A, before heading to Chitown on Monday for your classic “important” set of games.

* * * * *

Murray vs. Berdych. Ferrer vs. Djokovic.

I’m sure the tennis will be scintillating. But not a lot star power left in this year’s U S Open.

* * * * *

My guy in NASCAR, Jeff Gordon, has to win this week, and then he’s still not assured of a spot in sport’s late season sprint for the title, i.e. The Chase.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/09/07/fridays-snippets-many-sports-included/feed/ 6 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/07/22/sports-sunday-british-edition-bonus-stateside-stuff/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/07/22/sports-sunday-british-edition-bonus-stateside-stuff/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 19:00:07 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7719 As if to desensitize us to the plethora of shots of Big Ben we’ll be seeing in the weeks to come during coverage of the London Olympics, we were “treated” to an all Brit all the time weekend of sports. Two of the world’s great sporting events wound up today, one dominated by Brits, the other contested in the Motherland.

Unfortunately for members of the English Speaking Union, those who long for the days of guys in khaki in charge in India and a vast empire, Adam Scott spit out the bit in “The Open.” Which is the euphemism for the British Open Golf tournament.

But Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish and Christopher Froome conquered Gaul in unprecedented fashion in the Tour de France.

The Open. Ernie Els shot 2 under and overcame a seemingly insurmountable 6 stroke deficit to capture the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham.

Adam Scott lost it really. Choked to be honest. He bogeyed the final four holes with a four stroke lead. Didn’t even make it to a playoff.

Could it have been that bad Stevie Williams karma? Perhaps.

Though Williams former boss fared even worse. He Who Would Be Tiger was only 5 back as he teed off for the final round. But he was three over for the day, including a devastating triple bogey 7 at the 6th. All together now . . . Awwwwwwwww!

While the Aussie Scott was proving he’s not ready for prime time, Els fired a 4 under 32 on the back nine. Including a bold, go for broke birdie putt on the 72d to steal the deal.

What I loved about today’s TV coverage was the absence of those smug homie announcers, whose fawning makes Jim Nantz sound positively objective.

The Tour. Unlike, of course, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin, the Brits who do such a splendid job describing the world’s most arduous sports event.

Bradley Wiggins is the first Brit to win the Tour de France. Christopher Froome, also from that island just a chunnel’s ride a way, finished second. They both ride for the same team, Sky Procycling. I believe it’s the first time that teammates have finished first and second in the race. Plus teammate Mark Cavendish, a/k/a The Missle, won three stages. Including today’s finale along the Champs Élysées for the fourth time . . . in four attempts.

Sky dominated the three week race, but technically lost the team title to RadioShack Nissan. Even though that squad lost its two stars during the race. Frank Schleck was sent home for doping violations. Fabian Cancellara went home for dope violations. He started the Tour even though his wife was seriously preggers, and dropped out to be with her only after he faltered in the race and it became apparent he wasn’t going to contend.

Meanwhile in State College . . . JoPa’s statue is coming down. It’s the right thing to do. The former Nittany Lion coach did a lot of things right during his career, but, when faced with a situation that sets apart those with true character from those without, he failed miserably.

And, if today’s reports are correct, the NCAA is going to turn its attention tomorrow from the heinous situation at Cal Tech, to level “corrective and punitive measures” against Penn State. The word is: No Death Penalty. Though the carcass is likely to be drawn and quartered and left by the side of the road for the vultures to descend.

. . . and in Chapel Hill . . . there is more trouble brewing. Seems as if this ACC power has been keeping jocks eligible with dummy courses. Like courses with no classroom meetings, and only jock enrollees.

Stay tuned you Tar Heel bashers, big smiles are on the horizon, but . . .

. . . Fans of Other Schools best not Look in the Mirror. Bunny courses to keep athletes eligible have been part of the scene since before Bo McMillan and a bunch of mercenaries went C6-H0.

When I was at U of L, one favored class was Athletic Training, taught by a football assistant. In which, attendees had to design a training room for the final. Then there was Trees and Shrubs, where the class studied flora along Eastern Parkway.

Much has been made through the years of the decline of Louisville’s basketball program in Denny Crum’s final years. A lot of the blame has been directed toward the institution of the three point shot, which Crum didn’t embrace soon enough or heartily enough. Or, so the argument goes.

Another major factor, rarely mentioned, was the demise of University College. It was essentially a night school program with easier profs and classes, in which a lot of premier athletes were enrolled.

Which is to say, no school’s fans should ever feel pleased with themselves. It’s everywhere, it’s everywhere.

– Seedy K

Golfer Webb Simpson.

The reigning U.S. Open champ, at the height of his career, is passing on the British Open at Royal Lytham. Seems his bride is in the family way, expected to come to term in a couple of weeks. Instead of heading across the sea, hiring a jet to be at the ready if he needed to return, he’s being a good husband.

It seems like a no-brainer, right? Yeah, but it’s far from a given.

The most recent example of the usual sports-first-family-second mindset is Fabian Cancellara. The Swiss bicyclist wore the yellow jersey for a few days at the beginning of this year’s Tour de France. Then, before Stage 11, he abandoned his quest.

Because, well, his wife is pregnant. And, well, because he was out of the chase to win the sport’s premier event.

Cancellara’s statement: “I am also a husband and father with another baby on the way. It is my personal wish to be present when my wife Stefanie gives birth to our second child. I already need to thank my wife for her patience with me during the last month in her pregnancy that has been difficult at times. The least I can do is to assist her in these difficult days.”

Uh, yeah, Fabian, I’d say so.

* * * * *

The NCAA is an easy target, so many are the mistakes of the collegiate sports ruling body.

But it may have topped itself this week. Were it not the truth, I’d swear the announcement was written by Firesign Theater. (Too young to understand the reference, ask your older brother.)

Seems the ever meddlesome NC2A (except when it’s a matter of significant import) has handed down strongly for penalty and repentance, a “lack of institutional control” for “academics” citation to  . . . Division III California Institue of Technology.

Cal Tech’s family has won 32 Nobel Prizes.

Among the glossy records of its athletic teams, according to the New York Times, is a 227 game losing streak by its baseball team. A women’s volleyball program that has lost all 168 of its conference games. The water polo team had a 7 year losing streak, finally snapped in ’11. And, at one time, the b-ball squad had a 310 game league losing skein.

Apparently the sanctions have something to do with the premier institution’s academic system. Which, one would suppose, the NC2A might have considered before acting the fool.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the sporting spectrum, life goes on as usual as Alabama and Auburn alums battle over the hearts of the next great D lineman.

* * * * *

Apparently Jared Swopshire is dazzling future Northwestern teammates and coach Bill Carmody with his talent, leadership qualities and work ethic.

Imagine our surprise?

How cool would it be for the former Cardinal, were he to lead the Wildcats next season to their first ever NCAA tourney birth?

Way cool.

* * * * *

If only U of L’s basketball team had as many national titles as it has fan web sites following its fortunes. The trophy collection has stood at two since ’86.

Now with a reshuffling, there are three major sites — and I’m sure several more — specifically dedicated to following and fawning over the Cardinals.

There’s Card Chronicle. And the old/new Inside The Ville, where recruting maven Jody Demling now resides. And super sleuth Mike Hughes has a new site, apparently also known as Inside The Ville.

Being a lifelong fan of U of L’s Cards, I also weigh in often on the state of the school’s teams. But, being old and lazy and not nearly as “connected” as any of the folks who run those sites, I rarely break the kind of scoops they can. Which doesn’t mean I don’t skulk around their places, picking up scraps of info I’ll pass on. With impunity. But also with attribution.

– Seedy K

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