( Written while dodging hay-makers from UK's defense)
A nice win over the Cats for Walz's bunch yesterday. Two top 20 teams battling it out and Kentucky taking Louisville's 18-point lead down to four late in the game but unable to fully close the gap. For crazy technicals, a "Durrific" effort, free throw mediocrity and Jazmine Jones Airlines updates, let's soar through the KFC YUM! Center with the greatest of ease and look at:
TEN THINGS ABOUT THIS GAME
10) That's a technical? Seriously? Jazmine Jones was happy. The 13700 + in the KFC YUM! Center were ecstatic. Jones had just guided an alley-oop pass into the bucket and exhorted her teammates with the oh, so, controversial and shocking words "Let's Go!". Technical. Demonstrative. A buzz-kill to the erupting party. With Walz animated antics after the call, I guess he's lucky he didn't get a technical as well. Words escape me on that call. (I might get "T'd" up if I really tell you what I thought about the technical).
9) They're not guarding you. Make them. Louisville's 5-12 free throw numbers in the fourth quarter were...well...not so good. I realize that after watching a teammate goes 1-2, there is pressure on the next contestant's brain not to do the same thing. Paulie asked Walz about it post-game. Walz asked Paulie (with full snarkiness) if he didn't like that? Where's the Greek chorus to respond loudly
"NO !!!!" The "clang, clunk" procession didn't lose the game for Louisville, but it sure made for an interesting finish.
8) Sonya's hearing...Maybe it's my age or accumulation of ear wax. but I swear I kept hearing "Ron Howard" instead of "Rhyne Howard" when Sean Moth intoned the fabulous UK freshman's name. Pretty sure Aunt Bee was watching from section 103 and Andy and Barney were providing security for the Cats. I'm also pretty sure that Rhyne Howard is back for three more years and that's cause enough for a "citizen's arrest" call from Gomer to keep her from inflicting more punishment in 2020, 2021 and 2022.. 25 points, 10 grabs, 6 assists and she wasn't even breathing hard at the end.
7) Stream-lined lineup. Although Walz played nine in the game, Mykasa, Jess and Kylee accounted for just 14 minutes combined. Less court-time than expected for "A.C." as well -- 18 on the floor. You" goes" with what "works" and I understand that. Hoping Kylee's tendinitis isn't worse than the team is letting on. As for Arica, I'm sure she would have sacrificed even more "on court" time to assure a team win. She's the most unselfish, quick to praise her teammates player on the squad.
6) Hey...we're in red? The Cards were not in the traditional, home-team white unis for yesterday's game. In solid red unis, they were, they were! Maybe it was to support the game day "red out" theme. Maybe it was because the thought of solid "blue" on the court was a bit more than the Cards wanted to tolerate -- and the Cats donned the "whites". Or, maybe the laundry was closed. I do believe it is the first time I can remember Louisville wearing red when they were the home team. Hey, they're 1-0 in Red on Denny Crum Court! Repeat? Encore? Author?
5) Not many second chances. I don't usually concentrate on a lot of numbers/stats (math is hard!) when I review a game, but, the 20-6 second chance scoring edge to UK did catch my attention. That's three follow up buckets on 24 missed shots. Yes, Louisville did shoot 53.6% for the game and only had six total offensive rebounds, but -- hey wait a second. Number overload. I need to sit down and look at a eye-chart or alphabet chart. "Do-re-me-fa-la..."
4) The bakery is closed. Paulie always complains about our favorite bakery (Sugar and Spice) closing too early to suit him because they've run out of product on Saturdays. The Yum! Center wasn't producing many turnovers, either, on Sunday. Just 20 total between both squads. And here Walz stood up almost the entire game, waiting for a errant pass and possible shot attempt. Chances are, Jazz would have flown through the rare air and blocked it though, just like she did in....
3) Status update for Flight #23, Jazmine Jones Airlines. It was a SC Top Ten moment and Jazz created some in-flight turbulence when she flew through the air and swatted a Rhyne Howard shot into Oldham County with 3:45 left in the game. Whoa! And, it appeared she celebrated that feat more than the alley-oop earlier, but didn't receive a "T" for that show of emotion. Fasten your seat belts and put your trays in an upright position, we expect Jazmine Jones Flight #23 to Louisville to be landing soon.
2) Comment of the day. Paulie likes to chat up the officials before the game. When Joe Vaszily came onto the court, Paulie held his nose and waved him away. To which Joe replied "Hey, you knew you'd see me eventually this year in here." To which Paulie replied, " That's like seeing my limited edition Ford Taurus fly off a cliff...with Adolph Hitler behind the wheel." I think he got it. The "big guy" apologizes to Michael Douglas for the Wall Street movie paraphrased line rip-off.
1) Asia will amaze ya. Another outstanding performance from Douglasville, Georgia's finest. (Write your own complimentary comments here). She wants another Final Four shot. She will do everything in her power to get Louisville there. And that's LGE-type power. Wait a second, she just got another body shot from two UK defenders, but, she's up, she's OK and she WILL beat you. Take that to the bank. Or finger-roll, or three.
Respectfully submitted while headed to the sauna and whirlpool in empathy for Asia's efforts and tribulations yesterday: She'd make a great NFL running back if the WNBA doesn't work out. you have to wrap her up, not arm-tackle her, if you want to stop her
-- Sonja--
