News & Commentary
J-e-r-r-y, J-e-r-r-y
Sosa Eyes Return To New York City
Edgar Sosa returns to Madison Square Garden again Thursday when the University of Louisville basketball team meets St. John’s. This trip is special for Sosa because he’s a senior with something to prove.
The much-maligned U of L guard is attempting to position himself for a future career in professional basketball. Sosa recently wondered aloud why he wasn’t getting more buzz in mock draft picks, believing he can contribute at the next level.
Pitino, meanwhile, has continued to advise him that his stock will increase when he starts looking for his teammates, finding open shooters, making them better players.
New York City is home for Sosa but it has not been kind to him over the last three seasons. Louisville won three games at Madison Square Garden (including the Big East Tournament last season) while losing three in six previous visits during Sosa’s college years. Sosa, however, has been less than impressive in those six games, credited only with a total of 31 points, 10 assists and 11 turnovers.
Sosa wants people to recognize that he has made significant strides this season. But he may be tempted to put on an offensive display in New York. If he succumbs to that temptation, he harms not only his own prospects but his team’s as well.
Not much room for error. Find the open man, Edgar.
Down Cycle For Louisville’s Jeff Walz
Louisville head coach Jeff Walz reacts to a Connecticut basket during the first half in the Lady Cards’ 84-38 loss to the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Huskies in UConn’s 62nd conseutive win. His team having lost seven of its last nine games, Walz said the team’s injury problems have proven to be effective in weight loss, as he has dropped 15 pounds since March.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said. “We’ve got to stay healthy, and I’m not sure we’re going to be able to get healthy enough before the end of the year.” (Cloe Poisson/Hartford Courant/MCT) Photo via Newscom.
Another Cakewalk For UConn Women
by Sonja Sykes
For about four minutes, it looked like Louisville might just be able to go toe to toe with top-ranked Connecticut. The Lady Cards moving the ball effectively on offense, denying the Huskies the paint, trailing only 11-9.
Then, the real UConn showed up. Breaking out on a 20-2 run over the next eight minutes and another 23-7 run to end the half, taking a 54-18 lead into the locker room. Game over. Final score would be 84-38.
Fortunately, UConn’s Geno Auriemma showed mercy in the second half, emptying the bench for the final 20. Positives hard to find in this one for Louisville but:
- Keisha Hines battling toe to toe with All American center Tina Charles in the first half. Hines with six of her team high nine points in the first 20.
- Asia Taylor getting some quality minutes this. Seven hard earned points against the dominating Husky front line. She gets a little better each game.
- Becky Burke with two early three-point connections before the UConn guards shut her down.
The road doesn’t get much easier. A trip to New York against surprising St. John Wednesday.
Shelby Harper Watch: The smallest player on the floor had five rebounds to go with her five points against the burley Huskies.
Super Bowl Trivia
No Louisville players are in the Super Bowl this season although there are 26 former U of L favorites> on NFL rosters. Game time for this year’s Super Bowl is 6:25 p.m. Goodbye football for seven long months.
Quick, who was the last University of Louisville football player to compete in the Super Bowl? None other than William Gay, a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals last year.
