Not the news that any University of Louisville basketball fan wanted to hear:
Wayne Blackshear apparently suffered a concussion during a practice session, and won’t be available Wednesday for the game at Houston.
Another challenge to overcome during a season that has produced more than its share for Rick Pitino, coming on top of the departure of Chane Behanan, the recuperation of Kevin Ware and the lack of improvement and expectations on other fronts.
Some seasons are like that, with injuries begetting other injuries and off-court issues muddying the picture. Progress and momentum are impeded, making every game an adventure in February. Rick Pitino has been there a few times, but that doesn’t make it any easier for him or the fans.
A good time for one to remind oneself which team is the defending national champion.
If there’s any good news, it is that another eight-day layoff is imminent, hopefully providing enough time for Blackshear to recover. After Wednesday, the next game is Temple on Feb. 13.
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Don’t wait to locate those HDMI connections until five minutes before game time.
The UofL women will face the University of Central Florida at 7 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN3.com, seeking a school-record 16th win in a row and enjoying a 22-1 won-lost record.
Life enters the really fast lane this week, however, with the Cardinals traveling to face No. 1 UConn on Sunday in a 1 p.m. game to be telecast by ESPN.
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Believe it or not, the UofL baseball team opens the 2014 season next week, Feb. 14-16, in an invitational at Charleston, S.C., opening against West Virginia University.
On Monday, Dan McDonnell’s team will host Media Day at noon in the Omaha Room at Jim Patterson Stadium.
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Word from the Howard Schnellenberger Complex is that Zeke Pike is no longer a member of the football team. A highly-regarded football player from Northern Kentucky, Pike originally attended Auburn, was asked to leave, showed up at Louisville under Charlie Strong, was suspended for several games in 2012, saw limited action in seven games this past season, and is now a former player.