All Entries Tagged With: "Louisville"
Duke Possible Opening Foe In Louisville Arena
The observer likes the sound of that, Louisville vs. Duke on the marquee at the opening game of U of L’s new 22,000-seat downtown arena.
Two of college basketball’s premier programs.
Center stage. Prime time.
Best basketball facility in the nation.
Rick Pitino let the news slip during his weekly radio show, indicating that it could be the first of a three-game series with Duke. A second game possibly at Madison Square Garden, and the third on Duke’s home court in Durham.
Think maybe Jim Host, chairman of the Louisville Arena Authority, might be playing a key role in this transaction? He’s a former University of Kentucky basketball and baseball player, former UK play-by-play announcer, and owner of a sports communications empire.
How ironic is Host’s involvement anyway? He’s involved in everything involving the arena.
Pick Your Louisville Arena Seat
Picked out your seats yet?
The University has unveiled an impressive new web site that enables you to select your dream seats. Prospective ticket buyers — and wishful thinkers — can go directly to any seating section for a view of the court. The place is going to be spectacular, matching the cost of the tickets.
Maybe there will be a scholarship program or a financial aid package? You wish. Anyway, go here for your 3D view.
Wayne Blackshear Likes Louisville
One more gift under that Christmas tree, Louisville fans.
Wayne Blackshear, the top player in the Illinois class of 2011, chose the holiday to convey his verbal commitment to join the University of Louisville basketball program. He picked U of L over Kansas, Texas, Illinois, Michigan State and DePaul.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Chicago is rated as a five-star recruit by Scout.com and the 11th best player in the class.
Earlier this month, Blackshear scored 29 points, added nine rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists in a win over Notre Dame, prompting these accolades from a Chicago Sun-Times writer:
“Blackshear scored every way imaginable: in transition, popping three-pointers on the break and using his speed and athleticism to attack the rim … Blackshear was otherworldly in the first half (with 18 points). He scored twice on amazing spin moves and literally leapt over a Dons’ defensive player in scoring on a lay up.”
Just last Monday, Blackshear scored 19 of his 42 points during a 37-11 third-quarter run to lead his undefeated Morgan Park team (10-0) to a 77-47 win over Uplift.
There may be a few more surprises to come. Blackshear is close friends with a couple of other players, Mike Shaw and Marquis Teague, who also happen to be on Rick Pitino’s wish list.
Coaches Can’t Win Too Many
Indiana University has fired soccer coach Mike Freitag, despite an impressive record at the Bloomington school. He compiled an amazing 74-22-18 record at IU, including a national championship in 2004, his first season.
Freitag’s 12-10-1 mark this season was reason enough to sack him for IU athletic director Fred Glass, now searching for a replacement to carry on a tradition that includes six other national titles.
Advice to Glass: Leave Louisville’s Ken Lolla alone. He’s busy developing a national contender at U of L. And his boss knows the difference between a winner and a loser.
