So much going on in all areas of University of Louisville athletics these days …
- Charlie Strong’s football team, with a winning 4-3 record, having an opportunity to win its first conference game on the road in two years Saturday at Pittsburgh. “We are going to see exactly where we are as a football team, and what we are made of,” he says. “It is going to be a tremendous environment … We want to get this program to where it needs to get to and we have to go play well on the road.”
- Terrence Jennings appeared to be playing more under control than usual during the Red-White Scrimmage Sunday while collecting 39 points and 12 rebounds. Rakeem Buckles had 20 points and 17 rebounds. But their combined 15 turnovers are a cause for concern. Very encouraging that Preston Knowles has recovered from the wrist injury, hitting 14 of his 29 shots while collecting 38 points.
Would you tell the impeccable Rick Pitino his label was showing? None of players, assistants or media dared do it on Media Day.
- Steven Van Treese incurred an ankle sprain last Thursday during practice, creating concern among onlookers about more depth problems. Â But he seems to have recovered quickly, enough to play 36 minutes in the scrimmage. Â Scored eight points, retrieved nine rebounds. He’s going to have to contribute this season, and he may surpass expectations.
- Ken Lolla’s soccer team remains undefeated at 11-0-2 and ranked first and second in national polls after a 2-1 double overtime win over South Florida over the weekend.  The team has two games remaining, at Syracuse Wednesday, and they close out the regular season against Villanova at home Saturday at  7 p.m.
- The women’s basketball coaches in the Big East apparently don’t put much stock in the fact that Jeff Walz brought in a top five recruiting class. The Lady Cards are picked to finish eighth in the conference this season. The women will see their first game action in the KFC Yum! Center Saturday in an exhibition game against Indiana Wesleyan at 4:30 p.m.
- The volleyball team won its eighth consecutive match against South Florida Sunday, improving its record to 14-5 overall and 8-1 in the Big East. Lola Arslanbekova had 16 kills in that one.
- Is it just me or is Lola a dead ringer for Ziva David of the popular NCIS television series? Wow.