Playing catchup

I took the day off yesterday, so there's a lot to catch up on today. First of all, the downtown celebration at 4th Street Live was a lot of fun. Rick Pitino wore a ridiculous-looking shirt, the guys came out and hammed it up a little, free posters were handed out (no offense to the artist, but did he really need to be there to autograph each one? I almost wanted to say, "Umm, no thanks" as he was reaching down with his pen but I didn't want to hurt his feelings). The crowd was really exceptional.

I agree with Charlie Springer at Card Game, however, in thinking why don't they hold these things at the Yum Center? It just makes sense to celebrate Louisville basketball in the home of Louisville basketball, it would accommodate so many more, and would open up a lot more "entertainment possibilities" for theses hour-long events. Instead of just the players grabbing the mic for a bit they could have some contests, games of HORSE, lots of things to really put on a show and make it more of a celebration.

Just a thought for next year, when hopefully we find ourselves in the same situation.

It's past time to show some respect for UofL softball. The red-hot Cardinals just swept USF to storm into first-place in the Big East after 11 straight wins. The ladies seem to be getting it done in every way possible whether with dominant pitching and heavy bats or clutch defense and manufacturing runs. They move to 40-2 on the season, #9 in the nation and climbing.

Oh, and since the game was on ESPNU, former Olympian Jennie Finch was on hand, and tweeted out how impressed she was by UofL afterwards. If anyone snapped photos of her from the ballpark, feel free to send my way, I'll be happy to peruse them.

Honestly, has there ever been a better time to be a fan of the Cardinals? I can't remember such a time of optimism, for all sports, men and women's, top to bottom. It seems like everywhere you turn, from football to rowing there is something dynamic and exciting happening within the program. It really is a testament to Tom Jurich, simply the best in the business.

So good, in fact, we're invading pop culture. The wife tells me that UofL got a shout-out on this week's episode of Glee, when Santana, the hot bi-curious one, was pointed towards the Cards for college because "it's the best cheerleading school in the country". So...there's that.

More on Wesley Korir, the newest winner of the Boston Marathon here here and here.

Incoming guard Terry Rozier is climbing the recruiting rankings, now #69 in the lastest Scout rankings and now a consensus four-star player. Rozier, as we mentioned last week, still needs to get his grades and ACT score up before becoming eligible. And with Justice's transfer and Kevin Ware's move to the wing, his academic status suddenly takes on a great importance. Hit those books, Terry.