Louisville’s one and only all-UofL sports talk show is back on the air tonight in a big way. We’ll be bringing on Louisville’s newest basketball assistant, Kareem Richardson (6:05 pm), to break down the men’s team and what he’s seen from the players so far. Then we’ll welcome back Associate Big East Commissioner Nick Carparelli (6:15 pm) to break down all the latest scoop surrounding the conference. Finally, we’ll catch up with former Louisville RB / DB Darius Ashley (7:30 pm) and get some candid comments regarding his past, the end of his football career and what he’s up to these days. As always, you can catch us on ESPN 680 here in town or you can stream us live on www.espnlouisville.com. If you want to get in touch with the show, give us a call at 502-267-9680 or shoot us a tweet @Lvillesprtslive.

Other topics include:

- Lofty preseason expectations for the basketball team (Bilas and Vitale pick them #1, Sporting News and Athlon slot them at #2)

- Grading the football team after the first 5 games

- How good is this football team? Obviously they’re 5-0, but how much do we truly know about them?

- Predicting results the rest of the way / start of Big East play

- Charlie Strong’s comments on the Jim Rome show yesterday

- Tom Jurich’s comments about retaining Strong and “matching any other school.”

- Basketball recruiting update

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is getting ready to roll out his annual Top 40 rankings next week, but last night he got a head start and went ahead and let the cat out of the bag on who he thinks will eventually cut down the nets in Atlanta: The Louisville Cardinals. Vitale has always been high on Rick Pitino’s ability to motivate and coach and, like the rest of us, sees the blend of young and veteran talent that should carry this team back to the Final Four. I don’t think there’s any doubt that this will be Pitino’s best shot at winning a title since he arrived in town 12 years ago, and the rest of the nation is taking notice. Here’s the excerpt and you can read the entire piece here.

My pick to cut down the nets in Atlanta is the Louisville Cardinals. I will reveal my full top 40 at the beginning of next week.

Why am I going with the Cardinals? Let me count the ways.

1. Experience
The Cardinals had a taste of the Final Four last year before falling to Kentucky. Having a veteran like Peyton Siva back to run the offense in so important. There is a nucleus returning that came so close last year. I look for big things from Chane Behanan and Gorgui Dieng as well.

2. Blackshear a breakthrough star
Wayne Blackshear missed most of last season with a shoulder injury but he has the potential of stepping up big-time. He can do it all as a difference-maker with tremendous talent.

3. New faces will help
Luke Hancock averaged double-figure scoring at George Mason before transferring. Montrezl Harrell is a highly-regarded newcomer from Hargrave Military Academy who should contribute. Louisville has the depth to win it all.

4. Dieng is a factor in the middle
Having a shot-blocker in the paint can make a difference. Go ask Kentucky how important Anthony Davis was in the middle last season.

5. Pitino is a winner
He should be in the Hall of Fame and winning it all would add a big feather in his cap. His outstanding leadership skills will help get this team to the winner’s circle.

I know Louisville’s depth took a hit when veteran Mike Marra tore his ACL and was lost for the season. I believe he will eventually end up becoming a leader as a coach, possibly even with Pitino. It is a blow to the team.

I still give the nod to Louisville to put it all together and win the national championship. I cannot wait for the season to tip off, baby!

UofL fans know the loyalty that AD Tom Jurich shows his coaches; from standing by Coach Pitino during Syphergate, to creating a 10 year- $25 million package for the Hog ridin’ Bobby Petrino.  He knew – as did the fans -  that Coach Strong was an absolute grand slam hire and wanted show him his confidence early in his second year. Remember when the Cards were sitting at just 2-4?  That didn’t detour Jurich from offering him an extension and raise.  Strong is now under contract until June 30, 2018 with an annual salary of $2.3 million a year. Expect him to get another raise at the end of the year too.  If you heard his interview with Jim Rome, you know that Coach Strong is genuine when he says he won’t walk out on the players he recruited here.  He seems to truly understand and more importantly, value, the confidence that UofL President Dr. James Ramsey and AD Jurich showed him in offering him his first head coaching job.

Now, with the Cards ranked in the Top 20 and 5-0, there are sure to be some higher profile football schools that want Coach Strong.  However, Tom Jurich plans on keeping Strong for the long-term financially. 

“I will match anybody’s salary,” Jurich said. “I will match anybody in college. I will be supportive of whoever’s here. Do they want to be here? When someone is being talked about, that’s a compliment to our program. I’ve had it where you have coaches, and they’re not talked about.”

If Louisville is stuck in the Big East a couple of years from now, the Jurich/Ramsey confidence factor is what could keep Strong here for awhile.  Additionally, it can’t hurt that he would have a nice bump in salary for sticking around.

https://twitter.com/J680Anderson/status/253569664926490624

The UofL basketball team had a photo/video shoot today for the upcoming season and it allowed fans to get a sneak peek at home uniforms the Cards will rock for the upcoming season.  Siva sent this picture out:

UofL SID Kenny Klein tweeted out this picture of Gorgui:

Here’s a better look at the wings on the shorts from Montrezl Harrell

I’m not sure what to make of all the noise on the sides of the shorts, but the jersey looks to be about the same as last year’s.  All I want to know is when the infrared edition will be coming out….

Louisville head football coach Charlie Strong appeared as a guest on the Jim Rome Show this afternoon, and among the issues brought up was the ongoing rumor of the coach leaving for Arkansas after this season. The move has been suggested by everyone from hopeful UK fans to well-regarded sports media professionals like ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and CBS’ Bruce Feldman. Strong said last season after the ridiculous Texas A&M rumor that he is not going to address the media every time a rumor about him leaving surfaces. Thus, the local media has been respectful and quiet about the Arkansas murmurs, despite the anxiety amongst much of the Cardinal fan base, but Jim Rome is not the type to shy away from any questions or rumors. This is the man that asked NBA commissioner David Stern if he directly fixed the 2012 NBA Draft. He did not hold anything back in his interview with Strong either, ignoring the coach’s wishes to not be asked about coaching rumors when he asked him, “What if Arkansas calls?” Strong’s answer is something that will sit very well with Louisville fans. He responded by saying, “ You don’t just walk away when you’re building a program. I have backing here, my family loves it here, I recruited players here. I tell these kids to be here, and then I leave?  I am not cut like that. I am happy where I am…The AD and President here (Louisville) gave me my first opportunity. I owe it to them to uphold (my contract).”

So there you have it, folks. Another rumor put to rest. Of course, you and I both know that this will never be put to rest until Arkansas hires a coach not named John L. Smith. Only then will the fan base be truly satisfied…momentarily, at least. That is, until the next coaching rumor surfaces and fans go into panic mode buying into every message board rumor that comes up. That is just the nature of Louisville football fans. When a fan base is stabbed in the back like it has been with John L. Smith and Bobby Petrino, they tend to get a little paranoid when they get a successful coach. There are going to be fans (several, in fact) who heard the interview or read a recap and say things like, “What would you expect him to say? That he’s going to leave?” or, “That’s what all coaches say. It’s just coach-speak.” or even, “Petrino said he was happy here and his this is where his family wanted to be, too.” First, let us address the Petrino comparison: it is a stupid one. Why? Because they are nowhere near the same men (I will use the word “man” loosely with Petrino). Petrino was/is an incredible coach, but also a snake in the grass who followed the same code of ethics and morality as a drug dealer who sets up shop outside an elementary school. Maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point. Petrino would look for any interview he could find during his four years at Louisville. Strong has shown nothing but loyalty and appreciatoin to Louisville and Tom Jurich. He was shot down so many times before and Louisville finally gave him his shot. He possesses the humble gratitude of having the opportunity to coach at Louisville while Petrino merely saw it as a stepping throne he was entitled to. Big difference, people.

As for those claiming he is just saying what any coaches would say or is using the infamous “coach-speak,” slow down for just a minute and listen to what Adam Lefkoe of WHAS has to say about that:

For those that are saying Strong’s loyalty speech is generated ”Coach Speak” look at his pressers. He can’t pull B.S. off, honest to a fault

— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) October 3, 2012

Lefkoe is about as balanced as they come in the local media and is not the type to spin this. No one should need Lefkoe to tell them this, though, as this has been known about Strong for some time. While it has improved since he has arrived at Louisville, his public speaking skills are not exactly dynamic. After a loss, and sometimes even after a win, he will give short, one- or two-word answers to the media post-game. In his exclusive interview with LSL, former Louisville player Darius Ashley referred to the coach as “socially awkward.” As Lefkoe said, the coach does not appear to be the type who could lie through his teeth and make it appear genuine.

Strong restructured his contract last year that will make him Louisville’s coach through June 30, 2018 and increased his salary from $1.6 million to $2.3 million. Now, if a school like South Carolina or Florida comes calling in the future, two schools Strong spent significant time coaching, fans have a right to be a little nervous. It would also help if the Big 12 came calling. However, the coach showed once again today that he values loyalty far more than many in the media, opposing fans, and even Louisville’s own fans are willing to believe. Strong has done nothing in his time here that suggests he will not be true to his word, and it appears he will continue to cause shivers down the spine of every UK fan (like this classy gentleman) for the forseeable future.

Here is a link to the interview for anyone wanting to listen.

Week 5 is complete, here’s where the Cards are projected to play.

*ESPN – their 2 prognosticators have UofL in the Orange Bowl playing Florida State and in the Russell Athletic Bowl playing Miami

*CBS – vs. LSU in the Sugar Bowl

*College Football News - vs. Virginia Tech in the Russell Athletic Bowl

It appears that Nebraska is not going to give up so easily on trying to keep four-star Louisville commit Akoy Agau home in Omaha. Nebraska head coach Tim Miles visited Agau’s high school today to try to convince him that staying home and playing for the Cornhuskers would be in his best interest. While Agau might just be another top 100 player for Louisville, he is a huge recruit for a program like Nebraska, and it is understandable that they would do whatever it takes to keep him home.

In all reality, Louisville should not be too concerned about Agau flipping to the Cornhuskers. If you just do a simple side by side comparison of the two programs, you will see that one is a perennial Final Four contender and the other is lucky if they are contending for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska just has too much going against them in this recruiting battle. The one thing that I will say is that the hometown school should never be taken lightly, but in this case I do not think that the hometown factor is even close to enough to sway Agau.

Andrea Adelson, the Big East Blogger for ESPN.com, wrote a spot-on piece today on the misconceptions about the Big East. The league is supposed to be “dead.” West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck called the conference a “sinking ship.” Four teams (if you include TCU) have decided to leave the conference, and the Big East was completely tossed aside when discussions began for the future postseason of college football. All of this indicates the Big East is supposed to be flat-out awful. The only thing is…it isn’t.

Conference commissioners began to drop the term “big six” in favor of “power five” when discussing the leagues that should have a seat at the big boy table. Former Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas spoke for them all when he said the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC had separated themselves from the pack.

Well, how is this for separation?

Conference commissioners began to drop the term “big six” in favor of “power five” when discussing the leagues that should have a seat at the big boy table. Former Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas spoke for them all when he said the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC had separated themselves from the pack.

Well, how is this for separation?

The Big East has three undefeated teams through the first month of the season: No. 19 Louisville (5-0), No. 22 Rutgers (4-0) and Cincinnati (3-0 and ranked No. 23 in the coaches poll). Let us take a look around the country for a brief moment.

Do you know how many undefeated teams there are in the ACC?

One.

How about in the Big Ten?

Two, and one is ineligible for postseason play.
Next up, the Pac-12.

Two.

That is separation, all right. Big East separation.

The Big East has three teams ranked in the USA Today Top 25 poll. The Big 10 has two (although, Ohio State is excluded). The ACC has two. Which league is the terrible one again? Oh, right…the one ESPN and fellow critics says is terrible. Because everything they say is completely said without bias or any kind of ulterior motive.

The season could not have started off any better for the Big East. Not only are teams producing on the field, but new commissioner Mike Aresco has completely knocked it out of the park in a very short time. Due in part to his efforts, the Big East will be able to competet for a spot in a new playoff bowl (assuming the deal goes through) for the new playoff format in 2014. It does not have an automatic bid (the team will be chosen from the five non-BCS conferences, including the Big East, and the opponent, as suggested by CBS’ Dennis Dodd, will likely be a third or fourth place team from a power conference) and according to reports, the bowl game will be worth about a quarter of what the Rose Bowl and proposed Champions Bowl will be worth. Still, it is still something that gives the conference a chance in the postseason, and he has done more in his first month than previous Big East commissioner John Marinatto did in his entire tenure.

The league is not filled with no-name Cinderella types, either. There is some serious talent in this league, still. Teddy Bridgewater, as we all know, has been one of the best QBs in the nation thus far and has even generated a little Heisman buzz for himself (but died down a bit after the last two games). Munchie Legaux, the junior QB for Cincinnati, made a huge splash last weekend when he threw for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns against a strong Virginia Tech defense, one of which was a clutch 39-yard go-ahead TD with 13 seconds left to win the game. He is also capable of taking the ball himself, rushing for over 100 yards against Pittsburgh in week 1. Rutgers sophomore starting QB Gary Nova put a hurting on an embarrassing Arkansas team when he completed 71% of his passes for 397 yards and 5 touchdowns in a winning effort, and his teammate, undersized running back Jawan Jamison, has rushed for at least 110 yards in each game this season. These are just a few names who have stood out this season. It should not take anyone too much time to find more.

Adelson also touches on the idea that everyone assumes the Big East should be considered terrible due to the exodus of teams, but fails to look at the actual facts.

Nobody pointed to the bowl record. The Big East has the best postseason mark of any conference during the BCS era (43-27 for a .614 winning percentage).

Nobody pointed to the nonconference record? The Big East has won at least 60 percent of its nonleague games in each of the past six years.

Instead, they pointed to the teams leaving, and made irresponsible assertions that have tainted the perception surrounding the Big East. In the future playoff system, automatic qualifying designation has been dropped for all leagues. But that was really a clever way of stripping the Big East from its AQ status.

Why? The ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC have all secured themselves tie-ins to the elite level bowl games (Orange, Rose, and the Champions Bowl between Big 12 and SEC representatives). The Big East has nothing as we sit here today.

The early part of this season reveals the flaws in that logic. A conference like the Big Ten can feel secure knowing it will still be able to reward its champion even in a down season. The ACC is currently 3-4 against the Big East in real games this year, but that league gets a guaranteed spot in the Orange Bowl every year.

So, what does all this mean? Does it mean we are set and therefore should abandon aspirations to join the Big 12? No. The Big 12 still has the sex appeal that the Big East does not. It is already a given that the conference situation Louisville is in is affecting recruits’ decisions. Talking heads everywhere are suggesting it will affect Strong’s future at Louisville. The best move for Louisville is still the Big 12, and as Kirk Herbstreit said last week when he was in Louisville, we need to get out NOW. Unfortunately, and Kirk should know this, it is not as simple as packing up your bags and waving good bye. It is up to the Big 12 when and if it will expand, and if it does, it likely will not be any time soon. Therefore, there is a strong possibility Louisville will be in the Big East for the forseeable future. The good news is that it is not the football cemetary everyone in the media and their brother made it out to be.

When the season started, the Big East was actually slotted 7th in CBS’ initial conference power rankings. But through steady play, some surprising upsets, and by having three really strong teams, the league has now jumped the Mountain West and ACC and sits at #5 in the latest rankings. You could also make a damn strong argument that they deserve to be ahead of the 4th league, the Big Ten, too. The Big Ten has feasted on lowly FCS teams for most of their cumulative out-of-conference wins and have the same amount of ranked teams as the Big East – three. Though, one of those teams, Ohio State, is ineligible for postseason play and could find itself in hot water once again after they sent doctored game film to Michigan State officials before last  week’s game. Also, when your second best team is Northwestern, you’ve obviously got some serious concerns as a conference. I know a lot of Louisville fans (me included) want to get out of the Big East as quickly as possible, but right now life really isn’t all that bad. At least we don’t have to hang our heads in shame as many thought would be the case before the season started.

Athlon’s College Basketball Preview is out on newsstands, and like the other publications, they are high on the Cards.  Athlon ranks Louisville #2, and predicts them to beat the evil empire in the national semifinals, (would be sweet payback) but lose in the National Championship to Indiana.  Additionally – and obviously – UofL is picked to win the Big East.

Player Accolades

Peyton Siva – 3rd team All-American, 1st team All-Big East, Big East Player of the Year

Chane Behanan – Honorable Mention All-American, 2nd team All-Big East

Gorgui Dieng – 3rd team All-Big East

Luke Hancock – Listed in Top 40 “Key Transfers”

Athlon’s Final Analysis

“The Cardinal faithful grumbled louder than they had in years after Louisville lost three of its final four games to finish the regular season 22-9.  Eight straight victories silenced the complaints.  Siva finally figured out how to play winning point guard.  Dieng and Behanan understand the requirements of blue collar Big East basketball as well as any frontcourt players in the league. 

Three factors will decide if Louisville will reach its considerable potential – health, 3-point shooting, and the maturation of Smith.  Louisville needs Blackshear to become the guy who can make plays late in the shot clock.  Departed seniors Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith made 143 of the team’s 233 3-pointers last season.  Somebody must fill that void.  And Smith can’t keep taking crazy shots.”