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With the fall sports season coming to a close and this being our last issue until early January, I thought I would rundown the top seven Cardinal sports storylines that may surface over the next four or five months.
7.Tone Belt and Andre Black
The sophomore tandem already had impressive showings in the fall including great finishes at the Junior World Championships in Beijing, China. And things for head coach Ron Mann’s team will only improve with these two in the spring.
6. Derrick Caracter
The freshman will showcase his newly trimmed down physique for the first time tonight against Arizona. With comparisons to Charles Barkley, the Fanwood, N.J. native will be the difference maker for the basketball team and may be the key piece down the road to another Final Four appearance.
5. Women’s basketball
After cracking the top 25 for the first time in school history a couple weeks ago, head coach Tom Collen’s team has continued to roll. With an 8-0 start and a huge win against Kentucky over the weekend, this year’s ladies squad may surpass the men’s as the top hoops team on campus. What may be the most surprising is their success despite a slow start from senior Jazz Covington who is third on the team in points scored.
4. Chris Dominguez
Easily the best baseball player ever to commit to Louisville. However, after an injury in the first weekend of play sidelined him for all of last season, Dominguez bounced back this summer. He led the New England Collegiate Baseball League with 11 home runs en route to being named the fourth-best prospect by Baseball America in prestigious summer league. His big bat in an already great veteran lineup could mean big things for Louisville baseball this year.
3. Michael Bush’s decision
While quarterback Brian Brohm has already hinted at a return for his senior season, the next big announcement will come from Bush. With the NFL combine in February rapidly approaching, the Louisville Male native’s decision to return could mean a pre-season No. 1 ranking for Louisville football who will most likely return a bulk of their offensive line along with George Stripling, Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia.
2. Pitino on the hotseat?
Last year’s NIT appearance obviously did not sit well with the Louisville faithful and while the team’s Final Four appearance two years ago still offers hope, Pitino may need another great season this year to fend off any rumors of his being replaced. While many feel his team’s have been unfairly struck with the injury bug, this year’s new crop of players must play well in order for the Cards to compete at a high level in the Big East.
1. Petrino watch
Another great season has the Louisville football program looking pretty. But how long will Petrino be able fend off the high priced offers from offense starved teams in the NFL? This off season may be the most pivotal for Louisville football, and if Petrino does decide to stick around and has another great season, he could become revered as a hero in this town and may never leave.
