February 4, 1999
Awaiting the Memphis Tigers on Thursday in Freedom Hall, the Cardinals coaching staff received great news when Rashad Brooks verbally commited to Louisville. Brooks, a 6'1" 205lbs. JUCO Point Guard, is considered a sleeper comming out of the JUCO ranks. He is currently averaging 22.2 points and 5.8 assists per game and has a vertical leap of 49 inches. Brooks, from Cecil Community College in Maryland, commited to UL over Georgetown, Clemson, Providence, Iowa State, South Florida and Kansas State....
January 31, 1999
UNC-Charlotte gave the Cards their 4th straight loss! Nate Johnson suffering from his foot infection didn't play, resulting in a 58 to 49 loss to the 49ers. The 49ers were lead by Galen Young with 14 points. Tony Williams lead the cold Cards with 15 points, 2 blocks and 2 rebounds. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
The Cardinals didn't get off to a good start in the game against St. Louis. Once the Billikins got the lead they never looked back, knocking off Louisville 62 to 52. UofL was only down three points with 3 minutes to go in the game, but couldn't come back to win it. Virgil Cobbin lead all scorers with 17 points, while Eric Johnson lead the Cardinals with 14 points off the bench, replacing Nate Johnson, who had a foot-infection. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 25, 1999
#12 UCLA Bruins knocks off the Louisville Cardinals 82 to 70. Despite being down by 6 points at halftime; Sophmore PG Baron Davis rallied the Bruins with 25 points, 6 assists and 2 steals to defeat the Cards. The Cardinals, who are on a two-game losing streak were lead by Nate Johnson and Cameron who both scored 20 points a peice. Louisville will try to snap the streak, Thursday at 7:30 against the Saint Louis Billikins in Saint Louis, Missouri. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
Cards are crushed by the #5 Cincinnati Bear Cats!!! 81 to 55! Coach Crum's second largest point deficit ever at Freedom Hall. The Bear Cats just out worked the Cards for every loose ball and rebound. Melvin Levett and Pete Mickeal both had 18 points, to tie with Louisville for the lead in Conference USA (5-1). Marques Maybin lead all scorers with 19 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 19, 1999
Louisville succesfully wins the three road games, with a big win over the Depaul Blue Demons, 71 to 68. Nate Johnson scored 13 points and hit the game winning three-point shot and block a shot at end of the game to seal the victory for the Cardinals. Cameron Murray lead the Cards with 15 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 16, 1999
Mike Deane and the Marquette Golden Eagles receive a loss from one of the hottest team in the nation, the Louisville Cardinals! After loosing 5 games in a roll to Marquette, Louisville finally gets a win against the Golden Eagles. The Cardinals were lead by sophmore shooting guard Marques Maybin with 22 points to tie a career-high. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 12, 1999
Louisville destroys South Florida 95 to 74. Nate Johnson had a career-high 25 points and 6 rebounds to lead three other Cardinal players with double-figures. Tony Williams and Alex Sanders scored 18 points a piece, and Marques Maybin scored 15 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 7, 1999
UofL routs Saint Louis 93 to 70. Tony Williams had a season-high 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steal performance to lead the cards to victory. Ryan Luechtefeld lead the Billikens of Saint Louis with 19 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
January 4, 1999
#13 Michigan State beats a pesky Louisville team 69 to 57. Center/Forward Alex Sanders paced the Cards with 16 points and 4 rebounds. Peterson of Michigan State lead all scorers with 23 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
December 31, 1998
Louisville shows no let down against Morgan State, as they blow out the Bears 95 to 47. Nate Johnson had a season-high 20 points, as a total of 5 Cardinals score in double figures. Kevin Smiley had a career/season high with 11 points. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
December 28, 1998
Louisville stuns and upsets #3 Kentucky for the second year in a role!!!!! The Cards put on a show from the get-go for the #1 JUCO recruit Antonio Jackson, who made his official visit to UofL Saturday. All of the Cards played their best, and were able to upset the Wildcats of Kentucky 83 to 74. The outstanding backcourt of Louisville's Murray and Maybin combined for 33 points and 12 assists. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
December 21, 1998
The Cardinals beat Dayton 68 to 65! The Cards were lead by Alex Sanders 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Cameron Murray also chipped in with 16 points and 4 assists. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
December 20, 1998
Coach Denny Crum decided to move 6'7" Alex Sanders to center against Depaul, where he started all the games last year. Alex finally played his type of game, hitting 10-of-13 shots, 2-of-4 three pointers. Ending up with a career high 26 points, and grabbing 7 rebounds. Nate Johnson also bounced back from the 5 point effort against North Carolina scoring 17 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists. The Cardinals will play Dayton, Monday at 8:00. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE; BOXSCORE (2)
December 18, 1998
Cards give North Carolina all they wanted, loosing 77 to 72. The starting backcourt of Cameron Murray and Marques Maybin, combined for 24 points. Senior Alex Sanders picked up his game, and got back on track having 11 points and 7 rebounds. Ademola Okulaja had a career-high 23 points and 15 rebounds for the sixth ranked Tar-Heels. GAME REPORT
December 10, 1998
The Cards win BIG! Louisville beats Towson 106 to 73! Coach Denny Crum had a whole new starting lineup for this game, except for Junior Deon Edward who started at center. He started Sophmore Jeff McKinley and Junior Kevin Smiley at the guards, Senior Eric Johnson and Junior Nate Johnson at the forwards, and Edward at Center. Nate Johnson scored 15 first half points, but didnt play in the second half because of a foot infection. Marques Maybin lead all UL scorers with 17 points. Deon Edward had his first double-double of the season scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
December 5, 1998
The University of Louisville scored the first 8 points in the Ole Miss game. But Mississippi was just too much for them as they won 89 to 68. Cameron Murray lead the Cards with 15 points. UofL was without the services of small forward Nate Johnson who served his last game of his suspension. GAME REPORT; BOXSCORE
November 29, 1998
Louisville starts the season off right, with a 99 to 78 win over Western Kentucky, last Sunday. Alex Sanders lead all scorers with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Tobiah Hopper also added 12 points and 4 blocked shots for the Cards who will travel to Mississippi, Saturday December the 5th. BOXSCORE; GAME REPORT
November 1, 1998
Cardinal Senior leads all scorers 26 points in Red/White scrimmage.
To see the report on how the Cards did, check out this link. It has a picture of Junior guard Kevin Smiley driving on forward Alex Sanders. Smiley will be a factor this season for UofL!
CRUM COLLAPSES AT AIRPORT (AP) - Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum collapsed Saturday while preparing to board a flight at Louisville (Ky.) International Airport. He underwent a series of tests that all came back normal and was to be kept overnight at a hospital for observation. Rande Swann, an airport spokeswoman, said Crum was at a ticket counter about 1:45 p.m. ET when he reported feeling dizzy and lightheaded. "We called for our medics to respond until EMS could get there," Swann said. Crum, 61, was transported to Jewish Hospital, where he was resting comfortably Saturday night, she said. Upon arrival, Crum was conscious and talkative, said Kenny Klein, Louisville sports information director. Doctors explained the collapse as a transient neurological incident. All tests came back normal, including a CAT scan, blood chemistry and EKG.
Crum was scheduled to undergo an MRI and would stay overnight for observation, Klein said. "I asked, 'Is it a stroke?' and was told it wasn't a stroke," Klein said. "The brain triggered something." The Hall of Famer was planning to fly to California to attend a memorial service for his stepfather. Crum has been coach of the Cardinals since the 1971-72 season and has a 625-253 record, including 12-20 last season. He led Louisville to the 1980 and 1986 national championships and four other Final Four appearances. In March, Crum signed a four-year contract extension through the 2001-02 season. In September, the NCAA banned Louisville from postseason play for one year and placed the school on three years' probation because of rules violations.
October 26, 1998
Johnson suspended!
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- University of Louisville forward Nate Johnson will miss the Cardinals' first two games of the 1998-99 basketball season for disciplinary reasons.
Johnson was arrested early Sunday morning (Oct. 25) and charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication at a Louisville establishment. "My usual policy is to protect the privacy of our players and handle any disciplinary measures internally," said U of L Men's Basketball Coach Denny Crum. "However, this is the second time Nate's actions have become a public issue and I believe our fans need to be informed of the actions I will take."
"I took clear measures privately to address Nate's offense which occurred in June (Johnson received a citation for marijuana possession on June 5). Even with the legal proceedings of this current alleged offense incomplete, I am choosing to institute disciplinary actions.
"First, Nate will be suspended from play for our first two games. Further, he will be required to submit to two substance abuse assessments -- one through our ongoing internal education and treatment program and one by an outside agency. He will also be required to complete any requirements as a result of his assessments.
"Although Nate is already active in our CardsCARE program, I am requiring him to participate in additional community service activities. He will also receive further disciplinary measures that I will not make public. He will be required to complete all to remain a member of our basketball team. I will not tolerate or enable any inappropriate alcohol, drug or illegal behavior from my student-athletes."
Johnson's suspension will force him to miss U of L's Nov. 22 season opener against Western Kentucky and the Cardinals' Dec. 5 visit to Mississippi.
A 6-6 junior from Camden, N.J., Johnson led the Cardinals in scoring (12.3 ppg) and field goal percentage (.489) last season, and was third on the team in rebounding (5.9). He played his best late in the season, averaging 18 points and 6.4 rebounds over the last nine games.
August 30, 1998
1998-1999 Louisville Basketball Schedule(all times Eastern)
Nov. 3-Puerto Rico (exhibition), 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8-Seton Hall at NABC classic, Indianapolis, 7 p.m.
Nov. 22-W. Kentucky, 2 p.m.
Dec. 5-at Mississippi, 3 p.m.
Dec. 7-Towson, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12-Athletes in Action (exhibition), 2 p.m.
Dec. 17-at North Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19-DePaul, 5 p.m.
Dec. 21-at Dayton, 8 p.m.
Dec. 26-Kentucky, 4 p.m.
Dec. 30-Morgan State, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 2-at Michigan State, 1 p.m.
Jan. 6-Saint Louis, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10-at South Florida, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13-at Marquette, 8 p.m.
Jan. 17-at DePaul, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21-Cincinnati, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 23-UCLA, 3 p.m.
Jan. 28-at Saint Louis, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30-UNC Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4-Memphis, 9:30 p.m.
Feb. 6-Marquette, 2 p.m.
Feb. 11-at UNC Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14-Georgia Tech, 1:30 p.m.
Feb.16-Houston, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 18-at Tulane, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21-at Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 25-UAB, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27-at Sothern Mississippi, 3 p.m.
March 3-6-Conference USA Tournament at Birmingham, Alabama
Mohamed Kante the 6'11" Center from Dijon, France will not enroll at UofL, because the NCAA ruled him ineligible, because he played for a Pro Team in Europe.
August 10, 1998
NCAA hears Louisville's case on violations
SEATTLE -- University of Louisville president John Shumaker and nine of his top athletic officials appealed to the NCAA Division I Infractions Committee on Sunday not to impose the death penalty on the men's basketball program over recruiting violations.
At a nearly four-hour closed meeting, enforcement investigators and university officials discussed, among other things, an assistant coach's telephone call in 1996 that may have broken the five-year probation imposed by the NCAA two years ago.
The Infractions Committee could stop short of the death penalty -- a one-year shutdown of the program -- with other punishment or accept Louisville's self-imposed penalties as sufficient.
"I think we took dramatic steps, painful steps, and whether that is sufficient, the committee will have to make the decision on that," Shumaker said.
Eight other violations occurred in the women's volleyball program. Although Louisville agreed with the NCAA on seven of the nine violations, two remained in contention.
Most of the violations pertained to recruiting efforts or giving athletes and their relatives extra benefits.
"We had a very good discussion. It was cordial, it was analytical, it was penetrating," Shumaker said as he left the hotel ballroom where the meeting was held. "It was not highly adversarial at all."
But Shumaker and athletic director Tom Jurich refused to speculate on the eight-member committee's decision, which is expected in four to six weeks.
A tight-lipped Jurich said, "The credit card. The room rate," when asked what remained at issue.
He referred to then-assistant basketball coach Scooter McCray's phone call to a hotel where Frederick Johnson, the father of player Nate Johnson, was staying.
Investigators said McCray obtained a substantial discount on the room rate, and left his Diners' Club card with hotel managers to prevent Johnson from being evicted from his room for failure to pay his bills.
However, Louisville has contended its internal investigation showed a former assistant manager of the hotel provided the discount on her own, and said the phone call was not made until two weeks after Johnson's stay began.
McCray admitted leaving the card but said he never intended to pay the bill himself.
Since the current investigation began, the university has transferred McCray to an administrative post. Head volleyball coach Leonard Yelin was suspended for a month without pay.
An assistant women's volleyball coach was reprimanded and the volleyball team's preseason trip to Japan last year was canceled.
Men's basketball coach Denny Crum, a 27-year veteran and Hall of Famer who has led the Cardinals to two national championships, received a reprimand. His contract was renewed in March.
"I've seen no reason to fire him," Shumaker said Sunday.
The case, deemed "major" by the NCAA, has produced hundreds of pages of witness testimony during investigations by both Louisville and the NCAA staff.
Besides the hotel incident, all the other violations cited in this round occurred in the women's volleyball program.
Yelin and his staff were cited for providing the student-athletes with rides, lodging, financial aid, help with enrollment forms, and even paying a dentist's bill. The NCAA investigators said neither Yelin nor the university adequately monitored activities of the volleyball staff.
Although Louisville agreed the violations occurred, the university contended that it was not responsible for Yelin's lack of knowledge of the rules. Jurich and Shumaker said that question was still in dispute Sunday.
Jurich was named athletic director last year to succeed Bill Olsen, who retired. Jurich has said the department wants to comply fully with NCAA regulations.
The probation was imposed in 1996 for 10 violations -- six deemed major and four secondary. They involved an athlete's use of two cars and improper contacts or phone calls with recruits by assistant coaches.
At that time, Shumaker said the probation was a warning signal to the school.
The eight-person NCAA committee, headed by Oklahoma law professor David Swank, meets in different cities around the country.
August 4, 1998
Mohamed Kante 6'11" Center from Dijon, France told Bob Domine last night that he has the grades and WILL be in Louisville this fall to play hoops at UofL.
July 19, 1998
Caleb Gervin, a 6'1" point guard scored 870 on his recent SAT. Gervin still needs the necessary core credits to play as a Freshmen at UofL. But still no official word has been released on Gervin status from Louisville.
July 12, 1998
Here is a report from the Derek Smith Shootout. (Thanks Mark!)
I've spent the last two days at the Derek Smith Shootout at Iroquois high school. I saw the Derek Smith All-stars play 4 times. The team had Alonzo Evans, Brandon Bender, Joe Sykes, and other area stars. They are leaving for the Adidas Big-Time tournament in Las Vegas this week. I was extremely impressed with Alonzo Evans from Western High school. He just returned from Adidas camp along with Bender and Sykes. He was the fifth leading scorer at Adidas camp and I have heard his stock is rising (UL, Cincinnati, and Michigan top 3). He is a SCORER. When I say that I mean that he isn't a great shooter, but he gets to the basket at will and draws lots of fouls. He has great hang time once he gets in the air and he gets guys to foul him. In the first game yesterday, he missed a lot of shots early so he started driving to the hole and scoring on bank shots and foul shots. Today he was hitting everything. He is also a good leaper and had several tomahawk dunks. He has a perfect body for the wing gurad slot. Denny was watching him closely last night. Clark Francis sat down by Denny and you could tell Denny didn't want to talk with him. I took some pictures today that I will get developed this week. I'll send them to you and you can scan them. I asked Evans and Bender if they would pose for one in the hall and they did. It will be a good shot of the two best players in the city. Now for Bender; He is going to be something. He is the same size as Sykes and 20 times better. He handles the ball like a guard, has good range, and passes well. He is only 15!!. He made the underclassmen all-star team at Adidas. He told me he really liked Adidas camp. He had several hard dunks last night and today. Billy Howell and Norton Edmonds were also on the team, but UL isn't recruiting them. Clark Francis rated Dajuan Wagner as the third best player at NIKE last week. Demetrious Smith was at Adidas but I haven't heard about how he did. Sykes wasn't impressive. Also, the CJ says Josh Graham from Fleming County is being recruited by UL and he is a life long UL fan. He is 6'5 230 lbs. and a good ball-handler. I saw him at the state Tourny last year and he was good but fat. He has since lost 25 pounds
July 4, 1998
New UofL assistant Coach Vince Taylor may bring along a 6'11" African Center with him to Louisville, Hoopscoop Online reports. They say he could enroll this fall and would be eligible immediately!! I cant find his name, but i am looking for more information on him. Check my recruiting page for updates on the 6'11 player and other recruits.
July 1, 1998
Vince Taylor named new assistant coach
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Vince Taylor, an assistant basketball coach at Pittsburgh last season and a Kentucky native, has joined the University of Louisville men's basketball staff as an assistant coach.
"Vince is a real class act," said U of L head basketball coach Denny Crum. "His impressive background, extensive contacts and ties in this state make him a really good fit for our staff. He had an interest in getting back to this area and I'm pleased that it's a mutually beneficial situation for him and our program."
Taylor, 37, who played played basketball at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, had accepted a similar position at Wyoming in May, but the Louisville opportunity attracted his attention.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Taylor. "It's a dream come true to come back to my home state. It is really a perfect fit for me. It will be great to work with a Hall of Fame coach. (Assistant Coach) Jerry Eaves and I were friendly rivals since high school and our friendship has lasted through the years. I've known (assistant coach) Scott as well. I'm not coming into an unknown. Louisville basketball is full of tradition. I want to help us get good players with good academic backgrounds that can help us achieve the highest level."
Prior to his coaching stint at Pittsburgh, Taylor spent the previous 13 seasons playing professional basketball in Europe, including the last two as a player/assistant coach in the Belgium professional league.
A standout guard under head coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Bill Foster at Duke, Taylor earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference and honorable mention All-America honors as a senior after averaging 20.3 points a game. He is No. 20 among Duke career scorers with 1,455 points and once held the school record by playing in 120 consecutive games.
During Taylor's collegiate career, the Blue Devils won the 1979 ACC regular-season championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice (1979 and 1980) and National Invitational Tournament once (1981).
"Vince is a classy person," said Krzyzewski. "He was an outstanding player here and a model citizen. I had the opportunity to coach him during my first two years at Duke and have kept in close contact with him. He's a family man, comes from a good background in Kentucky and loves the state. He has extraordinary people skills; it's hard to find anyone who doesn't like Vince Taylor. He'll be a great recruiter and will work very well with the kids on team. He has a very, very bright future in coaching."
Taylor was joined on the 1982 All-ACC first team by James Worthy and Sam Perkins of North Carolina and Virginia's Ralph Sampson and Othell Wilson.
Taylor faced U of L as a player twice, totalling three points and three rebounds as a freshman as the host Blue Devils beat the Cardinals 88-72 on Feb. 18, 1979; and had 10 points and six rebounds as a senior in a 99-61 Louisville victory in Freedom Hall on Jan. 2, 1982.
A 1982 graduate of Duke with a bachelors degree in economics, Taylor was named to the President s List at Duke his senior year. That honor is awarded to only five percent of the student body, and is based on contributions to the university and academic achievements.
Taylor was selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 1982 NBA Draft (34th pick overall). He spent the 1982-83 season with the Knicks before joining the Indiana Pacers in 1983-84. Taylor s European basketball career began in 1984, initially playing in Italy (1984-86) and later in France (1986-92) and Belgium (1992-97).
Taylor prepped at Tates Creek High School, where he was a high school All-American as a senior in 1978 while averaging 29.3 points and 11 rebounds. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a Boys State delegate and was selected by his teachers and fellow seniors to speak at commencement.
Taylor's parents, Vertner and Joan are longtime employees of the Commonwealth while his sister, Janet, has U of L ties. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from U of L, and is married to Stu Jackson, president and general manager of the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies.
A native of Lexington, Taylor and his wife Nathalie, a former television anchor in Brussels, Belgium, have a three-year-old son, Brendan and a four-month-old daughter, Maya.
