Sports

Louisville coach Charlie Strong logged so many miles on one weekend trip to Florida that he had time to critique recruiting coordinator Clint Hurtt’s driving skills. Crisscrossing the Sunshine State paid off for the Cardinals. More >

A little early to be expecting change, much less demanding it. Lots of people up in arms, panic mode in full effect, wanting to pin the blame on someone for the downward spiral of the University of Louisville’s basketball fortunes. Five games after this team was 12-0 and fourth in the national polls.

Many blaming Rick Pitino, questioning his oversight, including the offense, substitution patterns, practice sessions, Pitino Fans heavily invested in Louisville basketballhis recruiting shortcomings. Even Denny Crum getting into the act Wednesday, wondering whether Pitino works his players too hard. Whether it’s appropriate or not for a former coach to be criticizing his replacement can be debated but it’s out there.

John Thompson III has to be proud of his Hoyas after his team ended Louisville’s 20-game home win streak.

My friends, this Georgetown team is for real and proof of that came at the Yum Center on Wednesday. Let’s remember that the Hoyas were picked 10th in the Big East preseason poll. Next week you may see Georgetown in the top 10 of the national rankings.

You may not have heard enough about Otto Porter, Markel Starks or Henry Sims, but these guys played like all-world performers against the Cardinals.

Louisville announced Thursday that forward Monique Reid will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a left knee injury in the second half of the 14th-ranked Cardinals game against Cincinnati on Dec. 14. More >

A Louisville woman is among the nominees for lead actress in a motion picture, as the 83rd annual Academy Award nominations were announced in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jennifer Lawrence is nominated for “Winter’s Bone.”

The category’s other nominees announced Tuesday morning are: Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”; Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole”; Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”; Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine.”

The Oscars will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, hosted by Anne Hathaway and James Franco.