Louisville Cardinals
ACC (25-7, 15-1)
It took a little while for Louisville to get rolling this season as they got off to a 3-5 start. After a 72-54 loss at Kentucky back on December 10 the Cardinals have been on fire, especially on the defensive end of the court. Thanks to this nearly two plus month run of outstanding basketball, the Cardinals have been on the edge of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Selection Committee’s Top Ten rankings. Thus, Louisville is primed to be in position for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/3 at Michigan State (85-78), 1/1 Florida State (79-69), 1/25 at Syracuse (71-53)
Bad Losses: 11/15 California (71-75), 11/21 at Western Kentucky (69-71), 11/29 vs Dayton (66-79)
Coach: Jeff Walz
Why They Can Surprise:
The Cardinals are led by ACC Player of the Year sophomore forward Myisha Hines-Allen who has built upon an outstanding freshman season of a year ago. Hines-Allen shoots the basketball at well over a 50 percent clip, is tough to stop offensively and relentlessly rebounds the basketball on a nightly basis. Offensive balance as a whole is another reason for optimism for Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. Sophomore forward Mariya Moore, redshirt junior guard Briahanna Jackson, and freshman guard Asia Durr all can step up and get the job done offensively. Defensively, the Cardinals can surprise in the postseason thanks to their ability to control the boards and causing turnovers. Louisville is one of the best in the nation in steals, averaging right around ten steals per game.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Foul trouble could be an issue for the Cardinals as the bench is talented but very young. It will be critical for Louisville to balance their aggressive defense while staying disciplined. If the Cardinals get out of rhythm offensively like they did in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame when they shot just 6 of 23 from the field, there could be problems. It will also be important for Louisville to get off to a fast start in the NCAA Tournament. In the loss to Kentucky, Louisville fell behind 39-22 at halftime and could not climb their way back into the contest to have a chance to win. Taking care of the basketball and remaining poised during the latter stages of the NCAA Tournament in the early part of games will be a difference maker for the Cardinals.
Probable Starters:
Arica Carter, Sophomore, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 2.4 apg
Briahanna Jackson, Redshirt Junior, Guard, 11.0 ppg, 2.7 apg. 3.9 rpg, 2.0 spg
Myisha Hines-Allen, Sophomore, Forward, 17.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg
Cortnee Walton, Redshirt Junior, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg
Mariya Moore, Sophomore, Forward, 14.0 ppg, 4.4 apg. 4.6 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Asia Durr, Freshman, Guard, 11.0 ppg, 1.4 apg
Taja Cole, Freshman, Guard, 3.0 ppg, 2.0 apg
Sam Fuehring, Freshman, Forward, 3.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Erin DeGrate, Freshman, Center, 2.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.0 (47th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.6 (65, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.3 (42, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.2 (261, 14)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (143, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.5 (66, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.9 (124, 5)
Rebound Margin: 7.1 (35, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.4 (24, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.4 (127, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA First Round win over BYU
2015 NCAA Second Round win over South Florida
2015 NCAA Third Round loss to Dayton
2014 NCAA First Round win over Idaho
2014 NCAA Second Round win over Iowa
2014 NCAA Third Round win over LSU
2014 NCAA Quarterfinal loss to Maryland
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Middle Tennessee
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Baylor
2013 NCAA Regional Final win over Tennessee
2013 NCAA National Semifinal win over California
2013 NCAA National Final loss to Connecticut
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Michigan State
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Maryland
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Vanderbilt
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Xavier
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Gonzaga
2010 WBI First Round loss to Bradley
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Liberty
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over LSU
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Baylor
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Maryland
2009 NCAA National Semifinal win over Oklahoma
2009 NCAA National Final loss to Connecticut
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Miami of Ohio
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Kansas State
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky
2007 NCAA Round o 64 win over Brigham Young
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Arizona State
*all team stats through 3/3
