The men’s season may be over, but for the Louisville women’s basketball program and Jeff Walz, things are just getting started.
It’s March basketball which we all know is a different game, but here’s how the game will go: The Louisville women’s basketball program will have a slow start, but in end will cause plenty of turnovers and hit enough shots to win with flying colors.
In the first game of the women’s NCAA tournament, Louisville will take on the Robert Morris Colonials (22-10) and there will be some things to consider.
The first thing to consider for this game is that Jeff Walz won’t be on the sideline. After a suspension from a tournament game after some not-for-young-ears words in last years tournament, the Cards will have to play without our beloved coach.
This won’t cause Louisville this game though. If we’re being honest this is the game we can afford to not have Walz at.
Walz has prepared these girls, some for four years, for tournament play and they’ll be just fine without him.
Prepping for the Madness.#ncaaW #GoCards pic.twitter.com/GG3MMffqpk
— Louisville Women’s Basketball (@LouisvilleWBB) March 21, 2019
Like I said, the game is going to start slow while the girls get in the hang of playing without having Walz on the sideline. To the Cardinals’ advantage, we’re playing in the Yum! Center.
Once Asia Durr gets in her groove, she’ll be hitting everything. Being a tournament game and coming off an ACC Championship loss against Notre Dame where she went 1-for-6 in three point goals, she’s going to hit at least five in this game.
What else is there to consider? Unlike that loss against Notre Dame we have two key players back. Arica Carter will likely start which puts one of our key scorers from three-point range back on the court.
Sam Fuehring, who played some in the ACC loss but just not enough for anyone’s liking, will also likely start. Having Fuehring back will allow our defense to be back where it needs to be.
The last thing we need to think about is what comes along with playing at 16 seed: too much confidence. As long as we don’t get too confident, we’re going to win this game by at least 20.
I haven’t seen the Cards do this so far this season, but tournament times bring different teams from time to time. We have to play this team just as we’ve played every other game this season. I have no doubt in my mind that this group of girls will do any different.
A slow start won’t keep us from dominating the court the entire game and sending Robert Morris home in game one of the tournament.