Cards Prepare for UNC -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Louisville Prepares to Host North Carolina

In their third game in five days, Louisville WBB  kicks back into gear in preparation to face North Carolina.  This will be Louisville's second straight home game and roughly the fifth attempt to get the North Carolina game played.

At 15-0, the Cards are off to their second best start in program history. They are joined in the zero loss column by #2 NC State- the Cards and Wolfpack are scheduled to play Monday- and #3 UConn, as well as three unranked teams.

The Tar Heels have had an up-and-down season after an 8-5 start with a 3-5 conference record. UNC has lost three of their last four games. They have had just one victory that hasn't come down to the final minutes when they defeated Syracuse by 24 in December. The Orange later got revenge.

North Carolina has been a small threat on offense as they average 77.9 points per game. They have shot a healthy .419 from the field this year. Free throws have been a strong suit as they make nearly 70% from the charity stripe. They have also attempted 44 more free throws than their opponents.

Courtney Banghart is in her second year
as UNC WBB head coach

Where the Tar Heels really succeed is on the boards. They have a +10.7 rebounding margin on the year and average 47.1 per game.

Like the Cards, UNC utilizes about eight players throughout the majority of the game, but has a few other players that will make appearances here and there. Those players do much of the heavy labor. Four players score in double figures for the Tar Heels: Janelle Bailey (14.7 ppg), Petra Holesinska (12.7), Deja Kelly (11.1), and Alyssa Ustby (10.1). Holesinska has been a three-point threat, shooting .388 beyond the arc. Bailey has led the team with 8.2 rebounds per game. Anya Poole is close behind with 7.2 per game as well as 14 rebounds per game.

The Cards own the series 7-3 and have won seven in a row. Back on Jan. 19, 2020 the Cards took down the Heels 74-67. UNC outscored the Cards by 10 in the final quarter and it was Evans free throws down the stretch that sealed the victory (Ever heard that scenario before?) .  Evans led all scorers in that game with 22 points, Jazmine Jones added 19. 

Rameses has been the official UNC mascot since 1924

This game is officially set at 8:00 p.m. Some reports still had tip-off at 7:00, which was before the game was moved to ACC Network. You can also tune in to Cards Radio 790AM-WKRD to hear Nick Curran and AJ call it.

Paulie and I will be back in the KFC Yum! Center for this one. If you have any requests such as not letting this one come down to the wire we will certainly try to pass that along to the team.

Personally, I'd like to see a blowout in our favor so key players will have a chance to rest in preparation for Monday.

Asia Durr

We knew back in June that Asia Durr tested positive for COVID-19 and would sit out the WNBA season. Durr went on air yesterday on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" to talk about what it's been like for her. Things haven't been great for the former Cardinal. Even to this day, Durr is still suffering from many of the effects from the virus.

"There's days where I feel great, like I could go out and go to the store or I could clean up," said Durr. "And then there's days where I'm like 'I just have to stay in the bed,' and you just feel like you got hit by a bus."

Durr's symptoms have been as severe as coughing up blood and vomiting. She has not been medically cleared to play, or even to do simple exercises. Durr said there is no time frame for her to return to the court or if she ever will return.

It appears that Durr has also had mental health side effects as she broke down in tears during her interview.

We wish nothing but the best for Nite-Nite and hope that a speedy recovery will quickly come her way.

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We did see a fair amount of snow last night here in Louisville and some areas have a few wrecks from slick roads. The weather appears to be drier today and the roads should be clear in plenty of time for the game tonight, but if you go out at all today please be careful on the roads. This is your Cardinal Couple Weather report from non-meteorologist Jared Anderson. Watch those parking lots and side streets!   

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared