Cards WBB after XMAS break -- Walz Presser Today -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Affter the Break

Most of the student athletes returned to their homes for a few days with family and friends. Coming back after that means getting used to the routine of school, practice, study and games. For Louisville WBB, it's usually around five days or so away. Players are expected to do a little "something" to maintain their fitness during the break.

Stretching for the turkey at the table and carving the pumpkin pie doesn't count for exercise credit.

So, how is that first game back after the break? Let's look at what Walz teams have done in their first game after the holiday.

Louisville was in the Big East when Walz arrived on campus. In 2007-08, they returned from home to face Mercer and Louisville won 99-74. The 2008-09 continuation of action brought the Cards back for three straight games, in the Marriott Cardinal Classic. They downed Morehead State 66-38, Central Michigan 94-72 and New Hampshire 82-40. That, of course was Walz and squad's first trip to the Final Four.

2009-10 was a rebuilding year of sorts and the Cards left their candy canes and parents to face IPFW after the break. They had no trouble in a 88-58 win. In the 2010-11 season, UT Martin visited and left a 92-67 loser. In 2011-12, Louisville players went to their hometowns after a three game road trip to Cincinnati, Portland and Washington St. Shoni and crew got back to Louisville after that to face UT-Martin again, in Louisville again, and won again -- 70-57.

Where were these folks? Group potty break? 

2012-13 was another Final Four trip for the Cards WBB squad. Tennessee State came to town for the post-Christmas break contest.  The Cards had no trouble against them with a 88-25 romp. The following year, Louisville had left the Big East for a year in the AAC, got away from the mid-major, after the break foes in 2013-14 with a visit from SMU after Christmas. A 71-51 win developed for Walz' squad. It was to the ACC and back to a regional squad visit in 2014-15 with Evansville paddling up river. UofL took care of beating the Purple Aces after Santa's Day with a 75-51 victory.

The Asia Durr era began in 2015-16 and the first game after XMAS was old favorite UT-Martin again. 88-66 was the final outcome, another Cards win over the SkyHawks.  In 2016-17, Louisville's opponent was Syracuse, who the Cards will face on Sunday. The 'Cuse was #17 in the nation at the time, but, fell to Louisville 91-76. In 2017-18, the contest against Georgia Tech proved to be the closest of the first game back from holiday win in Walz's tenure, and, the first on the road. Nevertheless, Myisha Hines-Allen pulled the Cards out of the burning building with a 74-71 win.

Whaddya mean it'll be my last time
playing here? 

Last year, North Carolina visited on Jan 3rd., the longest "off time" since Walz has been on campus. It was the game after the scare at Central Michigan on Dec., 20th, 2018. Louisville blew out the Tar Heels in the first half and held on for a 73-66 win. Walz played eight players and five of them reached double figures.

So, in Walz's tenure, the team has scored an average of 81 points in their first game after XMAS break. Their opponents have managed 58.3.  Louisville is 12-0 in these matchups. Some have been very nice, a few indicate Louisville must have been naughty in preparing.

It'll also be getting back into the swing of things for the Cardinal WBB fan base this Sunday. Walz and crew haven't been in the KFC YUM! Center since Nov 24th., when they got noisy versus Boise. Huge game for sure, but sandwiched in between two major UofL men's athletic events. Let's hope people wait around and attend this one before heading to Nashville.


WALZ PRESSER TODAY

Whaddya mean Santa isn't coming? 

A UofL WBB presser today at 12:30 to presumably discuss next foe Syracuse, but, you know how Walz pressers go. Anything and everything is potential subject matter. 

Syracuse is travelling to Louisville with a 6-5 record, unusual for a Quentin Hillsman team to be hovering .500. When you look at the slate they've faced though, it's partially explainable. Oregon, Stanford, Green Bay, Michigan and West Virginia have wins over the Cuse and Q. 

Why they chose to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Pack is anyone's guess. I heard former Cardinal Jaire Alexander had a few late "picks" to secure the win.   


JEFF WALZ PRESSER 12/27/19


Have a fun Friday! 

paulie
xxxxx