Louisville women's basketball hits the road to face #13 Virginia Tech tonight at 7:00 p.m. The game is slated to be aired on ACCNX with Jason Patterson and Mack McCarthy on the call. You can also tune into 93.9 FM to hear Nick Curran and Cortnee Walton.
The Cards are fresh off wins against Georgia Tech (63-55) and Pitt (76-69) at home. The wins moved Louisville to 13-5 on the season and 4-1 in ACC play.
After a hot 10-0 start to the season, Virginia Tech has dropped three of their last six games to get to 13-3. The Hokies post a 3-3 mark in ACC play with wins against Boston College, North Carolina, and Virginia. Their losses game against Notre Dame, Miami, and Clemson. Their non-conference schedule features wins against Power Five opponents Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Virginia Tech has been tough at home, going 8-1 at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies have averaged 2,608 per game at home, which is slightly under par for the average attendance per game in the ACC in recent years (2021-22- 2,973; 2020-21- 3,144; 2019-20- 2,885). Attendance numbers provided by the NCAA.
Kenny Brooks is having arguably his best season as the helm for Virginia Tech, where he is currently 137-72 all-time. The Hokies have never made it past the second round in the NCAA Tournament since he took over in 2016.
This year, VT has been outscoring opponents 74.9-55.4 on average. On the offensive end, they have shot extremely well at .433 from the field and .337 from three. They've averaged 15.8 assists per game.
Three-point defense has been strong for the Hokies, allowing opposing teams to shoot just .261 from downtown. They've also forced opponents into 16.1 turnovers per game.
Elizabeth Kitley has been a workhorse for the Hokies this year. The 6-6 senior is a walking double-double, averaging 18.4 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game. She also leads the team with 32 blocks. Five other Hokies average between 9.8-13.9 ppg, giving VT several scoring threats.
The free throw line has been a strong suit for Virginia Tech, as no player is shooting below .708 from the line. They've shot a collective .762 from the charity stripe this year.
A ranked road match-up will help show how far the Cards have come this season after a few speed bumps early in the year. A win would surely strengthen the case for Louisville to get back into the Top 25. A win would keep the Cards in the top three in the ACC while a loss could potentially drop them several spots.
Walz's Wednesday Presser
Coach Jeff Walz held a presser to discuss the upcoming VT game on Wednesday at The Planet Fitness Kueber Center media room
You can hear the presser at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrxoIyp_pNg
Women's Soccer News
The NWSL Draft is tonight at 6:00 p.m. Sadly, this is only being aired on Paramount+. Pretty sad when they can't get something better than that. We do wish Cardinal Great Maisie Whitsett the best of luck in hoping she hears her name called.
Sticking with women's soccer for a moment, Louisville women's soccer announced their spring schedule this week. The Cards will face Racing Louisville on Feb. 26 in what we believe will be at Lynn Family Stadium downtown. The release mentioned Racing Louisville's facilities downtown so it could be at their training facility as well. Louisville will also participate in the Spring Cup where they will face Bowling Green in Bowling Green, Ohio, host Michigan State, and then face a third team to be named later.
Happy Thursday and Go Cards!
Jared
Hello Friends !
ReplyDeleteArthur Here !
You'll have a tough one against the Hokies, but if we can beat them, my guess is you're capable of doing same. Your scout is one that'll get you beat, though. Beside Kitley, the All'American and ACC Conference Player of the Year, they have Taylor Sole at forward and Georgia Amoore at guard. Either is capable of going double-double on you any night. Cayla King is a tough little point guard who can also score, too. Fortunately, we were able to "d" them up pretty well and Amari Robinson had a whale of a game on them. I don't think you have a center skilled enough to stop Kitley, but between Cochran, Williams and Dixon, at least you have 15 fouls to spend on her. They'll also probably overwhelm your small guards Van Lith and Carr if you don't outrun them.
As for us, it's Duke. Chalk up an "L" for us
Your friend
#1 Clemson Fan
Arthur
Greer, SC
With Ashley Owusu out with the broken pinkie, Kenny Brooks has relied more and more on Soule and Amoore. And, that's how VT beats people. There is all the hype on Kitley and Amoore and Soule sneak up on you. By the time you adjust, it's either too late, or Kitley takes over then.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll see just how much UofL has grown up this year. A shame that they are sticking this one on ACCNX. I may just listen to Nick and Cortnee for audio.
Nick O.
Nick O
Bring it Louisville👍
ReplyDeleteif they cant get the ball to kitley she cant score cards need to come out and just street thug this bunch tonight.
ReplyDelete