Good morning readers, Happy 2024!!!
I always love the new year, it gives me the opportunity to reflect and envision. I hope you can look back and feel proud of everything you’ve been able to accomplish so far. I’m also looking forward to this year as my last as a single woman!!!
January Basketball ensues… Somehow, we’re already diving into the conference portion of the basketball season. It’ll be ACC tournament time before we know it. The Cards opened the ACC on NYE against Miami and hosted Duke at home on Thursday evening. Miami and Duke were picked to finish 5th and 6th in the ACC respectively.
WBB
Louisville secured another conference win Thursday night when they welcomed Duke to town for a prime time matchup that a popular sports betting website had Louisville favored just -1.5. The Cards won 61-44 in a dominant performance to start the 2024 year! Kiki Jefferson finished with 15 points, 8-8 at the free throw line.
A crowd of about 8,000 gathered to witness the Cardinal's 1000th win in program history.
Photos: Jared Anderson
End of 1Q 21-15 Cards
FG %
9-19 47.4% Cards
7-15 46.7% Duke
Reb. 11-7 Cards
3-pt %
2-5 40% Cards
1-6 16.7% Duke
Duke wins first possession and then missed two 3 pointers that both looked like pretty good shots.
Cards get on the board first after Nyla Harris goes 1-2 at the line. Kiki Jefferson lands the Cards first field goal with a 3 pointer to put the Cards up 4-0 in the first couple minutes of play. After the Cards got up 7-2, The Blue Devils went on a 7-0 run over 1:30 of play to find themselves up 9-7. The Cards found some footing and put themselves back ahead at the first media timeout.
After the break, the Cards were able to convert on a second chance from Olivia Cochran after the Jefferson miss but the defense allowed Duke to respond at the other end making Walz urgently call a timeout. Kiki Jefferson lead in scoring the Cards with 7 points and 4 rebounds in 8 min on the floor.
The Blue Devils finished with 7 turnovers in the quarter.
End of 2Q 14-4 Cards
FG %
4-13 30.8% Cards
2-14 14.3% Duke
Reb. 11-10 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
0-5 0% Duke
Olivia swished a jumper for the first points of the second quarter about 2:30 minutes into it. Defense was strong to start the quarter from both squads. The Cards extended their lead 26-15 when Kara Lawson called the team's first timeout.
With 1:49 left in the half, the Dukies had not found a way to score a point stuck at 15 points and the turnovers mounting, 16 at this point.
HALF 35-19
End of 3Q 19-12 Cards
FG %
7-12 58.3% Cards
5-14 35.7% Duke
Reb. 10-5 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
0-4 0% Duke
Duke scored the first points of the second half. Nina Rickards commits her third foul of the game with just a minute off the clock so she comes out of the game. Just as I noticed Nyla Harris had been pretty quiet so far she drives to the basket for the soft layup and in to put the Cards ahead 39-22. Duke goes cold again committing 4 turnovers in a 3 minute span. By the time the Cards got it to a 19 point lead Duke was ready to try anything to get some offense going so they pushed the pace and were able to create a little chaos to muster a few baskets but not enough to bring it within less than a 20 point lead for Louisville.
End of 4Q 7-13 Duke
FG %
1-6 16.7% Cards
5-14 35.7% Duke
Reb. 8-7 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
1-4 25% Duke
The Cards came into the 4th quarter with a hefty lead so the struggle of the 4th quarter did not matter much. Getting most of their points at the FT line this quater, they also allowed Duke to put pressure on them and forced turnovers, 7 total in the quarter while Duke went on a 7-0 run over a 2:15 period. Olivia came out of the game with about 3:30 left in the game, finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.
Final 61-44
FRED REPORT
Ha ha, the nostalgia from this <3
FREE THROWS -- Louisville went 17-21 at the FT line. Kiki lead for the Cards going 8-8. The Cards are continuing to take advantage of getting to the line. CAPITAL F
REBOUNDING -- The Cards were out rebounded 36-33. UofL won the rebounding battle in the first quarter only 11-7. Kennedy Brown lead all rebounders with 10 total. no letter
EFFORT/EXECUTION -- UofL held Duke to 30 less points than their average season average. They committed 27 turnovers while only making 19 shots. They were also able to force several shot clock violations which Coach Walz was notably impressed with the effort against Duke. Capital E
DEFENSE -- The Dukies average 6.5 threes per game and the Cards held them to 2 in the game. The Blue Devils were getting some good looks in the beginning of the game but the shots were not falling. They ended up 2-19 from 3 point land for a measley 10.5%. Louisville was able to create some space between the two teams in the second quarter when they held Duke to just 4 points in the quarter. CAPITAL D
FINAL FRED TALLY: F_ _E_D
Lets continue to wish Paul a speedy recovery. You can send him get well wishes in the comment section to read when he is able, via email or mail to his PO Box.
Email: cardinalcouple@twc.com
Mail: PO Box 91521, Louisville, KY 40291
Photos: Jared Anderson
End of 1Q 21-15 Cards
FG %
9-19 47.4% Cards
7-15 46.7% Duke
Reb. 11-7 Cards
3-pt %
2-5 40% Cards
1-6 16.7% Duke
Duke wins first possession and then missed two 3 pointers that both looked like pretty good shots.
Cards get on the board first after Nyla Harris goes 1-2 at the line. Kiki Jefferson lands the Cards first field goal with a 3 pointer to put the Cards up 4-0 in the first couple minutes of play. After the Cards got up 7-2, The Blue Devils went on a 7-0 run over 1:30 of play to find themselves up 9-7. The Cards found some footing and put themselves back ahead at the first media timeout.
After the break, the Cards were able to convert on a second chance from Olivia Cochran after the Jefferson miss but the defense allowed Duke to respond at the other end making Walz urgently call a timeout. Kiki Jefferson lead in scoring the Cards with 7 points and 4 rebounds in 8 min on the floor.
The Blue Devils finished with 7 turnovers in the quarter.
End of 2Q 14-4 Cards
FG %
4-13 30.8% Cards
2-14 14.3% Duke
Reb. 11-10 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
0-5 0% Duke
Olivia swished a jumper for the first points of the second quarter about 2:30 minutes into it. Defense was strong to start the quarter from both squads. The Cards extended their lead 26-15 when Kara Lawson called the team's first timeout.
With 1:49 left in the half, the Dukies had not found a way to score a point stuck at 15 points and the turnovers mounting, 16 at this point.
HALF 35-19
End of 3Q 19-12 Cards
FG %
7-12 58.3% Cards
5-14 35.7% Duke
Reb. 10-5 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
0-4 0% Duke
Duke scored the first points of the second half. Nina Rickards commits her third foul of the game with just a minute off the clock so she comes out of the game. Just as I noticed Nyla Harris had been pretty quiet so far she drives to the basket for the soft layup and in to put the Cards ahead 39-22. Duke goes cold again committing 4 turnovers in a 3 minute span. By the time the Cards got it to a 19 point lead Duke was ready to try anything to get some offense going so they pushed the pace and were able to create a little chaos to muster a few baskets but not enough to bring it within less than a 20 point lead for Louisville.
End of 4Q 7-13 Duke
FG %
1-6 16.7% Cards
5-14 35.7% Duke
Reb. 8-7 Duke
3-pt %
0-1 0% Cards
1-4 25% Duke
The Cards came into the 4th quarter with a hefty lead so the struggle of the 4th quarter did not matter much. Getting most of their points at the FT line this quater, they also allowed Duke to put pressure on them and forced turnovers, 7 total in the quarter while Duke went on a 7-0 run over a 2:15 period. Olivia came out of the game with about 3:30 left in the game, finishing with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.
Final 61-44
FRED REPORT
Ha ha, the nostalgia from this <3
FREE THROWS -- Louisville went 17-21 at the FT line. Kiki lead for the Cards going 8-8. The Cards are continuing to take advantage of getting to the line. CAPITAL F
REBOUNDING -- The Cards were out rebounded 36-33. UofL won the rebounding battle in the first quarter only 11-7. Kennedy Brown lead all rebounders with 10 total. no letter
EFFORT/EXECUTION -- UofL held Duke to 30 less points than their average season average. They committed 27 turnovers while only making 19 shots. They were also able to force several shot clock violations which Coach Walz was notably impressed with the effort against Duke. Capital E
DEFENSE -- The Dukies average 6.5 threes per game and the Cards held them to 2 in the game. The Blue Devils were getting some good looks in the beginning of the game but the shots were not falling. They ended up 2-19 from 3 point land for a measley 10.5%. Louisville was able to create some space between the two teams in the second quarter when they held Duke to just 4 points in the quarter. CAPITAL D
FINAL FRED TALLY: F_ _E_D
Louisville moves to 13-2 and 2-0 in the ACC. NC State, VA Tech, UNC and are also undefeated in conference play.
Email: cardinalcouple@twc.com
Mail: PO Box 91521, Louisville, KY 40291
As Always,
Go Cards!
~Daryl
All in all, that's the best game they've played this season, especially defensively.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, teared up somewhat watching the 1000th win tribute video. Been a fan myself for ALL 1000. Ah, the memories 😀
Yes i agree 💯🏀🏀🏀🏀
DeleteGet back to site soon Paulie. Nice win, this isn't the Lexie Brown/Becca Greenwell Duke squads of old.
ReplyDeleteNick O