WBB Frustrations -- Softball Comes Home -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Frustrated? Us Too

What started off as a great day with Paulie's homecoming to the KFC Yum! Center quickly turned sour as Louisville women's basketball fell to unranked Virginia. On Sunday, we welcomed Paulie (and Sonya too!) back to the Yum! for the first time since before Christmas. Mr. Superstar had a line of people ready to talk to him and offer him warm greetings upon his return. I was thrilled to have the original "Cardinal Couple" back with me at the game. Unfortunately, what should have been a win turned to shock as the Cavaliers walked away with a victory.

Louisville lost its first ever home game to an unranked ACC opponent at the KFC Yum! Center and have lost two straight at home. The Cards fell to #22 in the AP Poll and are expected to be a 6-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Louisville is in a four-way for third in the ACC, but the two final opponents on the schedule are a part of that tie, so things aren't getting any easier.

We did hear some good news recently as Oliva Cochran confirmed on her Facebook page that she will be utilizing her COVID-19 eligibility to return to Louisville next season. Having Cochran and Nyla Harris returning builds a strong foundation with our post players to work around.

Still, the hopes for next season with returners and a strong incoming freshman class doesn't fix today's issues. With two games remaining in the regular season and the upcoming ACC Tournament, Louisville still has plenty of concerns that are normally fixed by this point of the season. Chances of hosting opening weekend are all but gone at this point unless Louisville wins out and wins the ACC Tournament.

If the tournament started today I'd say Louisville is more likely to lose first round than to make a sixth straight Elite Eight. Defense still hasn't clicked and this team full of one-year transfers hasn't gelled as much as we had hoped. Now, there aren't attitude or ego issues, but it takes time for players to really mesh when playing together and that's a difficult task when they only play together for a few month stretch.

We don't call Jeff Walz a mad scientist for no reason. For now, we will sit back and wait to see what he and his staff are able to conjure up.

Softball Hosts Western Kentucky in Home Opener

Louisville softball visits Ulmer Stadium for the first time this season tonight. The Cards host in-state foe Western Kentucky at 5:00 pm and will be aired on ACCNX.

The Cards enter the game 12-2 and off to their best start since 2013. That year's team also started 12-2. Offense has helped power the way with Louisville outscoring opponents 89-32. Holly Aprile also has a slew of pitchers powered by sophomore ace Alyssa Zabala.

Western Kentucky enters the game 10-4-1 and had won seven straight until their most recent game- a loss to Saint Louis. The Hilltoppers have outscored opponents 85-49 and have a team ERA of 2.68.

The weather looks to be promising for late February. I hope to make it out for this one.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared