Time to Tar the Heels - Sunday Cardinal Couple

Gameday in Chapel Hill

Louisville women's basketball wraps up its post holiday road swing, with a visit to the land of baby-blue, Chapel Hill North Carolina.

The Cardinals carry the #12 and 13 rankings this week, while UNC holds onto #23 and 24.  The disparity between the polls always reminds me of the old joke, "A man with one watch always knows what time it is.  A man with two watches can never be sure."  In any case, the Cards are favored coming into the game today.

The Tarheels are 13-5 overall, certainly a respectable record, and 5-1 so far in conference, managing to avoid much of the ACC chaos to this point.  Out of conference loses included an unfortunate draw of South Carolina in the SEC/ACC Challenge, plus a matchup against always competitive (regardless of their injury report) UConn.  More head scratching was their showing in the Gulf Coast Showcase.  After eeking out a three point win over Vermont, they lost by seven to Kansas State, and by a single point to Florida Gulf Coast.

Their only in-conference loss is a eight point shortfall against Florida State, with wins over Notre Dame, Syracuse, Clemson, Virginia, and Georgia Tech.  I feel like that probably all lines up to conclude that UNC is a good team, to be wary of (always the case in the ACC to be fair), but that aren't quite up to the top level standards of the conference this year.  Close, but just not quite there.

Deja Kelly is the main name to look forward on the UNC squad.  Scoring at over a 16 points per game pace, she has had several recent games where she has poured in more than 20, and she is a reasonable threat from just about anywhere, shooting 28+% from beyond the arc.  Alyssa Ustby is the next scoring threat, coming in just under 13 points per game, but is not a threat from range.  Lexi Denarski and Maria Gakdeng both score at about a 10 ppg clip.  They are also the long and the short of the three point threat.  Denarski hits them at about 36% and has the most on the team for the year, while Gakdeng hasn't even attempted a single shot beyond the arc.  I guess if you know what your weaknesses are...

UNC has been on a bit of a road trip, not having played at Carmichael Arena since January 4th against Syracuse.  They've got two wins under their belts since their loss to FSU, against Virginia and Georgia Tech.

Louisville has answered many of the questions that circled the team at the beginning of the season concerning having so many new faces, but they still have yet to put together a solid, complete 40 minute effort in a game.  UNC might be a good opponent to bring that out in the Cards, not so weak as to invite UofL to "lower their guard", but not so powerful that a single mistake is going to wipe out the chances of winning.

ACC Network, linear has the video for this one, with Jenn Hildreth and Kelly Gramlich on the call.  Hildreth and Gramlich are a pretty good team, but if you want the Louisville oriented call you can, as always, catch Nick Curran and program alumna Cortnee Walton on 93.9FM.  Tip is at 2pm.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

(our old banner)

We had what amounts to a full call (these days) for the CCRHP yesterday.  That is, of course, excusing Paulie's absence as he continues to recuperate.  He has made an appearance back on group text chat, which is certainly one measure of progress for him, I suppose.  Positive thoughts sent his way are certainly continued to be welcomed.

The subject matter was all basketball...well, other than our random diversions and the "Final Thoughts" segment...as we recapped a pair of Cardinal wins, and just generally had a grand ol' time.

Check it out at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardinal-couple/episodes/Cards-Stay-on-Top-of-ACC-e2en2rn

-- 

JMcA

Cards WBB fall short 66-65 to UNC -- SB & LAX; FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Oy..    It feels right to start this post that way after that final for the WBB squad on Thursday night..  Jared said it would be a trap game & we got the short end of the stick.   I hate writing about losses so luckily there are few of them but still - I prefer the joy and excitement.    

I guess let's pull this band-aid....

Photo: Jared Anderson

WBB

If you're like me and ditched Spectrum last year, we didn't get to watch the game but I was glad to be able to pull up Nick & AJ to listen to the action.   UNC's Kennedy Todd-Williams and Deja Kelly lead all scorers with 19 & 18 respectively while Hailey Van Lith lead for the Cards with 17 on 7-13 shooting, 1-3 from downtown with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.  Olivia Cochran had 14 on 5-6 shooting and just 5 rebounds.  Emily Englster fouled out on a Technical with about 2:30 to go in the game.  She finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds.  After a strong first quarter, Kianna Smith struggled to find her shot as she went 3-12 on the night, 1-6 from 3 but dished out 9 assists. 

The Cards lead by as many as 10 while UNC were up by no more than 3.   The Tarheels were up when it mattered.  UofL had a couple chances to win it in the final few seconds but the ball would not fall for the Cards and they suffered their third loss of the season.  The Cards are 1-2 vs Carolina and NCST. 

End of 1Q   20-16 Cards

FG %
9-18 50% Cards
5-14 35.7% UNC
Reb.  9-10 UNC
3-pt %
1-3 33.3% Cards
2-6 33.3% UNC

UNC had 7 turnovers in the quarter,  Kianna Smith with 3 steals as the Cards win the quarter despite being outrebounded.  Engstler went 2-6 in 9 minutes as the two squads tried to establish momentum.  The Tarheels went 4-5 at the line in the opening 10 minutes.                                                                    

End of 2Q  17-16 Cards

FG %
7-15 46.7% Cards
7-18 38.9% UNC
Reb.  9-11 UNC
3-pt %
3-5 60% Cards
0-2 0% UNC

UofL remained more efficient than North Carolina with their shooting percentages but UNC would not go away quietly as they outrebounded the Cards for a second quarter 9-11.  Carlie Littlefield pulled down 3 for the Tarheels while Cochran didn't get any in 8 minutes of play.  Engstler went 2-2 for 4 points, 2 rebounds and a block.   The Cards lead 34-24 with 3:12 left in the half before UNC went on a run to pull it within 5 at the break.  

HALF   37-32 Cards 

End of 3Q  13-16 UNC 

FG %
5-12 41.7% Cards
5-16 31.3% UNC
Reb. 7-13 UNC
3-pt %
2-6 33.3% Cards
2-6 33.3% UNC

The game would be lost for Louisville in the second half.   HVL played all 10 minutes in the third quarter and lead all scorers with 8 points on 3-5 with 2 rebounds and an assist.  The Cards were grossly out-rebounded 13-7.   Kianna Smith picked up 3 of her 4 fouls in just 5 minutes in the third quarter.   UofL played with a rotation of 9 players against UNC. 

 
End of 4Q  18-15 UNC

FG %
5-14 35.7% Cards
6-13 46.2% UNC
Reb. 7-8 UNC
3-pt %
0-4 0% Cards
1-5 20% UNC

Olivia had 10 points on 3-3 FG% and went 4-4 at the FT line but it wasn't enough for UofL to avoid the upset against to Top25 Tarheels.  Olivia's FT put the Cards up 58-52 with 6:17 left in the game but you could sense that UNC had not given up as 5 quick points would make it a back and forth final few minutes.  

the Cards had two attempts to win it as time rolled down to 00:00 but neither shot went in. 

FINAL UNC 66-65

Assistant Coach, Sam Purcell stepped in for the post game interview with Nick on 790.  

He talked about the shot not falling at the end after a couple opportunities.. he also should not come down to the end to begin with and that there was an emphasis to not to put UNC at the line.  The Tarheels were 15-20 at the charity stripe.   He also said that as a team it 'doesn't feel good' to be outrebounded by 10 and they let emotions get the best of them.  He would go on to say that he hopes it 'burns a little bit' so the squad can get two good practices before Sunday's match up for Senior Day. 

Purcell asked #Cardnation to bring a friend out and pack the house!! 

UP NEXT

Sunday 2/20 2 p.m. vs Virginia Tech

KFC Yum! Center

Rescheduled PINK OUT game! 
and SENIOR DAY 

(Daryl did WHAT on the Fred Report?}

FRED REPORT

ITS A DOOZY YALL!!! 

FREE THROWS --  As a team, the Cards were 7-11 from the free throw line on the evening which is good for 63.6% which does not meet our required score of 70%.  Olivia went 4-5 on the night, 4-4 in the fourth quarter though.  No letter

REBOUNDING --   We kinda knew the rebounding would catch up to the Cards and be the reason they lose one of these days.   UNC would be the night apparently as UofL was outrebounded 42-32.  The Cards will have to get more from their Bigs to get back in the win column.  No letter   

EFFORT/EXECUTION --  With a short line-up the team would need to get alot of minutes out of their starters against UNC.  Engstler's technical to exit the game will stand out in a lot of our minds as a huge difference maker in the final minutes.  No letter

DEFENSE --  UNC had 14 turnovers in the game, 7 of them in the first quarter.  12 of them were steals for the Cards but the second half struggles and the result of a loss make it a poor defensive score from me on the Fred Report.   No letter 

FINAL FRED TALLY:    _ _ _ _

Yiiiiiiiiiiikes... am I being harsh?  What would your FRED Tally be??

While it does suck to lose, the Cards had several season long flaws finally catch up to them against UNC.  I think the Cards can grow from it and bounce back to finish out the season strong.   We might've watched the Cards lose for the last time this year... fingers crossed!! 

SOFTBALL

Louisville vs. Villanova 10:30AM 
Gainesville, FLA
Series History: Louisville leads 14-2
Last Meeting: No. 8 Louisville defeated Villanova 8-1 on April 21, 2013.

Villanova is currently 2-3 on the season after their opening weekend losing to Georgia Tech twice and Marshall once (2 of them run-rules).

Louisville vs. Florida A&M 1:00PM
Gainesville, FLA
Series History: Louisville leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Louisville defeated Florida A&M 16-1 in five innings on Feb. 14, 2015.

FAMU is currently 1-3 on the season with a 4-6 loss to NC State and their lone victory 4-3 over Winthrop.

 

LACROSSE

Home opener this weekend, UofL is welcoming Marquette to town and the game is set for 12 p.m. ET broadcasted on ACC Network Extra. The Cardinals are coming off a 19-9 loss at #14 Denver on Sunday. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 2021 campaign which saw them go 7-9 overall and 4-6 in BIG EAST.  Marquette lost on Monday 13-24 when they visited #5 Northwestern.

Last Meeting: W, 14-10 (March 14, 2021)
Series History: 7-1 (W2, 5-0 Home, 2-1 Away, 0-0 Neutral)


Cardinal Couple Radio -  I am out for radio as I will be on Aunt-ing duties! 11 a.m. is the start time and go to the Cardinal Couple Radio You Tube page for previous broadcasts or check any Sunday column here at the site!


As always

Go Cards!

 

~Daryl