WBB takes care of SMU 91-58 -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL




A question Ive been asking myself often recently 'What day is it??' Only a few more days before staff reports back to campus for the 2026 year.

With a game finally on the schedule, lets get into the recap.     


WBB

The Cardinals got the new year off to a great start when they dominated SMU at the Yum Center for another ACC victory. That's now 3 ACC wins on the season and 3 dominating wins in a row. 

In the first quarter, UofL found the most production in the paint when Anaya Hardy and Elif Istanbulluoglu combined for 12 of the Cards 19 total points.  Laura Ziegler had 3 rebounds and 2 assists.   As a team, 4 turnovers were committed. 

Skylar Jones and Taj Roberts each had 8 points in the second quarter to propel the Louisville lead to double digits and a 19 point lead at halftime.  After a 3 pointer by SMU's leading scorer on the night to open the quarter, the Mustangs went scoreless for almost 4 minutes.

Coming back from the halftime break with a 46-27 lead, Ziegler scored 6 of her 8 total points on back to back three point attempt. Reagan Bender also put 2 through the hoop from beyond the arc.   Imari Berry had 5 rebounds while Yevheniia Putra pulled down 3 of her 4 total boards in the third frame.

The bench contributed 44 of the team's total points.  Skylar Jones had 5 steals and SMU committed 24 turnovers where the Cards were able to rack up 22 extra opportunity points.  

UP NEXT

Louisville vs Virginia Tech
Sunday 1/4  4 pm 
ACCN

FRED REPORT

FREE THROWS --  Louisville went 10-11 at the FT line which is good for 91% from the charity stripe.  This was not a night where either team spent much of their time but we will give kudos to the Cards for taking advantage. CAPITAL F

REBOUNDING --  UofL's offensive rebounding advantage gave them 21 more points than SMU.  The Cards outrebounded the Mustangs 15-3 in this category. CAPITAL R

EFFORT/EXECUTION --  The Cards showed no signs of rust after being off for 11 days.  Coach Walz has often talked about the recharge the Christmas break brings for his squads and how important it is to prevent burnout.  Louisville had fun against the Mustangs.   CAPITAL E

DEFENSE --  UofL let SMU shoot almost 44% in the game and allowed a player to go off for 20 points.  The game was won because of the Cards depth and their impressive rebounding margin.  They did force 4 Mustangs players to commit at least 4 turnovers.  They'll have to do more against a tougher opponent  lower case d 

  WALZ ON THE GAME

FINAL FRED TALLY:   F-R-E-d







As always
Go Cards!
~Daryl

CARDS WBB to face SMU on New Years Day -- WEDNESDAY CARINAL COUPLE

 #13 LOUISVILLE WBB TO FACE MUSTANGS ON NEW YEARS DAY

Coming to Louisville to start 2026 WBB are the SMU Mustangs. The "Ponies" are 7-7 this season, 0-2 in ACC play and 1-3 on the road. 

SMU is ninth in the ACC and lost to the Cards 80-75 last time the two played...last year in  Dallas. 

Zahra King

SMU is led by Zahra King, with 12.8 points a game. Miriam Ibezim gathers 6.3 rebounds a contest and Kyla Deck leads in assists with two a game.  SMU lost to Syracuse and Virginia in conference play 

The Mustangs are coached by Adia Barnes.If the name sounds familiar, Barnes was Arizona's coach for nine years before leaving to take the SMU job last year.  She also played for the Seattle Storm's WNBA franchise. 

The Cards WBB squad is 3-1 all-time against SMU and Louisville has won the last three games.

While as Arizona , Barnes Wildcats would make it to the WNIT Final, knocking off Northwestern to become the 2019 WNIT Champions.

The Wildcats beat Indiana in 2021 to reach the school's first ever Final Four. They also beat #6 Louisville and Hailey Van Lith that season.

the 2 o clock game will be shown on ACCNX.




paulie