Louisville women’s basketball hits the road in three of its next four games. Will a 25-day layoff be too much to overcome? Let’s get to know the foes.
Because of COVID-19, Louisville women’s basketball hasn’t played since their December 9th game at Duke. Hopefully that all changes on January 3rd, which is their next scheduled game. So let’s look ahead to the next four games for the Cards to get us through the next two weeks. 3 of 4 are on the road, so it will test the youth of this Cardinal team.
Louisville was scheduled to play next on January 1st against North Carolina. However, the Tar Heels had issues with travel, and were forced to cancel once again. After many schedule adjustments let’s hope the current slate holds up.
First up is Virginia on January 3rd. Virginia is 0-5 on the season, and 0-2 in ACC play. The Cards are 10-2 versus the Cavaliers, and currently on a 9 game win streak. The Cards won their last meeting by 15 on January 23, 2020.
The Cavaliers are averaging 51ppg and giving up 65. The Cavs are shooting 36 percent from two-point range, and 35 percent from three-point range. Virginia has a young roster with only 2 seniors and a junior on the team. I believe they are going through some growing pains early in the season with such a young squad.
Louisville will be coming in off of a 25-day layoff, but if your squad hasn’t played a game for a month, I don’t think there is a better team to knock the rust off against than the Wahoos.
The Cards have Pittsburgh on January 7th at home. Louisville women’s basketball is 20-2 versus the Panthers, and is currently on a 16-game win streak. The Panthers are 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC.
Pitt is scoring 71ppg while shooting 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from three. The Panthers only have two players that average in double figures in points. With only 3 seniors, Pitt has a younger team that will struggle to match Louisville’s experience or firepower.
The Cards’ third game will be FSU on January 10th. Louisville has 14 wins and 18 losses against the Seminoles, and is currently on a 2 game losing streak versus FSU
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FSU is 3-1 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. FSU is averaging 71ppg, 42 percent from the floor, and 25 percent from three. The Seminoles have three players averaging over 30 minutes per game and four players averaging double-figure scoring. FSU’s opponents are shooting 11 percent better from three than they. That is one weakness where the Cards may be able to take advantage.
Louisville’s fourth game of 2021 will be Boston College back home on January 14th. The Eagles are 4-3 on the season, but 0-3 in ACC play. The Cards are 8-1 versus the Eagles and are on an 8 game win streak.
BC is shooting 40 percent from the floor, and 31 percent from three. The Eagles have three players averaging over 30 minutes per game, and those are the only three that are scoring in double figures per game. BC is shooting better than their opponents and also outrebounding the opposition.
Given the way the Cards have been rolling on offense and defense this season, it looks like all four matchups should favor Louisville. One just has to hope the long layoff hasn’t made the Cards stagnant on either end of the floor, and they will be able to come out and perform the way they have all season. Even if they do come out flat, which is to be expeceted, this is the perfect stretch to get their feet back under them. It’s hard to see any reason the Cards don’t finish this four-game segement 4-0.
