BOZICH | Walz embarrassed as No. 2 UConn defeats Louisville 85-52 | Louisville Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The University of Louisville women’s basketball team will not play an opponent ranked in the current Associated Press Top 25 in its next 12 games.

The series ends Feb. 2 when the Cardinals visit No. 10 Notre Dame.

And no one should say a discouraging word.

The Cards played their fourth-place opponent in nine games on Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The result was more discouraging than the loss to No. 1 UCLA (5). No. 14 Kentucky (by 10 in overtime) or No. 11 Oklahoma (by 6).

UCLA may be the top-ranked team in the Associated Press Top 25, but No. 2 Connecticut played like the best team in the country. It was 40 minutes of relentless dominance as UConn defeated Louisville 85-52 in game two of the inaugural Women’s Champions Classic.

“It was an absolute embarrassment and I take full responsibility for it,” Walz said. “We’re supposed to come here (for this event) next year, but I’m not sure if they want to. I’ll find out. I think I signed a contract.”

The Huskies scored the first five points of the game and never let up, fighting for quick break baskets, forcing turnovers and overwhelming U of L on the glass.

UConn led by 18 points after the first quarter, 25 at halftime, 39 after three quarters, and that was enough.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma had to sit out most of his starters with more than two minutes left in the third quarter. Three UConn players, led by freshman forward Sara Strong (21 points), scored in double figures.

Imari Berry had 10 to lead Louisville. The Cards missed 46 of 62 shots, including 21 of 27 three-pointers. They were also out-rebounded 52-28.

“It was a first-class event and unfortunately we looked like crap,” Walz said. “We will have plenty of opportunity to watch the film and the players will have to change…”

“I told them (after the game) that you have to show me in training that you really want to play. I can’t continue to play with so many players and hope someone improves.”

The Cards slipped to 5-4. All four losses came against opponents ranked 20th or higher. Their schedule is the 12th toughest in the country according to the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) formula. Their opponents have an overall record of 46-18.

If I were Walz, I would demand evidence that 11 teams competed against a more challenging group of teams. But Walz refused to make excuses.

“We played a difficult schedule, there’s no doubt about that,” Walz said. “But if you lose them all, it doesn’t matter.”

Louisville will play its next two games at the KFC Yum! carry out. Middle – Thursday at 7 p.m. against Grambling State and Sunday at 1 p.m. against North Carolina State.

Neither team is ranked in the top 25, but NC State is ranked 26th and could be if they get to town.

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