Louisville Cardinals Dominate Season Opener Against Cincinnati Bearcats
In a commanding display of skill and athleticism, the Louisville Cardinals emerged victorious in their season opener against the Cincinnati Bearcats, with a final score of 77-59. The game took place on November 6, 2023, at the Fifth Third Arena, with a crowd of 1,725 spectators in attendance. The Cardinals’ head coach, Jeff Walz, proved once again why his team is a force to be reckoned with, as they secured their 14th win in season openers under his leadership.
This victory adds to Louisville’s impressive record, as they have now won seven of their last eight season openers. Furthermore, under coach Walz, the Cardinals have remained unbeaten in season openers on the road, boasting a perfect 9-0 record. Their overall season opener record stands at 29-20.
Throughout the game, Louisville showcased their dominance in various key statistics. They have proven to be unstoppable when outrebounding their opponents, as their perfect 12-0 record in season openers under coach Walz demonstrates. Additionally, when the Cardinals manage to hit five or more three-pointers in a season opener, they remain undefeated with an 8-0 record. Furthermore, collecting 35 or more rebounds has also proved to be a winning formula for Louisville, as they possess an impressive 11-1 record under coach Walz in such games.
November has historically been a successful month for the Cardinals, as they have a remarkable 87-17 record in the month under coach Walz. In the past seven seasons alone, Louisville has secured 35 wins while suffering only four losses in November. On top of that, the team’s track record against unranked opponents is outstanding, as they have emerged victorious in 185 out of their last 193 matchups. This showcases their ability to consistently perform at a high level, regardless of their opponent’s rank.
Louisville’s success is not limited to their regular season play, as they have thrived against nonconference foes as well. Under coach Walz, the Cardinals boast a formidable 175-33 (.841) record against nonconference teams during the regular season. Over the past eight years, they have secured an impressive 77 wins in non-conference play.
Since the 2017-18 season, Louisville has amassed an incredible 178 wins, giving them a remarkable .847 winning percentage. These numbers rank the Cardinals fourth in terms of wins and fifth in winning percentage among all NCAA teams during that period.
The Cardinals once again showcased their depth and versatility in the game against Cincinnati, as 10 different players contributed points to the team’s scoreline. This team effort seldom goes unnoticed, as last season, Louisville emerged victorious in all four games where 10 or more players managed to score.
Defensively, the Cardinals proved to be a formidable force, allowing just seven points in the second quarter against Cincinnati. This impressive defensive performance follows a pattern set in the previous season, where they held their opponents to single-digit points in 22 different quarters.
When it came to capitalizing on opportunities from the free-throw line, Louisville did not disappoint. They made 26 free throws in the game, falling just one short of the season opener record under coach Walz. The team’s highest tally in a season opener came in 2008, where they made 27 free throws against Tennessee Tech.
Individually, Sydney Taylor shone as the top scorer for the Cardinals, earning a total of 16 points in her regular season debut. This marked her 73rd double-digit scoring effort of her career and the 46th time she has led the team in points. Jayda Curry also had an exceptional game, contributing 13 points in her first regular season outing with the Cardinals. This marked her 51st double-digit scoring game of her career.
Olivia Cochran demonstrated her prowess under the boards, leading the Cardinals with a game-high 10 rebounds. She also showcased her playmaking abilities, tying for the team lead with three assists. Nina Rickards also had a significant impact on the court, tallying three assists, along with six points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Freshman Elif Istanbulluoglu made an impressive collegiate debut, contributing seven points, three rebounds, one block, and one steal. Alexia Mobley set a new career record with four points and grabbed six rebounds. Kiki Jefferson showcased her all-around skills with nine points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Overall, the Louisville Cardinals delivered a dominant performance in their season opener, further solidifying their status as one of the top teams in college basketball. With their depth, skill, and strong coaching, the Cardinals are poised to continue their winning ways throughout the season.
