The No. 19 Louisville women’s basketball team is gearing up to open ACC play this weekend against the RV/23 Miami Hurricanes. The Cardinals, led by head coach Jeff Walz, finished non-conference play with a solid 11-2 record. This is the 12th time under Walz that the Cardinals have achieved 10 or more wins in non-conference play. The team’s success in non-conference play ranks them second in the ACC. They have also secured two victories against ranked opponents from Power-5 conferences, highlighting their strength and ability to compete.
The upcoming matchup against the Hurricanes is part of a challenging stretch for the Cardinals, with the game being the third of a potential four-straight games against ranked or receiving votes opponents. The team will look to carry their momentum and continue their winning ways as they enter ACC play.
Louisville has had immense success in conference play since joining the ACC in the 2014-15 season. Over the past nine seasons, the Cardinals boast an impressive 126-24 record in ACC games, with a winning percentage of .840. This winning percentage is the highest among all teams in the conference. Additionally, the Cardinals have seven more conference wins than the next best team during that span. The team has been dominant in ACC openers under Walz, boasting a perfect 9-0 record. This game against the Hurricanes will mark their fifth ACC opener on the road.
The Cardinals will face the Miami Hurricanes on Sunday, December 31 at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network. The Cardinals have a favorable history against the Hurricanes, leading the series 8-3. Under coach Jeff Walz, the team has an even more impressive 8-2 record against Miami. This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams in Coral Gables, with the Cardinals maintaining a perfect 4-0 record as the away team.
Miami enters the ACC opener with a 10-1 record and is ranked #23 in the USA Today Coaches poll. The Hurricanes, like the Cardinals, are one of seven ACC teams to be ranked in at least one of the polls as conference play begins. Miami has already defeated one common opponent of the Cardinals, beating DePaul 75-70 at home. The Cardinals also played DePaul, securing an 81-74 victory in their home opener.
The Hurricanes have shown their strength on the bench, leading the ACC and ranking 13th in the nation with 30.9 bench points per game. They also excel defensively, leading the ACC and ranking 21st in the country in scoring defense, allowing only 53.3 points per game. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 45.6 points per game. This sets the stage for an intriguing matchup between two strong defensive teams.
In their last meeting on February 23, 2023, the Cardinals secured a convincing 71-57 victory over the Hurricanes. During that game, Liz Dixon showcased her skills with a double-double performance, tallying 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Mykasa Robinson also made her mark with a career-high 12 points, along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Robinson has been a consistent contributor for the Cardinals over the past seven games, averaging 7.7 points, 7.3 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game.
As Louisville heads into ACC play, they will look to build on their non-conference success and continue their dominance in conference play. Coach Walz and his team have the skills and determination to compete not only in the ACC but on the national stage as well. Fans can follow Louisville women’s basketball on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and news.
