U of L women's basketball coach watches team's NCAA first round win from a restaurant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)--The KFC Yum! Center was energized. Thousands packed in, as Louisville welcomed women's basketball supporters from across the country.

The biggest fan of U of L's team, Head Coach Jeff Walz, couldn't have bought a ticket if wanted to.

"I'm not allowed to be in the arena because of the suspension," he explained.

He got a slap on the wrist for comments made last year in the direction of tournament officials.

"I may have used some colorful language I shouldn't have used, but I'm always going to defend my kids," said Coach Walz.

Assistant Coach Stephanie Norman led the Cards to the court. Walz spent the entirety of his team's first game in the NCAA tournament this year, at a restaurant across the street.

Burger joint, Side Bar welcomed him with open arms.

"Instead of watching it at the office, I thought I'd come down here," said Walz.

There were no burgers, salad, or beer for Walz. Just water, and basketball.

Walz was certainly on the sideline in spirit. He was complementing his team aloud, and talking about what his players should've done better with Bellarmine basketball coach, Scott Davenport.

"We got Xs and Os on paper, jump ball plays, late clock situations, this is what we do," said Davenport.

When the buzzer sounded, the U of L women's team did what they do, win. It keeps the number one seed team alive for another tournament game. That's a match up Walz will coach.

"That's what I love to do, I love to coach these kids, I love to be part of the excitement," said Walz.