LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Before he could proceed with the challenge of playing four Top 25 opponents in 11 days, University of Louisville women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz had more pressing responsibilities this week.
On Monday night, Walz’s former assistant coach Sam Purcell directed Mississippi State to the biggest win of Purcell’s career — a 77-73 upset of No. 9 Louisiana State, the defending national champions.
Of course, Walz called Purcell after the game. Of course, Walz praised the work Purcell has done over his two seasons in Starkville.
And, of course, Walz volunteered to assist Purcell’s pre-game promise of buying a swimming pool for his three daughters if the Bulldogs beat LSU.
“It should be ready this week,” Walz said Wednesday.
Yes, it should.
Always eager to help a friend, Walz logged on to Amazon and purchased a plastic wading pool that should arrive at the Purcell residence Thursday.
Walz dug deep. He didn’t go with the $24.99 product. He upgraded to the $34.95 version.
“Reese, Rylee and Reagan should all enjoy that pool a lot,” Walz said.
After that hit to his bank account, Walz and his Cardinals’ team will dive into the toughest part of their schedule:
A home game Thursday at 7 p.m. against No. 21 Syracuse, followed by a Monday night visit to No. 5 North Carolina State, followed by a home game with No. 14 Notre Dame Feb. 8, followed by a trip to Syracuse Feb. 11.
When it’s over, who knows where the Cards will be ranked? Or where they will sit in the Atlantic Coast Conference?
And don’t forget the most important part of the equation:
One of the biggest differences between the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments is the top 16 seeds in the women’s game have the opportunity to play their first two NCAA games at home.
Walz and the Cardinals had a great run of taking advantage of that benefit — until last season when they were asked to go to Austin to defeat Drake and the University of Texas. (Which they did.)
The Cards are No. 16 in the current AP media Top 25 poll. They are No. 23 in the NCAA NET formula. They are No. 12 in the coaches’ poll. They are No,. 19 in the old Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) formula.
Translation: The Cards are in good shape but they certainly have work to do.
Winning half of the next four is suggested. Winning three would be terrific. Winning four would be reason to save the dates of the fourth weekend at March at the KFC Yum! Center.
I asked Walz how important this four-game stretch will be to Louisville’s chances of serving as a NCAA Tournament host site.
“We talk about it,” Walz said.
“Do we throw it down our kid’s throats? No. But we do make sure they understand the importance of each one of these games.
“But at the same time, like I’ve said, we’ve done OK, if we don’t host, too. So it’s not, for us, do or die — if you look at the results that we’ve had in post-season play.
“Sure, would I like to be able to stay at home and not travel the first weekend? Of course I would. So yes, we are aware of what’s at stake here.
“But the great thing about this league is, if you lose this game, you have four more to put yourself in a spot to recover.”
Louisville sits atop the ACC standings with a 7-1 league record. The Cards are 18-3 overall. At 7-2, Syracuse is tied with Virginia Tech and UNC for second place. The Orange are 17-3 overall.
Syracuse lost to Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. They have three wins over teams that were ranked when they played them (Florida State and Notre Dame twice).
Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring at 20.5 points per game. She is one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball, making nearly 39 percent of her attempts (72 of 187).
“You’ve got to be thrilled with any win you can get,” Walz said.
“But I know and our players know that tomorrow night is going to be, I hope, a great crowd in here. And it should be just a very intense, physical basketball game.”
And maybe the Purcell family can watch from their new swimming pool.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.
