LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nobody said the "V" word. The University of Louisville women's basketball team watched its NCAA Tournament draw in a dining room at Hurstbourne Country Club on Sunday night, and the players didn't expect many surprises.
You've seen the clips. The reaction at LSU when Louisville popped up on the other side of the bracket pod. The recognition on the faces of Louisville players.
Louisville coach Jeff Walz knew his team was a No. 6 seed. The only question was where they would have to travel. The first thing that caught the players' eyes was their opponent: No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee (1:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN2). The second thing was the location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where LSU guard and former Cardinal Hailey Van Lith could be waiting in the second round.
It's an early round appetizer to some bigger soap operas that could play out around the women's game over the next several weeks. Van Lith was immensely popular in Louisville, but her transfer to LSU sparked outrage in the fan base. As drama goes, it's pretty good. It's one of those matchups the selection committee would tell you "just happens." Maybe so.
Louisville athletic director Josh Heird is on the selection committee. Maybe one day he'll pull me aside and tell me how it went down. Probably not. Heird is supposed to leave the room when Louisville is discussed. I picture him coming back in and seeing side glances from committee members, maybe a few snickers.
Regardless, it's a fun storyline and one that will get some mileage in women's basketball this week. Certainly, what few returning Louisville players Walz has on his roster will be aware of its presence.
But they are more aware of something else. Middle Tennessee is a formidable obstacle to that game. Walz, and his returning players, remember last season's trip to Murfreesboro, when MTSU beat the Cardinals 67-49. That was a Louisville team that featured Van Lith, who went 4-for-18 in the game with five turnovers and posted a team-high total of -18 for her time on the court.
"They dominated from start to finish," Walz said. "So you know, it's one of those that I know our kids going into this have the utmost respect for them. It's not going to be a game where we overlook somebody or where somebody can say you didn't realize they were as good as they are. No, we're quite aware. And we know it's going to be a game we're going to have to play our best for 40 minutes. We can't come out and do what we've done the past few games, and that's play a good first half or a good second half. Because this is a ballclub that can score points. And they're really, really well-coached."
MTSU is 23-4, and ranked No. 26 in the efficiency ratings by HerHoopStats.com. Louisville is No. 25. The Blue Raiders are arguably the best team in Tennessee, having beaten the Lady Vols 73-62 in a neutral-site game in Huntsville, Ala.
"Whatever happens, happens," Louisville senior Olivia Cochran said of a possible matchup with LSU. "But right now our main focus has to be Middle Tennessee."
Louisville is making its 26th NCAA Tournament appearance and 15th in 16 seasons under Walz, who is an impressive 40-14 in NCAA Tournament play and been to eight Elite Eights, four Final Fours and the title game twice.. All-time, Louisville is 44-25 in the tournament.. This is the 13th-straight tournament the Cardinals have played in and they are 44-25 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
Louisville is a No. 6 seed for only the second time in its history. The only other time was in 2007, Walz's first season. It's not the first time the Cardinals will start the tournament in Baton Rouge. They did it in 2009, which launched their first-ever Final Four run that culminated in an NCAA championship game loss to UConn.
The Cardinals come into the NCAA Tournament with a record of 24-9, but haven't won consecutive games since Feb. 1.
"You know what, anytime you get the opportunity to see your name announced and have the opportunity to play in the postseason, it's what it's all about," Walz said. "I thought a six (seed), so you know, that that doesn't worry me. I knew we had some opportunities during the year to help our seed, and we gave a few away and then we had a one taken from us, which is just part of it."
For the seven newcomers on Louisville's roster, bracket day here was a different experience.
"I'm super excited," said Cal transfer Jayda Curry, a sophomore guard. "I'm still shaking a little bit. It's something that I wanted to be a part of for a really long time. I've never watched the selection show from the side of being a part of it. Coming here to Louisville, this was all a part of the plan. So, I'm super excited to kick it off with Middle Tennessee, and go to Louisiana. But like I said, I'm just excited for the opportunity, as I haven't played in March yet. So, it'll be super fun and I'm excited to do it with this team."
College Basketball Coverage:
- Louisville women's basketball earn No. 6 seed in NCAA Tournament, will play Middle Tennessee
- Make your 2024 NCAA Tournament picks with our printable bracket
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