Tipoff Tracker: No. 21 Louisville women brace for No. 20 Kentucky's size in rivalry test

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jeff Walz knows better than to downplay a rivalry. But as his 21st-ranked Louisville Cardinals prepare to host No. 20 Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday, he's more focused on execution than emotion.

"This is Louisville-Kentucky," Walz said. "We know the importance of the game. But for us, it's also Game 6. It's a chance to get better — against a really good team."

That good team is undefeated, 6-0 Kentucky, led by second-year coach Kenny Brooks. The Wildcats have bludgeoned opponents with size, defense, and depth. They've won five straight by at least 32 points and are holding opponents to just 26.9% shooting — the best field goal defense in the nation

"They lead the country in blocked shots," Walz noted. "We're going to have to get in space and try to spread them out. If we try to shoot over them, it's going to be a long day."

Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Eric Crawford

Kentucky starts three players 6-4 or taller — Clara Strack (6-5), Amelia Hassett (6-4), and Teonni Key (6-5) — and dominates the glass with a +12.8 rebound margin. Strack is one of the most productive bigs in the country, averaging 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game

Yet Walz believes his team is starting to find its rhythm. Louisville is coming off a blowout win over Morehead State in which the Cards finally connected from deep and got extended minutes for a group of young players on its bench.

Most encouraging was the continued emergence of Laura Ziegler, a Danish senior forward who's 17-for-18 at the line this season and brings vocal leadership and steadiness on the floor.

"She has joy when she's playing, and joy for others when she's not," Walz said. "That's rare."

She's also solid from the field and leads the team in rebounding. Otherwise, Louisville is going to need a huge game from its guards – particularly Tajianna Roberts and Imari Berry – to offset Kentucky's edge inside.

The Cards also welcome back forward Yevhenlia Putra, who returned late Thursday from international play with the Ukrainian National Team.

"She might be sleeping right now," Walz joked, "but she'll be at practice."

This is a game that Walz calls "different," noting that modern players may not have the same longstanding animosity with the rivalry that past teams did. Still, he understands the magnitude, both in the rivalry and in the NCAA Tournament résumé this game helps build.

And yes, he's trying to make it easy for fans to watch both U of L vs. UK football and women's basketball.

"I'm going to see if we can't get the football game up on the big screen before our start," he said. "Come early. Watch both. Be in your seat for tip."