By Derek DeBurger
No. 20 Louisville dropped their first game of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Betty Chancellor Classic.
Neither team was able to grab hold and run away with the game from the beginning, including the refs. A total of 47 fouls were called between the two teams, with multiple players on both sides in serious foul trouble. Alabama’s star player, Sarah Ashlee Barker, even fouled out of the game in a crucial moment.
Alabama had 19 turnovers but kept true to their reputation as ball hawks turning Louisville over 18 times. Even with Louisville’s dominance on the offensive boards, hauling in 26 offensive rebounds, the Cards were never able to establish a consistent rhythm on offense.
Big Nyla Harris was a bright spot scoring 18 points with eight rebounds to her name. Harris was able to dominate on her second-chance buckets, but the 18 points are a major improvement over her offensive skillset from the previous season.
Sydney Taylor continued to prove herself as the go-to option with 17 points.
Heading into the fourth quarter the Cards trailed by three, but after two quick buckets the Cards led by one. The rest of the quarter was filled with lead changes and ties until Barker hit a three with just under a minute left in the game. The Cards did a good job cutting into the lead with quick buckets but were unable to get steals in crunch time which put Alabama at the free-throw line time and again. The Tide continued to covert at the line, and the rest was history.
Louisville falls to Alabama 78-73.
On to Liberty
I know Louisville under Jeff Walz has found their rotation throughout the course of real game time, but Alabama has a short bench allowing their players to get into a flow on offense. There is a definite argument to be made for the benefit of a deep bench, but in a game like Friday’s where only a few of your players were able to get anything going on offense, you have to think Walz needs to shore up his rotation sooner than later before ACC play begins.
It’s easy, however, to criticize the coaching after a loss, but Walz has been here before and he’s earned a long leash. There are improvements to be made, especially the turnover issues, and there’s plenty of season left.
That season starts back up immediately as the Cards will play the Liberty Flames on Saturday.
The Flames –Louisville’s next opponent– will offer a different caliber of opponent for the Cards which should provide the perfect “get right” game for head Walz and company.
Liberty is currently sitting at 2-3 on the year after dropping their first game in the Betty Chancellor Classic, and neither of the two wins or the three losses have been pretty.
Liberty has not only struggled to rebound the ball at a high rate, they’ve struggled to rebound at all. In all five games, the Flames have been under 40 rebounds. Coming off of a dominant performance on the boards in Friday’s game, the Cards should have a lopsided night rebounding the ball—anything less would be a massive disappointment.
The Cards also forced 19 turnovers on Friday, and if the intensity holds or even increases you have to imagine that number will balloon well over 20 takeaways for the Cards.
One thing the Cards have to work on is limiting their own turnovers. It’s still early, but it’s been an issue in every game. If Louisville wants to accomplish any of the goals they have—and can very reasonably achieve—they have to cut down on the turnovers. Some of the issues with holding onto the ball will fix themselves with players better learning the system and the rotation being shortened, but it has to be a focus with Walz and company for the time being.
Liberty will be far from the most talented or best-coached team Louisville will face this season, and after a loss I expect this squad to be focused.
Louisville is 4-1 on the season with two games left in Texas.
