Louisville Cardinals
Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #2 ACC
At a program like Louisville when you lose three starters, you don’t rebuild, you reload. And that is exactly what the Cardinals will be doing in 2015-16. Thanks to the top recruiting class in the nation led by Asia Durr and two returning starters in Myisha Hines-Allen and Mariya Moore. Louisville is going to be another threat to get back to the Final Four this season if they stay healthy all year long.
2014-15 Record: 27-7, 12-4
2014-15 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeff Walz
Coach Record: 208-77 at Louisville, 208-77 overall
Strengths:
The Cardinals are always going to be difficult to deal with at both ends of the basketball court. Defensively, Louisville limited teams to just 58.4 points per game and did a great job of causing turnovers as teams turned the ball over 20 times per games last season. This creates extra possessions, which will be very valuable this season for a young team that will go through some early season growing pains. Mariya Moore and Myisha Hines-Allen are going to carry the weight for the offense as they combined for over 25 points per game last season. Hines-Allen was of the best shooters in the country last season, shooting 55.8 percent from the floor. The ability to share the basketball is another significant strength for the Cardinals as they averaged over 17 assists per game last season. If they can replicate those numbers in 2015-16, then their scoring offense should be able to average over 75 points per game without any problem.
Weaknesses:
Inexperience is going to be a concern with Louisville likely starting three freshmen this season. But what will help cover up for the lack of experience is the talent and potential of the incoming class led by Asia Durr. Durr is going to need to come in and contribute right away in the starting lineup. She is a very dynamic offensive player who scored 2,764 points in her high school career and, depending on the recruiting service, was ranked among the top three players in the nation. Erin DeGrate is also going to need to make an immediate impact as the production of Sara Hammond at center will have to be replaced to take the pressure off of the rest of the offensive attack.
Final Projection:
California visits the KFC YUM Center to kick off the season on November 15 as it will rematch from a game in Berkeley that the Cardinals won 70-57 last year in late December. A trip to Michigan State for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on December 3, along with a road trip to Kentucky to battle the Wildcats, will be great tests for this young Louisville team. The conference schedule is pretty favorable for the most part as the majority of the key games will be at home. Florida State starts off 2016 for the Cardinals on New Year’s Day and that will be a huge tone setter as the Seminoles are also expected to contend for the conference championship. A tricky road trip to Syracuse on January 25 could be a potential land mine for Louisville in their quest to try and win the ACC along with a visit from conference favorite Notre Dame on February 7. If the Cardinals can protect their home court in ACC play, they will be right on the heels of Notre Dame in the race for the ACC title.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Asia Durr, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Taja Cole, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Mariya Moore, Sophomore, Guard, 13.4 points per game
Myisha Hines-Allen, Sophomore, Forward, 11.8 points per game
Erin DeGrate, Freshman, Center, DNP last season
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.1 (30th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.4 (49,2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.7(34,4)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.3 (103,6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 3.7 (289,15)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 30.7 (190,12)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.1 (258,14)
Rebound Margin: 7.0 (23,4)
Assists Per Game: 17.3 (11,2)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3 (65,3)
Madness 2015 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#2 Asia Durr
#22 Taja Cole
#26 Brianna Jones
#45 Erin DeGrate
#64 Samantha Fuehring
See All Top 44 Women’s Basketball Previews
