# 4 University of Louisville women's basketball hosts the final game of its three-game home-stand vs #21 Duke on Sunday afternoon. The game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN and 790-AM WKRD.
It is a return of former Cards Elizabeth Balogun and Nyah Green to the KFC YUM! Center.
After a disappointing effort against UNC, Duke will look at an even more powerful foe in Louisville. The Cardinals have another super talented team led by Hailey Van Lith, Kianna Smith, Emily Engstler and the post duo of Liz Dixon and Olivia Cochran. Van Lith has plenty of help. Engstler, Dixon and Cochran combine for the best front line triple punch in the ACC. And just when you think the talent should run out they have Robinson and Smith who can defend the wings with the best of them. The Cards have everything you need to not only win the ACC tournament but win the National Championship.
Duke is 13-5 on the season ans 4-4 in ACC play. Balogun is third leading scorer on the Blue Devils squad with 10.5 ppg, behind Shayeann Day-Wilson and Celeste Taylor.
Duke must make this a boring game -- not getting into a track meet with Louisville. Make it about long possessions and rebounding. On offense slow down and execute in the half court. Try and limit the positions Louisville has by run a movement offense to get the best shot.
On the Cards side, Engstler recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Florida State on Thursday. She added five blocks and two assists. It tied her career high in blocks and marked the first time that a UofL player has had five blocks since Kylee Shook did it on Feb. 23, 2020 at Pitt. A defensive player of the year nominee, she may not even be the best defender on the squad. Kasa Robinson has been shutting down opponents all season.
It'll be interesting to see who UofL assigns to guard Balogun. Louisville needs to avoid a slow start and needs to have a strong fourth quarter. The Cards defense needs to be stellar, as it usually is, and rebound well against an opponent that is out-rebounding foes by six grabs a game.
ITEMS OF NOTE:
--Did Duke head coach Kara Lawson make the trip? She was (allegedly) under health and safety protocols.
--Will Nyah Green make the trip or see action? She has been under "violation of team standards and policies" and has only appeared in eight games this year for Duke.
--Will Norika Konno return to the Louisville sidelines? She has been M.I.A. because of "health issues".
It should be a fun one...
--sonja--
It is a return of former Cards Elizabeth Balogun and Nyah Green to the KFC YUM! Center.
After a disappointing effort against UNC, Duke will look at an even more powerful foe in Louisville. The Cardinals have another super talented team led by Hailey Van Lith, Kianna Smith, Emily Engstler and the post duo of Liz Dixon and Olivia Cochran. Van Lith has plenty of help. Engstler, Dixon and Cochran combine for the best front line triple punch in the ACC. And just when you think the talent should run out they have Robinson and Smith who can defend the wings with the best of them. The Cards have everything you need to not only win the ACC tournament but win the National Championship.
Duke is 13-5 on the season ans 4-4 in ACC play. Balogun is third leading scorer on the Blue Devils squad with 10.5 ppg, behind Shayeann Day-Wilson and Celeste Taylor.
Duke must make this a boring game -- not getting into a track meet with Louisville. Make it about long possessions and rebounding. On offense slow down and execute in the half court. Try and limit the positions Louisville has by run a movement offense to get the best shot.
On the Cards side, Engstler recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Florida State on Thursday. She added five blocks and two assists. It tied her career high in blocks and marked the first time that a UofL player has had five blocks since Kylee Shook did it on Feb. 23, 2020 at Pitt. A defensive player of the year nominee, she may not even be the best defender on the squad. Kasa Robinson has been shutting down opponents all season.
It'll be interesting to see who UofL assigns to guard Balogun. Louisville needs to avoid a slow start and needs to have a strong fourth quarter. The Cards defense needs to be stellar, as it usually is, and rebound well against an opponent that is out-rebounding foes by six grabs a game.
ITEMS OF NOTE:
--Did Duke head coach Kara Lawson make the trip? She was (allegedly) under health and safety protocols.
--Will Nyah Green make the trip or see action? She has been under "violation of team standards and policies" and has only appeared in eight games this year for Duke.
--Will Norika Konno return to the Louisville sidelines? She has been M.I.A. because of "health issues".
It should be a fun one...
--sonja--
