The No. 20/15 Louisville women’s basketball team (4-0) is gearing up for the Betty & Van Chancellor Classic in Katy, Texas. The Cardinals will be facing three opponents in three days, starting with Alabama (5-0) on Friday at 12 p.m. ET. They will then face Liberty (2-2) on Saturday and close the weekend with Gonzaga (4-1) on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Cardinals are coming into the Chancellor Classic on a high note, with a 2-0 record from their recent wins over Bellarmine (111-33) and Bucknell (77-44). Sydney Taylor led the team with a season-high 17 points in the win over Bucknell, surpassing the 1,500-point mark for her career.
In the win over Bucknell, the Cardinals had 10 different players contribute points, showcasing their depth and teamwork. This is the third time this season that 10 or more players have scored for the Cardinals, a trend that is carrying over from last season when they were undefeated in games where 10 or more players scored. The Cardinals have also had at least nine players score in every game this season.
The Cardinals have been impressive from the free-throw line so far this season, ranking ninth in the NCAA with a free throw percentage of 83.6%. They average 23.0 made free throws per game, which is the third-best in the nation. They also average 27.5 trips to the line per game, placing them 10th in the country.
The first matchup of the Chancellor Classic will see the Cardinals take on Alabama. The Crimson Tide are coming into the tournament undefeated with a 5-0 record. They have a strong defense, ranking second in the nation in scoring defense and 16th in field goal percentage defense. They also force an average of 24.0 turnovers per game, which is the 13th best in the nation. The Cardinals trail 1-3 against Alabama in their all-time series but have a win in their most recent matchup in 2008.
The next matchup for the Cardinals will be against Liberty. The Flames come into the tournament with a 2-2 record, with both of their losses coming in their most recent games. The Cardinals lead the all-time series against Liberty 2-0, with their most recent matchup resulting in a 62-42 win for the Cardinals in 2009.
Finally, the Cardinals will face Gonzaga in their last game of the Chancellor Classic. Gonzaga has a 4-1 record and has won their last three games. They return four of their five starters from their matchup against the Cardinals last season. The series between Louisville and Gonzaga is tied at 2-2, with the Cardinals defeating Gonzaga in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Louisville fans can catch all the action of the Chancellor Classic on ESPN+. For the latest updates and news on Louisville women’s basketball, be sure to follow the team’s social media accounts.
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