The Washington Huskies go on the road to face the Louisville Cardinal on December 20th at 4PM Pacific
The Washington Huskies (11-0) go on the road to face the Louisville Cardinal (10-2) on Wednesday, December 20th at 4PM Pacific.
The video broadcast of the matchup between the Huskies and Louisville will be streaming on Washington Livestream; as well as, streaming audio at LISTEN TO HUSKIES RADIO CALL.
In their last game before facing Washington, Louisville lost at UCONN, 62-86.
The Return of Lauren Schwartz to her Old Kentucky Home
Wednesday’s matchup marks the first return of senior guard #2 Lauren Schwartz to play in her home state of Kentucky, since she became a Washington Husky.
Schwartz is the Huskies’ second-leading scorer at 12.3 points (plus 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists) per game — while shooting a scorching 40% from three-point range and 65.3% on two-point attempts.
Lauren Schwartz scored her 1000th point in her career last season, including her one season at Rice.
Schwartz scored 669 points as a Washington Husky and may eclipse the 1000th point mark solely as a Husky, later this season.
Louisville’s Offense
Louisville’s offense averages 77.1 points per game; while the Huskies average 70.9 points per game.
Louisville is an average three-point shooting team at 29.8% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Washington defenders are holding opponents to only 21.5% shooting from three-point range (ranked in Top 11% nationally).
Interestingly, the Louisville team is more focused on attacking from two-point range, making 50.1% of their two-point attempts; as well as, 65.3% accuracy withing 4.5 feet of the rim.
Kiki Jefferson is a 6’1″ guard and the leading scorer for the Cardinal at 12.7 points per game.
Jefferson is making 37.5% % of her three-point attempts, while making 57.3% of her two-point attempts.
Kiki Jefferson will aggressively attack the lane, where she shoots 75% within 4.5 feet of the rim; 46.2% ( from farther out in the lane area.
Jayda Curry is a 5’6″ guard and the Cardinal’s fourth-leading scorer at 7.5 points per game.
However, Curry is capable of offensively taking over a game if she gets on a hot streak.
A former teammate of Husky Dalayah Daniels at California, Curry is most efficient shooting straightaway three-pointers; as well as, three-pointers and mid-range jumpers from the right-side of the court.
Curry shoots 32.4% from three-point range (12 for 37); and making 42% of her two-point attempts.
Washington Defense
The Huskies are coming off two excellent defensive performance against the WSU Cougars and St. Mary’s, expect a similar stifling defense presence against the Cardinal
The Huskies will likely challenge Cardinal guards to limit their offensive touches and cut off their dribble-drive lane penetration (particularly, Kiki Jefferson) and tightly contest all of their shots.
Washington averages 29.0 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks in the Top 11 % among Division One schools nationally.
Meanwhile, the Cardinal average an exceptional 14.1 offensive rebounds per game, ranking in the Top 15% nationally.
The Huskies also average 3.0 blocks per game, which ranks among the Top 19% of Division One schools nationally.
Washington must control the lane defensively with shot blocking (contesting all shots inside); as well as limiting the Cardinal’s second chance opportunities with UW’s defensive rebounding.
Washington Offense
The Huskies are currently averaging 34.5% accuracy from three-point range.
UW has seven players shooting 30% or better from beyond the arc :
Chloe Briggs (40.6%);
Lauren Schwartz (40.0% );
Hannah Stines (40.0%);
Teagan Brown (37.5%),
Jayda Noble (36.4%);
Elle Ladine (33.3%); and
Sayvia Sellers(30.3%).
Washington’s offense is also very efficient from mid-range and close range, averaging 52.6% on two-pointers and 63.4% within 4.5 feet of the rim.
Overall, 52.5% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 14.1 assists per game.
Overall, 52.5% of the UW Huskies made shots are the result of their 14.1 assists per game.Prediction: Close Game, Huskies Win!
Washington will win this road game over the Louisville Cardinal in a close contest by limiting their own turnovers and shooting a high percentage from three-point range; as well as, dominating the Cardinal with inside-the-paint scoring and defensive rebounding.
GO DAWGS!