by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women’s basketball team’s much-anticipated Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, released by the league office on Tuesday, features eight games in the KFC Yum! Center and six regionally or nationally televised contests.
One of, if not the top-rated league for women’s basketball, the ACC sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament a season ago – including Maryland – and five of those schools visit Louisville during the season.
“This competition is one of the reasons our program is so excited about going into the ACC,” head coach Jeff Walz said. “The strength of this league from top to bottom is remarkable. We know we’re going to be tested every single night, and that’s only going to make us better as we prepare for postseason. I think our fans are in for a real treat with this schedule.”
Louisville then returns home for consecutive games, playing host to NC State on Jan. 14 and then Virginia on Jan. 18, with the tilt against the Cavaliers being broadcast on RSN/FOX. The Wolfpack finished in the top three in the league standings, while posting an impressive 25-7 overall record.The Cardinals begin conference play at home on Jan. 2 against Georgia Tech and then immediately hit the road for consecutive games, traveling to Pittsburgh (Jan. 4) and then Wake Forest (Jan. 11). The Demon Deacons boasted the top-scorer in the league last year in Dearica Hamby, who averaged 22 points per contest.
After a short three-day layoff, Louisville heads south to Florida State for a Jan. 22 game against Florida State. The two programs squared off last year in a thrilling contest that Louisville won 69-59 in overtime. Jude Schimmel logged a steal and then forced overtime with a layup with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.
Following home games against Miami and 2014 NCAA Tournament participant Syracuse, the Cardinals make the trek to Duke on Feb. 2 for an ESPN2 Monday night telecast. The Blue Devils tallied 28 wins last year, going 12-4 in league play.
Louisville heads home for a one-game stint with Pittsburgh on Feb. 8 and then takes to the road against Clemson four days later.
The Cardinals return to the spotlight with another national broadcast on Feb. 15, playing host to North Carolina. The two programs last met in 2008 in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinal. The Tar Heels, who led the league with 11.1 steals per game last year, boasted a 27-10 record.
Before Louisville’s third appearance on ESPN2 against NCAA Tournament runner-up Notre Dame on Feb. 23, the Cardinals travel to Blacksburg, Va., for a Feb. 19 matchup versus Virginia Tech. The Fighting Irish went 37-1 last year, running through the ACC to a 16-0 mark and eventually the ACC Tournament title.
Louisville concludes its regular-season schedule with a home game against Boston College on Feb. 26 and a road match at Virginia (March 1, RSN/FOX).
Lower level reserved season tickets for women’s basketball begin at just $4 per game, when fans purchase a 4-Pack of four baseline seats for less than $60 each. UofL faculty and staff, as well as senior citizens, can purchase discounted season tickets in any section of the lower level beginning at $68 for the entire season.
To purchase a season-ticket package, fans may order online at www.GoCards.com/tickets, by phone at (502) GO-CARDS or in person at the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Louisville’s inaugural ACC Tournament, held at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., runs from March 4-8.
Louisville, which reached the NCAA Elite Eight a season ago under head coach Jeff Walz, is entering its first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team boasts five seniors, including all-region and all-conference selection Sara Hammond, and a five-member incoming class that boasts 2014 McDonald’s All-Americans Myisha Hines-Allen and Mariya Moore.
For the latest information on Louisville women’s basketball, log on to GoCards.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team’s Twitter account at www.twitter.com/UofLWBB or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UofLWBB.
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