Jeff Walz, Louisville players preview Sweet 16 Jeff Walz, the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, reflected on the team's journey to the Sweet 16 during a press conference in Fort Worth. He praised the experience of being at the event, calling the support from the community and the organization "absolutely first class." Walz expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete against the talented Michigan squad the following day. When asked about the narrative surrounding the team's progress, Walz acknowledged the need for new content as the tournament progresses. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and showcasing talented players, particularly in women's basketball, where he believes the media often overlooks emerging stars. He cited Kymora Johnson as one of the best point guards in the country, noting that her performance would have warranted more attention if not for the lack of media coverage. Walz also shared a personal anecdote about his friendship with Cori, a fellow coach, and expressed his philosophy on work and dedication. He encouraged those in the industry to embrace their roles and not seek sympathy for the challenges they face. He highlighted the importance of teamwork and the growth of his players, noting that they have matured significantly over the past two years. Walz praised the development of his sophomore-led team, emphasizing their ability to play together and adapt to high-pressure situations. He stressed the importance of learning how to score efficiently and play with other skilled players, a skill set that will be crucial for their future careers in the WNBA.#louisville_cardinals #jeff_walz #kymora_johnson #sweet_16 #cori
Louisville women's NCAA Tournament journey continues with a second-round matchup against Alabama at home The Louisville Cardinals, seeded third in the tournament, will host sixth-seeded Alabama in a second-round NCAA Tournament game at the KFC Yum! Center on Monday. The Cardinals advanced to the round of 32 with a 72-52 victory over Vermont in the first round. The game is set for noon, with the winner earning a spot in the regional semifinals against Michigan in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday. Louisville’s decision to stay at a hotel this week marks a strategic shift, as five of the team’s seven losses this season occurred at home. Head coach Jeff Walz emphasized the importance of treating the tournament as a business trip, focusing on the task at hand rather than distractions. “We’re here to get the job done,” Walz said, highlighting the team’s familiarity with the arena and the support of the city’s fan base. Player Taj Roberts echoed the team’s mindset, noting the significance of hosting the game. “We’re still familiar with the arena and stuff like that. And then, you know, we have the best fans in the city. So it’s great to have them,” Roberts said. The Cardinals’ home-court advantage and fan support are seen as key factors in their pursuit of a Final Four berth. The matchup against Alabama presents a challenge, as the Crimson Tide are a strong sixth-seeded team. Louisville’s ability to adapt and maintain focus will be critical, especially after the team’s decision to avoid the usual home environment. With the tournament’s progression demanding consistent performance, the Cardinals aim to build on their first-round success and advance further in the postseason.#ncaa_tournament #louisville_cardinals #jeff_walz #kfc_yum_center #taj_roberts
Skylar Jones to Leave Louisville Women's Basketball Program Louisville women's basketball will conclude its season without guard Skylar Jones, who has transferred out of the program. Head coach Jeff Walz confirmed her departure, stating it was "best for all parties." Walz emphasized that the team's rotation would remain largely unchanged, noting that players like Mackenly Randolph had already been key contributors, such as playing all 45 minutes in the ACC Tournament finals. He added that the team has sufficient depth, comparing the situation to how the men's team managed with five players, and stressed that the focus would be on utilizing the best available players unless injuries or fatigue forced substitutions. Jones, a transfer from Arizona, had been part of the program's three new additions this season. She started the season opener against Clemson on November 16 but was moved to a reserve role after Anaya Hardy took over the starting position less than a month later. Over the course of the season, Jones appeared in 34 games, averaging 8.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game off the bench. Her most impactful performance came in a 21-point outing against Colorado in November, followed by a 20-point game against Ball State on December 10. However, her production declined in recent games, with her averaging just 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds over the last five contests, playing an average of 9.2 minutes. Louisville, a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament, is set to face No. 14-seeded Vermont in the first round at noon Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. The matchup marks the program's return to the tournament after a one-year absence. The Cardinals enter the postseason with a 27-7 record, matching Vermont's win total.#ncaa_tournament #jeff_walz #skylar_jones #kfc_yum_center #louisville_womens_basketball
Louisville Women's Basketball Team Loses Key Player Ahead of NCAA Tournament The Louisville women's basketball team will face a challenge as they prepare to enter NCAA Tournament play this weekend, with reserve junior guard Skylar Jones no longer part of the roster. Head Coach Jeff Walz confirmed the departure during a media session on Friday, stating that it was "best for both parties" without providing further details. Jones, who hails from Chicago, had been a consistent presence on the court this season, averaging nearly 8 points per game. She appeared in every contest during the regular season, according to Sports Illustrated. The team’s decision to cut her comes just a day before their first tournament game, adding pressure to the squad as they aim to advance. WLKY, a local news outlet, is seeking additional information about the circumstances surrounding Jones’ exit. The Cardinals, ranked No. 3 in the nation, are set to face 14th-seeded Vermont in the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday. The game is scheduled to begin at noon EST, marking the start of Louisville’s postseason campaign.#ncaa_tournament #jeff_walz #skylar_jones #louisville_womens_basketball_team #kfc_yum_center
Skylar Jones leaves Louisville as Women’s NCAA Tournament begins Louisville will compete in the Women’s NCAA Tournament without reserve guard Skylar Jones. The Cardinals’ head coach, Jeff Walz, confirmed on Friday, March 20, that Jones, a junior, is no longer with the team and will not participate in any games during the tournament. Her profile has been removed from Louisville’s athletics website. Walz stated, “She will not be participating. She’s no longer with the team, so we’ve just parted ways. It’s best for both parties.” Jones, a native of Chicago, transferred to Louisville last season after spending her first two years of college basketball at Arizona. She became a key contributor to the Cardinals’ backcourt rotation, appearing in every game for the team and averaging 16.6 minutes per contest. Jones also recorded 8.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. She had several standout performances, including 21 points in a win over Colorado, 17 in an overtime victory at North Carolina State, 20 in a win over Ball State, and 13 in a loss to Connecticut. She scored in double figures 15 times this season. Her playing time decreased in recent weeks, as she logged just five minutes in the regular season finale against Notre Dame, seven minutes in an ACC Tournament win over North Carolina, and four minutes in the ACC title game loss to Duke. Walz noted that the absence of Jones would not significantly impact the team’s rotation. “If you go back to the past month, it’s really not going to change much,” he said. “We have plenty of players. At this time of year, look what Siena men did with five players. You’re just putting your best ones out there. Unless they’re in foul trouble or they’re about to keel over and die because they’re exhausted, you keep playing them.#acc_tournament #louisville #university_of_louisville #skylar_jones #jeff_walz
