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
Virginia Stuns No. 2 Seed Iowa to Reach Sweet 16 in Double Overtime Virginia’s 10th-seeded team pulled off a stunning 83-75 double-overtime victory over No. 2 seed Iowa, becoming the first First Four participant to reach the NCAA women’s tournament Sweet 16. The Cavaliers, led by Kymora Johnson’s 28 points, overcame a tough matchup against the Hawkeyes, who were playing in front of a sellout crowd of 14,332 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win marks Virginia’s first appearance in the second weekend of the tournament since 2000 and the first time a 10-seed has advanced to the Sweet 16 since Creighton’s historic run in 2022. The Cavaliers’ journey to the regional semifinals included three consecutive wins in five days. They began with a 57-55 First Four victory over Arizona State, followed by an 82-73 overtime win against Georgia in the first round. Facing Iowa, Virginia’s resilience shone through. Despite Iowa’s efforts to close the gap, the Cavaliers held their composure, with Johnson delivering key baskets in the final minutes. “Iowa is a really good team. They’re a 2-seed for a reason,” said Virginia coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. “No matter what they threw at us, we just did not get rattled. We believed we were going to win this game before it even started.” The game was tightly contested, with Virginia leading 28-23 at halftime. The Cavaliers shot 39.3% from the field in the first half but capitalized on Iowa’s struggles, particularly Heiden’s two early fouls and the Hawkeyes’ poor 3-point shooting (1-of-12). Iowa, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency, missing critical shots in the final moments of regulation and overtime. Johnson, a junior who grew up just 2 miles from Virginia’s campus, played all 50 minutes.#iowa_hawkeyes #carver_hawkeye_arena #virginia_cavaliers #kymora_johnson #amaka_agugua_hamilton
Iowa Women's Basketball vs. Virginia Prediction, Keys to Game Iowa women's basketball is focused on moving past its first-round NCAA Tournament win over FDU and preparing for a second-round matchup against No. 10 seed Virginia. The Hawkeyes, seeded No. 2, will face the Cavaliers on March 23 in a game that marks the end of Virginia’s Midwest tournament run, which includes three games in five days. Iowa’s youthful roster will need to manage pressure and maintain composure as they aim to advance further in the tournament. The game will also serve as a farewell for senior players Kylie Feuerbach and Hannah Stuelke, both of whom will play their final game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Feuerbach, a fifth-year guard, has been a key defensive presence for Iowa, leading the team to a 4-1 record when scoring fewer than 60 points. Stuelke, a Cedar Rapids Washington alum, will take her final steps in Iowa City, a location she has called home for nearly seven years. Both players have faced the challenge of balancing personal milestones with team success, as seen in previous years when other Iowa stars navigated similar situations. Feuerbach emphasized her ability to handle the emotional weight of the moment, stating, “After the fact, it’ll definitely be hard to process. But right now, it’s good.” Stuelke, who tends to express her emotions more openly, acknowledged that she will feel emotional at the game’s end but remains focused on the task at hand. “When the buzzer sounds, I’ll get emotional,” she said. “But up until then, I’ve got a job to do.” Virginia’s Kymora Johnson poses a significant challenge for Iowa’s defense. The junior guard has been a standout performer this season, averaging 18.3 points per game and leading the Cavaliers to key victories, including a double-overtime win over Georgia.#iowa_women_basketball #virginia_cavaliers #kymora_johnson #kylie_feuerbach #hannah_stuelke
Virginia edges Arizona State in NCAA tournament First Four Kymora Johnson scored 17 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.6 seconds remaining, as Virginia defeated Arizona State 57-55 in the NCAA tournament First Four on Thursday night. The Cavaliers, seeded 10th, advanced to face seventh-seeded Georgia in the next round, marking their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2018 under head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. Johnson’s clutch 3-pointer, Virginia’s first of the second half in 10 attempts, gave the Cavaliers a 54-51 lead. With 5.3 seconds left, Johnson added a free throw to seal the victory. Arizona State’s Jyah LoVett lost control of the ball in the paint as the clock expired, ending the game. Johnson also recorded 10 rebounds for her ninth career double-double. Caitlin Weimar contributed 11 points off the bench, and Romi Levy added 10. Arizona State, seeded 10th, saw Marley Washenitz score 19 points on five 3-pointers, while McKinna Brackens and Heloisa Carrera each tallied 10 points. Gabby Elliott, Arizona State’s leading scorer, made just three of 13 field goals, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds. The Sun Devils, making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2019, were coached by first-year head coach Molly Miller. The game saw Arizona State trail by as many as 10 points in the second half before rallying. Elliott’s jumper cut the deficit to 48-46 with 3:18 remaining, but Virginia’s defense held firm. The loss ended Arizona State’s season, while Virginia advanced to the next round, continuing its resurgence under Agugua-Hamilton.#virginia #arizona_state #kymora_johnson #amaka_agugua_hamilton #molly_miller
Pair of Double-Doubles Power Virginia to First Four Victory The 10th-seeded Virginia women’s basketball team (20-11) secured its first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament victory since 2018 with a 57-55 win over 10th-seeded Arizona State (24-11) on Thursday night (March 19) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Cavaliers advanced to face seventh-seeded Georgia (22-9) in the next round on Saturday (March 21) at the same venue, with the game set for 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Caitlin Weimar added 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The game’s momentum shifted in the first quarter as Virginia surged ahead with a 7-0 run late in the period, taking a seven-point lead. The Cavaliers entered the second quarter with a 19-14 advantage after shooting 7-for-13 from the field in the opening 10 minutes. Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, with Virginia hitting just 26% of their shots and Arizona State managing only 14%. Virginia extended its lead to nine points by halftime, outscoring the Sun Devils 10-2 in the frame. The Cavaliers held Arizona State without a basket on their final seven attempts of the half, maintaining a 30-22 lead at the break. Arizona State responded with a 50% shooting performance in the third quarter but was limited to just eight field-goal attempts as Virginia forced six turnovers. The Sun Devils cut the deficit to four points by the start of the fourth quarter, trailing 40-36. After trailing by eight points with 4:28 remaining, Arizona State launched a late rally, capped by a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left to tie the game at 51-51. Kymora Johnson answered with a clutch 3-pointer moments later, giving Virginia a 57-55 lead.#arizona_state #carver_hawkeye_arena #kymora_johnson #caitlin_weimar #amaka_agugua_hamilton
