ACC Preview: Louisville Cardinals

Preview:   Louisville Cardinals

WBB Website 

Last Season:  They were 24-10 and 12-6 in league play

The Coaches:  

Jeff Walz is the long time Head Coach with 465 wins averaging 27 wins per season.  He has coached Louisville to 12 Sweet 16s.  Also to to 8 Final 8s, 4 Final 4s and twice to the Final game.  

Stephanie Norman is in her 18^th year at Louisville and the long time Associate Head Coach. 

Jonneshia Pineda is in her 6^th year as an Assistant. 

Shay Robinson is in his 3^rd year 

Amanda Butler is in her first year after 6 years at Clemson as their Head Coach.

 

Losses:   

Eylia Love averaged 4 ppg and two others averaged less than 2 ppg.  All three have transferred from Louisville. 

Nina Richards who averaged 7 ppg.

Sydney Taylor who averaged 11 ppg.

Kiki Jefferson who averaged 12 ppg.

 

 Additions: 

 Izela Arenas, 5-9 Frosh Guard from SoCal, the daughter of long time NBA player Gilbert Arenas.  Ranked # 88. 

Reagan Bender, 5-9 Frosh Guard from Louisville.  Bender scored 1,818 points and made 212 threes in HS.

Imari Berry, 5-9 Frosh Guard from Tennessee ranked # 19. McD All American.

Anaya Hardy, 6-3 Frosh Forward from Detroit.       

Isla Juffermans, 6-4 Frosh, Forward/Post from Australia.  Named MVP of Asian U 18 tournament in 2022.  

MacKenly Randolph, 6-0 Frosh Forward from SoCal ranked # 23.  McD All American.

Tajianna Roberts, 5-10 Frosh Guard from San Diego ranked # 24.  

 

Schedule:

UCLA in Paris!, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma and UConn.

 

The Team: 

Nyla Harris, 6-2 Forward who averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds last season. 

Jayda Curry, 5-6 Grad Student Guard who averaged 9 ppg and made 45 threes at 39%.

Olivia Cochran, 6-3 Grad Student Forward who averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds.  

Eseosa Imafidon, 6-5 Redshirt Frosh Post who redshirted last season.

Ifif Istanbulluoglu, 6-3 Soph Forward who averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds. 

Ja’Leah Williams, 6-0 Grad Student Guard who averaged 5 ppg. 

Merissah Russell, 6-0 Grad Student Guard who averaged 5 ppg.

 

Prediction:       

Great coach, great recruiting with three top 25 players coming in and solid returnees.    

 

2025 Recruiting:  

None yet.