No. 7 UConn women’s basketball vs. No. 6 Louisville: time, how to watch, broadcasters, keys to the game

The No. 7 UConn women’s basketball team has one challenge standing between it and the holiday break, but it’s a big one. The Huskies face No. 6 Louisville Sunday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena, their sole game in a 17-day stretch spanning most of December.

UConn seeks its third win over a ranked team this season, and its first against a top-10 opponent, but it’ll have to do so without reigning national player of the year Paige Bueckers (knee), sophomore backup point guard Nika Mühl (foot), freshman Azzi Fudd (foot) and junior Aubrey Griffin (back). This could be the final game the Huskies will face this shorthanded, as Fudd and Mühl could return after the holiday.

But for a UConn team that struggled with offensive execution even with a healthy Bueckers, Louisville poses a particularly tough challenge with its pressure defense. Since losing two-time ACC player of the year Dana Evans to the WNBA Draft this past year, the Cardinals have established a defensive identity as their calling card.

“We’ve just been simplifying [our offense] for us, just kind of reading the defense,” said redshirt senior Evina Westbrook on how the Huskies have been preparing. “Back-cutting is going to be huge for us, just reading all their overplays. They’re going to be really aggressive.”

Senior Olivia Nelson-Ododa added that the team has been put in pressure situations all week, both in the half and full court, and that practice players have been asked to overplay, step up on passes and pressure the Huskies when they pick up their dribble.

Limiting turnovers will be critical, too — both of UConn’s losses came when they committed over 15 turnovers, including 16 against Georgia Tech without Bueckers.

“That’s going to be one of the big things that they’re going to try and throw at us, is just pressure and so just kind of matching that with toughness,” Nelson-Ododa said. “We have the ability to execute our stuff and kind of slow down, really just take our time with what we need to do.”

Against ranked teams this season, Louisville fell to Arizona (59-61, OT) in its season opener, but beat Michigan 70-48 and Kentucky 64-58.

Here’s what else you need to know about the matchup.

Site: Mohegan Sun Arena

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Series: UConn leads, 17-2

Last meeting: No. 2 UConn 80, No. 5 Louisville 73, March 31, 2019, in Albany, N.Y. (2019 Elite Eight)

TV: ESPN (Eric Frede, Rebecca Lobo, Andraya Carter)

Radio: UConn IMG Sports Network on 97.9 ESPN (Bob Joyce, Debbie Fiske)

Louisville probable starters, sixth man

Kianna Smith, G, 6-0, R-Sr.; Hailey Van Lith, G, 5-7, So.; Emily Engstler, F, 6-1, Sr.; Chelsie Hall, G, 5-7, Gr.; Olivia Cochran, F, 6-3, So.; Liz Dixon, F, 6-5, Sr.

UConn probable starters, sixth man

Christyn Williams, G, 5-11, Sr.; Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, 6-5, Sr.; Evina Westbrook, G, 6-0, R-Sr.; Dorka Juhász, F, 6-5, Gr.; Caroline Ducharme, G, 6-2, Fr.; Aaliyah Edwards, F, 6-3, So.

The matchup

UConn’s offense: Five players reached double-figures against UCLA, the sort of balance the team ideally need, especially with Bueckers out. Westbrook was aggressive from the get-go in hunting to score, while Juhász had season-highs in scoring and rebounding and Ducharme tied a career-high 14 points.

UConn’s defense: Coach Geno Auriemma has been pleased with how the Huskies have grown on this end of the floor since their season opener. UCLA jbarely surpassed the 60-point threshold, but other than that only South Carolina (73) and Arkansas (80) managed more.

Louisville’s offense: The Cards average 70.3 points on 45.9% shooting. They don’t shoot a ton of 3s, but when they do, they’re hitting 35.4% with Smith making 47.8%. Their three double-figure scorers are Smith (12.3 points per game), Van Lith (10.8) and Engstler (10.0).

Louisville’s defense: Th 46.7 points allowed per game ranks third in the nation per Her Hoops Stats, and they’re allowing opponents to shoot just 32.9% (24.4% from the arc). Their rebounding is also strong, as they come away with 58.1% of misses, including 77.5% on the defensive end. Their pressure defense creates 10.3 steals per game and forces 20.8 turnovers on average, off which they score 22 points (per ESPN). Engstler is a crucial cog, as she averages 9.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, all team-highs.

UConn keys: Approach Louisville’s pressure with patience, execute on offense and take care of the ball, crash the glass

“They have a lot of depth, they have a lot of guards, so they’re taking advantage of that,” Auriemma said. “They’re causing a lot of turnovers and they’re making the game chaotic, and you’ve got to be able to handle the chaos. I’m sure there’ll be times when we do and I’m sure there’ll be times when we don’t.”

Players to watch: Williams, Westbrook and Ducharme are going to have to have really good games, specifically in how they handle Louisville’s pressure. The Huskies could also use an effective afternoon from Williams, who has been going through an offensive rut these last few weeks.

About Louisville’s coach: In his 15th season at the helm, Jeff Walz has led the Cardinals to 10 trips to the Sweet 16, six to the Elite Eight, three to the Final Four and two to the national title game (both times, UConn beat them). His overall record is 394–109.

Louisville’s mascot: Cardinal Bird or Louie

Famous alumni: NFL player Lamar Jackson, WNBA player Angel McCoughtry, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Alexa Philippou can be reached at aphilippou@courant.com