Off to a good start.
The University of Louisville women’s basketball team attracted 22,124 fans for the inaugural game Friday in the KFC Yum! Center, setting an all-time attendance record for a Big East women’s game.
Had a few things gone UofL’s way at the end, the decibel level of the facility would have been severely tested.
- Angel McCoughtry was on hand, signing hundreds of autographs, receiving a five-minute standing ovation as her No. 35 jersey was retired, a first for the Lady Cards.
- Equally impressive, the Lady Cards trailed Tennessee by only five points 55-50 with 3:02 to go. Â A team laden with freshmen giving Pat Summitt reason for concern. A couple of decent passes here, two or three baskets there, a different call by the official in the pony tail, Tennessee would not have won 63-50.
- Shoni Schimmel, the highest rated recruit in UofL history, was more than a little nervous. How else to explain her first six passes, all of them errant. A wild start. She would turn things around in the second half, scoring all of her nine points with three assists, two steals, and just one turnover.
- Monique Reid can score against anybody, even the Tennessee bruisers, collecting 19 points.
- Nice to see personal favorite Tia Gibbs, the transfer from Vanderbilt, finally get out there. She’s going to be a good one.
Pat Summitt had that familiar scowl on her face most of the game. This UofL team is going to be good when it gets its act together. Just ask Summitt.
It all came down to rebounding. Their big ‘uns were a lot bigger than our big ‘uns. In height, width, and brawn.
Pat Summitt may be building for a Final Four but Jeff Walz is building for a Final Two or better.