FORT WORTH, Texas — The 24-hour rule didn’t apply.
Louisville women’s basketball hasn’t forgotten about last year’s first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Cardinals coach Jeff Walz brought it up during the team’s watch party on Sunday as a reminder to not underestimate anyone.
“I explained to them, some firsts aren’t good, and it was a first,” Walz said. “We’ve got to make sure that does not happen again, so our kids are prepared.”
Louisville, the No. 7 seed, will open March Madness against 10th-seeded Nebraska at 6 p.m. ET today. The two schools have never played each other in the postseason before, though Louisville is 3-1 against the Cornhuskers during regular-season games. In the last meeting, the Cardinals took an 85-68 home victory on Nov. 29, 2018.
This year’s Louisville squad will look to keep the winning streak going with the season on the line.
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“I’m excited,” forward Olivia Cochran said. “I’m ready for the younger girls to experience this run and what we’re about to do. This is my last one (tournament), so I have to make it my best one.”
Stay tuned for updates throughout the first-round contest.
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FINAL: Louisville 63, Nebraska 58
The Cardinals avoided a second straight first-round exit with the victory to start the NCAA Tournament.
LOUISVILLE 59, NEBRASKA 58 (4Q, 0:30)
Olivia Cochran made one of two free throws to put the Cardinals back ahead. She’s got 12 points in the game.
NEBRASKA 54, LOUISVILLE 50 (4Q, 6:27)
The Cornhuskers regained the lead via a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter.
END 3: Louisville 50, Nebraska 44
Jayda Curry found Elif Istanbulluoglu under the basket for a quick layup as time expired, allowing the Cardinals to take a six-point lead into the final quarter.
LOUISVILLE 42, NEBRASKA 33 (3Q, 4:10)
The Cardinals have their largest lead of the game after a 3-pointer from Jayda Curry. The Cornhuskers are still without a field goal, missing six of their field goal attempts.
LOUISVILLE 39, NEBRASKA 32 (3Q, 5:29)
There’s been only one field goal in the quarter for both teams but eight combined turnovers. The Cardinals still lead, 39-32, with 5:29 to go in the third quarter.
HALF: Louisville 36, Nebraska 32
Taj Roberts scored 12 of the Cardinals’ 22 points in the quarter, helping the team to a halftime lead.
NEBRASKA 26, LOUISVILLE 23 (2Q, 4:32)
Taj Roberts has scored five of the Cardinals’ nine second-quarter points to keep them within striking distance of the Cornhuskers.
END 1: Nebraska 16, Louisville 14
The Cardinals only made two of their last 13 field goals to end the quarter.
NEBRASKA 10, LOUISVILLE 8 (1Q, 4:47)
The Cardinals have missed four straight field goals but only trail the Cornhuskers by two. Olivia Cochran has six points for U of L.
Louisville women’s basketball to honor Junior Bridgeman
Louisville women’s basketball announced it would wear a ‘JB’ patch for the rest of the season, honoring former Louisville men’s basketball player Junior Bridgeman.
What channel is Louisville vs Nebraska on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV channel: ESPN
- Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app
Louisville will tip off vs. Nebraska on ESPN. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Brenda VanLengen and Andrea Lloyd.
Louisville vs Nebraska start time, TV channel, location
- Start time: 6 p.m. ET
- TV info: ESPN
- Location: Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.
Louisville vs Nebraska preview
Louisville: The Cardinals have a freshman-heavy squad with eight true freshmen on the roster, all of whom have been contributors throughout the season. Despite having lost three of its last five games, Louisville will look to its youth for energy and veterans for experience and leadership to make a deep run in the tournament.
Nebraska: The Cornhuskers, who have dealt with their share of injuries, have won three of their last five games, falling to UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. They also have a young group with two sophomores having started at least 22 games this season and freshman Britt Prince starting in all 29 games played.
Louisville vs Nebraska prediction, game picks
Louisville 76, Nebraska 70. The Cardinals’ upperclassmen still have a sour taste in their mouths from losing in the first round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, the first time it’s happened in program history. Their leadership and the youthful talent and energy will be enough to get U of L to the second round.
Louisville vs Nebraska injury updates
Louisville: Jayda Curry, shoulder, active; Merissah Russell, lower back, active
Nebraska: N/A
Louisville vs Nebraska stats
Louisville
- PPG: 72.2
- PPG allowed: 67.3
- FG%: 43.1%
- 3PT%: 32.0%
Nebraska
- PPG: 76.0
- PPG allowed: 68.4
- FG% 45.1%
- 3PT%: 37.3%
Louisville basketball schedule 2024-25
Below are the past five games of Louisville’s 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
Feb. 23North Carolina 79, Louisville 75Feb. 27Louisville 78, Clemson 52March 2Notre Dame 72, Louisville 59March 6Louisville 70, Clemson 68 (OT)March 7Duke 61, Louisville 48March 21Louisville vs. Nebraska (NCAA Tournament)
Nebraska basketball schedule 2024-25
Below are the past five games of Nebraska 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
Feb. 23Washington 83, Nebraska 62March 2Nebraska 98, Northwestern 77March 5Nebraska 84, Rutgers 60March 6Nebraska 74, Illinois 70March 7UCLA 85, Nebraska 74March 21Nebraska vs. Louisville (NCAA Tournament)
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at[email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
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