Even when it’s not explicitly acknowledged, a part of the NCAA Match Choice Committee’s job is to make a tv present, to place groups on paths that is likely to be compelling must-watch matchups in March Insanity.
That’s why we would see Duke vs. North Carolina within the Candy 16. That’s why JuJu Watkins and USC are on a collision course to face Paige Bueckers and UConn within the Elite Eight. And that’s why Louisville acquired despatched to TCU’s sub-regional.
Bear in mind, the committee tried this final 12 months too. When former Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith was then taking part in for LSU, the Cardinals acquired despatched to Baton Rouge. However the second spherical matchup by no means occurred as Louisville acquired upset within the first spherical by Center Tennessee State.
The committee’s second — and last — attempt at making this occur lastly labored: Van Lith and her second-seeded Horned Frogs will face No. 7 Louisville on Sunday in Fort Price, Texas.
So, for the primary time ever, Van Lith will face the group she helped take to the Ultimate 4 as a sophomore in 2022.
However Van Lith isn’t feeding into the frenzy across the matchup.
“I perceive the media, I perceive the narrative that’s being painted. Doesn’t essentially align with the place I’m at mentally and emotionally,” she mentioned Saturday. “That’s okay. It doesn’t matter if individuals don’t have the identical notion as me. I’m in a extremely great spot. I’m excited to play. You understand, this sport a a lot greater than me and what I acquired occurring.”
She added: “TCU is trying to go to the Candy 16 for the primary time ever. That’s loads greater than no matter else the narrative is. I’m simply excited to go play. It’s going to be nice sport time. Most likely going to get a primetime slot. I like it.”
Certainly, TCU vs. Louisville will tip-off at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN, proving that it’s a matchup worthy of the mothership remedy.
At her third faculty in three years, Van Lith is having arguably the very best season of her faculty profession and is an enormous cause why TCU is seen as a Ultimate 4 contender. She’s averaging 17.7 factors and a career-best 5.4 assists per sport, whereas additionally grabbing 4.3 rebounds per sport and capturing a career-high 45.7 p.c from the ground.
The fifth-year 5-foot-9 guard from Wenatchee, Washington — who additionally received an Olympic bronze medal this previous summer season with Group USA in 3×3 basketball — can be seventh nationally in win shares. She’s one in every of simply 5 gamers within the nation — and the one one taking part in within the NCAA Match — who’s averaging a minimum of 17.5 factors, 5 assists and 4 rebounds per sport. Along with her main the best way, TCU received the Huge 12 this season for the primary time.
It’s a bounce-back season for Van Lith, who struggled to discover a constant function final season on a star-laden LSU roster that fell within the Elite Eight to Iowa. One might make the case that Van Lith was frolicked to dry a bit by her coaches in that defeat as they refused to make actual changes to protect Caitlin Clark, leaving Van Lith one-on-one along with her for a lot of the evening.
Van Lith averaged simply 11.6 factors per sport at LSU whereas capturing a career-low from the ground. At TCU, she’s discovered the suitable match for her skillset.
“I believe after I selected TCU I used to be actually searching for a system very similar to our system right here. Only a ton of spacing. Distinctive personnel that opens up the ground for me the place I is usually a playmaker, what I do finest,” Van Lith mentioned. “But in addition a system that can problem me to open up new components of my sport, like I’ve with taking part in the one somewhat bit.”
Louisville has a younger roster with eight true freshmen, however there’s a number of gamers nonetheless there who performed with Van Lith, together with Olivia Cochran and Merissah Russell. Van Lith mentioned she’s nonetheless very shut with Russell.
“One in all my finest buddies performs for Louisville nonetheless. Most likely going to be a bridesmaid at my marriage ceremony if I ever get married,” Van Lith mentioned, smiling. “We did go to a Ultimate 4. That’s life altering. A whole lot of feelings there, so it was a optimistic… Yeah, me and Merissah, room 112.”
Cochran nonetheless has plenty of respect and admiration for Van Lith too, however is aware of that on Sunday they received’t be former teammates and buddies — simply opponents.
“Hailey was an amazing teammate. I want her the very best. However on the finish of the day we acquired to outlive and transfer ahead. On the finish of the day, that is basketball and it’s competitors, so I’m positive as nicely that she needs to compete as a lot as I need to compete in opposition to her,” Cochran mentioned. “See? It’s no unhealthy blood. All love. I’m wishing her the very best.”
Louisville coach Jeff Walz wasn’t keen to play together with hype being drummed up for the matchup both.
He was requested what works so nicely with Van Lith and Sedona Prince being on the identical group. For context right here, Walz coached Prince in 2018 on Group’s USA’s U-18 group that received the FIBA Americas Championship.
Walz responded to the query this manner:
“I imply, like what do you imply? They’re each nice gamers. What the hell? I imply, it’s not like they’ve reinvented the sport right here,” Walz mentioned. “It’s (not) like two shitty gamers we simply made nice. They’re actually good gamers.”
Walz’s character permeates all all through Louisville’s girls’s basketball program and has for the whole thing of his tenure as head coach. It’s why, with eight freshmen or no freshmen, they’re at all times a tricky out. Their depth and self-discipline has helped them make 4 Ultimate Fours underneath Walz’s watch.
On Sunday, his Cardinals will attempt to punch their thirteenth ticket to the Candy 16. TCU shall be taking part in for the prospect to advance to the NCAA Match’s second weekend for the primary time ever.
Van Lith is aware of all too nicely what she and the Horned Frogs are up in opposition to.
“Being in that program, I do know that they undoubtedly are going to have a chip on their shoulder. Once I was there we at all times had a chip about us. You understand, most likely why I additionally play like that also,” Van Lith mentioned. “So we’re going to have to come back out and be intense and match their depth. We’ll see if we’re as much as it.”
