University of Louisville women's basketball schedule: What most people get wrong

You think you know how Jeff Walz operates by now. For nearly two decades, the recipe in Louisville has been pretty consistent: schedule some absolute giants in November, survive the ACC gauntlet, and peak right when the cherry blossoms start popping up in March. But looking at the university of louisville women's basketball schedule for this 2025-26 season, things feel a little... different.

The grit is still there. The "anyone, anywhere" mentality hasn't moved an inch. Yet, the way this particular slate of games is unfolding suggests a team that isn't just trying to survive the big names—they’re hunting them. We aren't just talking about a couple of marquee matchups. This season’s calendar is a minefield of potential Top 25 showdowns that started in a literal airplane hangar and ends with a brutal stretch of home games that will decide the ACC crown.

The grueling start and why it mattered

Most teams like to open the season with a "buy game." You know the type—a low-major school comes to town, gets a nice check, and loses by 40. Not Louisville. This year, they packed their bags for Annapolis, Maryland, to face the #1 ranked UConn Huskies in the Armed Forces Classic.

Starting the year against Geno Auriemma’s squad is basically a trial by fire. While the Cardinals dropped that one 79-66 back on November 4th, it set a tone. They followed that up with a five-game homestand where they took care of business against Northern Kentucky and Colorado, but then stumbled in the Battle of the Bluegrass. Losing 72-62 to Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center stung. Honestly, it always stings when the Cats win in your house.

But if you’ve been watching the university of louisville women's basketball schedule closely, you saw the turnaround during the Thanksgiving stretch. They absolutely dismantled Eastern Illinois and Bellarmine, putting up 100 points on the Knights. It wasn't just about the wins; it was about seeing sophomore Tajianna Roberts and transfer Laura Ziegler find their rhythm together.

That December gauntlet

If November was about finding an identity, December was about testing it against the elite. The home game against South Carolina on December 4th was probably the loudest the Yum! Center has been in years. It was a "Stripe Out" game, and the Cards nearly pulled off the upset, falling 79-77 in a heartbreaker.

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Think about that for a second. They played the two best teams in the country before Christmas.

The win that really changed the trajectory of this season, though? The overtime thriller in Chapel Hill. On December 14th, Louisville went into North Carolina and snatched a 76-66 win. Imari Berry hit a clutch free throw with less than a second left in regulation just to get it to OT, and then the Cards' defense simply locked the door. UNC didn't score a single point in the extra period. Zero. That’s pure Jeff Walz basketball.

Navigating the 2026 ACC schedule

Now that we're into the meat of 2026, the university of louisville women's basketball schedule is entering its most dangerous phase. They just came off a massive 79-66 road win against Notre Dame on January 15th. That’s eight wins in a row.

The momentum is real, but the travel is about to get weird.

The upcoming slate is a travel agent’s nightmare. First, they head to Raleigh to face NC State this Sunday. Then, after a quick stop back home for Boston College, they have to fly all the way across the country. Thanks to ACC expansion, "conference play" now includes a trip to California. On January 29th, they play Stanford, followed by Cal on February 1st.

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Imagine the jet lag. You're playing in northern California on a Sunday and then have to be back in Louisville to host Duke on Thursday, February 5th. That stretch is going to test the depth of this roster more than any individual game against UConn ever could.

Key remaining dates to circle:

• January 18: At NC State (A massive test of their current winning streak)
• January 29 & February 1: The West Coast swing (Stanford and Cal back-to-back)
• February 5: Duke at home (Potential Top 10 matchup)
• March 1: Notre Dame (The regular-season finale and likely "Senior Day")

Why this roster fits the schedule

A lot of people worried about losing the starting backcourt from last year. Jayda Curry and Ja'Leah Williams were the engines. But the way this year’s team is built—specifically for this university of louisville women's basketball schedule—is actually more balanced.

Elif Istanbulluoglu has turned into a monster in the paint. She dropped 23 on Miami earlier this month and is shooting nearly 65% from the field in conference play. Then you have Imari Berry, who has stepped up as the primary ball-handler. She isn't just a scorer; she’s grabbing nine rebounds a game as a guard. That’s how you win on the road in the ACC. You out-tough people.

The bench is also deeper than usual. Against Miami, the bench provided 38 points. When you have a schedule that requires flying 2,000 miles for a Thursday night game, you need a bench that doesn't just "give the starters a breather" but actually extends the lead.

What to expect in February and March

The back half of the university of louisville women's basketball schedule is actually quite home-heavy. They play five of their final seven games at the KFC Yum! Center. This is by design. Coach Walz knows that if you can survive the January road trips, you want your legs fresh when the ACC Tournament seedings are being finalized.

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Wake Forest, Florida State, and Virginia all have to come through Louisville in February. If the Cards hold serve at home, they are looking at a double-bye in the ACC Tournament.

The real drama? That March 1st game against Notre Dame. It’s the second time they’ll face the Irish this season. Usually, the second matchup is where the real coaching chess match happens. With the way the standings look right now, that game could very well be for the regular-season title.

Practical steps for fans

If you're planning on following the rest of the university of louisville women's basketball schedule, here is the reality:

1. Check the times: With the new West Coast additions, those Stanford/Cal games start much later for East Coast fans (think 8:00 PM or 11:00 PM tips).
2. Tickets are moving: The Duke game (Feb 5) and the Notre Dame finale (March 1) are likely to sell out. If you're waiting until the day of, you're going to be sitting in the nosebleeds or paying a premium on the secondary market.
3. Radio is your friend: If you can't get to a TV, the 93.9-FM "The Ville" broadcast is still the best way to catch the games. Paul Sanderford and the crew have the best insights into Walz's mid-game adjustments.

This season isn't just a rebuilding year; it’s a retooling year that has exceeded expectations. The schedule was built to break them, but it looks like it’s only making them harder to beat. Grab some red gear, get to the Yum! Center, and get ready for a wild finish to the winter.