The first major upset of the 2024 women’s NCAA Tournament is in the books.
The No. 6 Louisville Cardinals, the only team in the country to advance to the Elite Eight each of the last five seasons, were upset by No. 11 Middle Tennessee 71-69 despite holding an 18-point lead in the first half. The Blue Raiders slowly chipped away until taking the lead for good with 6:49 to play, completing the third-largest comeback in tournament history.
It is the first time Louisville has lost in the first round since 2006 and the first time the program has failed to win an NCAA Tournament game under coach Jeff Walz, who had previously been 14-0 in the opening game.
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Walz, who owns a reputation as one of the finest tournament coaches in the game because of his ability to make adjustments, instead was on the receiving end of a coaching masterclass. Middle Tennessee stretched out the Cardinals as the game wore on and got center Olivia Cochran in foul trouble, which opened up a hole in the middle of Louisville’s defense. Jalynn Gregory and Savannah Wheeler torched the Cardinals from deep (combining for seven 3-pointers) and paraded to the foul line, making 17-of-19 free throws.
The Blue Raiders advance to play the winner of No. 3 LSU vs. No. 14 Rice on Sunday in Baton Rouge.
