UofL's Emily Engstler a 'difference maker'
The Louisville forward has made a huge impact on the court this season
The Louisville forward has made a huge impact on the court this season
The Louisville forward has made a huge impact on the court this season
University of Louisville forward Emily Engstler is having a big season for the Cardinals.
She is averaging nearly a double-double. Engstler is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12 points per game, while also leading the team in rebounding, hauling in 9.2 per game.
Engstler is hoping to have another big performance on Monday when her Cardinals face Michigan in the Elite Eight.
"I think she is a difference-maker," Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "You have a 6-foot, 2-inch athlete that she is and can move so well, can block shots so well, can play and probably defend any position one through five.
"I think he (Jeff Walz) gives her the freedom to roam around and to be able to double, to be able to be a pest, to be able to just go run at somebody. I think he allows her that freedom to really do that. And I think that's going to be key for us, is to try to make her engage somebody defensively and not give her that much freedom because she is disruptive and her length is disruptive."
As Barnes Arico said, Engstler's defense has also been impressive this season.
"Emily has instincts," Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith said. "She has those in her, and we trust them. Obviously, she is really good at what she does. So we know how to play off of how she plays defense, and it just all works."
Engstler leads UofL with 83 steals this season.
"She reads passing lanes as well as any player we have had here since Angel McCoughtry," Walz said. "And when you start comparing someone to Angel, you're pretty darn good."
Engstler has already had a big performance against Michigan this season, scoring 18 points and hauling in 14 rebounds during the Cards' 70-48 win over the Wolverines on Dec. 2.