Kentucky WBB looks for signs of life against Florida Gulf Coast

Not to exaggerate, but Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s season might depend on the outcome of their next game.

After two straight losses, the ‘Cats (7-3) look to recover as they take on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (8-2) at 1 p.m. on Sunday. While Kentucky’s loss against Louisville that started this downward trend was acceptable, their loss on Friday was not.

Kentucky fell to Murray State for the first time in program history, previously defeating the Racers 15 times. It was an ugly scene. Fans yelled, announcers slapped tables, and players left the court with their heads hung low.

I’m not entirely sure that Kentucky’s season can survive another similar loss. FGCU is hoping to speed up the funeral.

Thankful for another opportunity we get to wear Kentucky across our jerseys.

Please join us as we host Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum for our Holiday Game.

Big Blue Santa, tacky sweaters and a group of Cats ready to play. 💪#GameOn 🎅🎄☃️

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 17, 2022

Education on the Eagles

FGCU is entering Memorial Coliseum with a chip on its shoulder. In their last contest, the Eagles suffered their second loss of the season in a 23-point blowout loss to Duke. Head coach Karl Smesko doesn’t plan on making these losses a pattern.

Entering his 21st season as head coach, Karl Smesko is an FGCU legend. With a career-winning percentage of 82.7%, Smesko is the third-winningest active Division I head coach, only trailing UConn’s Geno Auriemma, and LSU’s Kim Mulkey.

Of course, it’s easy to be successful with a player such as Alyza Winston on your squad. Winston is a 5-foot-8 guard who averages 14 points per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. However, Winston isn’t the only Eagle soaring through this season.

Tishara Morehouse is a solid companion piece, contributing 13.4 points per game along with 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists a night. While Morehouse and Winston are the only two Eagles averaging double figures, they’re not the only threats.

Welcome to the 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ points club, Sophia! #WingsUp | #Raining3🌴 | #FGCU🤙🦅🏀 pic.twitter.com/Ms7kxVh4T1

— FGCU Women's Basketball (@FGCU_WBB) December 13, 2022

Emma List leads the team’s distributing, dishing out two assists for every turnover. Sophia Stile leads the team on the glass. However, this accomplishment isn’t saying much. FGCU doesn’t have a single player snagging more than five rebounds per contest. As a team, the Eagles only collect 7.5 offensive rebounds per game — just over half of UK’s average.

Despite a lack of a well-rounded game, Elzy isn’t tainge the Eagles lightly. She can’t afford to after Friday’s outcome.

“It goes back to the fundamentals. One-on-one defense, keeping the ball in the paint, defending the 3-point line, boxing out,” Elzy said. “Somethings are just pretty consistent in what you have to do to be successful.”

Keys for Kentucky WBB

Kentucky failed to execute any of these fundamental principles against Murray State. The Racers consistently won their one-on-one battles with UK, outscoring them 51-44 in the end. The ‘Cats didn’t keep the ball in the paint, going 2-17 from beyond the arc. Murray State had its way from outside, shooting 50% from downtown. To cap it off, Kentucky did anything but box out.

In the mind-boggling loss, Murray State grabbed seven more boards and three more offensive rebounds than UK despite having a significant disadvantage in size. Despite all the stats, one factor stood out on Friday night: a lack of intensity.

“At the end of the day, we did not have the focus and intensity that we need and that’s on me as a coach,” Elzy said following the loss.

As upsetting as the shocking defeat was, perhaps it’s exactly what this team needed. Including Sunday’s contest, Kentucky only has two more games before conference play begins. If the ‘Cats can’t beat the likes of Murray State and FGCU, they’re in for a rude awakening against the likes of South Carolina and LSU.

Thankfully, graduate student Robyn Benton shares this mindset.

“It’s a wake-up call that we’re not there yet and we got to do better,” Benton said. “I think this game right here will make a drastic change.”

If Kentucky wants to revive its season, Sunday is the time. The ‘Cats average more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than the Eagles. FGCU could serve as Kentucky’s punching bag or their killing blow.

We’ll find out which way the story will end when the two teams face off at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.