Kentucky WBB prepares to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide

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kentucky-wbb-prepares-alabama — Photo by Eddie Justice | UK Athletics

After a week off to rest, Kentucky women’s basketball is ready to put its energy to use.

On Thursday night, the Wildcats (10-12; 2-8 SEC) will square off against the Alabama Crimson Tide (17-6; 6-4 SEC) at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky is in a confusingly-positive place. The team defeated Missouri by 23 points on Jan. 29 but fell to No. 1 South Carolina by 21 points just four days later.

Kentucky vs. Alabama 🎀

Don't miss this matchup tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum tomorrow.#GameOn #Play4Kay
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 8, 2023

While the loss appears like a barrier to the Wildcats’ postseason hopes, in reality, it’s a boost. Before South Carolina recently defeated UConn 81-77, Kentucky had the two highest-scoring performances against the Gamecocks in regulation. If the Wildcats can compete against the likes of South Carolina, they can compete against anyone.

“One thing I love about this team, we’re coming to play the No. 1 team in the nation and I thought they stepped up to the challenge,” head coach Kyra Elzy said after her team fell on the road to the Gamecocks.

Alabama isn’t the best team in the country, but it’ll do everything it can to be the best team on the court Thursday night.

Talkin’ about the Tide

Kentucky isn’t the only team riding its recent wave. The Crimson Tide will enter Memorial Coliseum after defeating Missouri on Sunday 76-69; admittedly, a far cry from UK’s 23-point blowout. However, Alabama’s opponent before the Tigers? South Carolina.

The Tide gave the Gamecocks a fight they’re not used to, ultimately falling 65-52 despite graduate student Brittany Davis’ impressive 13-point performance. The 5-foot-9 guard student has been excellent all season, averaging a team-high 18 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Rolling into the Bluegrass State #RollTide #GritLoveGratitude pic.twitter.com/a0beSDel83
— Alabama Women’s Basketball (@AlabamaWBB) February 8, 2023

Davis is a sharpshooter, connecting on 34.9% of her 3-point attempts this season. Davis isn’t the only danger from deep. Aaliyah Nye and Hannah Barber averaged a combined 15.8 points per outing while both shooting above 45% from beyond the arc.

As talented as the Tide are, they’re missing a key component. Megan Abrams, who averaged 8.6 points a night, went down with an injury in early January. Nonetheless, Alabama has found springtime success. The team is ranked fifth in the SEC and has the 10th-best 3-point shooting percentage in the nation (37.5%).

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Keys for Kentucky WBB

Kentucky’s defense can be the extinguisher to Alabama’s hot hands. The Wildcats’ opponents are shooting a poor 31.9% from downtown this season. Between Maddie Scherr, Robyn Benton and Jada Walker, conference opponents have to grind for a simple shot.

The three guards each hold a spot in the SEC’s top five in steals per game. Their work isn’t in vain. In UK’s past two games, the team has scored 41 points off turnovers. Elzy discussed the team’s daunting defense after Kentucky’s triumph over Missouri.

“I thought they set the tone defensively early,” Elzy said. “Being aggressive positioning, helping one another. I am just so proud of the tone. That is the energy that we need defensively flying around generating scoring opportunities.”

🙇‍♀️🔜 pic.twitter.com/j0gLOlYWlj
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 6, 2023

Along with their fastbreak buckets, the Wildcats are lighting up the 3-point line. Kentucky has shot 14-32 (43.8%) from beyond the arc in its past two games. The team’s sizzling shooting is unfamiliar. Halfway through the season, Kentucky was barely shooting above 20% from deep.

The ‘Cats plan to build on their positive momentum.

“It’s just how you play from there, but how are we going to rewrite our story — how are we going to be remembered, not everyone remembers the beginning of the season, but how are they going to remember us in the end,” Blair Green said following Kentucky’s win over Missouri.

Hopefully for UK, the team can give fans something to remember on Thursday night. The ‘Cats will take on Alabama at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky legend Rhyne Howard will be in the building to support the program. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.