PREVIEW: Bellarmine comes to town as Kentucky WBB looks to stay undefeated

For the second time in four games, the Kentucky women’s basketball team has a fellow Bluegrass school in its sights.

On Thursday, the ‘Cats will take on the Bellarmine Knights at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum on the SEC Network+. Kentucky is entering the contest on a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Coastal Carolina by 26 on Nov. 13.

The contest will be the two programs’ first meeting in 46 years. A victory would mean more than a simple tally in the win column. It’d be bragging rights. Here’s what you need to know about the in-state matchup.

Game No. 4. 💪🔜

🃏 vs. Bellarmine
🃏 Tomorrow
🃏 7 p.m. ET
🃏 Memorial Coliseum

It's our last home game until Dec.4, so be sure to join us!#GameOn

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) November 16, 2022

Get to know the Knights

Bellarmine isn’t riding high into Memorial Coliseum. In reality, they’re barely dragging themselves onto the court. The Knights are 0-2 this season. In their season opener, Bellarmine got embarrassed by LSU in a 125-50 loss.

Their second game was closer but equally disappointing. On Sunday, the Knights fell 73-62 to Purdue Fort Wayne. Despite Bellarmine’s losses, Kentucky can’t overlook the Knights. Head coach Chancellor Dugan is a big reason for this.

Dugan is entering her 11th season as Bellarmine’s head coach. The experienced leader is a proven winner with a 143-85 overall record at the Division II level. Nonetheless, Dugan is yet to prove herself in this new era.

Another top match-up this week 👀

We’re heading down to Lexington on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/BwH9Apwl5K

— Bellarmine Women's Basketball (@BUKnightsWBB) November 15, 2022

Since the Knights ascended to Division I, they are 9-41; a win over Kentucky would certainly boost that dreadful record. Players such as Gracie Merkle will be vital in stealing this much-needed win.

Merkle is a freshman who attended Bullitt East High School. Standing at 6-foot-6, Merkle is a dominant paint presence who averages 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game. Moreover, Merkle is extremely efficient. The imposing center is shooting over 66% from the field.

Merkle isn’t Bellarmine’s only offensive threat. Redshirt sophomore Hailey Harrison is recording 12.5 points per outing while shooting 50% from beyond the arc. However, Harrison’s playmaking isn’t as impressive. The redshirt sophomore leads the team in turnovers with 14 through two games.

No other Knights are scoring double figures regularly. Although the team lacks points, they aren’t short of turnovers. The Knights are choking away 30.5 possessions per game. If Kentucky executes its game plan, the team should find plenty of openings in the Knights’ armor.

Keys for Kentucky WBB

Bellarmine isn’t the only team with turnover issues. In Kentucky’s win over Coastal Carolina, the team committed a ridiculous 25 turnovers. Elzy assured the media her ‘Cats will solve the issue.

“Do not worry. We talked about those 25 turnovers,” Elzy said during the postgame press conference. “In practice, if we turn the ball over more than two times, we’ll have a development because that’s a run.

Luckily for the ‘Cats, they’re just as good at causing turnovers for the other team. Kentucky’s opponents are averaging 26.3 lost possessions per contest. This number could grow even higher against the Knights.

Two wins, three days. 😤#GameOn pic.twitter.com/QHdEu4RYTh

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) November 16, 2022

While the Wildcats’ defense is their ally, they can’t always depend on it to win games. UK is connecting on a mere 26.2% of their attempts from downtown this season despite shooting 10-23 from 3-point range against Morehead State. The ‘Cats are capable shooters but they need to be consistent shooters.

Kentucky’s issues aren’t limited to the perimeter. Perhaps Kentucky’s most disappointing performance this season has been in the paint. In UK’s triumph over Morehead State, the Eagles grabbed 11 more boards than the ‘Cats.

Sunday was a small improvement — Kentucky snagged two more rebounds than Coastal Carolina. Yet, the Chanticleers still scored four more second-chance points than the ‘Cats. Elzy isn’t satisfied with the team’s performance but she’s happy to see progress.

“I talked to our players, they’re so competitive and they want everything right now big picture. We’re not going to be playing our best basketball right now, and I told them, we’re not looking for perfection but I am looking for progression every game,” Elzy said during the postgame press conference on Nov. 13.

Kentucky will get an opportunity to show off its progress again on Thursday. Tip-off against the Knights is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.