PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB faces LSU in Top 15 showdown in Historic Memorial Coliseum

Kentucky has taken care of business in its last two games by defeating Georgia and Missouri, but a tall task awaits against LSU (26-2, 11-2 SEC) at home.

Get to know the Tigers before the game.

Bio Blast

And so it begins, the three-game stretch that could very well determine Kentucky’s seeding in the NCAA Tournament come March. To solidify their spot as a projected 4-seed, the ‘Cats need to win at least one of their final three regular season games: LSU, Tennessee, or South Carolina.

Of course, LSU is going to be a tough team to beat. Luckily, Kentucky has the home court advantage for a sold out Sunday afternoon matchup. All-time, the Tigers lead Kentucky in wins, 37-18. On March 3, 2024, the ‘Cats fell to LSU 77-56 in the final regular season game of the season. During that game, Saniah Tyler led the team in scoring with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Other than that, the only other current ‘Cat from that team, Cassidy Rowe, finished with only two rebounds and an assist in seven minutes of play.

Angel Reese was the star of the game last year, but current Tiger Flau’jae Johnson wasn’t far behind. The now junior finished with 21 points on 8-12 (67%) from the field, and 5-5 from the free throw line. She added seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Senior Aneesah Morrow finished with 15 points on 6-14 (42.8%) from the field and 10 rebounds. It’s safe to say the ‘Cats will have their hands full with these two. However, Morrow sustained a minor foot injury against Texas a week ago, but has had ample rest after sitting the bench against Georgia on Thursday.

With all of that being said, this Kentucky team is not last year’s. Though the Tigers only have two losses, they still can be beaten. And if anyone is going to do it, why not Kentucky?

LSU Projected Starters

• #4 G Flau’Jae Johnson
• #8 F Jersey Wolfenbarger
• #12 G Mikaylah Williams
• #13 G Last-Tear Poa
• #24 G Aneesah Morrow

Scouting Report

Rebounding has been the thorn in Kentucky’s side lately, and there is no better major conference team than LSU when it comes to rebounding. They lead the SEC in rebounds per game with 47.1, which is also good enough for second in the country. They also average 17.9 offensive rebounds per game, which is also second in the country and most among power four schools.

Aneesah Morrow specifically can and most likely will give Kentucky a hard time down low. She not only averages 18.1 points per game, but she’s also tops in the nation in rebounds per game (14.4). Clara Strack and company will have to really get into the physicality of things to compete under the basket.

Flau’Jae Johnson is the leading scorer for LSU, putting up an average of 19.5 points per game while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc. The 5-foot-10 guard also averages 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game. There’s also sophomore Mikaylah Williams, who averages 16.8 points per game on 37.4% shooting from three-point range.

LSU Tigers Roster

Projected Kentucky Starters

#3 – Georgia Amoore

5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT

19.0 PPG – 7.1 APG – 2.2 RPG

#7 – Teonni Key

6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

11.9 PPG – 8.5 RPG – 1.8 BPG

#10 – Dazia Lawrence

5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR

13.0 PPG – 2.2 RPG – 2.1 APG

#13 – Clara Strack

6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE

15.0 PPG – 9.4 RPG – 2.8 APG

#32 – Amelia Hassett

6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

9.5 PPG – 8.1 RPG – 2.0 APG

Initial Availability Report

Starting this season in conference play, SEC teams are required to release an availability report, listing players and their injury statuses for their upcoming game.

Here is the initial report for Kentucky-LSU:

The final availability report will be available closer to game time.

**Note: Kentucky’s Dominika Paurová is not listed as “Out” because she is completely exempt from the season due to an ACL tear she suffered in the offseason. Jordan Obi, who also suffered a lower leg injury in the summer, may return to the hardwood this season, hence why her name appears on the availability report.**

How to Watch/Listen

Place	Tipoff	TV	Radio	Live Stats
Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, KY)	4 p.m. ET	ESPN (Debbie Antonelli and Beth Mowins)	630 WLAP, 790 WKRD (Darren Headrick)	StatBroadcast

Follow Along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG

Unable to watch the game? Don’t worry — we’ll be providing real-time updates throughout to keep you informed on the action. Follow along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG, which will get rolling on the website an hour before the game starts.

Join The Discussion on KSBoard

Want to interact with the KSR crew during tonight’s game? Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing live updates while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).