PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB faces Mississippi State in SEC opener

Kentucky begins SEC play against Mississippi State, who currently boasts a 13-1 record. Their only loss came in a 78-75 defeat to an undefeated Georgia Tech team on the road. It goes without saying, but Sam Purcell’s squad is a very, very good one.

Get to know more about the Bulldogs before the ball is tipped in Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Bio Blast

Finally, Kentucky gets to face an SEC opponent. After two months of non-conference play, the Cats kick off the SEC with Mississippi State, who’s ranked sixth in the conference. Last season, the Bulldogs finished 23-12, and went 8-8 in the SEC. This year, though, Mississippi State hosted a slew of new transfers and recruits, just like the Cats and Kenny Brooks.

Just like Kentucky, the Bulldogs boast an extremely experienced team. Of the five usual starters, all five are upperclassman. Plus Debreasha Powe, who is currently out with a foot injury, is a junior. However, Powe’s injury isn’t supposed to be long-term. Overall, Mississippi State is full of SEC veterans, including Eniya Russell, who played for Kentucky last season.

While the Wildcats and the Bulldogs don’t share many of the same opponents, both teams have played Belmont. The Bruins are good, but fortunately, Kentucky came out on top by six. Mississippi State, on the other hand, only won by three. A close margin between the two teams, but also a good indicator on how Thursday’s matchup might go. It’ll be close, but the Cats can come out on top.

Mississippi State Projected Starters

• #00 – Denim DeShields, 5.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 4.1 APG
• #2 – Jerkaila Jordan, 14.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.7 APG
• #4 – Eniya Russell, 13.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.4 APG
• #5 – Chandler Prater, 5.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.5 APG
• #15 – Madina Okot, 13.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 0.5 APG

Scouting Report

The Bulldogs are one of the elite teams in the country. They received three votes in this week’s AP Poll, but in all honesty, they’re probably a borderline Top 20 program. Mississippi State is one of the best rebounding teams and all-around defensive teams in the country, and they’re a very dangerous team.

Fifth-year senior Jerkaila Jordan is the main contributor for Mississippi State. The 5-foot-10 guard averages a team-high 14.6 points per game as well as 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. She only averaged eight points in two games against Kentucky last season, but don’t expect her to have another quiet night.

Then, there’s former Cat Eniya Russell. She is averaging 13.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season for the Bulldogs. She’s having the best year of her collegiate career down in Starkville. 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot averages 13.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Her size could be bothersome for Kentucky’s post players.

Junior guard Debreasha Powe averages 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. She shoots 47.7% from the field, but she shoots 48.3% from three-point range — good for ninth in the country. However, she’s been out for Mississippi State’s last two games with a foot injury, though the injury is “not long term”, according to Robbie Faulk of Maroon and White Daily. It’s uncertain if she’ll give it a go against the Cats.

Senior Chandler Prater has started in her place, averaging nine points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in Powe’s absence. She’s averaging 5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Projected Kentucky Starters

#3 – Georgia Amoore

5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT

16.7 PPG – 7.2 APG – 2.4 RPG

#7 – Teonni Key

6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

11.8 PPG – 9.0 RPG – 2.5 BPG

#10 – Dazia Lawrence

5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR

12.7 PPG – 2.5 APG – 2.4 RPG

#13 – Clara Strack

6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE

16.1 PPG – 9.7 RPG – 3.4 APG

#32 – Amelia Hassett

6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

11.1 PPG – 10.1 RPG – 1.7 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-Mississippi State:

**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)	7 p.m. EST	SEC Network+ (Jeff Piecoro, Christi Thomas)	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).