PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB faces red-hot 15-1 Vanderbilt Commodores at home

Kentucky Women’s Basketball (8-8; 1-1 SEC) is returning to Rupp Arena to take on the 15-1 (2-0 SEC) Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday. Arguably one of the best teams in the SEC, Vanderbilt will give Kentucky another true challenge.

On Sunday, the ‘Cats fell to Tennessee by 18 points despite being up 17 in the second quarter. Leading in scoring for Kentucky was senior Eniya Russell with 16. The guard added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Russell was a crucial part of the second half for the ‘Cats. Out of the 20 points scored for Kentucky, Russell had nine of them. However, even her efforts weren’t able to top the Vols.

Ajae Petty secured her ninth career double-double and third in a row. The 6-3 forward currently averages 16.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, so a double-double is nothing new for her. Petty finished Sunday’s matchup with 14 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Maddie Scherr has had a couple of slow games in a row for the ‘Cats. Despite scoring 13 points against Tennessee, the senior went only 5-15 (33.3%) from the field. In Kentucky’s previous matchup against Arkansas, Scherr didn’t take a single shot besides two free throws. The senior added five assists and four rebounds on Sunday.

Brooklynn Miles, on the other hand, has been ramping things up for the ‘Cats. Although the junior had a four-game stretch where she wasn’t really scoring, Miles put up six points for Kentucky on Sunday. Before that, Miles had 12 and 13 points in wins against Arkansas and Samford, respectively. Miles is considered the “pace” for Kentucky’s offense, as she plays quickly and aggressively. The 5-4 guard added two rebounds, two steals, and a block against the Vols.

For Kentucky to come out on top over the Commodores, they’re going to have to play exactly like they did for the first half of Sunday’s game. This time, however, the momentum is going to have to last all four quarters at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be streamed on the SEC Network+.

Scouting Report: Vanderbilt Commodores

Following a crushing loss to Tennessee, the ‘Cats now have to make a quick turnaround against the Vanderbilt Commodores, who have been the biggest surprise to come out of the SEC so far this season.

Vanderbilt was projected to finish dead last in the SEC this season in the media preseason poll. However, the Commodores are looking like a potential top-three team in the conference. They sit at 15-1 having won their last eight games. Their only loss came to No. 6 NC State on the road 70-62. Kentucky lost to the same Wolfpack team by 29 points during the (disastrous) Paradise Jam.

Leading the way for Vanderbilt is senior Jordyn Cambridge, who happens to be the sister of former Kentucky WBB transfer and current Ohio State Buckeye Kennedy Cambridge. The 5-9 guard currently ranks 13th in the SEC with 14.9 points per game to lead Vanderbilt. Even though Cambridge doesn’t possess the physical frame of an elite rebounder, she can still get after it on the glass. Cambridge averages 7.4 rebounds per game. Then, she can also pass the ball and be a distributor, averaging 4.4 assists per outing.

All that being said, Cambridge has developed into one of the best perimeter defenders in not just the SEC, but in all of college basketball. Her 4.3 steals per game ranks second in the nation. And speaking of development, Cambridge has been an average to mediocre three-point shooter her entire collegiate career. However, as a senior, she is shooting 35.1% from behind the arc. Jordyn Cambridge might just be one of the best, most well-rounded players Kentucky will have faced to this point in the season.

Junior forward Sacha Washington is someone who will also give Kentucky some serious fits. At 6-2, she has the ability to bang down low with Petty. Washington currently averages 13.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53.9% from the field. Now, this is the part where Petty could struggle. Washington averages 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. She is very solid defensively in the post, and Petty is turnover-prone. It could get sloppy down low.

As for the rest of the Vanderbilt unit, it’s about scoring at the depth positions in the rotation. Vanderbilt has six other players outside of Cambridge and Washington who score at least five points per game. This is a team that prioritizes defensive intensity and efficient scoring. It’s almost as if they do what Kyra Elzy would like to do at Kentucky. The ‘Cats have yet another tough test on their hands.