PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB prepare for ranked matchup against #8 Indiana
If you thought the past week of Kentucky Women’s Basketball was fun, you’re about to be in for a treat. Later today, #13 Kentucky will march into enemy territory to take on the #8 Indiana Hoosiers in the Wildcats first ranked matchup of the season.
While the ‘Cats were victorious in their first two contests, Indiana presents an entirely different challenge. Not only is the game the Wildcats’ third in six days, but it is against an equally athletic opponent. Sunday evening is going to be a fight. Accordingly, the ‘Cats better come with their dukes up.
Learning about the Hoosiers
Led by head coach Teri Moren, the Hoosiers are coming off an 86-63 victory over Butler. The victory comes as no surprise to any NCAA Women’s Basketball fans.
After getting knocked out of the Elite Eight last season, the Hoosiers are returning all five of their starters. To pile on, Indiana added Georgia transfer Caitlin Hose and three freshmen to this year’s powerhouse roster. In spite of their solid supporting cast, Indiana’s stars stole the show in their season-opener.
Senior Nicole Cardano-Hillary led the Hoosiers with 29 points on a jaw-dropping 7/8 effort from beyond the arc. Senior Grace Berger added 18 points of her own. Junior Mackenzie Holmes made her presence known, as well. The 6-foot-3 forward dropped 11 points and eight rebounds.
As imposing as these numbers may appear to BBN, rest assured, star Rhyne Howard isn’t scared. When asked about Cardano-Hillary’s high-scoring performance, Howard‘s response was concise.
“Twenty-nine in the opener ain’t 29 on us.”
Message received. With Kentucky’s victory over Indiana last season snapping a six-game losing streak to the Hoosiers, Sunday’s contest is personal. Not only do the teams have history, but the players too. Howard played with Indiana’s star senior Berger this summer in the AmeriCup. It’s safe to assume the two former teammates will have something to prove to one another.
Sadly for Hoosiers fans, Howard is typically pretty good at proving points.
Keys for Kentucky WBB
The Hoosiers aren’t the only ones that have proven they have loads of talent. Starting the season with two blowout victories, Kentucky is riding high heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Although the ‘Cats only have eight healthy scholarship players, they’re all offensive threats. In both of the team’s previous contests, four ‘Cats recorded double-digit scoring totals. More impressively, it wasn’t always the same players dropping these admirable statistics.
Oddly enough, when looking at Kentucky’s victory over Indiana last year, we see the same trend. Howard, Robyn Benton, Dre’Una Edwards and Chasity Patterson all scored double digits. Though plenty of these points could come from half-court sets, head coach Kyra Elzy envisions this being another fast-paced contest.
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“It’s going to be a battle of runs. So, we can’t get too high. We can’t get too low, and we have to do things that we do well. And, one of those thing that we’re talking about is transition offense,” Elzy said. “But, on the flip side, Indiana’s great in transition.”
Kentucky’s defense will receive its first real test from Indiana. Up to this point, the ‘Cats have only given up an average of 54.5 points per game. Dealing with an Indiana squad that just dropped 86 on Butler, the ‘Cats are preparing a bit more strain on their defense tonight.
“This is going to be a dogfight,” Elzy said earlier this week. “We just have to set the tone of Kentucky Basketball.”
Motivation will be vital for the ‘Cats. Kentucky has come out flat in their first two contests, yet been able to recover with explosive second halves. If the Wildcats can’t find a spark to take on the Hoosiers, they may never get a chance to light their fuse.
Thankfully for BBN, Kentucky’s underdog status is lighting a fire inside the ‘Cats.
”Most of the time when we go play a top team the odds are against us. So, we just use that as motivation,” Howard said. “We’re like, ‘Alright ya’ll, let’s beat this team real quick because everybody’s playing with us.’ I don’t know, it’s kind of fun.”
Closing thoughts on Kentucky WBB matchup
If Howard finds the odds stacked against her fun, she’ll have a blast on Sunday evening. The contest marks the 11th time Kentucky has faced Indiana in Bloomington, with the record being 5-5; just another ingredient to stir Kentucky’s pot. With any luck for Kentucky fans, the ‘Cats will be able to deliver something truly delicious. The ranked matchup will tip-off at 5 p.m. ET and be broadcast on ESPN.
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