PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB takes on Wofford, the projected top team in the SoCon

Kentucky handled business in their first two games by beating USC Upstate and Northern Kentucky handily. Now, they’ll look to handle business again when they square off against the Wofford Terriers.

This marks Kentucky’s last quote unquote tune-up game before they take on No. 18 Louisville on Saturday in what will be a massive, massive opportunity for the ‘Cats.

Of course, looking ahead doesn’t do anyone any good, so here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s opponent ahead of tonight’s game.

Bio Blast

On Tuesday, Kentucky Women’s Basketball faces the 2-0 Wofford Terriers, who are coming off dominating wins to Newberry College and North Carolina Central University. Last year, the Terriers finished 17-13 (8-6 SoCon), and are now projected to finish first in their conference after receiving seven of eight first place votes. Senior guard Rachael Rose was named SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, but has only played in the season opener for the Terriers.

Projected Starters (lineup used on Nov. 9)

• #2 – Maddie Heiss: 5-foot-10 sophomore guard
• #3 – Evangelia Paulk: 6-foot sophomore forward/guard
• #5 – Helen Matthews: 5-foot-10 graduate guard
• #10 – Libby Privett: 5-foot-8 junior guard
• #21 – Mia Flor: 6-foot-2 junior forward

On Nov. 9 as a team, the Terriers went 25-52 (48%) from the field and 4-13 (30%) from three. Maddie Heiss led her team in scoring with 16 points, as well as four rebounds and an assist. Helen Matthews wasn’t far behind, finishing with 15 points and four rebounds, plus two assists. In fact, every player that hit the floor scored at least one point, including freshman guard Madi Hawk, who only played three minutes. Wofford scored 34 points in the paint and held N.C. Central to only 18-54 (33%) from the field. However, the perimeter defense wasn’t as tidy, since the Terriers gave up eight three-pointers out of 17 attempts. Given that the Wofford roster lacks height, it looks like Clara Strack and Clara Silva could have another big game.

Scouting Report

Leading the way for Wofford this season (at least through the team’s first two games) is sophomore Maddie Heiss. The 5-foot-10 guard has led the Terriers in scoring in both games, averaging 13.5 points per contest to this point.

A year ago, Heiss put up 10.7 points per game while shooting 34.8% from deep, so Kentucky will have to be cognizant of where she is at all times defensively.

Against, North Carolina Central, senior guard Helen Matthews scored 15 points on 5-10 shooting from the field while also recording four rebounds, three steals and two assists in 30 minutes of action.

Preseason SoCon Player of the Year Rachael Rose averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game a year ago. With just four points to her name this season, Rose is due for a big game. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come against the ‘Cats.

Projected Kentucky Starters

#3 – Georgia Amoore

5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT

12 PPG – 9 APG – 5.5 RPG

#7 – Teonni Key

6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

9 PPG – 6 RPG – 2.5 APG

#10 – Dazia Lawrence

5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR

9.5 PPG – 2 APG – 1 SPG

#13 – Clara Strack

6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE

18.5 PPG – 9.5 RPG – 5 APG

#32 – Amelia Hassett

6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

9.5 PPG – 12.5 RPG – 2 BPG

How to Watch/Listen

Place	Tipoff	TV	Radio	Live Stats
Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, KY)	6 p.m. EST	SEC Network+ (Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas)	– 98.5 FM ICONS, 1080 AM WJKJ and SiriusXM Channel 106 or 190 (Darren Headrick)	StatBroadcast

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 as your eyes and ears inside Historic Memorial Coliseum while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).

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