Kentucky WBB looks to get back in win column against Boston College

The Kentucky Women’s Basketball team has lost five games in a row, but the Wildcats are hoping to switch it up for Thursday’s SEC/ACC Challenge as they take on Boston College at Transylvania’s Clive M. Beck Center.

The last game Kentucky played at Transylvania resulted in a win against ETSU (74-66) back on November 7. There, the ‘Cats played their best game statistically, only committing seven turnovers while shooting 25-58 (43.1%) from the field. Kentucky also grabbed 36 points in the paint, which compared to recent performances, is pretty impressive.

The Lady Cats’ most recent loss came against Cincinnati (3-3) at the 2023 Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands this past Saturday by a score of 65-41. Senior Maddie Scherr scored 25 of those 41 points for Kentucky. The Wildcats had five days in between their not-so-successful tropical vacation and Thursday to prepare for the Boston College Eagles.

But what exactly should the ‘Cats have prepared?

For starters, over their last five games, Kentucky has only shot 86-266 (32%) from the field. They’ve also given up 95 turnovers. As of right now, the ‘Cats aren’t a threat from the perimeter, only shooting 25-124 from three (20.2 percent) on the season. How are the Wildcats going to pull off a win and finally end their depressing losing streak? Ball control and shot-making. However, both of which have been a weakness for Kentucky, even seven games into the season.

Despite Boston College being ranked toward the bottom of the ACC, considering the beatdown the Wildcats took from Cincinnati, the Eagles have just as good of a chance to slaughter the ‘Cats as their predecessors. So far this season, Boston College is 3-4, boasting a one-game-better record than Kentucky. Although, the ‘Cats are technically undefeated at Transylvania (1-0), so maybe the Clive M. Beck Center will bring some good luck?

Scouting Report: Boston College Eagles

On Thursday night, you are going to see two very similar teams duke it out on the hardwood. Both teams severely struggle with putting the ball in the bucket, but at the same time, both teams can’t seem to keep their opponents from scoring either. It has been the same story for both teams this year: missing shot after shot as the other team lights it up.

Out of the 348 teams that are playing Division I women’s basketball, Kentucky and Boston College rank 342nd and 343rd, respectively, in the nation in three-point percentage. Kentucky is shooting just 20.2% from three, while the Eagles are shooting exactly 20%. On top of that, neither team can stop their opponents from scoring (and efficiently). Kentucky is 333rd in the country in opponent FG% (46.4%). Boston College is 317th, allowing their opponents to make 45.2% of their shots.

Additionally, Boston College is actually the second-worst team among Power Five schools at defending the three. The Eagles allow their opponents to shoot 40.7% from behind the arc. That is an alarmingly high number. If there is any time for Kentucky to figure things out and get out of their shooting slump, it’ll be against Boston College.

So, is there anything that separates these two teams? The answer is yes, but the differences don’t lead in UK’s favor. Between Maddie Scherr and Ajae Petty, Kentucky only has two real scoring threats. On the other hand, Boston College has four. The Eagles are led by junior guard Andrea Daley, who is scoring 16.1 PPG and shooting exactly 50% from the field. Daley is supported by three other double-digit scorers: Teya Sidberry (13.6 PPG), T’Yana Todd (11.3 PPG), and Dontavia Wagonner (11.1 PPG).

Then, the biggest difference (and what the Eagles will want to exploit) is the turnover battle. Boston College is 30th in the country in turnovers forced per game (21.9), while Kentucky is 287th in that stat (14.6). Turnovers were a huge, HUGE problem in the Paradise Jam for UK, and Boston College will know that coming into the ACC/SEC Challenge.