PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB hopes to return to full strength vs. Texas A&M
For the first time in three weeks, Kentucky Women’s Basketball could have a healthy roster.
On Sunday, the Wildcats (9-9) will face the Texas A&M Aggies (12-9) at noon in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky is returning from a three-game road stretch, where they defeated Auburn before falling to Vanderbilt and LSU. After suffering numerous injuries during the stretch, Kentucky has had a week to rest.
Jazmine Massengill and Robyn Benton were the two ‘Cats unavailable for Kentucky’s more recent contest seven days ago. Nonetheless, with both of them sidelined due to minor injuries, hopes are high for their return on Sunday.
However, before we get too excited about the ‘Cats, let’s discuss the team who will be opposing them.
Talking about Texas A&M
Kentucky isn’t the only program that hasn’t had an ideal start to SEC play. The Aggies, which were voted to finish second in the league by SEC coaches in the preseason poll, are 2-7 in conference play.
As one of the few teams ranked lower than Kentucky in the conference, the Aggies have a lot to prove on the Wildcats’ home turf. Texas A&M’s 3-point shooting will be vital to accomplish this objective.
The Aggies make 39% of their attempts from beyond the arc, the fifth-best mark in the nation. Boosted by their impressive shooting, Texas A&M averages 71.2 points per game while holding their opponents to 65.
Kayla Wells leads Texas A&M’s high-powered offense. The 6-foot graduate student averages 17 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Moreover, Wells sets the pace for the Aggies’, shooting a jaw-dropping 49% from 3-point range.
Of course, every great scorer has an even better distributor by their side. Junior guard Jordan Nixon is that distributor. Nixon averages 11.4 points and 3.7 boards per contest while leading the team in assists.
Texas A&M’s list of skilled guards doesn’t end there. Destiny Pitts and Qadashah Hoppie contribute a combined 20.9 points a night. Moreover, the duo hits essentially 40% of their attempts from deep.
Texas A&M hasn’t had a great start, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have an excellent finish. The Aggies are marching into Memorial Coliseum after defeating a solid Arkansas team. If the Aggies have their way, the Wildcats will be the next victim in a long path to redemption.
Keys for Kentucky WBB
Kentucky’s most significant improvement heading into Sunday’s contest isn’t their shooting or rebounding but their health. Kentucky hasn’t had nine healthy players since Jan. 16 against Tennessee.
While the experience hasn’t been fun, it’s been educational. The team has learned to compete even in the harshest circumstances. Head coach Kyra Elzy was proud of her team’s fight after their most recent game.
“I’m proud of the effort. We came here to win. We came here to battle,” Elzy said in the postgame press conference following UK’s loss to LSU. “Whether we have five, six or seven [players] — If you step on that floor, you’re going to compete.”
The Wildcats’ grueling stretch of games was especially beneficial for UK’s role players. Specifically, Emma King and Nyah Leveretter were forced to play a more prominent role for the ‘Cats. In fairness, they answered the call.
Over the last three games, King averaged 8.6 points and 30 minutes of play. Leveretter averaged five points, four rebounds and three blocks per game during that same span. Elzy discussed her role players’ surprising performances.
“Credit to Nyah Leveretter and Emma King. Three weeks ago, they weren’t even playing. Now, they’re either starting or playing 30+ minutes,” Elzy said. “They have stepped up and made big plays.“
While King and Leveretter found their rhythm, Kentucky’s returning stars are still searching for their own. In Edwards’ first game since her suspension, the redshirt junior recorded 10 points — 5.5 points less than her season average.
In Treasure Hunt’s return from injury, the sophomore forward scored just two points in 22 minutes of play. As exciting as Kentucky’s returning health is, their chemistry is more important. The ‘Cats must rediscover their balance.
Looking toward the matchup
With Kentucky sitting only one spot ahead of Texas A&M in the SEC standings, this game is a must-have win for both squads. Further, Kentucky and Texas A&M will be playing for a more profound meaning on Sunday.
The contest is Kentucky’s annual Play4Kay Pink Game. The ‘Cats will be sporting pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. Tipoff is set for noon in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard