PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB set to play three games in three days at Paradise Jam

Kentucky Women’s Basketball is 2-2 heading into this week’s Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, the ‘Cats will face No. 10 NC State, No. 3 Colorado, and Cincinnati in back-to-back-to-back games beginning on Thursday.

All three matchups are going to be tough games for the Wildcats to win, however, it is possible.

Going into this week’s games, the Wildcats have had difficulties on both ends of the court. So far as a team, the ‘Cats are shooting only 40% (98-244) from the field. Despite the poor offense, Kentucky’s defense has held its opponents to 42% (94-221) shooting. The difference between UK losing and winning games is that opponents can make the important shots when they’re needed.

Leading Kentucky’s offense is none other than Ajae Petty, who is averaging 16.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. Not far behind is Amiya Jenkins with 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. Jenkins is making her name known on the court and stepping up when head coach Kyra Elzy needs her to. Kentucky isn’t having much trouble in the paint, it’s on the perimeter where they’re getting burnt. As a team, the ‘Cats have made only 10 out of 66 three-point shots (15.2 percent). However, guards such as Cassidy Rowe, Emma King, and Saniah Tyler have the potential to make an impact on this statistic.

Maddie Scherr is still being considered “day-to-day” after an ankle injury in the second game of the season against USC Upstate. The senior guard has yet to show her true playing potential, although she’s averaging 14 points and five rebounds per game. Nonetheless, Scherr is still a leader for this team and hopefully will make an appearance on the court this week.

Scouting Report: No. 10 NC State Wolfpack (4-0)

Kentucky will tip off their trip to the Virgin Islands against the No. 10 NC State Wolfpack at 3:15 ET on Thanksgiving.

The Wolfpack are 4-0 coming into Thursday’s game, and one of those wins was against No. 6 UConn. Clearly, this NC State team will be Kentucky’s toughest opponent to date (but then, they play No. 3 Colorado on Friday, which we’ll get to in a moment). Coming off of a loss to FGCU, Kentucky will have to play out of their minds to get back into the win column against the Pack.

NC State is led by four double-digit scorers who can all hurt you from anywhere on the floor. There’s G Aziaha James (20.3 PPG), G Saniya Rivers (17.3 PPG), F Mimi Collins (11.8 PPG), and G Zoe Brooks (10.3 PPG). Their 4-out, 1-in offense helps NC State average 83.3 points per game as a team. Another huge reason for that is their tremendous ability to crash the boards. The Wolfpack are 14th in the nation with 48.5 rebounds per contest. They also average just 11.5 fouls per game, which is 5th in all of college basketball.

Scouting Report: No. 3 Colorado Buffaloes (4-0)

After what will be a grueling game against the Wolfpack, the Lady ‘Cats will have to rest up and get ready for the No. 3 Colorado Buffaloes the next day at 1:00 ET.

The Buffs are led by C Aaronette Vonleh who is averaging 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, but she is supported by a very strong lineup of capable scorers. In fact, Colorado is easily one of the best all-around offensive teams in the country. So, what makes the Buffaloes such a good scoring team? Their ability to run in transition and find open shooters for easy baskets. They’re always looking to get shots up quickly in each possession as well, which obviously gives them more shot opportunities.

Colorado ranks top 15 in the country in assist/turnover ratio, field goal percentage, and scoring offense. They’re also fifth in the nation in total assists per game (23.5). Colorado is what Kyra Elzy wants Kentucky to be: a fast-paced, run-and-gun, efficient team on offense. On Friday, you’re going to see fire vs. fire, but the Buffs may have more flame.

If Kentucky can control the pace of the game, then they might have a shot at the ultimate upset, but the Wildcats also mightily struggle with halfcourt sets, making an upset that much more improbable. Regardless, this one could get really bad in a hurry. Colorado cruised past the then No. 1 LSU Tigers in their season opener, so Kentucky will have to bring their ‘A’ game to be competitive.

Scouting Report: Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1)

The most favorable matchup for Kentucky during the Paradise Jam will most certainly come against Cincinnati at 3:15 ET on Saturday.

However, Cincinnati is still a decent opponent that could very well send the ‘Cats home with a loss (and maybe even winless) to end the Paradise Jam. Cincinnati is 2-1 coming into the Paradise Jam, with their only loss coming to the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals. F Jillian Hayes and G Mya Jackson both lead the Bearcats with 13 PPG. Hayes also averages an impressive 10 RPG as well.

Cincinnati doesn’t really have much of an identity, but the Bearcats are awful at distributing the basketball. They only average 8.3 assists per game as a team, which ranks 331st in the nation. A big reason for that would be the fact that Hayes and Jackson are the only true threats Cincinnati has offensively. However, both of them are shooting 50% or better from three on the season, so Kentucky will have to be able to guard both of them to head into the SEC/ACC Challenge against Boston College next week on a good note.