Kentucky Wildcats
SEC (23-9, 10-6)
Kentucky has had a roller coaster ride of a season. But they have a ton of potential for a long run in the NCAA Tournament if they can put everything together. The win over South Carolina on Senior Day is a very encouraging sign. They overcame a cold shooting day to pull off the huge upset victory over the Gamecocks and pick up some much needed momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/17 Baylor (74-64), 12/7 at Louisville (77-68), 3/1 South Carolina (67-56)
Bad Losses: 11/27 vs Illinois (71-77), 2/19 Texas A&M (69-81), 2/23 at Mississippi (59-67)
Coach: Matthew Mitchell
Why They Can Surprise:
The experience and talent in the backcourt for Kentucky is excellent and they have the ability to take over a game in a heartbeat. Senior Jennifer O’Neill sets the tone at the point guard position and Mikayla Epps compliments O’Neill offensively as Epps is one of the better overall shooters on the Wildcats team. The pressure defense applied by Kentucky is relentless and they cause well over 20 turnovers per game. The ability to shut teams down from the perimeter is another huge plus for Kentucky and opponents shoot at just over 30 percent from behind the three-point line. In addition, the ability to rise up in big games is another reason why the Wildcats can make a run in the NCAA Tournament as they have signature wins over Baylor, Louisville and South Carolina so this team definitely won’t be intimidated in the postseason.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The inability to consistently shoot the basketball could come back and send Kentucky to an early exit in the NCAA Tournament. Rebounding is always a challenge for the Wildcats too and they play a smaller lineup than most teams they play on a nightly basis. It is going to be very important for the guards to be relentless on the boards to take the pressure off of the post players. It is also going to be important for Kentucky to share the basketball and create more open shots in the flow of the offense. If the Wildcats can’t get this accomplished, it will make it very difficult for them to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Linnae Harper, Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 1.4 apg, 6.8 rpg, 2.0 spg
Jennifer O’Neill, Senior, Guard, 14.4 ppg, 2.1 apg
Bria Goss, Senior, Guard, 9.0 ppg
Mikayla Epps, Sophomore, Guard, 14.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 4.7 rpg
Azia Bishop, Senior, Forward/Center, 6.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Alexis Jennings, Freshman, Forward/Center, 7.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Alyssa Rice, Freshman, Center, 2.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Jelleah Sidney, Senior, Forward/Center, 1.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Kyvin Goodin-Rogers, Sophomore, Forward, 4.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.7 (26th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.4 (271, 14)
Field-Goal Percentage: 39.4 (194, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.4 (217, 11)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.4 (238, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 27.7 (294, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.6 (239, 8)
Rebound Margin: 0.3 (174, 13)
Assists Per Game: 10.9 (297, 14)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.7 (197, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA First Round win over Wright State
2014 NCAA Second Round win over Syracuse
2014 NCAA Third Round loss to Baylor
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Navy
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Dayton
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Delaware
2013 NCAA Regional Final loss to Connecticut
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over McNeese State
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Green Bay
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Gonzaga
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Connecticut
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Hampton
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Liberty
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Michigan State
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Nebraska
2010 NCAA Regional Final loss to Oklahoma
2009 NIT First Round win over Chattanooga
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Wisconsin
2008 NIT Second Round win over MTSU
2008 NIT Third Round win over James Madison
2008 NIT Fourth Round loss to Marquette
2007 NIT First Round win over Oakland
2007 NIT Second Round win over Ball State
2007 NIT Third Round loss to Wisconsin
*all team stats through 3/5
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
