Kentucky Wildcats
SEC (24-8, 10-6)
The Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team came into the 2013-14 season with the highest expectations they have ever had in program history. This Wildcat team brought back a veteran laden squad and had been on the doorstep of the Final Four. This season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, but Kentucky should be fine in the NCAA Tournament when they can get away from the brutal SEC competition.
Big Wins: 12/1 Louisville (69-64), 2/16 at Tennessee (75-71), 2/23 at Texas A&M (83-74)
Bad Losses: 1/5 Florida (73-83), 1/23 Alabama (55-57), 2/9 at Florida (80-86)
Coach: Matthew Mitchell (7 seasons at Kentucky)
Why They Can Surprise:
This team can run you out of the building with its pressure defense if they are allowed to play at maximum aggression. The Wildcats also have the right mix of tournament experienced players with Jennifer O’Neill and Samarie Walker and are well prepared for the postseason grind. Kentucky also has had some signature moments in games against other national title contenders such as Baylor on a neutral floor that will help them greatly as well. In addition, they have conquered obstacles in the program such as winning at Tennessee for the first time since 1985 earlier in the season. That is something that should give this Wildcat team a ton of confidence if they have to play in a hostile environment in the NCAA Tournament.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The way the games are officiated in the postseason will have a huge effect on how the Wildcats do in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky plays a very high pressure, aggressive style defensively and if officials call things tight it could be problematic for the Wildcats. The other way they could possibly disappoint is if they have an off shooting night. Kentucky is a team that can be very dynamic offensively when they are clicking. The challenge will be how they will respond if they have a similar game like they had against South Carolina back at Rupp Arena where they lost 81-58 when the Gamecocks pulled away in the second half thanks to the South Carolina post play of Elem Ibiam and Alana Coates.
Probable Starters:
Janee Thompson, Sophomore, Guard, 8.8 ppg, 3.1 apg
Bria Goss, Junior, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 1.3 apg
Kastine Evans, Senior, Guard, 8.4 ppg, 1.7 apg
DeNesha Stallworth, Senior, Forward, 12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg
Samarie Walker, Senior, Forward/Center, 9.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jennifer O’Neill, Junior, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 2.8 apg
Azia Bishop, Junior, Forward/Center, 5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Linnae Harper, Freshman, Guard, 6.8 ppg
Jelleah Sidney, Junior, Forward/Center, 3.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.4 (13th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.6 (211, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (47, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.5 (177, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.7 (132, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.5 (87, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.8 (250, 11)
Rebound Margin: 4.8 (60, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (97, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.9 (161, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
