The No. 15 LSU Tigers will be opening their 16-game SEC schedule tonight against the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Entering the matchup with a perfect 14-0 record, the Tigers are one of the only twelve undefeated teams remaining in the country. So, how will they face off against each other in this matchup? Let’s find out.
LSU vs Kentucky Prediction
History and coaching trends strongly favor LSU in this conference opener. The Tigers hold a 38-18 all-time lead against Kentucky and have won the last three matchups between the two programs. Furthermore, LSU coach Kim Mulkey and Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks have also bested each other in their last three encounters during her time back in Virginia Tech. This game also marks LSU’s seventh appearance on New Year’s Day, a holiday where the program currently holds a 4-2 overall record.
LSU is starting conference play as a statistical powerhouse, leading the nation in nine different categories, including scoring offense (108.0 PPG) and field goal percentage (54.8%). The team is coming off a dominant performance against Alabama State, where they tied a program record with 27 steals. Key contributors to watch include Kate Koval, who recently notched her fifth double-double of the season and MiLaysia Fulwiley, who recently posted career highs in assists and steals to anchor the Tigers’ high-pressure defense.
The Wildcats enter this matchup with a strong 13-1 record, thanks to their defense which is ranked third nationally for allowing only 50.2 points per game. Under head coach Kenny Brooks, the Wildcats have become one of the premier shot-blocking teams, leading the nation with an average of 8.4 blocks per game. The offense is anchored by Clara Strack, who nearly averages a double-double and elite playmaker Tonie Morgan, who facilitates the floor with 8 assists per game. To snap their three-game losing streak against LSU, the Wildcats might have to rely on their elite rim protection and veteran presence in the paint to stifle the Tigers.
ESPN’s matchup predictor estimates an 82.9% chance of LSU winning this matchup.
Lineups
LSU Lineup
PG: Jada Richard
SG: Mikaylah Williams
SF: Flau’jae Johnson
PF: ZaKiyah Johnson
C: Kate Koval
Kentucky Lineup
PG: Tonie Morgan
SG: Amelia Hassett
PF: Jordan Obi
SF: Teonni Key
C: Clara Strack
Injuries
Both teams appear to be relatively healthy, though Kentucky is missing a key piece of its rotation. The Wildcats are without redshirt sophomore guard Dominika Paurova, who is sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a second ACL tear earlier this season. On the LSU side, the Tigers have their strongest roster assets, such as Flau’Jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, and Kate Koval, all cleared for action. No new injuries have been reported for the Tigers’ starting rotation or from Kentucky.
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