WBB Kentucky at South Carolina-Game Set-Preview

Read Time:5 Minute, 10 Second

Monday’s contest features the South Carolina Gamecocks (15-0) and the Kentucky Wildcats (8-9) matching up at Colonial Life Arena. It is expected to be a one-sided matchup against the heavily favored number one ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET on January 15.

Wildcats 🆚 No. 1 Gamecocks comin' at ya tomorrow from Columbia. 😻

Game Preview » https://t.co/xiatrwMxNN pic.twitter.com/HowcqUwoBC
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 14, 2024

Kentucky vs. South Carolina Game Info

When: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET
Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina
How to Watch on TV: SEC Network

Kentucky Schedule Analysis

The Wildcats captured their signature win of the season on January 4, when they claimed a 73-63 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, who rank inside the top 50.
When facing Quadrant 1 teams, the Wildcats are 0-5 (.000%) — tied for the eighth-most defeats.
Against Quadrant 2 teams, Kentucky is 1-3 (.250%) — tied for the 21st-most defeats.

Maddie Scherr at the line in the 1st quarter. Cats down early. @KentuckyWBB @GreenvillSMedia @CSCast_ pic.twitter.com/aGCJhE9kdC
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) January 12, 2024

Kentucky 2023-24 Best Wins

73-63 at home over Arkansas (No. 50) on January 4
83-81 at home over Boston College (No. 92) on November 30
87-80 at home over Lipscomb (No. 153) on December 21
74-66 at home over East Tennessee State (No. 163) on November 7
73-67 at home over Tennessee Tech (No. 210) on December 3

Only two in program history have ever done it, Hall of Famer Valerie Still last in 1982 and Ajae Petty in 2024. 😮‍💨@AjaePetty15 pic.twitter.com/TycXy3vCss
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 12, 2024

Kentucky Leaders

Ajae Petty: 16.5 PTS, 11.3 REB, 1.3 STL, 56.7 FG%
Maddie Scherr: 14.9 PTS, 1.6 STL, 38 FG%, 32.8 3PT% (21-for-64)
Eniya Russell: 8.4 PTS, 42.4 FG%, 23.5 3PT% (4-for-17)
Brooklynn Miles: 6.4 PTS, 1.1 STL, 42.6 FG%, 13.6 3PT% (3-for-22)
Saniah Tyler: 9.3 PTS, 31.1 FG%, 32.3 3PT% (31-for-96)

Kentucky Performance Insights

The Wildcats have a -79 scoring differential, falling short by 4.6 points per game. They’re putting up 67 points per game, 162nd in college basketball, and are allowing 71.6 per outing to rank 316th in college basketball.
In conference action, Kentucky is scoring more points (71.7 per game) than it is overall (67) in 2023-24.
While the Wildcats are putting up 67 points per game in 2023-24, they have improved that mark in their previous 10 games, tallying 72.3 a contest.

“It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish.”: The Story of Saniah Tyler https://t.co/VE1g8ZrOpv pic.twitter.com/CPpIdkP4sR
— UK Fanatics (@UKFanaticsOnly) December 27, 2023

South Carolina Schedule Analysis

The Gamecocks’ best victory this season came against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a squad ranked inside the AP’s Top 25 (No. 18). The Gamecocks secured the 100-71 win at a neutral site on November 6.
When facing Quadrant 1 teams, the Gamecocks are 6-0 (1.000%) — tied for the second-most wins.
South Carolina has four wins over Quadrant 2 teams, tied for the sixth-most in Division 1.

1️⃣ more sleep until it's game day again – who's coming to Monday night's 𝙂𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙀𝙏 𝙊𝙐𝙏?https://t.co/FlsBN5Zf5W pic.twitter.com/W1Ve8PLOjz
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) January 14, 2024

South Carolina 2023-24 Best Wins

100-71 over Notre Dame (No. 18/AP Poll) on November 6
78-69 over Utah (No. 19/AP Poll) on December 10
114-76 at home over Maryland (No. 25) on November 12
77-61 on the road over Duke (No. 28) on December 3
65-58 on the road over North Carolina (No. 20/AP Poll) on November 30

South Carolina Leaders

Kamilla Cardoso: 13.1 PTS, 10.5 REB, 2.8 BLK, 59.5 FG%
Ashlyn Watkins: 9.1 PTS, 7.0 REB, 2.9 BLK, 55.6 FG%
Raven Johnson: 9.4 PTS, 5.3 AST, 2.6 STL, 52.0 FG%, 40.0 3PT% (12-for-30)
Te-Hina Paopao: 12.6 PTS, 1.2 STL, 52.9 FG%, 56.3 3PT% (40-for-71)
MiLaysia Fulwiley: 10.9 PTS, 1.4 STL, 1.2 BLK, 45.6 FG%, 28.0 3PT% (14-for-50)

Woke up feeling 15-0 pic.twitter.com/PHzZo44n9Z
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) January 12, 2024

South Carolina Performance Insights

The Gamecocks outscore opponents by 37.3 points per game (scoring 89.7 points per game to rank fifth in college basketball while giving up 52.4 per contest to rank 10th in college basketball) and have a +560 scoring differential overall.
With 85.0 points per game in SEC tilts, South Carolina is averaging 4.7 fewer points per game in conference games compared to its overall average (89.7 PPG).
Offensively, the Gamecocks have performed better in home games this season, averaging 98.6 points per game, compared to 79.7 per game on the road.
In 2023-24, South Carolina is giving up 43.7 points per game at home. Away from home, it is allowing 56.7.

This looks to be a tough game for Kyra Elzy and her Kentucky Wildcats. Beyond good games from Ajae Petty and Maddie Scherr, the Cats are going to need Russell, Tyler, and Miles to step up big in ball control and driving into the lanes. As well as King and Rowe to hit big shots from outside to hang with the number one ranked Gamecocks.

Make sure to follow College SportsCast for more fun, original college sports content. Or find them on your favorite platforms on their Linktree page.

Catch great sports coverage from all around the country on Greenville Sports Media.