It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Kentucky women’s basketball game (two weeks, actually), let alone a Kentucky women’s basketball win. However, that could change on Friday as the Cats take on 13-seed Liberty in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Read up on the Flames to get yourself ready for the action with KSR’s game preview.
Liberty sits at 26-6 overall, and they went 16-2 in conference play. On top of that, they also managed to win the Conference USA Tournament Championship, topping a quality Middle Tennessee team (53-48) in the title game. Head coach Carey Green has been at the helm in Lynchburg, VA since 1999.
Green took the Flames to seven consecutive NCAA Tournaments to begin his tenure there, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005. They last appeared in the big dance in 2018 where they fell to 3-seed Tennessee in the first round.
The Flames actually took on the Lady Vols again this season, and although they lost, they did put up 93 points on Tennessee. While Liberty isn’t necessarily an elite offensive team, they have put up 100+ twice this season. Their ability to be able to score at a fairly consistent level has powered them to an 11-game winning streak heading into Friday’s game.
Although Liberty’s scoring numbers aren’t quite elite, they are a very, very good three-point shooting team. The Flames led Conference USA by making 36.9% of their attempts from deep (also good enough for 16th in the country). Additionally, they not only make the three, but they put up 22 attempts a game on average, so they know how to play to their strengths.
Ironically enough, however, a lot of Liberty’s offensive production comes from 6-foot-6 center Bella Smuda, who averages 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. All season long, she has only taken (and missed) one, singular three-point shot. She’ll certainly do all she can to assert herself down low and give Kentucky’s bigs some fits.
Then, there’s guards Asia Boone (10.5 PPG, 36.9 3P%) and Emma Hess (10.1 PPG, 33.5 3P%), both of which average double figures in the scoring column. They can both shoot the ball from deep as well, allowing Liberty to spread their offense so that they can attack in a multitude of ways. While Kentucky will have the size and talent advantage, Kenny Brooks will be put to the test in order to match Green’s X’s and O’s.
#3 – Georgia Amoore
5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT
19.1 PPG – 6.9 APG – 2.2 RPG
#7 – Teonni Key
6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR
11.5 PPG – 8.1 RPG – 1.7 BPG
#10 – Dazia Lawrence
5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR
12.7 PPG – 2.3 RPG – 2.0 APG
#13 – Clara Strack
6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE
15.2 PPG – 9.7 RPG – 2.6 APG
#32 – Amelia Hassett
6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR
8.8 PPG – 8.0 RPG – 1.9 APG
TeamsSpreadMoneylineTotalLiberty+15.5 (-102)+920O 138.5 (-110)Kentucky-15.5 (-120)-2000U 138.5 (-110)
LocationTipoffTVRadioLive StatsHistoric Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, KY)Noon ETESPN (Sam Gore and Tamika Catchings)630 WLAP, 790 WKRD (Darren Headrick)StatBroadcast
Follow Along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG
Unable to watch the game? Don’t worry — we’ll be providing real-time updates throughout to keep you informed on the action. Follow along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG, which will get rolling on the website an hour before the game starts.
Want to interact with the KSR crew during tonight’s game? Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing live updates while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).
