The Kentucky Wildcats showed off why they are a feared 5-seed with a 1st quarter blitz that essentially ended the game. The Cats blitzed the Dukes with a 32-10 before the buzzer sounded. That was all that was needed, but the rest of the game left plenty of things for Kenny Brooks and company to work on.
Turnovers again
If you have followed this Kentucky WBB team, you know they can be turnover machines. That showed up in the second half today when Kentucky turned it over 11 times. Luckily for the Cats, they had that
first quarter to fall back on. James Madison actually outscored Kentucky 46-39 the rest of the way.
That type of effort will not work if Kenny Brooks’ prediction of a lot more basketball comes to pass. The Cats will need to lock it in and play clean basketball.
Amelia Hassett keeps bombing away
Back in the SEC Tournament, Amelia Hassett and Asia Boone kept trading the lead for most 3-point shots made in a single season. After today, Hassett (14 points) has extended her lead, going 4-13 from deep. The floor spacing that Amelia provides is needed for a Kentucky team that loves to play slow and get in the paint.
If she is hitting shots, the Cats’ offense is very difficult to contain. It frees up doubles off Clara Strack and Teonni Key, and keeps people home when Tonie Morgan gets down low like she did today.
Morgan finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Clara Strack had a double-double (10 and 14), and Jordan Obi had 12.
What’s next
Kentucky now awaits the winner of the host (4) West Virginia or the MAC Tournament champion (13) Miami (OH). They will be taking the court momentarily, and you can bet Kenny Brooks will have someone watching this one.
Do you think this team can make a run?
