Game Preview: Alabama Women’s Basketball Against Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky.- The No.22 Alabama Crimson Tide (17-4, 4-3 SEC) women’s basketball will face off against the No.12 Kentucky Wildcats (17-2, 6-1 SEC) on Thursday at Memorial Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.CT and will stream on SEC Network.

This matchup marks the 56th encounter between the two teams, with the Wildcats leading the series 36-19. In their most recent meeting on Jan. 28 during the 2023-24 season at Coleman Coliseum, the Crimson Tide emerged victorious with a score of 91-74. The last time the Crimson Tide triumphed in Lexington was Feb.9 during the 2022-23 season, winning 72-65. Over the past decade, the Crimson Tide has managed only two wins against the Wildcats, holding a 2-8 record in the span.

As the 2024-25 season approaches the critical stages of conference play and the NCAA tournament, the Crimson Tide aim to solidify their position in the Southeastern Conference, currently ranked fifth.

Here’s what to know ahead of the matchup:

Side-By-Side:

Alabama:

79.5 Points Per Game

39.9 Rebounds Per Game

15.4 Assists Per Game

4.7 Blocks Per Game

8.9 Steals Per Game

14.2 Turnovers Per Game

46.3 Field-Goal Percentage

37.4 3-Point Field-Goal Percentage

67.4 Free-Throw Percentage

1.1 Assist-Turnover Ratio

Kentucky:

78.4 Points Per Game

40.6 Rebounds Per Game

18.8 Assists Per Game

6.7 Blocks Per Game

5.3 Steals Per Game

12.7 Turnovers Per Game

46.0 Field-Goal Percentage

32.1 3-Point Field-Goal Percentage

78.3 Free-Throw Percentage

1.5 Assist-Turnover Ratio

GAME NOTES:

The Crimson Tide holds a No. 17 NET ranking entering the final week of January
Alabama is one-of-two SEC teams ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA in three-point percentage, averaging 37.4 three-pointers per game to rank No. 9 (Missouri ranks at No. 6)
In her first game back after missing five games due to an injury, Sarah Ashlee Barker recorded a career-high 36 points during the Crimson Tide’s two-point loss to now-ranked Vanderbilt on Sunday. Barker also assisted on three shots and nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds and tallying four steals to lead Alabama on both sides of the ball
The Wildcats are 2-1 against Associated Press ranked opponents this season. Def. No. 18 Louisville, 71-61, on Nov. 16 at home. Def. No. 19 Illinois, 76-53, on Nov. 27 on a neutral court. Def. by No. 16 North Carolina, 72-53, on Dec. 5 on the road
Kentucky hasn’t played a ranked opponent in the league yet, but has played and beaten two opponents that were receiving votes (Mississippi State, Vanderbilt).
Kentucky is currently the only team in NCAA DI to have three players with at least 43
3-pointers (Dazia Lawrence – 47, Georgia Amoore – 45, Amelia Hassett – 43).
Kentucky also is the only team in NCAA DI to have two players averaging more than 9.0 rebounds per game (Clara Strack – 9.6, Amelia Hassett – 9.1) and three players averaging more than 8.6 rebounds per game (including Teonni Key – 8.6).

Starting Five Stats:

ALABAMA:

Zaay Green PPG 16.4, RPG 5.1, APG 4.5, SPG 1.4, BPG 0.7, MPG 30.9

Sarah Ashlee Barker PPG 16.9, RPG 6.1, APG 3.3, SPG 2.3, BPG 0.7, MPG 27.3

Aaliyah Nye PPG 13.8, RPG 2.2, APG 1.5, SPG 1.1, BPG 0.2, MPG 32.0

Karly Weathers PPG 7.6, RPG 4.3, APG 3.2, SPG 1.7, BPG 0.4, MPG 31.4

Essence Cody PPG 10.4, RPG 6.4, APG 0.6, SPG 0.9, BPG 1.7, MPG 23.9

KENTUCKY:

#3 GEORGIA AMOORE PPG 18.3, RPG 2.4, APG 7.4, SPG 1.2, BPG 0.4, 3PG 2.4, FG 41.8%, 3FG 32.1%, FT 87.7%