PREVIEW: Kentucky hosts Vanderbilt in first of two games in season series – On3

Last season, Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 96-78 on the Commodores’ home floor, but this Vandy squad is very, very different from last year’s group. They may have lost Khamil Pierre to NC State this offseason, but somehow, they still managed to reload and got even better.
Vanderbilt returns sophomore Mikayla Blakes, who is the top scorer in the SEC and averages the third most points per game (25.1 PPG) in the country. Blakes is incredible on the defensive end of the floor as well, averaging 3.1 steals per game. She plays at the two, and there could be some concern for Kentucky about who guards her. That’s a problem every team has facing her, but there could be a tad bit of extra concern for the Cats.
In non-conference play, we saw that Kentucky has struggled to defend smaller, quicker guards out on the perimeter. They always seem to be a step ahead, and if that isn’t the case, then they get ahead by beating Kentucky’s defenders off the dribble. Kenny Brooks built this team with great size and length, but not as much quickness.
Of course, Kentucky can use that size advantage to their benefit on the offensive end. In her first game back from injury against Arkansas, Teonni Key had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Clara Strack went off for a career-high 33 points as well as 15 rebounds against the Razorbacks. Amelia Hassett put up 16 points too.
Cats roll vs. Sooners
1st double-double as a Cat
Booker teases launch of new denim shoe 👀
is Stein's first 2027 commit!
left presser to pick up daughter from mission trip
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Both teams are looking to keep up their momentum after spending more time in the loss column than they’d like.
#5 – Tonie Morgan
5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – SENIOR
14.7 PPG – 8.6 APG – 3.5 RPG
#0 – Jordan Obi
6-FOOT-1 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT
10.7 PPG – 6.7 RPG – 1.2 APG
#32 – Amelia Hassett
6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – SENIOR
10.4 PPG – 5.8 RPG – 1.7 APG
#7 – Teonni Key
6-FOOT-5 – FORWARD – SENIOR
11.3 PPG – 6.7 RPG – 1.3 BPG
#13 – Clara Strack
6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – JUNIOR
16.2 PPG – 10.4 RPG – 2.7 BPG
Score: 78-72, Vanderbilt
MVP: Teonni Key
Kentucky and Vanderbilt play twice this season, and both teams are so good that I think that they split the series. Kentucky is currently 10-1 at home, and to me, I find it likely that the Cats will drop a game or two more in Historic Memorial Coliseum. So, I have the Commodores winning this one in a close game, and if things remain the way they are (no injuries, neither team falls off a cliff, etc.), I’ll have the Cats stealing the win in Nashville.
Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.
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).
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard
On Tuesday, the KHSAA drew for the Sweet 16 first-round matchups, a sign that the regular season is winding to an end. Teams are rescheduling games…
As KSR's resident Celtics fan, I bring you good news. It's quite possibly the best news you'll receive all day — it certainly is for me. Remember…
The Nick Richards Era in Phoenix has come to a close, ending his time with Devin Booker after two seasons with the Suns. Playing 65 total games in…
Devin Booker's new shoe, the Book 2, is getting the denim treatment — and you can grab yourself a pair this weekend. Appropriately named "It Must…
Brady Hull has committed to Kentucky, he tells KSR. The 2027 three-star offensive lineman becomes Will Stein's first commit in the 2027 class. The…
Rob Dillingham's time in Minnesota has come to an end. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dillingham has been shipped from the Timberwolves to the…
Last season, Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 96-78 on the Commodores' home floor, but this Vandy squad is very, very different from last year's group. They…
It was a frenetic few weeks for Will Stein. The day after he was hired, he had to sign a recruiting class. He then juggled calling plays for Oregon…
Cats roll vs. Sooners
1st double-double as a Cat
Booker teases launch of new denim shoe 👀
is Stein's first 2027 commit!
left presser to pick up daughter from mission trip
© 2026 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.

source