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Things can change quickly in college basketball. Just days after No. 5 Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball secured its best win of the season over No. 4 Texas, the Commodroes fell to an unranked Georgia Bulldogs squad on the road. The loss proved that any game in the SEC is challenging, and that trend will continue for Vanderbilt as it faces No. 16 Kentucky for the second time this season on Feb. 22.
The Commodores earned a 1-point win over the Wildcats Feb. 5, but that game was on the road in Lexington. Now, the two teams will meet in Memorial Gymnasium in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season. With Vanderbilt’s extremely efficient offense and Kentucky’s strong defensive identity, this game will be a test for both sides.
Let’s take a look at some key matchups to watch in this game.
The outcome of this game will hinge on the adjustments each team can make after their last battle, just two weeks ago, where Vanderbilt escaped with a 1-point win.
Kentucky will look to tighten ball security, control a slower tempo and limit Vanderbilt’s extra possessions. Specifically, Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes will be the main priority for double teams, tight close-outs and forced shots from the Wildcats’ defense, as the star guard scored 37 points when the teams last faced off. However, this extra attention on Blakes could underestimate Vanderbilt’s depth, as players like Aubrey Galvan and Justine Pissott can capitalize on defensive rotations, open looks and the flow of the offense. If Kentucky overcommits to locking down Blakes, Vanderbilt’s ball movement and secondary scoring could become a deciding factor.
The ’Dores, remembering the stress of such a gritty win last time, will look to create a comfortable lead early. Specifically, Vanderbilt’s offense will try to force turnovers and push the tempo to capitalize on transition scoring before Kentucky can settle into its half-court defense. However, if Kentucky can withstand early pressure and limit live-ball turnovers, the Wildcats could slow the pace and turn the game into a controlled battle that plays into their defensive strengths. Ultimately, the rematch comes down to whether Vanderbilt can recreate chaos or Kentucky can impose control.
This matchup pits one of the league’s most efficient offenses against a defensive force to be reckoned with — a contrast that fueled their first thriller and will determine the outcome of this one, too.
The Commodores enter the contest with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 126.5 (No. 4 nationally) and a 54.6% effective field goal percentage (No. 11 nationally). Their offense is dangerously versatile, as Vanderbilt creates high quality shots from all over the field. Moreover, the ’Dores have assists on 64.3% of their made baskets, relying heavily on drive-and-kick action and interior touches to open up the perimeter — showcasing a general connectivity amongst players that makes them a fast, synced threat to opponents.
On the other side, the Wildcats demonstrate some of the strongest rim protection and half-court discipline in the nation. Kentucky ranks second in blocking (17.3% block rate) and holds opponents to just 39.4% efficiency inside the arc. Kentucky’s success stems from an elite ability to collapse on drives and erase shots at the rim. They often force opponents to finish through length or kick-out very late in possessions.
A deciding factor will be whether Vanderbilt can pull Kentucky’s shot blockers out of position via their hallmark offensive flow. If not, the Wildcats can disrupt rhythm with an elite interior presence and grind out a half-court battle.
In Vanderbilt’s win over Kentucky several weeks ago, it lost the rebounding battle by a sizable margin (39-21). The Wildcats racked up eight offensive rebounds to string together multiple second-chance opportunities, and they used their physicality to bully the Commodores down low. 6’2 forward Sacha Washington has done very well through SEC play by playing extremely sound basketball and boxing out, but sometimes, her height is a limiting factor. When going up against centers like Kentucky’s Clara Strack, who stands at 6’6, it’s clear that Washington is at a disadvantage.
That said, there’s perhaps more depth down low for the Commodores than people might think. Aiyana Mitchell and Aalyah Del Rosario, both forwards, have taken steps up in the last few weeks. Del Rosario, in particular, played a season-high 12 minutes against No. 4 Texas and was a much-needed physical presence in the paint. It would not be surprising if Shea Ralph opts to give both of these bench players more minutes against Strack and the physical Wildcats
Vanderbilt will need to control the paint and at least survive the rebounding battle in order to pull out a big win on Sunday. It’s clear that the Commodores’ guards always carry the offensive load, but a strong game in the frontcourt sets up Galvan and Blakes for success on the perimeter.
Vanderbilt takes on No. 16 Kentucky in Memorial Gymnasium at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.
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