The Transylvania Wildcats
Kentucky is trending in the wrong direction. In head coach Krya Elzy’s first season, the Wildcats were 9-6 in the SEC and made it to the NCAA’s second round. In her second season, an 8-8 conference record and a miracle run to the SEC tournament title got them through to the NCAA first round. Last season’s 2-14 conference record put them in the SEC cellar. Life is slowly being sucked out of the program.
It's not just the wins total that are ebbing. Kentucky began the season with 12 roster players, 11 of which were healthy. Due to a recent game day suspension and several injuries, the Wildcats only had seven players available for Sunday’s 73-67 win over Tennessee Tech. The really short bench means Kentucky will be just as tired as the Gophers who are coming off a 2 OT victory.
Last season, the Wildcats were good enough to defeat the Gophers in Williams Arena 80-74. Transfers and graduation removed most of the Wildcat players we remember from last year’s contest. But two of note remain:
6’3” senior forward
Ajae Petty played 30 minutes in Minneapolis posting 16 points and 12 rebounds. In her most recent outing against Tennessee Tech, Petty notched 33 points and 15 rebounds in 33 minutes. Sophie Hart will get a workout.
5’10” senior guard
Maddie Scherr posted 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in 32 minutes. Because of injury, she did not suit up for Tennessee Tech.
There will be more guess work than usual in preparation for this game.
Here’s the 4-5 Wildcat’s record:
Wins: East Tenn State 74-66, USC Upstate 82-54, Boston College 83-81 and Tenn Tech 73-67
Losses: @ Austin Peay 63-68, @ FGCU 48-59, In the Paradise Jam: NC State 55-84, Colorado 53-86 and Cincinnati 41-65
And here’s the highlights of their biggest win of the season. Yes, they played a home game in Transylvania. The Gophers, however, will be welcomed to Rupp Arena.