Happy Thursday, everyone! Tonight, Kristy Curry’s Alabama women’s basketball team heads to Lexington for a significant matchup against a strong Kentucky squad. Following a narrow two-point loss to No. 23 Vanderbilt, the Alabama Crimson Tide faces a redemption battle at Memorial Coliseum against the Wildcats, who are encountering their first top 25 clash in SEC play. Despite a previous 17-point victory over Kentucky in Tuscaloosa, the Tide is determined to bounce back. Alabama boasts a veteran roster with five graduate students and only seven underclassmen on their 14-woman team.
On paper, these teams are incredibly similar. Kentucky averages 79.0 points per game, while Alabama averages 79.5. Kentucky’s field goal percentage stands at 46.1%, with Alabama slightly higher at 46.3%. Kenny Brooks and the Wildcats have been preparing intensely for this game, marking only the second time Brooks and Alabama’s head coach, Kristy Curry, have faced off. Their previous encounter was in the 2018 WNIT quarterfinals, where Brooks emerged victorious with Virginia Tech.
The game tips off at 6 PM CT on SEC Network.
Switching to football, Alabama missed the first 12-team playoff this year, yet they remain a pivotal storyline. According to Bill Connelly, the two best games of the year featured Alabama. One of the highlights was a thrilling victory over Georgia, sealed by Zabien Brown’s end-zone interception in the final seconds.
However, Alabama also experienced a significant upset against Vanderbilt. Despite early offensive success and a pick-six by the defense, the Commodores maintained their lead with crucial plays, including a 51-yard field goal and a game-sealing touchdown. This dramatic win resulted in Vanderbilt fans carrying the goalposts down Broadway and into the Cumberland River, celebrating their incredible triumph.
Kalen Deboer’s inaugural season in Tuscaloosa has been described as “volatile,” with impressive victories and unexpected losses. The Tide displayed great potential, evidenced by their blowout win over LSU, contrasted by a puzzling 24-3 defeat at Oklahoma. The season’s highs and lows highlight the need for consistency as Alabama aims for a steadier offseason.
In other news, a Division II player who transferred to the FBS is seeking eligibility for time spent at the lower level, adding another layer of intrigue to the college football landscape.
