For the first time in 14 years, a traditional rivalry between the University of Kentucky and IU women’s basketball will take place tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Hoosiers won the last time the two schools met, 54-51 on Nov. 12, 2006.
Both games this season for IU have been blowouts with a 100-51 win against Eastern Kentucky University on Nov. 25 and a 71-26 win against Samford University on Thursday.
Facing a 3-0 Kentucky will be a challenge the Hoosiers have not seen yet this season.
The Wildcats beat Kansas State 60-49 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Thursday. They were also picked to place second in the SEC.
Sunday’s matchup will be nationally broadcasted on ESPNU, which head coach Teri Moren said will be a great opportunity for spectators to see how good women’s basketball is, especially in a game with two recognized guards.
“We always want to grow our game, but we have the opportunity to highlight some special players,” Moren said. “Not just Rhyne Howard but also Ali Patberg, Grace Berger, Mackenzie Holmes and our crew as well.”
Howard is the national player of the year and First Team All-American junior guard for Kentucky. IU senior guard Ali Patberg is a 2019-2020 All-American Honorable Mention and made the All-Big Ten First Team last season.
Moren said this is an opponent the team is excited to face, but their offense will have to improve from Thursday to show out against Kentucky tomorrow.
The Hoosiers have averaged 72.6 points per game and are shooting 46% from the field. The Wildcats, not far behind, average 72 points per game and shoot 40% from the field.
“We are going to have to score and take care of the ball better,” Moren said. “We are going to have to execute at a higher level.”
