
Kentucky
(+5.5)

Vanderbilt
(-5.5)
Highlights
Preview
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A high-stakes Southeastern Conference women’s basketball rematch is set for Sunday when the Vanderbilt Commodores host the Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt (24-3, 11-3 SEC), riding high near the top of the conference standings, looks to complete a regular-season sweep after edging Kentucky 84-83 in Lexington on Feb. 5. The Wildcats (20-7, 9-5), however, arrive with revenge on their minds and momentum from a 74-57 win over Mississippi last Sunday. The matchup features two of the nation’s premier players in Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes and Kentucky center Clara Strack. Blakes, a dynamic scorer, torched the Wildcats for 37 points in the first meeting and is averaging 30.8 points over her last five games. Containing her will be Kentucky’s primary defensive challenge. Strack, coming off a dominant 28-point, 9-rebound performance against Mississippi, poses a major threat inside. She recorded 14 points and seven assists in the narrow loss to Vanderbilt earlier this month. Her battle with Vanderbilt’s Sacha Washington, who had nine points and nine rebounds in the Commodores’ recent 76-74 loss at Georgia, will be pivotal in the paint. Vanderbilt’s potent offense, which averages 82.2 points per game, faces a Kentucky defense that has held its last two opponents under 60 points. The Commodores seek to rebound from their heartbreaking loss at Georgia, while Kentucky aims to build on a two-game winning streak and solidify its NCAA tournament seeding. The Commodores have lost only once at home this season. Kentucky, however, has proven capable on the road with key SEC victories, including a 93-73 rout of Arkansas earlier this month. Sunday’s contest carries significant implications for the SEC tournament bracket and national rankings. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST. Vanderbilt visits Tennessee on March 1, while Kentucky hosts South Carolina the same day.