Kentucky is poised to face a challenging game against the highly-ranked Oklahoma Sooners following their recent loss to Alabama. The Wildcats will aim to bounce back from this setback as they host Oklahoma during a pivotal Sunday matchup, which could place their undefeated home record this season in jeopardy. With Teonni Key unavailable yet again, securing a victory over a top-five opponent will be particularly daunting.
Oklahoma enters this contest with a record of 14-2 and has faced its own struggles recently, coming off a narrow loss to Ole Miss. The Sooners fell 74-69 at home on Thursday, marking their first defeat in SEC play. Their other loss occurred against No. 4 UCLA, making it clear that both their defeats have come against ranked teams. Notably, Oklahoma also secured a win against another ranked opponent, No. 23 Oklahoma State, earlier in the season.
Last season, the Wildcats and the Sooners met twice, with both games delivering thrilling basketball. Kentucky triumphed 95-86 in their first encounter thanks to a record-setting performance from Georgia Amoore. However, Oklahoma avenged this loss by defeating Kentucky 69-65 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
This Oklahoma squad features impressive talents, including freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez, a standout who has quickly emerged as a top scorer. She averages 19.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, confirming her status as one of the nation’s top recruits. Senior center Raegan Beers adds significant strength to the team, contributing 17.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. While her three-point shooting has seen a decline this season, her presence in the paint remains formidable. The Sooners excel in rebounding as a unit, leading the nation with an average of 52.3 rebounds per game.
As Kentucky gears up for this essential matchup, the projected starters include Tonie Morgan, Asia Boone, Jordan Obi, Amelia Hassett, and Clara Strack, each bringing essential skills to the court. Phoenix predicts Oklahoma will take the game with a score of 79-64, emphasizing the challenges that Kentucky faces without Key.
Fans can catch all the action live at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington at 4 p.m. ET, with coverage available on the SEC Network. As the Wildcats seek to regain momentum, this matchup serves as an opportunity to rebound against elite competition and showcase their resilience. The atmosphere promises to be electric, and basketball enthusiasts can join in on the excitement via various platforms for real-time updates and discussions during the game.