The Kenny Brooks era started strong with a dominant performance against USC Upstate, winning 98-43. Clara Strack led the team with 22 points, while All-American Georgia Amoore recorded her first double-double as a Cat, finishing with 11 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Tonight, they return to the newly renovated Memorial Coliseum, where they will face in-state opponent, the Northern Kentucky Norse.
Northern Kentucky dropped their season opener to Middle Tennessee State, 79-58, a team that last year beat Louisville in the NCAA tournament.
Turnovers were the single biggest issue for the Norse in that game, as they committed 19, which fueled Middle Tennessee State's offense.
Meanwhile, Kentucky excelled in its own season-opening victory, largely due to points off turnovers. The Lady Cats forced USC Upstate into 18 turnovers, resulting in 34 points. If Kentucky can apply similar defensive pressure against Northern Kentucky, tonight's game may mirror the first one.
Another key area to watch is the post play. With Clara Strack and Clara Silva, the Wildcats have two legitimate centers, both standing over 6'5". The tallest player for the Norse, Senior Paige Hodgson, stands at 6'4". Kentucky's twin towers could create real problems for Northern Kentucky on the boards and in the paint. Teams will struggle all year to unlock The Clara Code.
Players to Watch
For Northern Kentucky, Halle Idowu is the leading scorer, scoring 18 points in just 20 minutes during their loss to Middle Tennessee State. She shot 7-9 from the floor, showing confidence from all over the court.
Freshman Anna Hamilton, from Hebron, Kentucky, is the team's lead guard. She had a tough start, shooting just 2-7 in the opener, but logged 33 minutes. If she can improve her efficiency, she could have a solid game.
For Kentucky, it's hard not to start with Georgia Amoore. The point guard is the engine for Kenny Brooks' team and will be a critical factor in every game. She scored 11 points in the opener and may surpass that tonight, especially if the Cats hit more threes (8-27 from distance in their first game).
Clara Strack is also expected to build on her 22-point performance. With NKU lacking the size to match up against her, Strack should see plenty of easy opportunities at the rim.
You can watch the game on the SEC+ ESPN app or by clicking here
Prediction
Kentucky 95
Northern Kentucky 62
MVP
Clara Strack