ESPN just handed Kentucky women's basketball a massive insult ahead of the LSU clash

Kentucky women's basketball, and frankly LSU too, should be enraged. Here we are on New Year's Day, Kentucky at number 11, LSU at number 5, SEC opener and it's being relegated to streaming? Make that make sense.

Yes, the college football playoff is going on. That will take priority, I get it. But do we really need all the different versions of the games? Kentucky and LSU tip-off at 8 PM. Here is what is on ESPN's family of channels at that time:

ESPN- Ole Miss vs Georgia
ESPN2- Skycast: Ole Miss vs Georgia
ESPNU- Command Center: Ole Miss vs. Georgia
SEC Network- SkyCast: Ole Miss vs. Georgia

That is 3 different ways to watch the same game on 4 channels. You telling me we need another SkyCast option on the SEC Network instead of a top 15 SEC women's basketball clash? Users who wanted the SkyCast just couldn't flip over to ESPN2?

And to make matters worse, there is always ESPNEWS where a lot of games start when ESPN over schedules. Want to know what's on there? The Pillow Fighting World Championships.

That's right, people smacking each other with pillows in a boxing ring is going to take away a chance at a primetime top 15 college basketball game. In the famous words of Taylor Twellman, "What are we doing?"

Kentucky women's basketball faces an uphill climb at LSU

Make no mistake LSU is a legit national championship contender, Kim Mulkey always has her team ready to play. They are 14-0 and in 11 of those games they have scored over 100 points. That is elite offensive production. And to make it worse, they have an in-state player that could have elevated Kentucky to a different level.

ZaKiyah Johnson is from Shelbyville, and Kenny Brooks tried to make inroads in the recruitment, but his hiring in 2024 didn't give him enough runway to make up the lack of recruitment by Kyra Elzy's former staff. She chose LSU and is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, on 64 percent shooting in just 18 minutes a game. That kind of production at the guard level is elite, and did we mention she is 6 foot?

Now Kentucky has to gameplan against her, and the rest of the Tigers who have been just destroying teams so far with a scoring margin of just above 55 points per game. Flau'jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, MiLaysia Fulwiley, ZaKiyah Johnson, Kate Koval, Grace Knox, and Amiya Joyner all average over 11 points per game. That is crazy depth.

Clara Strack and Tonie Morgan will need to be elite tonight, and the Cats will have to make their 3's to stay in the game. A win here though sends a national message that Kentucky is for real, and with LSU's dominance, keeping it close may be looked at as a win at this point on the road.

How to Watch Kentucky women's basketball take on LSU in SEC opener

So how can you watch the game? You'll need a cable or streaming package that gets SEC Network+ or have ESPN+ Premier.

• Streaming Services: You can stream the game on services that carry SEC network, including: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Orange and Blue Plan)
• ESPN+ also offers standalone packages, you'll need the premier package to stream this game.

You can also listen live here.

But this game should have been on TV somewhere, the disrespect is real man. Be better ESPN.