Lady ‘Cats Ranked in Preseason Top-10

The UK men’s basketball team is not the only team on campus that is making some buzz in the news. Matthew Mitchell and the UK Hoops team have been ranked as high as #7 in the latest preseason polls. The ladies are coming off of their first SEC crown since 1981-82, an Elite 8 appearance, and finished the year 28-7. The UK Hoops team has been on the rise under head coach Matthew Mitchell and always seems to be a little overshadowed by the men. However, these ladies can Strait-Up ball! Oh, and the coach knows how to do the Dougie. Teach me how to dougie!

With four starters from last year’s team coming back, the UK Hoops team looks poised to make another run at an SEC title and a deep run in March. One of the most important pieces is returning SEC Player of the Year and senior A’dia Mathies. Mathies lead last year’s  team in scoring, assists, steals, and three-point percentage. Mathies looks to make her name onto a few preseason All-American lists as well. The magazines that do such things have her listed as either a 1st or 2nd team All-American.

Also returning to Lexington from last year’s team is SEC Freshman of the Year, Bria Gross. The MVP of the Kingston Regional, Samarie Walker will join Gross and Mathies in hopes to repeat last year’s performance and build on their successes. The UK Hoops team will open play in an exhibition match-up against Louisville based Bellarmine College on Nov. 5th at 6:00pm in Memorial Coliseum. Mathew Mitchell has continuously built this team and himself into an elite club year in and year out. The women’s side of the SEC has been dominated by other Top-10 programs like Tennessee and Georgia, and Kentucky has now established themselves in the conversation for another SEC crown.