Categories: College University AthleticsWestern Kentucky University News

Kentucky Wildcats Maintain No. 16 Ranking After Victory

Kentucky Wildcats in action, maintaining their ranking in women's basketball.

News Summary

The Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team holds steady at No. 16 in the Associated Press rankings after an impressive 88-70 win over Western Kentucky. With a strong nonconference record of 11-1, they are poised for an exciting season as they prepare for challenging conference games. Coach Kenny Brooks is leading a team that showcases strong offensive and defensive performances, setting high hopes for their upcoming clash against Mississippi State. Fans are eagerly anticipating the Wildcats’ journey as they compete against top teams in women’s college basketball.

Kentucky Wildcats Hold Steady at No. 16 After Thrilling Win

Lexington, KY – The excitement continues for the **Kentucky Wildcats** women’s basketball team as they hang on to their **No. 16** ranking in the **Associated Press** women’s college basketball top 25 for the fourth week in a row. Following a fantastic **88-70 victory** over **Western Kentucky**, fans are filled with pride and looking forward to what’s next!

Perfect Ending to Nonconference Play

With a sparkling **11-1** record, the Wildcats wrapped up their nonconference play in style. The recent win showcased the team’s **strong offensive performance**, giving them a boost heading into the more competitive conference games. As the season heats up, Coach **Kenny Brooks** and his squad are gearing up for an exciting run.

Stable Rankings in Women’s Basketball

Interestingly, there was no movement at all in the **top 18** spots of the latest rankings. The top ten teams have remained the same from previous weeks, with **UCLA** leading the pack at **13-0**. Not far behind are **South Carolina** at **12-1**, and **Notre Dame** holding strong at **11-2**. The Wildcats can take pride in maintaining their position among some of the toughest competition in college basketball.

1. UCLA (13-0)
2. South Carolina (12-1)
3. Notre Dame (11-2)
4. Southern California (12-1)
5. Texas (13-1)
6. LSU (15-0)
7. Connecticut (11-2)
8. Maryland (12-0)
9. Oklahoma (12-1)
10. Ohio State (13-0)

The **Southeastern Conference (SEC)** remains a powerhouse, with eight teams represented in the top 25, including **Tennessee** at No. 15, **Alabama** at No. 19, and **Ole Miss** at No. 25. Alabama even managed to move up a spot after an impressive **93-46** victory over **Jacksonville**.

NET Rankings and Wildcat Standing

The Kentucky Wildcats are also well-positioned in the **NCAA NET rankings**, currently sitting at **No. 33** as of December 29. Impressively, Kentucky is among **10 SEC teams** in the NET’s top 50, demonstrating the conference’s fierce competition. The top teams in the NET include **Texas**, **South Carolina**, and **LSU**, leading the charge.

Upcoming Showdown with Mississippi State

Next up for the Wildcats is a highly anticipated game against **Mississippi State**, who is also ranked **16th** with a record of **12-1**. Fans can catch the action on Thursday at **7 p.m.** via **SEC Network+** or tune in on **WLAP-AM 630** for the radio broadcast. Historically, Kentucky leads the series against Mississippi State with an impressive **32-24** record, and after their last win of **78-68** in Starkville, expectations are high!

Wildcats’ Strengths Ahead of the Game

The Wildcats have shown remarkable improvements throughout the season under Coach Brooks. Their ability to excel in both **offense and defense** is evident, especially with their high rankings in **blocks** and **scoring**. As Kentucky’s players aim to finish non-conference play with only a single loss, it would mark their best record since the **2020-21 season**. The anticipation is palpable as the team heads into crucial conference games, and fans can’t wait to see how the Wildcats continue to develop and compete!

As the season progresses, fingers are crossed for even more victories and a run toward the championship. Stay tuned, Wildcat fans—there’s a lot to look forward to in the thrilling world of women’s basketball!