The women’s basketball season is nearing the end. Some teams are taking advantage of peaking at the right time well others are falling fast. Kentucky Rises as Duke Falls is a piece about two teams heading in opposite directions.
Kentucky Rises as Duke Falls
Kentucky Rises
Two weeks ago, after a loss to South Carolina, Kentucky was just 2-8 in the SEC, and the outlook for their season looked bleak. However, Kentucky has one of the most talented duos in the country: Rhyne Howard and Dre’una Edwards; these two players have dominated as of late. The Wildcats have won six games in a row; this streak includes convincing wins over Arkansas and Missouri, two teams on the tournament field. Kentucky is on pace to make the tournament assuming they beat Mississippi State on Wednesday. This revelation will allow America to see Howard play in another game. Therefore, Kentucky is a dangerous team, and they must not be taken lightly.
Duke Falls
Unfortunately, Duke has not had the same luck recently. Since their loss to Florida State on February 10th, things have gone wrong to worse. Duke also lost to Virginia, Boston College, and UNC. The Virginia loss is especially damaging to their resume. Now Duke is forced to play in the first round of the ACC tournament. Duke has immense talent in Shayeann Day-Wilson, Celeste Taylor, and Miela Goodchild; however, their team is not gelling. As a result, the Blue Devils have very little chance at the tournament. They will only get in now by winning at least three games in the ACC tournament. This proposition is an arduous task, with Miami looming after Pittsburgh then a matchup with Louisville. The finish to this season is hugely disappointing for a team that gave South Carolina all they could handle and beat IOWA.
As one can see, the end of conference play has come as Kentucky rises and Duke falls. These two teams are moving in opposite directions; however, both have great talent. If Duke can go on a run in the ACC tournament, their season is not over, but it does not look likely. On the other hand, Kentucky has a great chance to upset some teams in the tournament because they are peaking at the right time.
I look forward to seeing how their seasons end and where the Wildcats are seeded in the NCAA tournament.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
