Kentucky women’s basketball (1-0) is set to take on Monmouth (1-0) in the second game of the 2025-26 season. It’ll be another game in Historic Memorial Coliseum, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
With just a one-game sample size, it is tough to compare teams stat-wise. However, there are a few factors that can be compared to predict how the teams match up.
It will be the first-ever matchup between the two teams. Monmouth is a member of the Coastal Athletic Association, and Kentucky hasn’t played a team in the CAA since 2013. The Cats are 6-3 all-time against teams in the CAA, and Monmouth is 0-2 all-time against SEC opponents.
2024-25 was Monmouth’s first season under Head Coach Cait Wetmore. The Hawks finished with a 16-15 record, going 10-8 in CAA play.
Wetmore previously coached at Charlotte, Dazia Lawrence played under her before transferring to Kentucky for her final season.
Kentucky picked up a 75-59 victory over Morehead State in its first game of the season. Monmouth is also coming off a win in its season opener, defeating Division II opponent Chestnut Hill 81-42.
Monmouth was led by two forwards, Alexis Davis and Divine Dibula, in its season opener.
Davis racked up 20 points and 14 rebounds on 8-13 (61.5%) shooting. Dibula had 12 points and six rebounds on 6-10 (60%) shooting.
Monmouth finished with 54 points in the paint, accounting for 66.7% of their total scoring. It will be interesting to see how this matches up with the Wildcats’ strong interior defense and shot blocking. The Hawks may struggle to find success on the interior.
Through one game, Monmouth doesn’t seem to be a 3-point threat as a team, shooting 5-25 (20%) from 3-point range. The Wildcats struggled from deep in their first game as well, shooting 4-24 (16.7%) on 3-pointers. Both teams shot a relatively high volume from behind the arc, but neither did so efficiently. If they both shoot 3-pointers at the same rate, whichever team finds efficiency will boast a large advantage.
Monmouth turned the ball over 21 times against Chestnut Hill. Kentucky forced Morehead State to turn the ball over 16 times. The Wildcats should pretty comfortably hold the edge in the turnover margin.
Kentucky has eight players 6-foot or taller, with three starters 6-foot-4 or taller. Monmouth only has three 6-footers, with its tallest player standing at 6-foot-3. It’s possible this height disparity could cause problems for Monmouth on both ends.
Monmouth allowed just one Chestnut Hill player to score more than four points. Guard Anahita Jackson ended with 22 points on 8-16 (50%) shooting, 4-8 (50%) on 3-point shots. It’s hard to discern if this is indicative of poor guard defense or if Jackson is just the best player on her team. Either way, Tonie Morgan and Obi will be two players to keep an eye on.
Both teams excelled in the rebounding department in the first game. Monmouth outrebounded Chestnut Hill 53-25, Kentucky outrebounded Morehead State 54-33. Kentucky’s edge in size and skill should allow it to prevail in the rebounding battle.
Kentucky played very well on the defensive end and the boards against Morehead State, but had a rough day offensively. The defense should show up and allow Kentucky to cruise to a win, but it would be great to see Kentucky put things together on the offensive end.
The Cats match up well with Monmouth, who is a much weaker team regardless, it will take a great outing from the Hawks and a nightmare showing from Kentucky for this to be much of a game.
It will be the final game of the Wildcats’ home stand before taking their first road trip of the season to Strack’s hometown for a matchup with Buffalo.
