Kenny Brooks‘ first offseason at Kentucky has been a fun one. Finally, it feels like there’s some serious momentum and expectations heading into the season. With the reveal of the 2024-25 SEC schedule, it’s time to break it down a bit further.
Here are some takeaways and things to keep note of once Kentucky enters conference play.
Man, the SEC is deep
When people say “It Just Means More”, there’s a reason. The SEC is far and away the most talented, most physical, and deepest conference in college basketball. There are no “gimmes” in the SEC, unfortunately.
After being picked to finish last in the SEC last season, for example, Shea Ralph and the Vanderbilt Commodores finished 6th in the conference, even making the NCAA Tournament.
Again, there are very few (if any) weak links in the SEC.
No trip to Knoxville
That being said, perhaps what I am looking forward to the most on a personal level is that there will be no trip to Knoxville this season. No more having to worry about all of that ugly, ugly Tennessee orange surrounding me.
Instead, the Vols will have to make their way to Lexington for a rivalry showdown.
Glad Mississippi State is at home
Sam Purcell has quickly made Mississippi State into one of the “sleeper” teams in the SEC. Last season, the ‘Cats and Bulldogs split the season series with both teams winning on the road. You can expect the matchup this season to be just as close. So, having that game be at home is huge.
Plus, we’ll get a homecoming with Eniya Russell, who transferred to Mississippi State earlier in the offseason.
LSU, Texas in Memorial Coliseum will be electric
It’s probably a good thing that Memorial Coliseum is getting a renovation because it’s about to be the setting of what might be the two most electrifying games of the season — LSU and Texas.
There is a good chance that each of those programs will be top 10, maybe even top five in the country when they march into Memorial Coliseum. If you haven’t made a deposit for some season tickets yet, you probably should.
Two games against Georgia
The only team that Kentucky will see multiple times this season is the Georgia Bulldogs. Last season, Georgia finished 13th in the SEC after a very disappointing run. The Bulldogs should be better in 2024-25, but not so much better that you should be shaking in your boots.
Oh, and we get to see former ‘Cat Nyah Leveretter twice.
Charting unfamiliar territory
Now, we’re getting into the really tough games on the schedule. As mentioned before, there are no “gimmes” in the SEC, but these next few games are going to be really, really tough. The ‘Cats will take on Oklahoma down in Sooner country — territory they are very unfamiliar with.
The Sooners will be a preseason top-15 team, and Kentucky will have to overcome some great odds to bring back a W from Norman.
Don’t love Ole Miss on the road
Another road game that’s going to be hard on the ‘Cats is the one against Ole Miss. Coach Yo has attacked the transfer portal very hard this offseason, and she has built the Rebels into a formidable squad.
Kentucky and Ole Miss are probably about as equal as two teams can get. This is a coin toss-type game, and it’s unfortunate that the Rebels will have homecourt advantage in this one.
Only have to play South Carolina once
Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
Well, the bad news is that Kentucky has to play South Carolina on the road.
The good news, however, is that Kentucky only has to face the Gamecocks once this season. For the past 30 years, Kentucky and South Carolina have played at each other’s places every season. That ended with realignment.
Hallelujah.
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