Kentucky Leads the NATION in Blocks
Three games into the season, Kentucky is the nation’s leader in blocks per game (12.7). Not only does this place them at the top of the women’s side, but they would also lead the men’s side by 1.2 blocks per game. Freshman Clara Silva is averaging 4.7 BPG, which ranks her third on the individual leaderboards. Sophomore Clara Strack is also making her mark, ranking in the top 15 nationally with an average of 3.3 BPG.
To put this into perspective, the Cats averaged only 3 blocks per game as a team three games into last season, playing a similar schedule. It’s one thing to have height, but it’s another thing to use your height and length the way Silva and Strack have so far this season. They are proving to be a very tough duo on both ends of the court.
SHARING THE BALL
The Cats have been sharing the ball so well. Kentucky currently averages 22.7 assists per game on 31.7 made field goals per game. Going back to looking at where the Cats were at this point last season, they were only averaging 12.3 assists per game. It’s no surprise that Georgia Amoore is leading the way in assists, averaging 8.3 per game, the fourth-most nationally. The point guard, who has already solidified herself as one of the nation’s top players, has shown an elite ability to create for teammates at the start of the season. You don’t typically see a Center averaging many assists, but Clara Strack is not your typical Center either. Strack is second on the team in assists, averaging 5 assists per game. Every single player that has played 15+ minutes per game has dished out at least three assists.
WILL SHOOTING END UP BEING A STRENGTH?
While outside shooting hasn’t been as accurate as what Kenny Brooks would hope for, Kentucky has still shown an ability to spread the floor with their shooting. When you look at the main rotation, every player has attempted at least five triples in the first three games, outside of Clara Silva, who has knocked down multiple long jump shots. The accuracy needs to improve outside of Dazia Lawrence (58.3%) and Cassidy Rowe (40%), but the Cats are consistently making the extra pass and finding the open shooters. Opposing teams are already being forced to make tough decisions on guarding this team because of their shooting ability, especially when you have 6’3″-6’7″ players that you must respect from the three-point line. Those assignments will only get tougher once they start hitting those shots more consistently.
TOP TEN DEFENSE
We mentioned blocks above, but it’s more than shot-blocking that has made for an excellent start defensively. Kentucky is holding opponents to 42 points per game, which puts them in the top ten defensively as well. They haven’t played any Power 5 opponents yet, but the same could be said for most teams currently at the top of the defensive leaderboards. And I hate to keep returning to this comparison, but at this point last season, Kentucky was giving up 62.7 points per game. The Cats are averaging 7.7 steals per game and are limiting their fouls with 14.3 fouls per game. They are also forcing 13.7 turnovers per game.
DOES CLARA STRACK NEED TO BE TALKED ABOUT MORE NATIONALLY?
Kentucky already has one player on All-America watch with Georgia Amoore, but there may be another Wildcat that should start getting mentioned in those conversations. Clara Strack is putting up some big-time numbers in the start of her sophomore season. Strack is averaging a double-double with 17.7 PPG and 11.3 RPG. She also averages 5 APG, 3.3 BPG, and 1 SPG, which helps illustrate the versatility in her game. Strack has also been highly efficient, shooting 54.1% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. The only thing that hasn’t been falling for Strack is her 3-point shot, but all ten attempts have looked good, and she saw one fall in their last game. If Strack can keep up this level of production, I don’t know how she doesn’t at least get mentioned in the conversation for the best players in college basketball.