Kentucky takes down West Virginia, will face Texas in Sweet 16
It came down to the final second in a classic finish, but the Cats were able to hold on and advance to the Sweet 16.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 22: Teonni Key #7 and Clara Strack #13 of the Kentucky Wildcats grab a rebound against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on February 22, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images West Virginia is a team that Kentucky was designed to beat, but that doesn’t always happen. The Mountaineers are small, ferocious, and force turnovers at an elite rate.
Kentucky needed to counter that with the size West Virginia just doesn’t have. Early on, they did just that. 1st half showcases the size difference West Virginia’s average height is 5’9, and they love to press.
Kentucky should be able to just find Strack or Key and allow runners to come off them. The Cats opened up handling the pressure pretty well. Amelia Hassett hit two first-quarter 3’s, and Clara Strack had 4 and 4.
But West Virginia was also handling the Cats’ size pretty well. 6’1 Kierra Wheeler had 4 points and 4 rebounds herself as she battled down low in the opening frame. Teonni Key was a monster in the opening half.
Continue to the original source for the full article.