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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Meet the UK women's team

Anna Cole

Vitals: The 6-foot-7 freshman center is from Mondovi, Wis. Her major is journalism. She was born May 19, 1991.

The lowdown: Tallest player in UK women's basketball history could be needed to make a big impact early, with UK's lack of depth under the basket. Coaches like her work ethic and potential as a defensive weapon.

Victoria Dunlap

Vitals: The 6-1 junior forward/center is from Nashville. Her major is family studies. She was born Sept. 19, 1989.

The lowdown: Has started in every game of her career and looks to continue to be the Cats' go-to player. Last year she led UK in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounding, steals and blocked shots. She must stay healthy and out of foul trouble for the Cats to succeed this season.

Amani Franklin

Vitals: The 5-11 senior guard is from Stone Mountain, Ga., by way of Brooklyn, N.Y. Her major is agricultural economics. She was born Feb. 5, 1988.

The lowdown: Showed signs of being the go-to guard UK needs her to be last season, including scoring in double digits 19 times. Franklin has been working hard in the off-season and could live up to her hype this season.

Rebecca Gray

Vitals: The 5-10 sophomore guard is from Georgetown (Scott County) by way of North Carolina. Her major is marketing. She was born July 30, 1989.

The lowdown: The 2007 Kentucky Miss Basketball could be just the offensive weapon UK needs this season. If her shots fall she will take some of the heat off of Franklin and Dunlap to do all of the scoring. Has quickness and confidence to run with the best.

Brittany Henderson

Vitals: The 6-2 freshman forward is from St. Altadena, Calif. Her major is human nutrition. She was born March 3, 1991.

The lowdown: Versatile, athletic freshman will be called on early and often to help UK, which lacks depth in the post. Coach Matthew Mitchell likes her energy and ability to play at a quick tempo.

A'Dia Mathies

Vitals: The 5-9 freshman guard is from Louisville (Iroquois). Her major is marketing. She was born March 18, 1991.

The lowdown: Reigning Kentucky Miss Basketball and Sweet Sixteen Most Valuable Player can play just about anywhere on the floor and could make an immediate impact with her athleticism, quickness and eye for the basket.

Carly Morrow

Vitals: The 5-11 junior guard is from Chattanooga. Her major is economics. She was born Jan. 29, 1989.

The lowdown: With new guards in abundance this season, Morrow might flourish with less pressure on her to be the go-to three-point person. She is capable of having big games for UK this season. She adds strong floor vision and intelligence.

Crystal Riley

Vitals: The 5-5 sophomore guard is from Memphis, by way of Louisiana State. Her major is physical therapy. She was born April 18, 1990.

The lowdown: Will be eligible starting after the fall semester in December and will be a welcome asset as a backup point guard. With her athleticism and outright speed, Riley will allow UK to be the up-tempo team it wants to be.

Amber Smith

Vitals: The 5-6 junior point guard is from Winter Haven, Fla. Her major is communications. She was born Sept. 9, 1989.

The lowdown: The knee brace is off, the injury is out of her mind and Smith will be a better player for it, she says. The junior has added strength and speed in the off-season and is the spark UK will need to get through the tough games.

Keyla Snowden

Vitals: The 5-7 sophomore guard is from Lexington (Lexington Catholic) by way of Akron. Her major is communications. She was born April 12, 1989.

The lowdown: Shoots three-pointers like they're layups and averaged nearly 40 percent from there in high school and at Akron. Snowden will be a good player to have at the end of the game. She owns state records in season (91.0) and career (84.7) free-throw percentages.

Lydia Watkins

Vitals: The 6-1 senior guard/forward is from Hopkinsville (Christian County). Her major is sociology. She was born Dec. 5, 1987.

The lowdown: Sat out last season for unspecified personal reasons, but coaches are glad to have her back to give speed and depth at the post positions. Watkins also does a lot of the little things well. She's improved every season she has played at UK and this could be her best one yet.

Jennifer Smith

Schedule

(All times p.m. unless noted)

Date Opponent Time (TV)

Nov. 13Boston University11 a.m.

Nov. 15 BUTLER 1 (FS South)

Nov. 17 at Morehead State 7

Nov. 22 TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA 6

Nov. 25 at UC Santa Barbara 3

Nov. 28 MCNEESE STATE TBA

Dec. 1 MIAMI (OHIO) 7

Dec. 4 at Cincinnati 11 a.m.

Dec. 13 FLORIDA A&M 1 (FS South)

Dec. 20 LOUISVILLE 1 (FS South)

Dec. 22 TENNESSEE-MARTIN 7

Dec. 28 at Middle Tennessee 8

Jan. 1 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 7

Jan. 7 at Georgia 7

Jan. 10 VANDERBILT 1 (FS South)

Jan. 14 at South Carolina 7

Jan. 17 ALABAMA 2 (WKYT-27)

Jan. 21 ARKANSAS 7

Jan. 24 AUBURN 2 (WKYT-27)

Jan. 28 at Louisiana State 8

Jan. 31 at Mississippi State 3

Feb. 4 MISSISSIPPI 7 (FS South)

Feb. 7 at Arkansas 3

Feb. 11 GEORGIA 7 (FS South)

Feb. 14 at Vanderbilt 6 (ESPNU)

Feb. 18 FLORIDA 7

Feb. 21 SOUTH CAROLINA 2

Feb. 25 at Tennessee 7 (FS South)

Feb. 28 at Auburn 3

March 4-7 SEC Tournament at Duluth, Ga.