South Carolina women's basketball vs. Kentucky Wildcats scouting report, score prediction

COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball begins a week of revenge games with their second consecutive road matchup against coach Kyra Elzy and Kentucky.

The Gamecocks (16-0, 4-0 SEC) have a score to settle when they face the Wildcats (8-8, 0-4) in Lexington on Thursday (7 p.m., SEC Network): Kentucky beat South Carolina 64-62 in the SEC championship game last season, delivering the Gamecocks just their second loss en route to the 2022 national championship. South Carolina holds a narrow 37-35 lead in the all-time series and has won 15 of the last 17 meetings with Kentucky.

Star forward Aliyah Boston, the reigning national player of the year, will continue her record-chasing senior season at Kentucky. She needs one more offensive rebound to tie the program's career record of 449 set from 2012-15 by Aleighsa Welch, and she is four double-doubles away from tying to program's career record of 72 set from 1979-82 by Sheila Foster.

Here's everything you need to know about the matchup:

BASKETBALL MAILBAG:South Carolina basketball mailbag: Biggest questions from Aliyah Boston to GG Jackson

GAMECOCKS RECRUITING:Dawn Staley reacts to 5-foot-7 South Carolina basketball signee Milaysia Fulwiley's dunk

ALIYAH BOSTON:Why Aliyah Boston's stats are in decline — and Dawn Staley isn't bothered

Wildcats struggle with a depleted roster

Neither of Kentucky's stars from last year's SEC tournament run are back with the Wildcats in 2022-23. Rhyne Howard, who put up 18 points, two blocks and two steals in the title game, was the WNBA rookie of the year last season with the Atlanta Dream. Dre'una Edwards, who led the championship victory with 27 points and nine rebounds, is in the midst of a contentious transfer to Baylor and has not played for either team this season.

Kentucky's only returning starter is sophomore guard Jada Walker, an All-SEC freshman team selection in 2021-22. She is the Wildcats' No. 2 scorer this season averaging 12.4 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Fifth-year guard Robyn Benton also played significant minutes last season and has taken on a major role this year, leading the team with 16.3 points per game.

Gamecocks start slow on the road

The Wildcats' biggest advantage in this matchup is their home court. The Gamecocks have a losing record in Lexington of 13-20, and they have had issues on the road this season. In both its SEC road games South Carolina has trailed after the first quarter and it was down 29-26 after the first half at Georgia. Though the Gamecocks took over the lead more quickly in their win over Mississippi State, the Bulldogs are the only conference opponent that South Carolina did not beat by double digits.

Both Georgia and Mississippi State relied on a strong defensive plan to get ahead of the Gamecocks: South Carolina was held to a season-low 26 points in the first half by Georgia and the second half by Mississippi State. The Gamecocks' 58 points in Starkville were its fewest in a game this season, beating the previous low of 62 points that the team scored on the road against South Dakota State.

Overcoming rebounding gap is tall task

South Carolina is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, ranked No. 2 in rebound margin, No. 4 in defensive rebounds, No. 6 in offensive rebounds and No. 3 in total rebounds. The Gamecocks leaned heavily on that strength in their win over Mississippi State on Sunday, out-rebounding the Bulldogs 53-35 with particular dominance on the offensive boards. They secured the narrow victory behind 20 second-chance points to Mississippi State's two.

Kentucky is another weak rebounding team, and is a massive opening for South Carolina. The Wildcats rank second-to-last in the SEC averaging 35.4 rebounds per game and are last in defensive boards, though they average a respectable 14.1 offensive rebounds. Kentucky's top rebounder is LSU transfer Ajae Petty, who averages 5.5 per game, but that won't hold up against Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso, who average a combined 17 rebounds per game. It doesn't help that the 6-foot-4 Petty is the tallest player to appear for the Wildcats this season, while the Gamecocks have five players that are 6-foot-3 or taller.

Prediction

South Carolina 76, Kentucky 54: The Gamecocks get their revenge and pick up a much-needed road blowout after cutting it close against Mississippi State. Boston and Cardoso each go for a double-double, and the Wildcats just don't have the depth to keep up.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball vs. Kentucky score prediction