UK women’s basketball reveals ACC/SEC Challenge opponent, SEC home-and-away foes

On Wednesday morning, the Kentucky women’s basketball team revealed its opponent in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge, as well as its SEC home-and-away designations. Here’s what we learned about the 2023-24 schedule:

ACC/SEC Challenge

The Wildcats officially have three Atlantic Coast Conference opponents on the schedule.

On Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., UK will play host to Boston College as part of the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge. The Eagles, who finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 16-17 (5-13 ACC), tied with Wake Forest for the third-worst record in the ultra-competitive ACC. Wake Forest is returning leading scorer and rebounder Dontavia Waggoner, who averaged 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Prior to facing Boston College, UK has a date with NC State in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Wolfpack finished last season 20-12 (9-9 ACC), and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Princeton.

And, of course, Louisville is always on the schedule for the Wildcats. Contracts pulled by the Herald-Leader revealed that this year’s installment of the annual matchup will take place at the KFC Yum Center on Dec. 10.

SEC home-and-away designations

With last year’s disappointing 12-19 overall record, the Wildcats finished the 2022-23 season tied with Texas A&M for the worst conference record (2-14). While the dates and times of league matchups remain unknown at this time, what is known is that UK face Arkansas, Mississippi State and permanent opponent and reigning conference champion South Carolina both at home and away.

At home during the 2023-24 campaign, UK will also host Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats will also travel to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.

The 2023-24 season marks the 50th year of varsity status for Kentucky women’s basketball. Per UK Athletics, a series of in-game elements, such as “guest appearances and on-court recognition, recap videos and feature story videos, trivia games, decade-themed giveaways and more,” will be used to celebrate the anniversary. The program is also promoting its annual alumni game as its largest anniversary celebration.

The Wildcats return nine players from last season. Starter and 2020 Miss Kentucky Basketball Maddie Scherr, who averaged 11.6 points per game and led the team in both rebounds (5.1), assists (4.3) and blocks (1.1) per game, is likely to lead the Wildcats in multiple statistical categories once more. Also returning are forward Ajae Petty, who averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, guard Eniya Russell, who averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds, and 2022 Miss Kentucky Basketball Amiya Jenkins, who averaged 3.2 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Incoming freshmen Jordy Griggs and Janaé Walker, as well as Tennessee transfer and 2021 Miss Kentucky Basketball Brooklynn Miles lift the roster total to 12 players this season.

How does Kentucky women’s basketball stack up in the name, image and likeness era?

Here’s what we know so far about Kentucky’s non-conference women’s basketball schedule

Here’s every high school recruit Kentucky women’s basketball offered in May

Homegrown Kentucky women’s basketball assistant taking ‘next step’ with rival school.

Kentucky’s class of 2025 is a national treasure. Everyone wants in, and the race is on.