Nov. 4, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team opens “Year Two” of the Matthew Mitchell era Wednesday, Nov. 5 when it plays host to NCAA Division II foe Kentucky State in the first of two exhibition contests in Memorial Coliseum. Tip-off between the Wildcats and Thorobrettes is set for 7 p.m. EDT and the game will be carried live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) with Neil Price. The game will be open to the public free of charge with seating on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fans are encouraged to park in Parking Structure 5 located next to Kennedy’s Bookstore on Limestone Avenue. Parking within Parking Structure 5 will be available free of charge. A shuttle bus service also will be provided and begins one hour prior to game time until one hour after the game. Additional game day parking is available in the E lots surrounding Memorial Coliseum including the Martin Luther King Parking Lot and the Student Center Parking Lot. The R lot (residential), directly north of the Joe Craft Center is not available for event parking, vehicles will be subject to ticket/tow.
The Wildcats are coming off a school-record fourth consecutive appearance in postseason play and a fourth-place finish in the Southeastern Conference. UK ended 2007-08 at 17-16 overall, 8-6 in the SEC with a quarterfinal finish in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
“We’re excited to play tomorrow in our first exhibition game,” UK Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “I’ve been pleased with how the preseason has gone up until this point. I am seeing improvement every day and I know our team is ready to play somebody besides ourselves.”
Kentucky State, which was chosen to win the 2008-09 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) by the coaches association, finished 19-12 overall, 14-6 in league play last year. KSU advanced to the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament and was eliminated in the first round by Delta State.
UK is 2-0 all-time vs. Kentucky State, located in Frankfort, Ky. The last meeting was in 1989.
Kentucky concludes its 2008-09 exhibition schedule on Sunday, Nov. 9, when it plays host to Bellarmine of Louisville, Ky., at 2 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.
