Here's the scouting report, this time from ChatGPT. For those interested in the thrills and chills of working with AIs, I'll put a post up after this about this effort. Others can skip!
Tennessee vs Kentucky (WBB) – Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 ([ESPN.com][1])
Where things stand right now
• Tennessee: 13-3 overall, 5-0 SEC (tied for 1st in the league). ([ESPN.com][2])
• Kentucky: 17-3 overall, 4-2 SEC (1.5 games back). ([ESPN.com][2])
Recent form (weighted heavily)
• UT is coming off a 70-59 ranked road win at Alabama and looks a lot tougher mentally than early season (fell behind 13-3, never unraveled, finished with a closing run). ([University of Tennessee Athletics][3])
• UK just took a 71-59 loss at Mississippi State where the big red flag wasn’t just shooting—it was how thin their rotation got (see below). ([ESPN.com][2])
Injuries / availability that could swing this
• Tennessee watch item: Janiah Barker left the Alabama game late and didn’t return; Caldwell said postgame she had no update and didn’t know the injury yet. If Barker is limited, UT loses a big piece of its rim pressure + rebounding edge. ([Rocky Top Insider][4])
• Tennessee good news: Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd were listed active heading into Alabama. ([Rocky Top Insider][5])
• Kentucky watch item: Teonni Key (6'5" F) is on the roster, but she did not appear in the Mississippi State box score—Kentucky folks have been framing UK’s frontcourt as “missing Key next to Strack.” If Key remains out/limited, UK’s interior toughness + foul cushion takes a hit. ([UK Athletics][6])
Kentucky: who UT has to deal with (height / position / impact) ([UK Athletics][6])
• Tonie Morgan – 5'9" G: engine + closer (16.4 ppg / 4.6 apg / 1.9 spg). If she keeps her dribble alive vs pressure, UK’s offense travels. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Clara Strack – 6'5" C: primary interior scorer + rim protector (16.1 ppg / 9.4 rpg / 2.2 bpg). Mississippi State held her to 3-for-16 shooting—worth noting. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Jordan Obi – 6'1" G: physical rebound/finisher type (10.6 ppg / 8.4 rpg). She punishes “spectator boxing-out.” ([ESPN.com][7])
• Amelia Hassett – 6'4" F: stretch/utility forward (12.5 ppg / 6.0 rpg). She’s the spacer that keeps Strack’s touches cleaner. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Asia Boone – 5'8" G: volume perimeter shooter (8.8 ppg). Don’t lose her in transition or on drive-and-kick. ([ESPN.com][7])
Bench / substitution reality (this matters vs Caldwell-ball)
Kentucky’s last game was basically a 5-player marathon: starters logged 36–39 minutes each, and the bench totaled 11 minutes (Blue 7, Carroll 2, Gilvin 2). That’s either injury/coach-trust, or both—but it’s a flashing sign when you’re walking into a game vs Tennessee’s wave substitutions. ([ESPN.com][2])
Tennessee’s recent trend (from our lineup/sub work in this project): Caldwell still wants pace + pressure + waves, but UT has been using more stable “units” and selective staggering in tighter games—especially in SEC play—while staying deeper than most opponents.
Style clash: what should happen if each team gets its way
• If Tennessee controls the game: full-court heat, fast possessions, lots of bodies, and relentless offensive rebounding—forcing UK’s short rotation to defend multiple efforts and make late-game decisions tired.
• If Kentucky controls the game: Morgan breaks pressure cleanly, UK limits live-ball turnovers, Strack gets deep catches (or foul pressure), and UT’s pace turns into rushed shots instead of paint touches + kickouts.
“What are Kentucky fans saying?” (last 24ish hours vibe)
Kentucky fan/media accounts immediately after the Mississippi State loss were hammering two themes: (1) the offense looked rough when Strack didn’t have her frontcourt partner, and (2) the rotation is very tight heading into Tennessee. ([X (formerly Twitter)][8])
Keys to the game for Tennessee
1. Make it a conditioning test: press to speed decisions, but prioritize not giving up layups. The point isn’t “steals”; it’s “fatigue + rushed offense.”
2. Win the extra-possession battle: crash smart (especially if Barker is available), but sprint back to stop Boone/Hassett trail threes.
3. Shrink Morgan’s comfort zone: rotate multiple defenders, force her to her 2nd/3rd reads, and contest without bailing out with reach fouls. ([ESPN.com][7])
4. Attack Strack’s legs: deep post seals + rim runs + offensive glass. If UK is still playing five people 36+ minutes, the 4th quarter should tilt. ([ESPN.com][2])
5. Be adult with the ball: Kentucky can absolutely win if UT turns it into a turnover festival and gives Morgan free transition points.
Prediction angle
ESPN’s matchup model leans Tennessee (~65%). That tracks with: (a) home court, (b) UT’s depth vs UK’s short rotation, and (c) the current injury uncertainty on both sides being more damaging to UK if Key remains out. ([ESPN.com][1])
Game info
• When: Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 – 6:30 PM ET ([ESPN.com][1])
• Where: Knoxville, TN (Food City Center / Thompson-Boling Arena) ([ESPN.com][1])
• TV: SEC Network ([ESPN.com][1])
[1]: Kentucky vs. Tennessee (Jan 22, 2026) Live Score - ESPN "Kentucky vs. Tennessee (Jan 22, 2026) Live Score"
[2]: Mississippi State 71-59 Kentucky (Jan 18, 2026) Box Score - ESPN "Mississippi State 71-59 Kentucky (Jan 18, 2026) Box Score - ESPN"
[3]: #20 Lady Vols Overcome 10-Point Deficit To Topple #21 Tide, 70-59 - University of Tennessee Athletics "#20 Lady Vols Overcome 10-Point Deficit To Topple #21 ..."
[4]: Everything Lady Vols Basketball HC Kim Caldwell Said After Road Win at Alabama | Rocky Top Insider "Everything Lady Vols Basketball HC Kim Caldwell Said After Road Win at Alabama | Rocky Top Insider"
[5]: Lady Vols Basketball Update Injury Status of Talaysia Cooper, Kaniya Boyd Ahead of Alabama Game | Rocky Top Insider "Lady Vols Basketball Update Injury Status of Talaysia ..."
[6]: Women's Basketball "Women’s Basketball Roster 2025-26 – UK Athletics"
[7]: Kentucky Wildcats 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN "Kentucky Wildcats 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN"
[8]: https://x.com/bigblueinsider1?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) / Posts / X"
Tennessee vs Kentucky (WBB) – Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 ([ESPN.com][1])
Where things stand right now
• Tennessee: 13-3 overall, 5-0 SEC (tied for 1st in the league). ([ESPN.com][2])
• Kentucky: 17-3 overall, 4-2 SEC (1.5 games back). ([ESPN.com][2])
Recent form (weighted heavily)
• UT is coming off a 70-59 ranked road win at Alabama and looks a lot tougher mentally than early season (fell behind 13-3, never unraveled, finished with a closing run). ([University of Tennessee Athletics][3])
• UK just took a 71-59 loss at Mississippi State where the big red flag wasn’t just shooting—it was how thin their rotation got (see below). ([ESPN.com][2])
Injuries / availability that could swing this
• Tennessee watch item: Janiah Barker left the Alabama game late and didn’t return; Caldwell said postgame she had no update and didn’t know the injury yet. If Barker is limited, UT loses a big piece of its rim pressure + rebounding edge. ([Rocky Top Insider][4])
• Tennessee good news: Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd were listed active heading into Alabama. ([Rocky Top Insider][5])
• Kentucky watch item: Teonni Key (6'5" F) is on the roster, but she did not appear in the Mississippi State box score—Kentucky folks have been framing UK’s frontcourt as “missing Key next to Strack.” If Key remains out/limited, UK’s interior toughness + foul cushion takes a hit. ([UK Athletics][6])
Kentucky: who UT has to deal with (height / position / impact) ([UK Athletics][6])
• Tonie Morgan – 5'9" G: engine + closer (16.4 ppg / 4.6 apg / 1.9 spg). If she keeps her dribble alive vs pressure, UK’s offense travels. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Clara Strack – 6'5" C: primary interior scorer + rim protector (16.1 ppg / 9.4 rpg / 2.2 bpg). Mississippi State held her to 3-for-16 shooting—worth noting. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Jordan Obi – 6'1" G: physical rebound/finisher type (10.6 ppg / 8.4 rpg). She punishes “spectator boxing-out.” ([ESPN.com][7])
• Amelia Hassett – 6'4" F: stretch/utility forward (12.5 ppg / 6.0 rpg). She’s the spacer that keeps Strack’s touches cleaner. ([ESPN.com][7])
• Asia Boone – 5'8" G: volume perimeter shooter (8.8 ppg). Don’t lose her in transition or on drive-and-kick. ([ESPN.com][7])
Bench / substitution reality (this matters vs Caldwell-ball)
Kentucky’s last game was basically a 5-player marathon: starters logged 36–39 minutes each, and the bench totaled 11 minutes (Blue 7, Carroll 2, Gilvin 2). That’s either injury/coach-trust, or both—but it’s a flashing sign when you’re walking into a game vs Tennessee’s wave substitutions. ([ESPN.com][2])
Tennessee’s recent trend (from our lineup/sub work in this project): Caldwell still wants pace + pressure + waves, but UT has been using more stable “units” and selective staggering in tighter games—especially in SEC play—while staying deeper than most opponents.
Style clash: what should happen if each team gets its way
• If Tennessee controls the game: full-court heat, fast possessions, lots of bodies, and relentless offensive rebounding—forcing UK’s short rotation to defend multiple efforts and make late-game decisions tired.
• If Kentucky controls the game: Morgan breaks pressure cleanly, UK limits live-ball turnovers, Strack gets deep catches (or foul pressure), and UT’s pace turns into rushed shots instead of paint touches + kickouts.
“What are Kentucky fans saying?” (last 24ish hours vibe)
Kentucky fan/media accounts immediately after the Mississippi State loss were hammering two themes: (1) the offense looked rough when Strack didn’t have her frontcourt partner, and (2) the rotation is very tight heading into Tennessee. ([X (formerly Twitter)][8])
Keys to the game for Tennessee
1. Make it a conditioning test: press to speed decisions, but prioritize not giving up layups. The point isn’t “steals”; it’s “fatigue + rushed offense.”
2. Win the extra-possession battle: crash smart (especially if Barker is available), but sprint back to stop Boone/Hassett trail threes.
3. Shrink Morgan’s comfort zone: rotate multiple defenders, force her to her 2nd/3rd reads, and contest without bailing out with reach fouls. ([ESPN.com][7])
4. Attack Strack’s legs: deep post seals + rim runs + offensive glass. If UK is still playing five people 36+ minutes, the 4th quarter should tilt. ([ESPN.com][2])
5. Be adult with the ball: Kentucky can absolutely win if UT turns it into a turnover festival and gives Morgan free transition points.
Prediction angle
ESPN’s matchup model leans Tennessee (~65%). That tracks with: (a) home court, (b) UT’s depth vs UK’s short rotation, and (c) the current injury uncertainty on both sides being more damaging to UK if Key remains out. ([ESPN.com][1])
Game info
• When: Thu, Jan. 22, 2026 – 6:30 PM ET ([ESPN.com][1])
• Where: Knoxville, TN (Food City Center / Thompson-Boling Arena) ([ESPN.com][1])
• TV: SEC Network ([ESPN.com][1])
[1]: Kentucky vs. Tennessee (Jan 22, 2026) Live Score - ESPN "Kentucky vs. Tennessee (Jan 22, 2026) Live Score"
[2]: Mississippi State 71-59 Kentucky (Jan 18, 2026) Box Score - ESPN "Mississippi State 71-59 Kentucky (Jan 18, 2026) Box Score - ESPN"
[3]: #20 Lady Vols Overcome 10-Point Deficit To Topple #21 Tide, 70-59 - University of Tennessee Athletics "#20 Lady Vols Overcome 10-Point Deficit To Topple #21 ..."
[4]: Everything Lady Vols Basketball HC Kim Caldwell Said After Road Win at Alabama | Rocky Top Insider "Everything Lady Vols Basketball HC Kim Caldwell Said After Road Win at Alabama | Rocky Top Insider"
[5]: Lady Vols Basketball Update Injury Status of Talaysia Cooper, Kaniya Boyd Ahead of Alabama Game | Rocky Top Insider "Lady Vols Basketball Update Injury Status of Talaysia ..."
[6]: Women's Basketball "Women’s Basketball Roster 2025-26 – UK Athletics"
[7]: Kentucky Wildcats 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN "Kentucky Wildcats 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN"
[8]: https://x.com/bigblueinsider1?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) / Posts / X"
