Kentucky at LSU

Recap

The Big Storyline: Kentucky scored its third-consecutive 197-plus score to edge out LSU in dramatic and controversial fashion in front of a sold-out crowd at the PMAC. Though the Wildcats won the meet, the Tigers swept the individual event and all-around titles. 

Implications: LSU drops to seventh nationally and fourth in the SEC while Kentucky moves up to No. 5 in the SEC. This is the second conference upset for the Tigers, who lost to No. 11 Missouri in week seven. 

Records: The Wildcats scored a program high 39.500 on bars, and Arianna Patterson notched a career-high 9.925 on beam. Haleigh Bryant’s 39.700 in the all-around and 9.950 on bars were also her career bests. 

Controversies: Kentucky’s victory came after Josie Angeny was allowed to redo her beam routine (which had included a fall) due to the beam cap coming off during her dismount. While Angeny was entitled to redo the routine, the final decision allowing her to do so came late in the meet after LSU—and its fans—thought the Tigers had already secured the win. Her second beam routine was prefaced with booing from the LSU crowd, though fans stated they were booing the judges’ decision and not the gymnast. 

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 10 Kentucky at No. 5 LSU 

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: This will be the teams’ first meeting since LSU controversially edged out Kentucky during last year’s regional final to qualify to the national championships. LSU has proven it’s not invulnerable to upsets, having recently been bested by Missouri. However, Kentucky will have to bring its A-game on beam if it hopes to upset the Tigers at home. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Raena Worley is the current the top-ranked all-around gymnast in the country with a 39.660 NQS. Worley has been on fire this season but has yet to snag a perfect 10 on any event. However, LSU judges aren’t shy about throwing 10s, particularly on floor, where Worley has earned 9.925 or higher all but once this season.