Rhyne Howard says the SEC tourney loss to Georgia only provides more motivation for UK. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky has lost two of its last three games, including a lackluster defeat to Georgia Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Coach Kyra Elzy’s team now has a long break before it will begin NCAA Tournament play and All-American Rhyne Howard says the team will definitely “reflect” on what went wrong against Georgia to see what went wrong.
“What we can do to get better. We just keep practicing, staying up, keep our heads up, look forward to the next one,” Howard said.
Elzy, a first-year head coach, says the team will watch game film to figure what adjustments must be made before NCAA play starts.
“Just focus on Kentucky. Go back and fine-tune some things offensively, then clean up what we need to clean up defensively, as well,” Elzy said after the Georgia loss.
Howard did more than her part in UK’s two SEC games. She had 27 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals in the opening game win over Florida, including nine points in the fourth quarter. Against Georgia, she had 33 points, five rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Howard remains the only Power Five Conference player averaging over 20 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with at least 50 steals and 75 assists. She is the only SEC player currently leading her team in scoring, rebounding, and assists,
Howard says the Georgia loss will provide more motivation for the Cats
“It’s definitely always some motivation that can come from anywhere, but this is motivation. We knew that we were going to have to win this game and we should have won this game, in my opinion,” Howard said after the loss. “But we know we’re a better team than what we showed today, so we’re going to prove it next time we step on the court.”
Kentucky is better but only if it plays with more overall energy than it did against Georgia and more players are able to provide help for Howard. No matter who UK plays in the NCAA, that team will focus its defense on Howard. Any team would. But against Georgia too many players seemed hesitant to shoot or simply could not make shots.
“A balanced scoring attack. That’s where I’ll do a better job of trying to get other people involved in the offense, out of timeouts, dead balls, make those people integral parts as well,” Elzy said. “When we are playing our best, we’re pushing the ball in transition, we’re moving the ball, making the extra pass.
“Our assists are usually high when we’re scoring at a rapid pace. Today we just did not do that. But we’ll go back to work on it and get better before our next showing.”
Elzy is not worried about her team’s motivation and said her team has to learn from the Georgia loss and be better in the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s a mental reset. It’s time that you can take off. We’ll get some treatment, let our bodies heal from the grind of the SEC season and the tournament,” she said. “But a chance to refocus our minds and put our eyes back on the prize of the NCAA Tournament. This is the time that you take to reflect and see what changes that you want to make heading into the NCAA Tournament.”
