UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES
MISSOURI AT NO. 15/14 KENTUCKY
SUNDAY, JAN. 31, 2021
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
Kentucky Quotes
#10, Rhyne Howard, Jr., G
On Dre’una Edwards…
“She is definitely the big body that we need. We are looking for her to get those boards and get the defensive stops against other bigs. We can definitely go to her offensively too, because she always knows what move to make or if she needs to throw it back out.”
On her attacking the rim more in the second half of the game…
“Yes, I knew that I needed to attack more because we were shooting rough, but I also knew that they were going to start fouling, and you know, the refs were calling it hard, so if I just go in and draw the foul then I’ll be able to score or get two points at the free throw line.”
On the teams win today…
“It’s really important because we need this, all these wins are going to add up at the end of the season. So, for us to be able to push through adversity and stay together, its big for us. It’s something that was needed for a confidence boost.”
On what position she feels most efficient in…
“I think right now, I’m more comfortable behind the wing, coming off stagers, coming off pen downs and stuff. And just being like off the ball because it gives Chaz or Jazz (Chasity Patterson or Jazmine Massengill), or whoever is on the play, an opportunity to drive, because everyone is focused on me coming off screens or if their chasing and we can get the slip. Stuff like that.”
On her trying to improve her pace…
“I do think I have improved. I know when to go fast and when to slow things down for myself and for the team. I’m always looking to slow things down so I know which pass to make or which look we need to get or if I need to speed up or go to the rim quick or something, I can do that too.”
On feeling comfortable in games where they have to pull through adversity…
“I definitely think like we feel a lot more comfortable. It starts in practice, the coaches put us through adversity in practice, so we know how to prepare when it happens in a game. I do think we can still improve on it and get better but when the time comes, we can come together as one and try to make things happen.”
Head Coach Kyra Elzy
On Dre’una Edwards’ play down the stretch…
“I am so proud of Dre (Dre’una Edwards). She definitely took a step forward tonight. In the past, when she has missed some shots around the rim or the referees have called a foul that she didn’t like, it really has taken her out of her game. So, for her to miss a shot down the stretch, go back, get the rebound, focus and finish, that was a huge growth for her.”
On closing out games in the final minutes…
“Yeah, we play team basketball, so I am proud of them for stepping up and being confident in each other, how we practice, and knowing that when your number is called, you have to be able to step up and make plays down the stretch, that is imperative. Now, hopefully we don’t have to have close game after close game, but when we do, you know, I thought today, you know, we talked in the huddle, you’re battle tested, do not panic, let’s take good shots, let’s trust each other and trust how we play at Kentucky, and it came out to our favor today.”
On being able to count on someone like Rhyne Howard to lead the team when not a whole lot is going right…
“It’s a great luxury to have. Rhyne Howard just shows why she is the best. Um, but, she has so much confidence in her teammates. She knows how to distribute the ball. She makes everyone around her better, and it’s not just her scoring. She got rebounded today, she tried to hustle defensively, she took a charge, but she is able to do what she does offensively because she has people around her that can score, so that helps.”
On one deficiency you wish you could fix…
“If I could snap my fingers and fix one thing, it would be keeping the ball out of the paint. Making them score outside the paint, one shot and out. And, have we gotten better? Absolutely, we’ve taken a step forward in our defense. You continue to work on your deficiencies, and while you’re doing that, you find a way to win basketball games, and that is the name of the game.”
On what you’re telling the perimeter players to do to help out with post defense…
“Well, when I say paint points, paint points are paint points. It’s not just them throwing to the post and scoring. Paint points, you can get in transition, you don’t get the ball stopped and the guards are driving it downhill, or one-on-on defense with our guards and they’re getting around us and getting their feet in the paint. But, when it goes to the low block, we have consistently worked on bringing the double and pushing to toward the baseline, but we have to do a better job of continuing to push out so they’re not so deep, but, ball pressure. You have to have ball pressure from your guards to allow your posts time to get in position.”
On emphasizing how important it is to pull down rebounds…
“You know, the staff really recommitted ourself of holding our team accountable to rebounding, and we have made a point of emphasis in practice, every drill, five of them, five of us, put a body on someone, actually make contact, push back, go get the ball with two hands. So, we’re doing it day-after-day in practice and holding them accountable for it, and it is transferring over in the game.”
