No. 18 Kentucky Faces Idaho State in First Round Sunday
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 18 University of Kentucky women’s basketball team is set to begin the program’s 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament when it squares off against 13th-seeded Idaho State on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The first-round game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck on the call. The action can be seen through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones or tablets. Darren Headrick will have the call on the UK Sports Network on 630AM WLAP in Lexington. Live stats and free live audio will be available online at UKathletics.com.
The Wildcats earned a No. 4 seed in the event, marking the fourth time the Wildcats have been a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This is the 11th time UK has been a top-four seed in the event and the first since 2017. Kentucky is 5-3 all-time as a four seed with an Elite Eight and two second-round appearances. UK was last a four seed in 2017 when they hosted the first and second rounds in Memorial Coliseum, defeating Belmont to open the tournament before a loss to Ohio State.
Kentucky is 21-15 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, making its first appearance in the first season under head coach Kyra Elzy. Elzy becomes the first UK women’s basketball head coach to take the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in her first season at the helm. The best finishes for UK came in 2013, 2012, 2010 and 1982 when the Wildcats fell one win shy of the Final Four. This is Kentucky’s 16th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first since falling in the second round to NC State back in Raleigh, N.C. in 2019. The Wildcats are 12-3 all-time in first-round games and have won 11 straight.
The Wildcats enter the event with a 17-8 record and ranked No. 18 in the final Associated Press Top 25 that was earlier this week. The Wildcats have won five games against ranked opponents this season and have four wins against teams ranked in the top 25 of the NCAA NET rankings. The Wildcats are one of 10 teams in the nation to have four or more wins against the top 25 NET teams. Overall, UK is 6-5 against teams that make up the 64-team NCAA Tournament field.
Kentucky has been led this season by junior guard Rhyne Howard, who is the only player in the nation averaging over 20 points per game with at least 7.3 rebounds per game, 70 assists and 50 steals. The native of Cleveland, Tennessee, is leading Kentucky in scoring, rebounding and assists, while she sits second in steals and third in blocks. Howard has hit a team-best 49 3-pointers. Half of her 22 games played this season are against ranked opponents and in those games Howard is averaging an impressive 22.3 points per game with 6.7 rebounds per game and hitting 47.1 percent from the field with 3.0 assists per game and 28 steals. Howard has been named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and is one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy for national player of the year.
Idaho State was the regular-season and tournament champions from the Big Sky. The Bengals are averaging 72.2 points per game this season while limiting opponents to 58.9 points per game. Idaho State is hitting 6.4 3s per game and has a +5.0 rebounding margin with a +0.8 turnover margin. Dora Goles leads the team with 12.4 points per game and has hit 44 3s, while Diaba Konate is averaging 11.7 points per game with 104 assists. Estefania Ors and Callie Bourne are both averaging 10 points per game with Bourne leading the team with 8.4 rebounds per game.
San Antonio and the surrounding region is playing host to the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Attendance for the first two rounds will be limited to teams and team guests. For ticket information regarding the Sweet Sixteen and on, please contact the UK Ticket Office at 800-928-2287
The first round begins Sunday and Monday at various locations around San Antonio, including the Alamodome, Bill Greehney Arena, Frank Erwin Center, University Events Center and UTSA Convocation Center. The second round will be Tuesday and Wednesday at the Alamodome, Bill Greehney Arena and UTSA Convocation Center. From the Sweet 16 through the national championship game, all games will be played in the Alamodome. The Sweet 16 takes place Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, followed by the Elite Eight on Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30. The Final Four begins Friday, April 2 with the national championship game on Sunday, April 4.
For the 19th consecutive year, an ESPN channel will broadcast all 63 games of the NCAA Tournament taking place March 21 through April 4. Viewers can expect games to be played in the traditional championship broadcast windows, with every game of all rounds carried in full national on ESPN networks. This year will mark the 26th straight year (since 1996) that ESPN has served as the championship’s exclusive television home. All games will be available online via the ESPN app.
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL QUOTES
NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND NEWS CONFERENCE
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Head Coach Kyra Elzy
On Rhyne Howard named a finalist for Naismith National Player of the Year award and the best aspect of her game…
“Well, she does a lot of things well on the court, but the best aspect of her game is her basketball, one. It is extremely high, which makes her a gifted player and it allows her to make other players around her better. The second thing I would go to is her ability to score at all three levels. She can score at the rim, she has a midrange game, she shoots the 3 well. But, the last thing that separates her from the rest is her versatility. Her ability to play the one through the five offensively, but also be able to defend the one through the five, that’s what makes her special.”
On if you have been involved in conversations with the NCAA about the inequalities in several areas of the men’s and women’s tournaments, and what is your take on it…
“I was not involved in any conversation. I have been focused on our team. The NCAA has treated us well since we have been here, and we are grateful for the opportunity. As far as the disparities, I’ve looked at some of the social media posts and videos and I was glad to hear that the NCAA acknowledged that there are disparities, and I think the bigger issue for me is how did we get here, and where are we going from here. It’s our job to fight for equality, and make sure that our female athletes have the best experience at a NCAA Tournament, as much as possible.”
On the star-power in the River Walk Region…
“Our region is extremely tough with talented players like you just mentioned with Paige (Bueckers) and with Caitlin Clark, but you know, your focus has to be one game at a time. You have to respect every opponent , play the game. As far as Rhyne (Howard), I think she has shown why she is the best all year. Now, it’s continuing to do that on a big stage. I know she is mentally prepared and ready to go. But also, just for our team. This is what you play for, it’s March Madness, it’s the most important time, and it’s the time that you prepare for all year. So, I hope our team has a great showing.”
On how this tournament feels difference because you’re now the head coach, and it’s all at one venue…
“Yeah, I’m experiencing all kinds of emotions, you know, trying to take it in and cherish the moment as it is my first time being a head coach. But also, a focus mentality, we understand what we are here to do and what are trying to achieve. And, it is a different setup this year as everyone is here in the bubble. But what we have talked about all year is a mental toughness, a resilience and ability to adapt and adjust, and I think our team has done that well, and we are continuing to do so here in the bubble.”
On the keys to winning this game…
“Well, Idaho State is a great team. They were 15-2 this year. They won the Big Sky, so they know how to win. They’re extremely smart and they play well together. They have four players averaging in double figures, and one that is 9.9, so the keys for us, one defensively, they’re going to try to spread us out. They play small ball. Making sure that we’re aggressive defensively, but really hammering in on our one-on-one defense, which is what we have talked about all year. We want to make them play fast, use our athleticism, and also, offensively, we have to look to push the basketball on a make or a miss. But, we talked about it, our X factors, we have to have at least four people in double figures to make sure that we are efficient offensively.”
On the bubble and if it is more difficult than the regular season…
“I don’t know if it’s more difficult, it’s just different than what we have been accustomed to doing while we’re at home. So, as far as the testing protocol, we’re getting tested every day leading up to the bubble, and then now in the bubble. You know, and then also, just being in your own room. We were allowed to go in our team room yesterday, so that was good, we did painting with a twist. So, something besides just sitting in your room. But that’s just part of what we have to do. We have sacrificed all year in order to play. And shoutout to the medical staffs and the NCAA Tournament for being able to make it happen. So, it is an adjustment, but what we have to do to play.”
On the break between the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament and how the team has responded to getting ready for the NCAA Tournament…
“You know, it was a disappointing loss at the SEC Tournament. You know, we went there to win, and we did not achieve our goals. But you know, I think coming back, I had the opportunity to have a team meeting, have one-on-one player meetings with everyone, and I really took the time to reset, refocus, revisit our goals. But I would say we have the best practice that week that we had all year. So, we had a focused mind. Everyone is willing to buy into their roles. One thing I challenged the team with is that we are going to lay our pride to the side, everybody is going to buy into their roles, do it to the best of their ability, be confident, let’s have fun, we are talented, we are battle tested, and then use all of those experiences here in this tournament.”
On if Mitch Barnhart has reached out to you and what his words of encouragement are to you and the team…
“Yes, he reached out to me after the selection show. He was very excited for this team, and he wants us to do well, but one of the things he talked about was to try and enjoy the moment, have fun, obviously, we are here to take care of business, but wanted to let me know that he is here, he is cheering for us, and he looks forward to us having a great NCAA Tournament.”
#15 Chasity Patterson, Sr., G
On what has to go right for Kentucky to make a deep run in the tournament …
“For us, just being intense on both ends of the court and knowing and following the game plan the coaches give us. Just playing our game and getting up and down the floor in transition and being aggressive on both ends.”
On the disparities between the men’s and women’s tournaments …
“I have seen the posts and that is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed. Seeing that as a female athlete it is disturbing. As an athlete, we want to have equality and have the same opportunities as the men. I know that men and women athletes that have come before me and everybody is fighting for equality. That is encouraging. I know that we are here and we are thankful to be here. Kentucky women’s basketball – we have been treated great here and it has been a great trip for us. We came here to win basketball games and that is where our focus is and I am excited about that. I definitely do think that is an issue that needs to be addressed.”
On specific disparities that she has seen …
“Like I said, Kentucky women’s basketball is very grateful for what we have gotten so far and we are not complaining about any of those things regarding the swag bag or any of those things. All of those things are given to us and we are just thankful for that. That is how I would address that.”
On the team having a balanced scoring attack …
“Definitely, everybody on the team can score. For me personally, I am going to be aggressive and looking for shots and not passing up shots. I definitely think I have a role in that scoring more.”
On the bubble and the mood of the team …
“Yeah, it is definitely different from any other games or whatever. We are treating it as just another game. We are still going through film and the game plan. We are treating it like another game on the schedule. Protocol is different as we go through testing and stuff. It is different, but so far it has been good.”
On having time to reset after the SEC Tournament …
“Yeah, it was unfortunate that we came home early but we took advantage of that week. We went hard a few days in practice and then took a few days off, which was key for us to rejuvenate and get our minds right. We took a little mental break from everything and that was good to regroup and come together and work on things that we needed to work on.”
On Idaho State …
“We just went through film and I know that they are undersized but a great team. They are very efficient on offense and they are going to make us work defensively. We are going to have to stick to the game plan and I think it will be a good game.”
On Treasure Hunt …
“Treasure has made huge strides offensively and defensively. She is being more aggressive on both ends and that is something that we all notice about her. She is bringing more energy and bringing that pep to her step. Very excited for Treasure and know that she is that instant offense too when she comes into the game. That is something that she brings to the team and we are going to need that.”
On pushing the pace …
“Just getting out in transition and running the lanes so Jazmine can push the ball. Really, any of us can push the ball up the floor – me, Rhyne, Jaz – so it just depends on who is running in that position. I feel like we all can play in any of the three guard spots. That is what is unique about it is that we can all play those positions and it doesn’t matter who is where, we know what we need to do.”
On the challenge of UK’s schedule …
“Definitely a tough conference and every game is a big game. That gave us a mindset that you cannot take days off or games off. Every game matters. Moving forward, that is going to be good for us because we are going to take every game like it is our last and that is the mindset that we will have coming into every game.”
