NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - PRINCETON VS KENTUCKY

March 18, 2022

Rhyne Howard

Dre'una Edwards

Kyra Elzy

Kentucky Wildcats

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We have Rhyne Howard and Edwards with us. Ryne.

RHYNE HOWARD: Rhyne Howard.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Dre'una Edwards. Dre 'una.

Q. For either Dre or Rhyne, the momentum you guys have been carrying over the last couple, almost a month now, with this two-week layoff since the SEC Tournament championship game, is it possible to still be carrying and riding on that same momentum?

RHYNE HOWARD: It's definitely possible. We're looking forward to getting back on the court. It did feel great to win that, but we've come down from that now, and we're ready to get rolling.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: We're going to go out there and have fun and play the game we want to play. We're going to go out there and do what we got to do.

Q. Princeton has such a good defense. They're high up in all the metrics. They've held opponents low scoring all season. What have you guys identified in the game plan, and how do you plan to kind of pick them open tomorrow and get back to your scoring ways?

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Like you said, they do have very good defense. We're just going to stick to our game plan and play Kentucky basketball, go out there and have fun and do what we do.

RHYNE HOWARD: I'm going to piggy-back off of that. We can't let them control us. We can only play our game and control what we can control.

Q. I'm sure you're both aware of what happened last night to the Kentucky men's team. That's March. Did that affect you guys at all? Did it maybe get you more focused? How do you guys avoid a similar upset type situation?

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: We're definitely like devastated about it, like we wanted them to win. We've got to focus on ourselves. We're here to win. So that's what we're focused on. We're locked in, and we're ready.

RHYNE HOWARD: What she said. Both of us can't lose in the first round. So we got to hold it down.

Q. For either of you, how do you feel about a Monday matchup with former teammates KeKe McKinney and Kameron Roach?

RHYNE HOWARD: That would be pretty fun to me.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Most definitely. I would be excited to play against them. We're hoping that they win. We want to play against them. Definitely would be fun to play.

Q. You mentioned the layoff. I guess for you guys, you're just going out there and playing ball, but for 13 days off, does that matter at all? How do those first few minutes go, and how do you guys kind of get back into that vibe that you were in on a ten-game winning streak?

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: I didn't realize we had 13 days off honestly. We've been working. We've been in the gym. So we didn't have 13 days off honestly. We're going to go out there and play Kentucky basketball.

RHYNE HOWARD: We're just ready to get back out there. I didn't realize it was that long either. We've been looking forward to it. March is what everyone looks forward to, and we want to be a part of it.

Q. Rhyne, you're obviously the focus of a lot of other teams when they play Kentucky, but Dre in particular has really stepped up and played well. For either of you, how do you make sure this weekend is more about the team and not just Rhyne having to take over a game to win it?

RHYNE HOWARD: It hasn't been about me taking over the game in the past couple of months. Like you said, we've been having fun, and it's really been letting other people shine and step up and play how they want to play and be confident in themselves. With Dre stepping up, like you said, I'm always looking to get her the ball, get her going early, because nobody can stop her down there or anybody.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: I would say I feel like our team in general everybody can do something. The focus doesn't have to be on Rhyne. It could be on me or be on Robyn or be on Treasure or be on Jaz. We have a lot of other players that can score and do things on the court as well. So the focus doesn't have to be on her all the time.

It allows us to keep our confidence and everybody just play poised and have fun together.

Q. Dre, what's the last week been like for you since you hit the shot against South Carolina? Can you just take us through the last two weeks now? What's it been like being you during that span?

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: My phone's been blowing up like crazy. I've been getting a lot of followers everywhere. A lot of people have been contacting me and things like that.

But I've just been staying focused on what we've got next. I was definitely excited, but I had to put that behind me now because we're focused on the next championship. So I've just got to stay focused and locked in.

Q. Rhyne, after the selection show, talking to you, you mentioned Princeton, playing them your freshman year. As you've kind of got ready for them, could you just break that down a little bit more, how crazy it is that you're playing against them like you did your freshman year. How are you trying to get the same result this time around?

RHYNE HOWARD: Kind of a similar team, kind of a different team. It's definitely always a pleasure to play against someone that's kind of familiar because you know what to expect a little bit. We're ready to work. We're ready to come out there and make this same thing as freshman year.

Q. Having been in Bloomington already this year once and played in this gym and kind of maybe gone through similar routine things compared to the tournament, does that provide any kind of advantage, just that familiarity of having played in Assembly Hall just a couple months ago?

RHYNE HOWARD: I would say it does help us because we know how it feels. We know what the atmosphere is going to be like. We've got a feel for rims and stuff. It's just we have more of an advantage, especially with it being so close to Kentucky. I feel like we're going to have a good fan base here.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Yeah, we know what to expect for the most part, so pretty much what Rhyne said.

Q. Are you expecting a bigger crowd now that some people don't have some things to do on Saturday?

RHYNE HOWARD: Definitely. I mean, who else they going to cheer for besides us? Why not come down and cheer for us? We have yet to let y'all down.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Yeah, we're expecting a big crowd. Hopefully they come through. I think they will though.

RHYNE HOWARD: They should.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: Yeah, they should.

Q. I'm just curious logistically, where did you guys watch the UK game last night? Kind of where were you at?

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: In our hotel rooms.

RHYNE HOWARD: Yeah. We were texting in our group chat. Did you see that? Wow, this is crazy.

DRE'UNA EDWARDS: We were all relaxing, staying off our feet.

THE MODERATOR: We are back with Kentucky head coach Kyra Elzy.

KYRA ELZY: We are so excited to be in the NCAA Tournament. The players are focused. This is a great opportunity. Thanks for everyone at Indiana for being unbelievable hosts, and we look forward to getting started tomorrow.

Q. You guys were able to gain so much momentum through this winning streak and on through the SEC Tournament. I just wonder after this long break, are you guys able to continue that momentum? Does that carry over now into this weekend?

KYRA ELZY: This team is playing with a lot of confidence. Obviously, we had great success at the SEC Tournament, but we told them that moment is over and a new season begins now. We have to refocus ourselves.

I thought we had great practices, very intense. But our players are on a mission. This is what you play for, March Madness, to get here. So they're looking forward to the opportunity.

Q. Obviously, Princeton's kind of defensive numbers speak for themselves. I think they're third in the country in points allowed and stuff like that. On the film and on the scout, what do you identify that makes them such a good defensive team, and how do you plan to counteract that come Saturday?

KYRA ELZY: They are a great team, well coached. What they do defensively, they're switching. They keep you in front of them, solid one-on-one, and they're forcing 19 turnovers per game, which is a lot of turnovers.

So we have to take care of the ball, offensive movement, player movement, ball movement, and we have to find the mismatch inside when they are switching. But our job is to attack offensively. We cannot play on our heels.

Q. Both Dre and Rhyne said they didn't even realize it was 13 days off since you guys last played a game. Dre said it hasn't felt like 13 the way you guys have been grinding and working. What is that layoff like? You can only watch so much film, right?

KYRA ELZY: I like that they feel it hasn't been 13 days, but I like our intensity in practice. I liked our focus. Like I said, you have to reset during this time. It's survive and advance. But it is a long time, and we are ready to play. There's only so much film, only so much practice, and you're so excited for this moment. So we look forward to tomorrow.

Q. Rhyne and Dre said that last night they were watching the men's game in their hotel room and were obviously shocked like everyone else in Kentucky's fan base. I wonder, are you able to use that as a coaching point to say, hey, anybody can be upset? How do you use that game, and what was your reaction to it?

KYRA ELZY: One, I want to say hat's off to Coach Cal and his program. Yes, that was a tough game last night, but one game does not define you. What he has done with that team this year, yes, disappointment, but I know he will find a way to bounce them back for next year.

As far as a coaching tool, they watched the game. They're basketball players and March Madness, you know, 40 minutes, you have to bring your best. You can't take anyone lightly. The teaching tool is you have to be focused and prepared for 40 minutes because everyone is bringing their best. No one's going to give you anything. You have to earn it.

Q. Roster-wise as well, has there been any kind of injuries or anyone banged up going into the tournament over the last 13, 14 days layoff?

KYRA ELZY: No, we'll have a full roster available.

Q. You guys have done a good job of proving that this team is more than just Rhyne Howard, even though she'll be the focus of a lot of other teams's scout. How do you take the pressure off of Rhyne going into this weekend?

KYRA ELZY: I think what we've done coming down the stretch. Obviously, Rhyne Howard is an integral part of what we do. She is the best player in the country for a reason, but she cannot do everything by herself. So I think Dre takes a lot of pressure off her.

When we can score inside-out, Jazmine Massengill has really stepped up. She is the coach on the floor. She's leading us out offensively, getting us in the correct spots, but also the intensity in what she brings. But you can just go down the list. Robyn Benton has hit big shot after big shot, and then do not leave out my fearless freshman Jada Walker, what she has been able to do for this team.

So it takes a team effort.

Q. Could you just kind of describe the spark that you guys captured in that ten-game winning streak now that you've had a little time to think it over. And how do you keep that going despite the long layoff and bring that into tomorrow?

KYRA ELZY: The funny thing is I have not had time to take it all in because the games keep coming. But for us, we have to do what we do best. We've said it from the very beginning when we went on our streak, defense has to be at every game. Rebounding, we have to do that, and we have to have a heart to compete.

That's been part of our formula, and we can't go away from that.

Q. I know like you're still in the season and you're probably locked in and everything.

KYRA ELZY: Yes, locked in.

Q. The fact that you're the first Kentucky coach to take two straight teams to the tournament in your first two years, is that any kind of like a confirmation to you that you're doing the right thing and you're on the right path with what you're doing in Lexington?

KYRA ELZY: Oh, you just told me something new. I did not know that. However, I am locked in and focused. Being at the NCAA Tournament, this is what you prepare for as a player, as a coach, and the expectation and standard at Kentucky is to get to the tournament and make a run, and that's what we are locked in and focused on doing. But thank you for that tidbit.

Q. I checked out the 2019 highlights against Princeton. It was kind of interesting to see you on the bench and young Rhyne. Rhyne mentioned it's kind of nice to have a familiar opponent. Obviously the team's different. But what do you think about that? And moving on, what do you expect out of them tomorrow?

KYRA ELZY: It's going to be a great game. I told the players we're going to be in a dogfight. We were in a dogfight then, and we're going to be in a dogfight again because everyone is coming to compete.

You know, like I said, when you go back and watch them on film, they're well balanced. They play well together. Then what they do on the defensive end. So we'll have our hands full, but we look forward to the opportunity.

Q. I know it's a different opponent, but just the fact that you guys have been in Bloomington before this season, familiar with the rims, kind of the routine and stuff. Does that provide any kind of advantage, just the familiarity of all that?

KYRA ELZY: Well, it was a long time since we've been here, but I hope -- you know, our focus just has to be one game at a time. I want to make sure our players are in a great head space, which they are, try to stay in a normal routine, like we're accustomed to doing. But most importantly, have great practices leading up to competition. That gives you the confidence, preparation.

Q. Just curious, as you're scouting Princeton, what impresses you the most about Abby Myers, and how do you kind of balance containing her with not allowing other players like a Kaitlyn Chen or a Julia Cunningham to kind of go off?

KYRA ELZY: Abby is very talented. When I watch her on film, sleepless night. Her ability to score in a variety of ways, but then when you just think about Princeton, they're just so well balanced offensively. They're very smart. They keep the ball moving. So we can't let them just set up and run their offense because their offensive efficiency is very good and they're very effective in what they do.

Then like I said, defensively they keep you in front of them. They're solid. They bring great help defense. But Abby, we're going to have our work cut out for us. So I'm glad that we have played talented guards in the past, and let's hope that will help us for tomorrow's game.