Biggest takeaways from Kentucky WBB Blue-White Scrimmage
Kentucky Women’s Basketball kicked off the 2021-22 season with its annual Blue-White Scrimmage on Sunday. While the scrimmage was only 32 minutes in length, it provided fans with a season full of high expectations. The Blue Team mopped the White Team, 77-42, inside of Memorial Coliseum.
Though the scrimmage isn’t indicative of the upcoming season always, fans will unfailingly leave with their own takeaways. Here were some of ours.
A scrimmage with a twist
If you were expecting a typical Blue-White game where the roster is split in half and both sides go head-to-head, then this event was not for you. Instead, all nine available scholarship players stayed on one side–the Blue Team–while a squad consisting of assistant coach Amber Smith, former ‘Cats Azia Bishop and Makayla Epps, and several team managers, made up the White Team.
And honestly, the game was still exciting. We were able to get a first look at what the starting lineup might be for the season-opener on Nov. 9: Jazmine Massengill, Robyn Benton, Blair Green, Rhyne Howard, and Dre’Una Edwards took the hardwood first. Coming off the bench, in order, were center Olivia Owens, freshman point guard Jada Walker, shooting guard Emma King, and forward Nyah Leveretter.
The Blue Team kept it competitive, but it was nice to see the actual athletes who will play this season run away with the final score against a make-shift team. — Zack Geoghegan
Rhyne Howard and Blair Green put on a show at Blue-White Scrimmage
If you were ever in doubt, let me reassure you Rhyne Howard and Blair Green are still buckets. The senior duo seemingly couldn’t miss as they put up a collective 37 points during the Blue-White Scrimmage on Sunday afternoon.
As expected, Howard played with the poise of a two-time SEC Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 guard buried shot after shot from deep and did it with a smile.
Not only was Howard lighting up the scoreboard from range, but using her length to battle in the post. The ‘Cats made it a point of emphasis to attack the offensive boards; Howard was no exception.
While Howard’s offensive barrage wasn’t a surprise to anybody, Green’s explosive scoring turned some heads. Despite the Harlan County native’s reliable jumper, Green only averaged six points per game last season. If today was any indicator of Green’s upcoming year, it’s safe to say BBN can expect a much higher point average from Green. She’ll be expected to score more consistently this season than in years past.
For a player that struggled with confidence last season, Green’s performance was enthralling. She was more than a spot-up shooter during the game, but a three-level scoring threat. A threat that will fit like a missing puzzle piece with the constantly face-guarded Howard. — Grant Grubbs
Treasure Hunt did not play
The only scholarship player to not see the floor on Sunday was sophomore guard Treasure Hunt, who was seen riding an exercise bike for the majority of the event. While we can’t say for sure if Hunt is battling a serious injury, she’s widely expected to play a key role on this team. A source told KSR her absence was simply precautionary.
As a freshman, she showed flashes, hitting double-digits in scoring twice throughout the season. Towards the end of the season, and especially in the SEC Tournament, is when she began to display her development. Without Hunt, and with walk-on Kristen Crenshaw-Gill not playing, Kentucky had just nine available players on Sunday. While that’s not a major issue right now, it could be once the season drags on and if multiple injuries stack up at the same time.
We’ll learn more about Hunt’s status during Monday’s Media Day event. — Zack
Jada Walker is the real deal
It’s rare for a freshman to be able to make a serious impact on a top 25 team like the Wildcats. It’s even rarer for a freshman to be as intelligent and concise as Jada Walker.
Playing serious minutes, Walker made one heck of a first impression on Sunday afternoon. While the 5-foot-7 guard wasn’t necessarily outshining the rest of the squad in the scoring column, she was putting on a clinic in the hustle category.
Walker could defend Wildcats legend Makayla Epps all 94 feet and then proceed to make a beautiful assist. As a coach’s daughter, Walker plays with the mind of a floor general.
Playing calmer than some of her senior teammates, Walker never seemed out of control. Someone tries to crank up the heat and put some pressure on her? She swats their hand away and crosses them up as a parting gift. An opponent tries to force her into a tough position in the paint? Walker comes to a jump stop and finds the open teammate. No matter the problem, Walker seemed to know the solution.
Though this doesn’t mean Walker will be an instant star or even a large contributor to the ‘Cats, it means something equally important. Walker can be trusted in sticky situations and, at times, even preferred. For a team with only 11 players on the roster, Walker’s astounding IQ may be more helpful than any physical attribute. — Grant
Edwards and Owens separate themselves as top bigs
Last year’s rotation of bigs seemed to be an endless carousel of confusion. With this year’s paint players essentially being limited to Dre’Una Edwards, Olivia Owens and Nyah Leveretter (not counting Treasure Hunt), Elzy’s balancing act shouldn’t be too difficult. With three viable options, the question wasn’t who would be the top dog, but instead who would be the third wheel?
Unfortunately for Leveretter, she seemed to be stuck in that role during the Blue-White scrimmage. Edwards found herself in the starting lineup and Owens joined her in the second half. Edwards dropped 20 points and Owens served as an anchor in the paint. Meanwhile, Leveretter received few minutes and recorded even fewer statistics.
While many fans may have expected this since Leveretter is the least experienced of the trio, the development may come as a shock to some BBN insiders. Leveretter had been the only underclassmen to be selected to attend the team’s leadership academy and was seemingly becoming a legitimate paint presence for the ‘Cats.
If Leveretter’s presence was felt at practice this summer, it certainly was absent on Sunday at the Blue-White scrimmage. While the season is only just getting started, Leveretter will have something to prove in Kentucky’s upcoming showings. — Grant
Final Thoughts on Blue-White Scrimmage
The ‘Cats weren’t perfect at the Blue-White Scrimmage, but they showed unmistakable promise. The team may not have an endless supply of players in case of injury, but the squad they have is solid. They’re not ranked #13 heading into this season by mistake. The fans know this and so does Elzy.
“This is such a fun and exciting team,” Elzy said. “We need all the excitement in Memorial Coliseum this year.”
If the Blue-White scrimmage was a preview of the upcoming season, BBN needs to get their popcorn ready for the upcoming season. With Media Day scheduled for Monday morning, we’ll get a better feel for where everyone stands with just a couple of weeks until the year tips off.
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