Kentucky WBB using men's loss as motivation for first round

Despite a disappointing loss for Calipari and his ‘Cats on Thursday, March isn’t over for Kentucky fans. In reality, it’s just getting started.

On Saturday, Kentucky Women’s Basketball will begin their NCAA Tournament run as they take on the Princeton Tigers at 4 p.m. EST in Bloomington, Ind. After winning the 2022 SEC Tournament just under two weeks ago, Kentucky is a six-seed while Princeton comes in as an 11-seed.

Kentucky WBB reflects on the upset

Despite a higher seeding, Kentucky isn’t taking the Tigers lightly, especially after watching Saint Peter’s upset their fellow ‘Cats. During a pre-tournament press conference on Friday, the team reflected on their horror as they watched the historic upset unfold.

“We’re definitely devastated about it,” redshirt junior Dre’Una Edwards said. “We were texting in our group chats like, ‘Wow, did you see that? This is crazy.'”

Crazy is an understatement. Kentucky was an 18-point favorite to defeat the St. Peter’s Peacocks, making the loss the fifth-largest upset in NCAA Tournament history. While it’s difficult for Kentucky fans to see any immediate positives from the loss, there is one.

Learning from the loss

The mind-boggling upset is a warning sign for Kentucky Women’s Basketball. The ‘Cats are riding high, currently on a 10-game winning streak. As a result, they’re more vulnerable than ever. Head coach Kyra Elzy is doing everything she can to assure Kentucky isn’t another surprising loss in someone’s bracket.

“The teaching tool is you have to be prepared for 40 minutes because everyone is bringing their best. No one’s going to give you anything. You have to earn it,” Elzy said on Friday.

The ‘Cats seemingly absorbed the message.

“Both of us can’t lose in the first round,” All-American Rhyne Howard said. “We got to hold it down.”

Edwards added her personal lesson from the men’s loss.

“We got to focus on ourselves and we’re here to win. That’s what we’re focused on. We’re locked in, and we’re ready.”

Kentucky WBB calls on Big Blue Nation

With the men’s team out of the picture, Big Blue Nation’s eyes are on Elzy and company. As the team’s first two contests are a short drive away from Kentucky, the ‘Cats hope to see blue and white in droves.

“We’re expecting a big crowd,” Edwards said. “Hopefully, they come through. I think they will. They should.”

Howard contributed her own message to ‘Cats fans.

“Why not come down and cheer for us? We have yet to let you all down.”

Kentucky doesn’t plan on starting to disappoint fans now. The ‘Cats will face the Princeton Tigers in Assembly Hall at 4 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.