Predicting Kentucky WBB's starting lineup for the 2022-23 season
With so many fresh faces on the 2022-23 Kentucky women’s basketball team, a new starting lineup is simply inevitable. However, predicting which players will make this lineup isn’t as simple.
Kentucky has 10 newcomers this season, including six freshmen and four transfers. Of course, the rest of the team consists of the five returning ‘Cats. Of these returning players, only Jada Walker was a consistent starter last year.
Will Kentucky remember the success of their freshman and utilize a youthful lineup? Or, will Kyra Elzy put a priority on veteran leadership? Here’s my prediction for Kentucky’s starting lineup next season.
Jada Walker retains her spot
Although Walker is the youngest returning ‘Cat, she may be the most talented. Walker averaged 10.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in her rookie campaign. Moreover, Walker didn’t shy away from the bright lights.
The 5-foot-7 guard was instrumental in Kentucky’s SEC Tournament run, scoring 21 points against Mississippi State and 16 more against Tennessee. Walker’s infectious energy was as effective as her skills on the court.
The Virginia native was a spark plug for Kentucky, always there to jolt the team awake from a sleepy start. Elzy watched Walker transform from a loose-cannon freshman into a strategic star last season. In reality, Walker’s spot in the starting lineup was never in question. The guard didn’t have to become a sophomore to be a leader.
“I told her before we left Lexington, ‘You are no longer a freshman. You have played enough minutes to be a veteran point guard.’ So I’m proud of her,” Elzy said after Kentucky defeated Mississippi State in the 2022 SEC Tournament.
Robyn Benton steps into a leadership position
Every point guard is only as good as their backcourt partner and Walker will have a good one. Robyn Benton was a consistent starter last season before suffering an ankle injury against Florida on Jan. 20. Although the injury was a serious setback, it did not end Benton’s season.
The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 8.8 points per contest while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc. Similarly to Walker, Benton only improved during crunch time. In Kentucky’s four wins in the SEC Tournament, Benton averaged 11 points per game while connecting on a ridiculous 50% of her attempts from downtown.
While Benton could certainly resume her role next season as the microwave off the bench, it’s unlikely. Early in the season, Elzy tends to start players she can trust. If anybody has earned that trust, it’s Benton.
Blair Green returns for Kentucky WBB
Unfortunately, Blair Green doesn’t have statistics from last season to back up her claim to a starting position. Nonetheless, numbers aren’t everything.
In a preseason scrimmage against EKU in October 2021, Green suffered a torn Achilles tendon, effectively ending her season before it ever began. Yet, the sharpshooter’s injury did not halt her improvement.
The Harlan County native focused on being an excellent player-coach. Green watched film, studied the team’s opponents and provided in-game advice to her fellow ‘Cats. After an offseason of work with boyfriend CJ Fredrick, Green will be able to combine her newfound understanding of the game with her improved skills.
Maddie Scherr makes a splash
So far my predicted starters have all been returning Wildcats, but that’s about to change. Oregon transfer Maddie Scherr would be a perfect fit for a small-ball lineup. Elzy raved last season about creating a position-less offense. Perhaps no player fits this scheme better than Scherr.
Scherr was a renaissance woman for the Oregon Ducks. In two years with the program, Scherr averaged 3.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per outing. Despite not being a stud in any category, Scherr was solid across the board.
Now at a program known for turning versatile talent into superstar players, Scherr’s potential is limitless. Elzy was ecstatic to bring the 2020 Miss Kentucky Basketball home.
“Maddie brings leadership, veteran experience and is one of the most versatile, two-way guards in the nation. She values the defensive end of the floor, which fits our style of play perfectly. Offensively, she can score in a variety of ways and has a high basketball IQ,” Elzy said in a press release after Scherr transferred to Kentucky.
Tionna Herron is huge help to Kentucky WBB
There isn’t a more competitive starting spot on Kentucky than the center position. On one hand is Nyah Leveretter, who started in 11 games last season and provided quality minutes. From another perspective, Buffalo graduate transfer Adebola Adeyeye put up better statistics but against weaker competition.
However, my prediction has no collegiate experience at all. Freshman Tionna Herron will be the much-needed anchor to Kentucky’s small-ball offense next season. Standing at 6-foot-4, Herron is UK’s tallest player and will make an immediate impact.
ESPN listed Herron as a four-star recruit and 11th-best center in the nation. She has unteachable defensive instincts. If Elzy can improve Herron’s offensive touch around the rim, they could have a star before the season begins.
Obviously, these predictions are not set in stone. South Carolina transfer Eniya Russell could easily squeeze her way into the starting lineup, Adebola Adeyeye’s experience could prove deadly, or a freshman could show unexpected improvement. Nonetheless, with the season approaching quickly, these five players are my best guess at next season’s starting lineup.
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