Robyn Benton arising as Kentucky WBB's key to consistency
During a preseason filled with excitement about players such as Blair Green, Maddie Scherr and Jada Walker, Robyn Benton has quietly become Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s most consistent player.
The graduate student is off to a hot start this season. Through four games, Benton is leading UK in scoring with 14.5 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard is the only ‘Cat to score double figures in every game this season.
Succeeding in the face of adversity
Benton’s spectacular scoring is even more impressive when you realize she’s struggling in her best category. Typically, Benton is known as a sharpshooter. Last season, the Georgia native shot 37.3% from 3-point range and a fantastic 50% from downtown during the SEC Tournament.
This season, Benton is 3-18 (16.7) from beyond the arc and went 1-7 from deep in Kentucky’s most recent win. She knows her team needs her 3-point shooting and she’s doing whatever it takes to find it.
“I’m practicing — praying too — because I just don’t know what’s going on,” Benton said in an interview on Friday. “I’m in a little bit of a slump but I hope to get out of it in the Bahamas. What other way to do that than putting up extra shots?“
Benton isn’t bluffing. When the media entered the Joe Craft Center on Friday for Benton’s interview, she was working on her outside shot. Head coach Kyra Elzy certainly hasn’t lost any faith in her starting shooting guard.
Kyra Elzy on Robyn Benton
“Robyn is an amazing basketball player. Her versatility on the floor; her ability to score on all three levels,” Elzy said on Friday. “I don’t know if people understand. Last year, when Rhyne Howard was struggling early, Robyn Benton was putting the ball in the basket.“
Benton hasn’t only made improvements on the offensive end of the court. The Auburn transfer already has 13 steals this season. For reference, Benton recorded just 31 steals in 25 games last year.
Benton’s +/- reflects her improvement. With a +91, Benton is tied with Walker for the highest +/- on the team. Benton’s constant improvement isn’t a coincidence. She is a tough critic of her game.
“Just playing a great game, that’s what I hold myself accountable to,” Benton said. “Playing and being a great two-way player.”
Benton will have an opportunity to show off her greatness this upcoming Monday as the Wildcats take on their first-ranked opponent. Kentucky will take on No. 14 Virginia Tech at noon in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship in Nassau, Bahamas. The game will be broadcast on FloHoops.
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