Robyn Benton and Treasure Hunt will be key for Kentucky WBB
Saturday isn’t only a springboard for Kentucky Women Basketball’s 2022 NCAA Tournament hopes. It’s a chance at redemption for Robyn Benton and Treasure Hunt.
The Wildcats’ 2021 postseason run didn’t go according to plan. After a narrow victory over Princeton in the first round, Kentucky fell 86-72 to Iowa in the Round of 32. In the loss, Benton and Hunt posted a combined zero points, four rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes of play.
Robyn Benton’s redemption arc
After a year to improve upon their mistakes, the pair of Benton and Hunt is prepared to leave their mark in March. To start, Benton looks better than ever. The senior point guard averages nine points per game while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc. Moreover, Benton was fantastic in the SEC Tournament.
On the road to the conference crown, Benton contributed 11 points per outing. Benton’s performance against Tennessee was the cherry on top of her spectacular stretch. In the triumph, the Conyers, Ga., native dropped 16 points, going 4-7 from downtown.
After her career night, Benton discussed her role for UK.
“Coming off the bench, I just know I’ve got to be a spark for my team,” Benton said. “We’ve been playing in hostile environments all year. We’re just stepping up to the challenge and taking it head-on.”
Kentucky will need Benton to continue to ignite their team if they hope to go far in the tournament. UK is 5-0 this season when Benton connects on two or more 3-pointers.
Treasure Hunt finds her touch
Benton isn’t the only Wildcat with a hot hand. Hunt’s offensive eruption in the SEC tournament was mind-boggling. The sophomore forward averaged 7.8 points per game during the team’s stay in Nashville. This figure is more impressive than it appears on the surface.
Entering the SEC Tournament, Hunt was shooting just 22.4% from 3-point range. In the tournament, Hunt shot an impressive 40% from deep, including a trio of 3-pointers against Tennessee. Following Hunt’s 13-point performance against LSU, the Chattanooga, Tenn., native remained humble.
“When Rhyne (Howard) is hitting her shots, we try to give it to her, let her keep shooting, and when everybody is on her, we just get open and knock down shots just like Rhyne,” Hunt said.
If Hunt can hit shots like Howard, Kentucky will find success in March. If Benton can match Hunt’s intensity, the rest of the NCAA should be nervous. With hopes to make up for last season, Benton and Hunt will take the court against Princeton at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday up in Bloomington. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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