Kentucky women’s basketball: How far can Rhyne Howard lead Wildcats in March Madness?

The Kentucky women’s basketball team seems to have turned a corner, as the SEC Champions are ready to make some big noise in the NCAA Tournament this March.

With the Kentucky women’s basketball team stunning South Carolina in the SEC Championship, anything is possible for Kyra Elzy’s team heading into the NCAA Tournament.

Though the Wildcats were a regular participant in March Madness throughout the Matthew Mitchell era in Lexington, Kentucky has taken a quantum leap of sorts these last few weeks under Elzy’s leadership. Kentucky has won 10 games in a row and its first league title in 40 years. Though they still have a way to go, this team could be a team of destiny in this year’s tournament.

Kentucky women’s basketball: 1 player to watch – Rhyne Howard

Senior shooting guard Rhyne Howard is the Wildcats’ best player and veteran leader on the floor. The former SEC Freshman of the Year has racked up the awards during her time in school. Whether it has been all-defensive, all-conference, SEC Player of the Year, or a unanimous First-Team All-American a year ago, she has all the individual accolades a college star could hope for.

Howard is averaging 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in her senior season in Lexington. Though the Wildcats have made the tournament ever year there was one since she has been in school, Kentucky is playing with house money fresh off a monumental conference title. A team of destiny or not, the Wildcats are playing with nothing to lose. That makes them dangerous.

Kentucky women’s basketball: 1 reason they’ll cut down the nets – Catching fire at the right time

The most important part of any NCAA Tournament is playing one’s best basketball coming out of the conference tournament. The momentum a good program like Kentucky can garner from this could propel the Wildcats further than they have gone in years. For a team that was not even a lock to make the tournament several weeks ago, they could be the ultimate bracket buster.

Of course, there are other teams playing on fire right now. However, Kentucky can still play the underdog card in every game they play the rest of the way, no matter the matchup. While they will still have to play sound basketball throughout to give them a decent chance to win each contest, Kentucky knows it can beat anyone at any given time. This momentum is very much a real thing.

Kentucky women’s basketball: Recent NCAA Tournament history

After missing out on the NCAA Tournament in 2018 for the first time since 2009, Kentucky has been a part of March Madness every year there has been a tournament since. Unfortunately, the Wildcats have bowed out in the second round in their two most recent tournament runs, falling to North Carolina State in 2019 and Iowa in 2021. They also lost in the second round in 2017 as well.

The last time Kentucky reached the Sweet 16 was in 2016, the Wildcats’ sixth time ever doing it. They have not been to an Elite Eight since 2013. While they have been to four Elite Eights, the Kentucky women’s program has never been to a Final Four before. For as successful as the men’s program has been seemingly forever, getting to Minneapolis would be a huge deal for everyone.

Ultimately, Kentucky should be good enough to win at least one game in this year’s tournament. With the type of run they are on, the Wildcats could use that momentum and propel them into the Sweet 16. Anything after that would be seen as icing on the cake. A return to the Elite Eight would be fantastic, but a trip to a Final Four or anything beyond that would potentially program changing.

If any Cinderella is poised to make a run to Minneapolis, do not count out the Kentucky Wildcats.

If you’re still not sure who to root for in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, our Flavor Finder can help you find a new favorite.

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