How Rhyne Howard is still getting better for Kentucky WBB

Rhyne Howard is one of the greatest Kentucky Women’s Basketball players of all time and she isn’t done yet. After dropping the third triple-double in Kentucky Women’s Basketball history on Sunday afternoon, Howard adds just another accolade to her long resume.

The reigning SEC Player of the Year exploded in Kentucky’s 92-47 victory over Winthrop. Howard recorded a jaw-dropping 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in only 27 minutes of play. There’s no doubt Howard is ultra-talented, but head coach Kyra Elzy wants her star to be equally confident.

Kyra Elzy on Rhyne Howard

Here’s what Elzy said about Howard’s historic performance.

“I’m so proud of Rhyne. You know, that’s just another accolade to add to the long list that she already has at the University of Kentucky, but that was big for her,” Elzy said. “I hope that’s a confidence builder for her. 22 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, and she wanted them bad.”

While it may seem like Howard couldn’t be more confident, the statistics tell a different story. She’s actually shortest her fewest shots since she was a sophomore. Howard shot an average 19 shots per game during her sophomore campaign. In her junior season, she averaged 17 field goal attempts per contest. She’s averaging 15 attempts so far this year.

Paralleling Howard’s decreasing shot attempts, her field goal percentage has increased each season. After adding up the math, the answer is simple: Howard needs to shoot more.

Finding motivation for Howard

The analytics aren’t the only telling evidence of Howard’s dismissive attitude toward lighting up the scoreboard. From an eye-test perspective, Howard seems almost bored at times out on the court.

This disinterested attitude is understandable in some ways. It’s difficult to find motivation when you’re the two-time SEC Player of the Year, the unanimous projection for the first pick of the WNBA Draft and an NCAA Women’s Basketball legend. Fortunately for BBN, difficult isn’t impossible.

Elzy discussed the passion she saw from Howard after Sunday’s blowout win against Winthrop.

“I took [Howard] out; I was going to rest her for a second. She’s like, ‘Coach, I only need two assist and two rebounds.’ I was like, ‘Well, you have about a minute and a half to get it done, so you better hurry.’ And she looked at (Jazmine Massengill), she was like ‘I’m coming right back to you with this three, you better hit it,” Elzy said. “She was excited about it and something that was on her mind. I thought that made her play more aggressive today, which was good.”

Turning motivation into confidence

Thankfully for the ‘Cats, breaking statistical records isn’t the only thing that inspires Howard. In reality, Howard has plenty of motivators. Before the season, Howard discussed how she’s motivated by the fans.

“I really think about all the people that look up to me. I don’t want to let anybody down,” Howard said.

Early in the season, the preseason All-American talked about who she’s playing for during her senior campaign.

“This year is definitely for Blair (Green).”

Sunday night, Howard opened up about how Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s legends inspire her, specifically Makayla Epps.

“[Epps] would always tell me how good I am to her and how good she thinks I can be and just keeps encouraging me.”

If the Wildcats’ season depends on Howard being motivated, they’re in good shape. The star Wildcat isn’t lacking incentive. After Sunday night’s comments from Elzy, she likely won’t be lacking confidence either.