Kentucky WBB '23-24 Season Recap, Pt. 4: No magical run this year...

Part three of our season recap saw the beginning of conference play, which got off to a nice start, but featured some really rough patches. Things towards the end of the season trended in a very familiar fashion. Kentucky managed big wins, specifically against Florida in the Alumni Game and Mississippi State on the road. However, there we some crushing losses mixed in there as well.

Then, to round out the season and ultimately this four-part recap series, we discuss how Kentucky’s SEC Tournament run was average at best. In prior years under Kyra Elzy, Kentucky made unprecedented runs that kept her job secure. Of course, the ‘Cats failed to spark much magic this season which played a part in UK and Kyra Elzy going separate ways.

(H) Texas A&M: L, 61-44

If you want to talk about miserable, forgettable game, then this is right up your alley.

From the jump, Kentucky was cold, but their defensive prowess was keeping them in the game. Neither team could really find a rhythm, but A&M was able to pull out the win. Only Ajae Petty (11) and Maddie Scherr (10) were able to get into double figures scoring wise Following this game, the ‘Cats fell to 9-15, meaning that Kentucky wouldn’t have a winning record in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2002-03 and 2003-04.

(A) Auburn: L, 78-50

At this point in the season, it seemed like things were just destined for complete and utter failure. Ajae Petty (again) put on her superhero cape as she tried to willpower Kentucky to being even remotely competitive. The senior forward put up 13 points and 13 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season (lucky number 13, eh?) in the 28-point loss.

(H) Florida: W, 81-77

For the Florida game, UK brought in some of its greatest legends and celebrated some its storied championship teams for what was dubbed as the 50th Anniversary Alumni Game. While Florida wasn’t great this season, they were still marginally better than Kentucky. So, getting a win in front of a packed house with icons in attendance was all the more special.

This was one of Eniya Russell‘s best games of the season as she scored 24 points on 8-15 shooting. Did she channel her inner Kobe Bryant? Did Stacey Reed Sheppard give her a motivational pregame speech? All we know is that when the lights shined the brightest, Russell stepped up to the plate and made all of us Gator Haters happy for a few days.

(A) Mississippi State: W, 78-68

After Kentucky had fallen to the Bulldogs in a deflating 77-74 OT loss just three weeks earlier, a win over Mississippi State in The Hump seemed all the more improbable. However, sophomore Saniah Tyler decided that she had seen enough losing. In the first quarter alone, she went 4-4 from deep and she’d finish going 6-8 while scoring 22 points on the road. Additionally, Ajae Petty put up 20 and 12 while Eniya Russell recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, and three steals to aid Kentucky to victory.

This would be Kentucky’s first and last road win of the 2023-24 season.

(H) South Carolina: L, 103-55

Aaaaaaaaaand there go the good times.

After losing to South Carolina by 62 points in mid-January, the ‘Cats made for it with an astounding 48-point loss in their next matchup with the Gamecocks. Dawn Staley’s crew became the first and only team to hit the century mark against Kentucky. Even with Kamilla Cardoso being sidelined, the Gamecocks were more than able to put Kentucky away.

The ‘Cats lost to South Carolina by an average of 55 points this season. Yuck.

(H) Ole Miss: L, 75-45

This was one of the several games this season that Kentucky just couldn’t find any rhythm offensively — especially from the get-go. After just ten minutes of play, Kentucky was down by double-digits, trailing 20-7. The ‘Cats were only able to knock down two first quarter shots.

So, yeah. That set the tone for the rest of the game, and that’s how Kentucky lost by 30.

(A) LSU: L, 77-56

The regular season finale seemed like it would be competitive for the first half of the game as Kentucky made a 13-2 run to storm back, only down 33-27 at the half. However, LSU’s Angel Reese took over and proved why she was dubbed the SEC Player of the Year. Kentucky would finish the regular season 11-19, seemingly ready to call it a day.

(N) Georgia: W, 64-50

However, the SEC Tournament loomed near and Kentucky was up against a Georgia team that one just three conference games in the regular season. The last time that the ‘Cats and Bulldogs had met, however, Georgia was able to get a comeback win at home over Kentucky. Heading into this one, it was seen as a toss up.

That being said, the ‘Cats grabbed firm control in this one, and Kyra Elzy would capture yet another win in the SEC Tournament.

(N) Tennessee: L, 76-62

Lastly, to end this four-part recap series, we have the omega of the Kyra Elzy reign. Like so many times this season, Kentucky was in the mix for a while, but Kentucky’s lack of talent and size would hurt them mightily. In the same way that Kentucky controlled the pace against Georgia in the first round, Tennessee controlled the pace against Kentucky.

Kyra Elzy’s tenure at UK would end in full circle fashion. She played and coached at Tennessee, then she saw her coaching career come to an end against the Vols as well.

The 2023-24 regular season, and Elzy’s time leading Kentucky, will be remembered for unexpected wins followed by crushing, no good losses.