Why Emma King and Robyn Benton have to step up their game

The Kentucky women’s basketball team dominated in their lone exhibition against Lee University, but not every individual met expectations. With Blair Green out for the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the ‘Cats are in desperate need of new scorers to arise. Unfortunately, several of the candidates to fill this role didn’t have the best auditions this past Thursday.

Specifically, ‘Cats Emma King and Robyn Benton didn’t put up jaw-dropping offensive numbers against the DII opponent. Let’s talk about how these Wildcats underperformed and what the team needs from them moving forward.

Emma King’s easily fixable issues

King isn’t used to being a major offensive contributor. In fact, she isn’t used to being a contributor at all. As expected, King didn’t get a ton of clock her freshman year. The 5-foot-10 guard played in 15 games and averaged a mere 1.7 points per game.

Things didn’t get any easier during her sophomore campaign. Due to complications with COVID-19 early in the season, King never found her rhythm. She only played in five contests and furthermore, only shot 12 times. To say the junior guard is inexperienced at the collegiate level is an understatement.

In spite of King’s lack of time on the royal court, Kyra Elzy is confident in her junior guard.

“What we’re looking for is for her to hunt open threes. [King] has shot the ball extremely well all summer, and preseason,” Elzy said.

The second-year head coach surprised many fans by starting King against Lee. Unfortunately, confidence doesn’t always translate to conduct.

King recorded five points, three assists and three turnovers. While the turnovers aren’t great, King’s three total shot attempts on the night are the real concern. For the Kentucky women’s basketball team to be successful, King has to shoot.

A lack of shooting last year led to clogged lanes and tough sledding for star Rhyne Howard. King can be the cure to this cancerous pattern. While King may have the cure, she has to be willing to administer it. Elzy is giving her the green light. All King has to do is put her foot on the gas.

Robyn Benton’s rough night

While King was securing a starting spot for the ‘Cats, Robyn Benton was losing her’s. The senior guard’s teammates and coaches constantly rave about her offensive abilities. While Benton may put on a show behind closed doors, she’s seemingly fallen victim to stage fright under the big lights. Last Thursday night’s exhibition against Lee University is no exception.

In Kentucky’s lone exhibition, Benton put up six points on 2/9 shooting from the field. Though the 5-foot-9 guard didn’t play great, it’s promising to see she kept putting up attempts. Nevertheless, the record book doesn’t tell the whole story. Benton did keep shooting, but she didn’t keep shooting with confidence.

In the fourth quarter, Benton’s frustration was obvious. Benton’s misses were beginning to snowball and her emotions were following suit. The Wildcat would shake her head, clap her hands in anger or punch the air after each missed attempt. Being a Wildcat means being passionate. But, being a successful Wildcat is about channeling that passion into a positive manner.

This isn’t the first time this pattern hasn’t shown its nasty head. Toward the end of last season, Benton fell into a brutal slump. Following the Missouri game, where Benton shot 3/9 from the field, Benton’s efficiency plummeted. Benton only made seven of her final 30 attempts from the field for the season. Thankfully for BBN, patterns don’t have to be permanent.

If Benton can push away her frustrations, she may be able to pull in some major success.

Final thoughts

King and Benton are two of the most capable players on the Kentucky women’s basketball team. One night is not definitive of their abilities. But, the way they react to an underwhelming performance is definitive of their character. Fortunately for BBN, King and Benton are two high-character ‘Cats.

The duo of guards won’t have to wait long for their next opportunity to put their mental toughness on display. The Kentucky women’s basketball team will take on Presbyterian College in their first official game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. The contest is at Memorial Coliseum and will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.