Kyra Elzy admits she underestimated how hard it would be to manage a 15-player roster. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kyra Elzy says surrounding herself with a solid staff plus having former Duke coach Gail Goestenkors and former Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell as mentors has been a significant help. However, the second-year UK coach also admitted being elevated to head coach did not with an “instruction book” on all that is required from the job.
“For me, managing a group of 15, I underestimated how many people that really is that need your time, and then just making sure I’m focusing and getting better in basketball and making sure we’re playing to our strength,” Elzy said Friday after Kentucky lost in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals to Tennessee 80-71 to end a disappointing 12-19 season.
“As far as this team, mental toughness, we are going to work on that all summer long, along with reading the defense and scoring, and we’re going to lay our hat on the defensive end so nothing changes there. We’ve just got to continue to get better.
“One thing we’re going to focus on. Kentucky is used to winning and that’s what we want to do. Fourteenth (in the SEC) is not where we want to be, and we won’t be here again. So we got to go back and reevaluate but that’s something that will be on our minds all spring and preseason as we prepare.”
Kentucky did win two games at the SEC tourney after ripping off four wins at the event last year to win UK’s first SEC tourney title since 1982. Elzy believes the two wins this year will help recruiting.
“Winning does help recruiting. We’re going to get out on the trails, seek out players that fit our system, and build relationships with them,” Elzy said. “The brand itself sells so that’s great and we have an amazing staff that’s going to get out and make sure we have the right players to fit our program to move it forward to where we want to be.”
Kentucky lost All-American Rhyne Howard off last year’s team along with several players to the transfer portal. The Cats had 10 new players on the 15-player roster this season.
“To put it mildly, it was a different look with 10 new players. It was a tough season. That’s what it was, it was very tough,” Elzy said. “But what I love about this team is their resiliency. Trying to put 10 new players with the addition of the five returners, you know, it was a lot!
“But I think we showed down the stretch that if you remain tough and have the right mentality, you can overcome adversity. We were in a lot of games this year that could have gone the other way, but this team never quit. They came to practice to work. They competed in games.
“We found a way to stay in (games), but what we learned is, we have to stay together, continue to work, and the standard is always going to be the standard. When we do the things we need to do our future is really bright, and I think we have momentum going into the spring practice.”
Elzy also thanked UK fans for their support during a difficult season.
“They were amazing all year, even through the bad. So for that we are forever grateful and tell ’em to come back next season,” Elzy said. “You will like the product that we have on the floor, but we are forever grateful for your love for this program so thank you BBN! You’re the best!”
