UK Athletics Photo
Kenny Brooks tried to be philosophical about the way his first season as Kentucky’s coach ended Sunday.
Kentucky lost 80-79 in overtime to Kansas State in Memorial Coliseum to just miss a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
“The season is going to end the way that somebody wants it for one program in the country. Whether it’s today, whether it’s next week, whether it’s yesterday, whatever, you’re going to have this thing. I think, in my maturity as a coach, you take the emotion out of it,” Brooks said after the game.
“You look at the facts, and the facts are I don’t know what people expected us to do this year, but we always believed in ourselves. Even though we had adversity, we stepped up, and the kids reinvented themselves, but they always believe in themselves.”
Kentucky finished the season 23-8 overall and 11-5 in Southeastern Conference play with three of the SEC losses to top 10 teams. That was 11 more wins than Kentucky had the previous season even though Brooks had to recruit a new roster. The Cats also went 15-3 at home and drew huge crowds to most home games like the one they had Sunday.
“We were one floater away from going to the Sweet Sixteen. But more importantly, we built a foundation,” Brooks said. “Big Blue Nation was terrific tonight. They were loud. They got to witness a great basketball game.
“I think we’re going to build off of that. It’s been a terrific year. I love Lexington. I love what Big Blue Nation is willing to put into or pour into women’s sports. So I think it’s something for us to be excited about, and overall I think it was a success. It was a lot of fun.”
3 Responses
Good coach, good man. That program is in good hands !!
Expectations were definitely exceeded for the year and the future looks very bright. It would be nice to both men’s and ladies’s advancing same time like UT. Those last 2 end of game decisions and executions left a little to be desired. I guess Silva didn’t accept the mission call after all. She missed a gimme layup, mishandled ball for TO and came down and fouled. Her day was done. It is difficult to win with only 3 bench points.
This team brought the fun and excitement back to Kentucky women basketball. I have been a fan since the Valerie Still era teams, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this team.