KINGSTON, R.I. – UK Hoops sophomore forward Samarie Walker is the center of attention as the Cats get ready to face UConn Tuesday in the Elite Eight.

Walker’s improved play and increased production have been one of the highlights of the UK NCAA tournament run.

Most of the questions posed to Walker, however, have centered around her transfer from the Huskies to the Wildcats a year ago.

Walker played in 17 games for UConn in 2010-11, averaging 6.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game.

“I left because I was homesick.  I have a 6-year-old brother who I’m very close with,” Walker said. “I’m also very close with both of my parents, so that was my primary reason for leaving.”

She transferred to UK in early 2011 and had to sit out for a year, playing her first game as a Cat on Dec. 18, 2011, against Notre Dame.

Walker has played in 24 games for the Cats, starting in nine.  She averages 8.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 20.3 minutes-per-game.

“I’m happy now because I love my teammates and I love my coaches,” Walker said. “The atmosphere at Kentucky is perfect and it’s only an hour and a half from home.”

Walker has helped fuel the UK post-season run. She is just a bucket away from having double-doubles in all three NCAA tournament games.

“She’s a kid, like the rest of them, that wants to get to a Final Four. I’m sure her familiarity with the kids who she had strong relationships with on the Connecticut team make a difference but I believe it’s more important for her to get Kentucky to the Final Four,” UK head coach Matthew Mitchell said. “I’m proud of the way she’s been handling things.”

Walker had eight points and 13 rebounds in the first round against McNeese State, 15 points and 13 rebounds in the second round against Green Bay, and 16 points and 12 rebounds in the third round against Gonzaga.

“She’s had two good games and hopefully she’ll have a third good game Tuesday night,” Mitchell said.

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma is not surprised with Walker’s recent success.

“The kids that are most successful in college are the ones that commit themselves 100 percent, with their hear and their soul and everything they’ve got. Samarie didn’t have that at Connecticut and it became evident early on,” Auriemma said. “The success that she’s having now at Kentucky probably means that she has all those things in place now. That’s what you hope for any kid. I’m happy for her.”

Mitchell believes Walker could be more consistent and has huge potential.

“I think she has a lot of potential that she has not realized yet. I think she’s far from a finished product,” Mitchell said. “She has not been terribly consistent this season and I’m looking forward to her continued growth as a player. I think she has a lot left as a player to accomplish.”

Walker feels no extra pressure to perform against her former team Tuesday night.

“It doesn’t mean anything that I went there. We’re just worried about winning,” Walker said. “We’re focused on winning this game and getting to the Final Four.”