Kentucky’s 3-Point Shooting Breakthrough: A Story of Persistence and Growth

Kentucky’s 3-point shooting has been a topic of discussion throughout the season. As of now, the Wildcats are shooting just 34.9% from beyond the arc through 18 games, ranking No. 134 nationally and No. 8 in the SEC. On the surface, this seems average at best. However, when focusing specifically on conference play, the numbers tell a different story.

In five SEC games, Kentucky has been leading the league in 3-point shooting with a remarkable 38.7% accuracy. They’ve converted 41 out of 106 attempts, despite a rough start against Alabama where they shot an abysmal 4-19. This inconsistency hasn’t stopped them from improving with each game:

• Against Missouri, they shot 38.8% (7-18).
• In a win over Mississippi State, their accuracy jumped to 40.9% (9-22).
• At LSU, they hit 43.5% of their 3-pointers (10-23).
• Finally, in a close game against Tennessee, they shot 45.8% (11-24).

This upward trend has placed Kentucky ahead of the pack in the SEC, with LSU as their closest competitor at 36.7%. Other teams like Tennessee and Mizzou follow closely behind at 36.0%, while Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma trail at 35.3% and 34.5% respectively.

Coach Mark Pope’s Confidence in the Process

Mark Pope, the second-year coach, has always believed in the potential of his team. Even after a poor performance against Indiana, where they shot only 20% from three, he remained confident that the breakthrough was coming. His belief wasn’t based on blind faith but rather on the data from practice sessions at the Joe Craft Center.

Pope emphasized that the numbers eventually translate into game performance. “I’ve never been on a team where the NOAH numbers don’t actually eventually transport their way into games,” he said. “With that history, I have every expectation that this team is going to be really dangerous.”

He also highlighted the importance of continuity and the development of players who haven’t yet exploded onto the scene. “It’s just a matter of time,” he added.

The Breakthrough Begins

The breakthrough has started to show in recent games. In back-to-back-to-back 12-plus-point comeback wins, multiple players have hit multiple 3-pointers. Players like Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen, Kam Williams, Collin Chandler, Andrija Jelavic, and Jasper Johnson have all contributed significantly.

The volume and efficiency of their shots have both increased, and the offense is beginning to look like the well-oiled machine Pope’s first group was a season ago. “Funny how that works, right?” he joked.

Trusting the Work Behind the Scenes

Pope isn’t making any grand claims about predicting the future, but he does understand the law of averages. There was no secret to the success, just trust in the work his players have been putting in behind the scenes. “A breakthrough wasn’t guaranteed, necessarily, but highly, highly, highly likely,” he said.

He also pointed out the importance of selflessness and creating good shots for teammates. “They’re very into the details of executing shooting,” Pope said. “We’ve done a much better job of earning guys shots.”

Key Moments and Team Chemistry

Mo Dioubate, for example, showed great decision-making in a recent game. Instead of forcing a contested shot inside, he passed to Oweh for a cleaner look. Although the initial shot missed, Dioubate grabbed the rebound and found Aberdeen for an easy floater. Later, he created another opportunity for himself, showing the value of teamwork and spacing.

“Down the stretch against Tennessee, our earning guys shots was special,” Pope noted. “The first play down the stretch from Dioubate was so important.”

Adapting and Growing

With several key players out or injured, the team has had to adapt. Players like Collin Chandler and Jasper Johnson have stepped up, hitting massive shots when needed. The chemistry is building, and the team is growing more comfortable with its concepts.

“We’ve changed, revamped again, our spacing vibe on the floor,” Pope said. “With our roster changing, it’s gone through some change in terms of guys we have available and expect to have available.”

Looking Ahead

Now that the perimeter shooting has taken off, the question remains: can Kentucky sustain this momentum? Pope hopes the team continues to shoot well, emphasizing the importance of unselfish shot creation and conversions.

“If it does, we have a chance to be a really good offensive team,” he said.