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LEXINGTON — It’s nothing for Kentucky basketball to knock down 10 3-pointers in a game. Or to reach that tally efficiently.
The Wildcats lead the SEC in 3-pointers made per game at 10.2. They’re also tops in the league in percentage at 37.4. They surpassed both those figures Tuesday at Tennessee, sinking 12 triples in a 78-73 win in Knoxville, Tennessee. And UK posted a 50% conversion rate (12 of 24).
While to the eye it might appear to be merely an average game for the Wildcats’ lethal 3-point shooters, that’s not putting it in proper context.
First: Tennessee wasn’t only the most stingy 3-point defense in the league; entering Tuesday, it led the nation in that category, permitting opponents to cash in only 25.4% of their attempts. UK nearly doubled that mark.
Second, and perhaps most impressive: The Wildcats authored the performance with their top two point guards sidelined by injury. Backup Kerr Kriisa has missed nearly two months after suffering a foot injury in a victory over Gonzaga. Starter Lamont Butler sat out Tuesday with a bothersome shoulder.
With Butler and Kriisa out, Kentucky strung together a patchwork effort against Tennessee’s stout defense. Despite its primary creators unavailable, UK still had more assists (14) than turnovers (13). Three Wildcats had three-plus assists: center Amari Williams (a team-best four), followed by forward Ansley Almonor (three) and guard Koby Brea (three).
Williams’ showing, especially, delighted UK coach Mark Pope.
“Amari Williams is like a one of one,” Pope said. “I’m asking him to do an impossible job right now. … Amari brought the ball up against the press, probably more than anybody else on our team. Like, I’m telling you, this kid is special, man.”
And noteworthy.
“I don’t think there’s a center in the country that’s had to carry a load like the way he had to carry it tonight,” Pope said. “It was incredible.”
Here are other tidbits about the Wildcats, where this week, we’ll look at the present and ahead to the future of…
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Author : The Courier Journal
Publish date : 2025-01-31 10:16:00
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