Wisconsin basketball unsung hero currently leads Big Ten in three-point percentage

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A few constant themes explain Wisconsin basketball’s current standing near the top of the Big Ten: 16-5 overall, 6-4 in conference play, No. 17 in KenPom and No. 19 in the NCAA NET Ranking.

The most significant factors are the team’s heightened pace and dedication to three-point shooting, the emergence of star wing John Tonje, the year-to-year improvement of John Blackwell and the team getting stellar contributions from several key role players.

Related: Wisconsin coach Greg Gard discusses how Badgers can avoid recent February struggles

Leading those role players: Kamari McGee and Carter Gilmore.

Both seniors are playing the best basketball of their careers. Gilmore’s contributions aren’t always seen on the stat sheet, as he averages just 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. McGee, on the other hand, is delivering career-best tallies on top-end shooting efficiency. The former UW-Green Bay transfer is averaging a Wisconsin career-best 22.1 minutes, 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and two assists on 51.4% shooting, 54% from three and 87% from the free-throw line.

Through Jan. 30, McGee’s 54% (27-of-50) rate from the three-point line leads the Big Ten Conference. He’s trailed by a group of players at 50%, Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer at 46.7%, Iowa’s Josh Dix at 45.2% and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton at 45.1%. McGee’s three-point rate also ranks third in the country, behind only SIU Edwardsville’s Brian Taylor (55.4%) and Pittsburgh’s Jorge Diaz Graham (59.3%).

The veteran guard didn’t make headlines when he transferred to Wisconsin before the 2022-23 season. He played only 7.3 and 8.4 minutes per game during his first two seasons with the program, respectively. That second season saw him begin to emerge — McGee’s impact was specifically seen when his injury coincided with Wisconsin’s extended February losing streak.

Now, the veteran guard is up to fifth on the team in minutes in 2024-25 and is building a legitimate argument for the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award. Most significantly,…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-basketball-unsung-hero-currently-134359611.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2025-01-31 13:43:00

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