Does the three-point shot give Vandy a puncher’s chance against UK?
Vanderbilt has long been synonymous with three-point shooting. But the Commodores go into Tuesday night’s game against Kentucky ranked last in three-point shooting in Southeastern Conference play at 25.2-percent accuracy.
Still, the three-point shot gives any team a puncher’s chance.
“You just can’t give them early open looks,” UK assistant coach Joel Justus said. “Where they are in rhythm with their feet, or they’re in rhythm with their hands, or they’re in rhythm with their eyes where they’re going to feel good about shooting the ball.”
Vanderbilt goes into the game tied for ninth in SEC play with an average of 6.3 three-point baskets per league game. The Commodores made nine of 26 in the 71-62 loss at Kentucky on Jan. 29.
When asked how a player should respond if the opponent makes several three-point shots, Ashton Hagans said, “You just can’t have your head down.”
Defending the three-point shot is something UK regularly will “lock in on,” Hagans said.
Going into Monday’s play, Kentucky ranked 14th nationally in defending the three-point shot. Opponents have made only 28.8 percent of their shots from beyond the arc.
“It starts on the ball when you’ve got on-ball defenders that can keep the ball in front of you,” Justus said of UK’s three-point defense. “Problems happen defensively when teams can penetrate that initial line of defense. … Then you’re playing in a scramble mode.”
In speaking to reporters Monday, Vandy Coach Jerry Stackhouse stressed player and ball movement, plus setting effective screens. If the Commodores do that, “we’ll be able to get the looks that we want,” he said. “… It’s just about stepping in with confidence and knocking them down.”
Expanding leads
The victory at Tennessee on Saturday again saw UK fail to expand a lead to a comfortable margin down the stretch. UK led 61-51 with less than six minutes left. UT got within 66-61, and the Vols could have gotten closer had Santiago Vescovi not missed a three-point shot. Then, UK pulled away.
“It’s experience of learning to play on the road with a lead,” Justus said. “Learning to play at home with a lead.”
Justus cited an earlier sequence in which UK led by 10 before Vescovi hit a pair of three-pointers. The under-12 television timeout was delayed, contributing to UK failing to expand that lead, said Justus, adding that UK had “guys who were gassed.”
Happy birthday
Monday was UK Coach John Calipari’s 61st birthday.
When asked how the program would mark the occasion, Justus said, “I don’t know that I have a good answer for that. I wish I did.”
Justus surmised that UK would practice, then travel to Nashville on Calipari’s birthday.
“I’m sure we’ll watch some film of us not playing well against Vanderbilt (on Jan. 29),” he said, “and some film of us playing well against Vanderbilt.”
What about someone coming out of a birthday cake?
“You have to pay good money for that,” Justus said.
Justus also said that Calipari was likely to have dinner Monday night with his elder daughter Erin, who is a doctor at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.
Fashion statement
Keion Brooks wore a blue T-shirt with the image of Ellen Calipari on the front.
“I don’t know exactly where it came from,” Brooks said of the shirt. “It just ended up in our lockers one day.
“I’m pretty sure it’s the right day to wear it since it’s (John Calipari’s) birthday. And she also does a lot for us.”
Brooks mentioned the brownies Ellen Calipari makes for players on their birthdays.
Brooks said he wished the UK coach a happy birthday.
When asked how 61 years old seemed from his perspective, Brooks said, “It’s old. I’m not even 20 years old yet. That just shows you how long he’s been doing it, and doing it at a high level.”
Series
The game is the polar opposite of Kentucky at Tennessee on Saturday. UK had lost four straight in Knoxville.
UK has won its last three games at Vanderbilt, and the last seven in the series overall.
Calipari has a 7-3 record as UK coach at Vandy.
Overall, Kentucky has a 48-23 record at Vanderbilt and leads the series 145-47.
Toughness
Scotty Pippen Jr. suggested the game will not be won with finesse.
“I just feel we’ve got to out-tough them,” he said. “Be more physical. Hustle plays. All the 50/50 balls need to be ours.”
Etc.
Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes and sideline reporter Marty Smith will call the game for ESPN.
