Kentucky on verge of historic three-point shooting bonanza

Between games against Tennessee, Kentucky has put itself in position to make three-point shooting history.

UK has made 10 or more three-point shots in the three games that followed the dispiriting 84-77 loss at Tennessee on Feb. 2. That had not happened since 1994, and has only happened seven times in program history (the previous six in the Rick Pitino era).

Only four times has a Kentucky team made 10 or more three-point shots in four straight games (the last time in 1993). The Cats can match that feat in the rematch with Tennessee on Thursday night in Rupp Arena.

No Kentucky team has made 10 or more three-point shots in five straight games.

UK’s most prolific three-point shooters have led the way. Jamal Murray has made 18 of 31 shots in the last three games.

When asked Wednesday how hot Murray has been, Isaiah Briscoe was succinct. “Extremely,” he said.

Tyler Ulis has made six of 13 three-point shots. Derek Willis, who ranks second among Southeastern Conference players in three-point accuracy in league games (48.1 percent), has made eight of 17.

The only three-point basket in the last three games made by any other UK player: Dominique Hawkins made one against Georgia.

Murray almost seems like an automatic long rifle. Briscoe, one of UK’s most productive rebounders has come to expect a Murray shot to go in.

“I still go crash (the boards) every once in awhile,” he said. “Sometimes, when he shoots the ball, I think it’s automatic, and I go back on defense.”

UK Coach John Calipari spoke of Murray’s improved decision-making.

“He’s not messing around with it as much, which means he’s not turning it over as much,” Calipari said. “His shot selection has gotten better week by week by week. He’s getting to the rim rather than just settling for all jump shots and step-backs and fades.”

Coaches abhor when a player “settles” for a jump shot. Murray’s torrid shooting of late raises an interesting question: Can the definition of “settle” change for a hot shooter? If the ball repeatedly settles into the basket, should that redefine settling as a positive outcome to be welcomed?

“He has the green light,” Calipari said of Murray. “He has to respect that.”

By that, Calipari meant that Murray must consider time and score, and not feel free to fire away at will no matter how many shots are going in.

“He knows what a good shot is,” Calipari said. “He knows the kind of shot we don’t want him to take.”

For instance, the UK coach defined a bad shot as a low-percentage attempt when the opponent has momentum, especially in the latter stages of a game.

“When you’re bleeding, you have to stop the bleeding,” Calipari said. “You can’t take bail-out shots because you will not get fouled (as determined by referees). A bail-out shot has about a 25 percent chance of going in.”

But, Calipari added, UK is not trying to constrict Murray. UK is trying to maximize his productivity.

“He has the ultimate green light,” Calipari said. “Early in the year, he didn’t handle it as well. . . . Now, he respects it, and he’s doing fine.”

As for Ulis, Calipari has pointed out how the UK point guard has improved, which is saying something given his high level of play.

Ulis matched a season-high of four three-point baskets in the victory at South Carolina.

Maybe more importantly, his assist-to-turnover ratio in the last three games is a hard-to-believe 31-to-3.

“Our energy starts with him,” Briscoe said.

All those three-point baskets further fuel UK’s fire.

“When shots are going in and we’re playing defense, everybody’s energy level is high,” Briscoe said, “starting with Tyler, our point guard and floor leader.”

Calipari acknowledged UK’s dependence on Ulis.

“The team plays off Tyler Ulis,” he said. “It’s obvious. Everybody sees it and knows it. He’s building everyone’s confidence. That’s what he does. He’s shooting the ball better. He’s getting guys balls where they can make plays. He controls tempo.”

A thought sure to send a shudder down the spine of Big Blue Nation residents: What if Ulis is sidelined for an extended period?

Calipari said that there may be 25 teams contending for a Final Four run that depend on a standout point guard. And if that player goes away, “They’re not the same,” he said. “They’re done.”

Kentucky’s streak of games with double-digit three-point baskets will inevitably end.

Briscoe suggested that there was no reason to fret about UK making nine or fewer three-point shots.

“We’ve been there before,” he said. “So we’ll know how to handle it.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Kentucky on verge of historic three-point shooting bonanza."