Fans are asking is Kentucky basketball just a bad shooting team?

As Kentucky basketball fans dissect the early season performance, one glaring question looms: Is this team just bad at shooting? A deeper dive into the numbers reveals a few talking points, particularly performance from beyond the arc.

Koby Brea has been the bright spot from three-point range. The Dayton transfer has connected on 32 of 57 attempts, a scorching 56%. Meanwhile, the rest of the Wildcats have combined to shoot 70 of 230, which is just 30%. This disparity underscores a significant issue: outside of Brea, Kentucky struggles to find consistent shooters.

Among the rest of the roster, not a single player is hitting above 38% from deep. Players like Jaxson Robinson and Kerr Kriisa have especially struggled, both shooting under 30% on the season. For a team that wants to average over 30 three-point attempts per game, this level of inefficiency is a major concern.

The issue isn’t limited to poor shooting percentages. Kentucky’s offense often relies on spacing and perimeter threats to open up driving lanes and create opportunities inside. When those shots aren’t falling, defenses can collapse into the paint, making life harder for players like Andrew Carr and Amari Williams, who thrive around the basket.

So, what’s the solution? First, the Wildcats must adjust their shot selection. Players struggling from three need to focus on high-percentage looks closer to the basket or drive-and-kick scenarios to feed the hot hand. Second, less ball movement. I know that sounds counter intuitive but at times this team throws one or two too many passes a possesion. Right now, the offense often feels disjointed, leading to rushed or forced attempts; as shown in the scoring droughts of over 5 minutes in each of the last 3 games.

Finally, the coaching staff might need to rethink the rotation. Players like Ansley Almonor (37% from three) should see more opportunities if others continue to misfire. Developing younger talent, such as Travis Perry and Trent Noah, could also provide a spark later in the season.

The season is far from over, and shooting slumps can be temporary. But if Kentucky wants to compete at the highest level, they’ll need production from beyond Brea. Without it, the Wildcats risk being a team with potential but no finishing touch.