A month ago, the sky was falling for some fans, and for this writer, too. The team was shooting just 32 percent from deep, and the "bombs away" offense looked like it was misfiring. Only Collin Chandler was consistently making shots outside the 3-point line. Still, the coach believed that the practice numbers would eventually translate to the games.
Over the summer, and even during the season, Kentucky's NOAH numbers were insane. He had several guys in the 90's, meaning their shot was online over 90 percent of the time. That kind of marksmanship should not go away once the ball tips off.
However, that is exactly what was happening. Pope, though never blinked, he kept telling people that the numbers would get better.
The shots aren't the story, it's the playmaking
Pope told everyone to be patient. He told everyone the math would work out.
And for now, he is looking like Nostradamus.
Kentucky is currently shooting 38.7% from three in conference games, which is tops in the SEC so far this year. The turnaround has been fueled by efficiency from guys like Denzel Aberdeen (47.1% from deep), Otega Oweh (43.5%), and Colin Chandler (47.1%).
3 guys over 43 percent is a lot for a defense to handle. But it is not the shot making that has impressed the head coach, it's MP4T.
"We're actually shooting the ball better because we're making plays for each other at a higher level, and hopefully that continues because if it does, we have a chance to be a really good offensive team. The numbers, they work themselves out over time."
Pope has been preaching MP4T (making plays for teammates) since the season started. Nate Oats focused his gameplan against Kentucky on forcing the ball to the bigs. He told reporters at halftime Kentucky wasn't looking to pass, and they were. In the post-game, he basically called Mark Pope's offensive numbers fraudulent. He alluded to the fact that the assist numbers only looked good in games against lesser competition.
It turns out, the "numbers working themselves out" was exactly what Kentucky needed.