Kentucky basketball’s recent shooting woes have raised concerns as the Wildcats prepare for a crucial showdown against Gonzaga this Saturday. Once the nation’s top-ranked 3-point shooting team, the Wildcats have faltered in their last three games, hitting just 26.8% from beyond the arc—a steep decline from the 42.3% they averaged in their first five contests.
During this slump, Kentucky hasn’t surpassed 27.6% shooting from deep in any game, a troubling trend for a team built around Mark Pope’s offensive philosophy of 35 3-point shots per game.
In Kentucky's first 5 games, they shot 42.3% from three and did not shoot less than 36.1% in any game.
— WT - Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) December 5, 2024
In their most recent 3 games, they are shooting 26.8% from three and have not shot better than 27.6% in any game.
They MUST get out of their slump on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Mej9c4LvFc
This shooting drop-off coincides with struggles at the free-throw line. While the Wildcats have shot a respectable 73.3% from the stripe this season, inconsistency has cost them in critical moments. In their recent loss to Clemson, Kentucky made only 11 of 19 free throws, further highlighting execution issues. Against Western Kentucky, missed free throws (29-of-42) contributed to keeping the game closer than it should have been.
For those who want more plays ran for Koby Brea…here you go.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) December 4, 2024
Excellent, creative OB Under. Brea gets a clean catch…he either couldn’t or wouldn’t squeeze it off. Tough call as to which it was.
There were a handful of “chances” for more looks, but Clemson just did a GREAT job. pic.twitter.com/FBBH4IeIHH
Koby Brea, a transfer from Dayton and one of the NCAA's most accurate 3-point shooters in history, has shown flashes of brilliance, but the team has struggled to find rhythm collectively. This lapse comes at an inopportune time, as Kentucky faces a high-powered Gonzaga offense. The Bulldogs, fresh off a dominant performance against Davidson where they shot 54% from floor and 93% from the line, present a significant challenge
Mark Pope has remained optimistic about his team’s ability to adjust, emphasizing their commitment to improvement after the Clemson loss. “I liked how our guys are willing to sell out to fix the most important thing,” Pope said. However, if Kentucky hopes to hang championship banner number nine, they’ll need a breakout performance to reignite their shooting touch and bolster their confidence moving forward.
👀🔥😎 pic.twitter.com/kavhx4ggCc
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 25, 2024
Saturday’s matchup provides an opportunity for the Wildcats to prove they can overcome adversity. If they can recapture their early-season form, they’ll remind the nation why they are considered one of the most dangerous offensive teams in college basketball. For now, the focus is on execution—on the perimeter and the free-throw line—to avoid letting another winnable game slip away.
What #Gonzaga's Nolan Hickman said ahead of Kentucky matchup in Seattlehttps://t.co/6AfL6Ws6Jx pic.twitter.com/SOMicHJvkB
— Gonzaga Bulldogs On SI (@GonzagaOnSI) December 5, 2024
Love this Hammer action late in the game, but would have preferred it to be ran for Koby Brea instead of Otega Oweh.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) December 4, 2024
Oweh missed 3 really good looks late in the game. It doesn’t mean I don’t want him shooting, they were all good shots. However, I’m not sure I’m SEEKING Oweh 3’s. pic.twitter.com/43b8mG4lvP
Kentucky is getting open shots, as seen in the videos above but they just are not making them. Is this just a natural correction back to the mean, or is it just a slump that will be broken? What say you?