Kentucky
Wildcats’ free-throw shooting was pivotal in thrilling win over Volunteers
The Kentucky Wildcats have been in a significant hunch getting into Saturday’s matchup with the top-five Tennessee Volunteers. The Cats opened as 13-point underdogs, their largest margin as a canine within the John Calipari period.
Having misplaced two in a row and 4 of their final seven, the Cats weren’t anticipated to tug out a win in Knoxville, however they did simply that, holding Tennessee to simply 56 factors regardless of beginning the sport down a fast 8-0.
Kentucky used free-throw capturing to its benefit. It was a exceptional 22/25 from the stripe, which, as you possibly can see, is one thing to marvel at for a Calipari-led roster.
Finest free-throw share by @KentuckyMBB in a real street recreation within the @UKCoachCalipari period (min. 25 att.):
– 96% 2/27/21 at Vanderbilt (24-25)
– 90% 2/18/14 at Ole Miss (27-30)
– 88% 1/14/23 at Tennessee (22-25)
– 88% 2/8/20 at Tennessee (22-25)
— Corey Worth (@coreyp08) January 14, 2023
And it wasn’t like all these makes have been made by a couple of guys. Six totally different gamers tried a minimum of two free throws, the excessive man being Antonio Reeves going 8/8.
The second-best shooter? None apart from Adou Thiero, who went 4/4 whereas enjoying prolonged minutes with Sahvir Wheeler out and Cason Wallace battling foul hassle and again points.
Kentucky ranks 291st within the nation in free-throw capturing at 67.4%, so it actually hasn’t been a power of this group. The Cats additionally don’t get to the road too usually, rating one hundred and seventieth within the nation in free-throw makes an attempt per recreation at 17.8.
Going 22/25 was big for the Cats was large, and if that’s one thing that continues additional into convention battles, they need to be capable of begin stringing wins collectively and make a stronger case for an at-large massive come March.