Sunday, December 19, 1999
Kentucky Notebook
UK finally finds its 3-point touch
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 3-pointers kept falling, and the decibel level continued to climb. Kentucky fans long accustomed to long-range mastery squealed with surprise Saturday as they watched these Wildcats finally find their stroke.
Though still on pace for their worst 3-point shooting season ever, UK made 7-of-14 bombs Saturday to pace its 76-46 beating of Louisville.
“That aspect of our game is going to develop,” said sophomore Tayshaun Prince, who was 3-of-5 on 3s Saturday. “It's just taking time.”
Entering Saturday, UK was 36-for-143 (.252) on 3-pointers. Its best long-range shooting night had been a 30-percent effort (6-for-20) in the season opener against Pennsylvania.
Its hot game Saturday lifted the season percentage to .274, still worst in the Southeastern Conference. Since the 3-pointer was added to college basketball in the 1986-87 season, UK's worst mark for a season was .334 — last year.
“We've shot well (on 3-pointers) all week,” junior Saul Smith said. “Getting better just depends on getting in the gym, getting repetition.”
Bogans emerges
Freshman guard Keith Bogans made his first career start Saturday. He produced his best all-around line of the season 12 points, four assists, two steals and two rebounds. He was 5-of-6 from the field, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
“I wasn't going to force shots,” he said. “If I was open, I was going to take it. If they gave me an opening, I was going to drive to the hole.”
Jules Camara, the 6-foot-11 sophomore who sat Saturday so Bogans could start, scored six points — four coming in garbage stages.
“Jules is a talented player, but he's still learning the game,” UK coach Tubby Smith said.
'Cat tales
Saul Smith tied his career high for rebounds with six. ... UK outrebounded Louisville by 17 (41-24), the largest rebounding margin this season. ... Louisville's .298 field-goal percentage is the lowest by a UK opponent this season. ... UK set a season high for field-goal percentage (.598).
Up next
UK hosts No.5 Michigan State at 7 p.m. Thursday (ESPN). The Wildcats will be trying to avenge a 73-66 loss to the Spartans in the Midwest Region finals last season.
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