Mark Pope Stresses Volume Over Accuracy in Kentucky’s Three-Point Struggles
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope has made it clear: his frustration isn’t about the accuracy of his team’s three-point shooting—it’s about the lack of attempts. Despite having a roster with the potential to light up the scoreboard from beyond the arc, the Wildcats have struggled to generate the volume necessary to stay competitive in big games.
“I’m really frustrated that we’re not shooting more threes,” Pope admitted following Kentucky’s rivalry win over Louisville, where the Wildcats connected on 11 of 21 attempts from downtown. “It just eats at my heart. I’m like, man, we should be shooting the ball more. We’re working on that, and we’re going to get there.”
However, that momentum didn’t carry over to the next game against Ohio State. Kentucky took only 22 three-point attempts, hitting just four—a steep decline in efficiency and output. The team’s struggles culminated in a 20-point loss at Madison Square Garden, where only two players contributed from long range. It was a stark contrast to the dynamic shooting display seen against Louisville.
The Problem: Hero Ball Over Teamwork
Pope believes the issue runs deeper than missed shots. It’s about decision-making and a lack of teamwork. After reviewing the game tape, he noted a troubling trend: players abandoning the team’s offensive principles in favor of individual heroics.
“We just fell into a space where it was about trying to fix the team individually rather than fixing the team by creating plays for each other,” Pope explained. “When they look back at it, they’ll see possessions where they’ll say, ‘Man, that’s exactly what we don’t do.’”
The coach highlighted that Ohio State’s defense left opportunities on the table—opportunities Kentucky failed to seize. He estimated the Wildcats could have generated 20 more three-point attempts in the game by sticking to their offensive system and creating better looks for one another.
“I was most disappointed with the Ohio State performance offensively in the sense that they were giving us opportunities. We could’ve earned 20 more threes in that game,” Pope said. “The biggest thing is volume. The volume of 3-point field goal attempts is the marker for us. It’s a place where we have to make progress, and we will.”
A Month of Decline
Since November 26, Kentucky has hit just 29.8 percent of its three-point attempts—a month-long slump that has exposed weaknesses in both execution and confidence. However, Pope isn’t as concerned about the Wildcats’ shooting percentage as he is about the number of attempts.
“We’re in the mid-to-low 20s (per game) and it’s not where it’s supposed to be,” he said, emphasizing that the team needs to aim for at least 30 three-point attempts per game before worrying about efficiency. “Most of that is creating shots for each other.”
The Wildcats’ success relies on their ability to move the ball and find open shooters, rather than relying on individual players to force contested shots. For Pope, the path to improvement begins with embracing a team-first mentality and trusting the system to create scoring opportunities.
Moving Forward: Progress, Not Perfection
Pope remains optimistic that Kentucky will correct its course as the season progresses. While the loss to Ohio State highlighted glaring issues, it also provided a blueprint for what the team must change. The Wildcats need to trust one another, focus on ball movement, and generate more opportunities from beyond the arc.
“You’ll see as we go throughout the season, we’ll get better and better,” Pope assured.
With conference play looming, Kentucky’s ability to generate more three-point attempts will be critical. Pope knows that volume is the first step, and once the Wildcats find their rhythm, efficiency will naturally follow. For now, the message is clear: shoot more, create for each other, and let the threes fly.