CJ Fredrick has made 14 3's in seven games this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky has made 61 3-point shots in seven games going into Sunday’s game in London against Michigan. Antonio Reeves (23 of 49, 46.9 percent) and CJ Fredrick (14 of 39, 35.9 percent) have combined for 37 of those 3-pointers. They are a combined 37 of 78 from the field while the rest of the team is 24 of 85 from long range.
Kentucky fans have wondered why coach John Calipari has not played Reeves and Fredrick together more than he has. Fredrick said after Tuesday’s win over Bellarmine there was a “positive difference” when he was on the court with Reeves, UK’s leading score at 14.9 points per game.
“When we were starting to hit some (3’s) in the second half, our lead started to increase, and we put a lot of pressure on them to come down and have to get a bucket,” Fredrick said. “I definitely think that opened up the game and helped us offensively.”
Fredrick is averaging 10.3 points per game — one of five Cats in double figures — and is a 42.6 percent shooter overall from the field.
“If I’m open, I just let it fly. I think in transition when I’m getting momentum that’s when I feel like it has a great shot at going in,” Fredrick said. “Or when the ball is swinging side to side and my defender turns his head or something I can get a shot fake up.”
Calipari said Reeves and Fredrick have to rebound and defend as well as hit 3-pointers to avoid “exchanging” baskets with opponents.
