Milt Newton, for one, wonders what all the fuss is about.
“I don’t know where people get that,” he said of the popular notion Kansas’ basketball team shies away from the three-point shot. “Our team can shoot three-pointers. When the shot is there, in the offense, we take it.”
The Jayhawks converted five of nine three-point shots in Saturday afternoon’s 80-76 loss to Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
The five baskets marked a season-high. The previous high was four against Memphis State back on Dec. 28 at the ECAC Festival in New York. Kansas attempted as many as nine just the other time – against Iowa back on Nov. 28 at the season-opening Maui Classic.
“I didn’t look for it more than any other game,” shrugged Newton, who made three of four from the 19-foot, nine-inch marker. He’s now hit seven of 17 for a team-leading 41.2 percent.
KU entered the game a dismal 15 of 62 for 24.2 percent. The Jayhawks, who average 4.2 three-pointers per game, upped that shooting standard to 28.2 percent. KU’s opponents, who average 10.6 bonus shots a game, are now hitting at a 31.9 clip.
“It’s a matter of concentrating, just a matter of shooting the ball,” said Newton.
Teammate Kevin Pritchard knocked in two of four three-pointers Saturday. He entered the game one of 11, hence has upped his percentage from 9.1 to 20.
Notre Dame converted one of six three-pointers. Guard David Rivers went one of four, using some questionable judgment on more than one of the bombs.
That’s about the only fault found in the 6-0 senior’s game. He was universally hailed as the difference in ND’s come-from-behind win.
“He’s a great player. He hit free throws, ran the offense. He did a lot,” praised KU senior Danny Manning, outscored by Rivers 29 points to 22.
ND’s main man, who made 14 of 15 free throws, scored 11 of the Irish’s final 13 points in the last 3:22. He made eight straight free throws in the last 2:15.
“We didn’t want to let him go to the foul line but he did,” said KU coach Larry Brown. “The big thing we talked about was him not getting to the line. He shot more free throws than we did as a team. You don’t have to shoot a great percentage when you go to the line a lot.”
Notre Dame made 25 of 32, while KU converted nine of 14.
No doubt free throws are important in big games.
“I don’t see myself missing. Before I take the shot, I see it going in,” said Rivers, who is 88 for 104 at the line, including 25 for 27 the past two games.
Rivers was tickled with the victory. The Irish improved to 11-4, while KU dropped to 12-5.
“Emotion was high today because Kansas is a Final Four team,” Rivers said. “This means a lot of credibility for our program. I have learned to appreciate a day like this. You can’t put a price on it or a word to describe it.”
The All-America candidate has come a long way since his near-fatal car crash two summers ago. Rivers battled back from a 15-inch hip-to-hip gash.
“I’ve put the incident out of my mind,” said Rivers. “But I still think of it when I wake up. I have this huge scar on my abdomen. I rub it. It reminds me. It makes me appreciate life.”
The Jayhawks, 1-1 in the Big Eight, head to Nebraska on Wednesday night. That game will start at 8:05 p.m. and be shown on Channels 13 and 41. KU returns home to face Kansas State at 3:10 p.m. Saturday.
