Kentucky Basketball: Ranking The Top Ten Greatest Three Point Shots of All Time

With a made three-pointer versus Alabama this Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats will have made a three in 1,000 consecutive games. This would be a true milestone for the storied program.

Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin and the rest of the gang at Kentucky Sports Radio have brought a very interesting fact to my attention. The Wildcats can reach a major milestone this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Malik Monk and company can stretch Kentucky’s remarkable streak of games with a made three-point shot to 1,000 with a connection behind the arc against the Crimson Tide. This remarkable streak stretches across 29 seasons, four head coaches and hundreds of players.

The guys on the KSR Radio Show then started talking about the greatest three point baskets by the Cats during that stretch. With some help from their listeners they ended up with a list of some very famous moments that are well-familiar to any Big Blue fan that has followed the team over this period of time. This got some creative juices flowing. There is no denying these shots as some of the top three point baskets in Kentucky Basketball history. Let’s enjoy a trip down memory lane. Some of the stops on our journey will have a little age on them, others will be of a newer vintage.

Oct 16, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of the court during Kentucky Blue Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

No. 10 – The (Lost) Shot That Started the Streak

I wanted to give a slot on the list to the first three point basket that started this streak. It happened on November 28, 1988 versus California in the Great Alaska Shootout. The Cats won 89-71, but alas, there was no, video or play by play chart to be found from this contest. But we have the box score.

This was Coach Eddie Sutton’s lamentable last season at the helm, as Kentucky finished 13-19. Derrick Miller hit the long-range bomb that started it all. The Savannah, Georgia sharpshooter was responsible for exactly 50% (54-108) of the Cats’ made threes that season and it just so happens that he was the only Cat to record a three pointer that day. (Stats courtesy of Jon Scott)

Mar 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) high fives fans after the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky wins 64-51. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

No. 9 – The Legend of Aaron Harrison Begins

Kentucky and Louisville have had some memorable battles over the years, but a lot of Kentucky fans will rank this comeback win in the 2014 Sweet 16 as their favorite win ever over the Cardinals, even above the Final Four win in 2012. And the biggest shot in this game was made by Aaron Harrison.

The Texas sophomore drilled a three from the corner with 39 seconds left to give the Cats the lead. It was just a harbinger for what was to come in the next 10 days. The Cats got a much needed win against Rick Pitino, and arch rival Louisville. I may or may not have run screaming for joy out into his front yard at the end of this one. It was definitely a great moment for Cats fans.

Front Row: Assistant Coach Delray Brooks, Head Coach Rick Pitino, Allen Edwards, Derek Anderson, Jeff Sheppard, Tony Delk, Anthony Epps, Cameron Mills, Wayne Turner, Associate Coach Jim O’Brien, Assistant Coach Winston Bennett.
Standing: Equipment Manager Bill Keightley, Administrative Assistant George Barber, Jason Lathrem, Oliver Simmons, Nazr Mohammed, Mark Pope, Walter McCarty, Antoine Walker, Jared Prickett, Ron Mercer, Trainer Eddie Jamiel, Assistant Strength Coach Layne Kaufman, Strength Coach Shaun Brown. (Mandatory Credit UK Athletics)

No. 8 – Walter McCarty Completes the Mardi Gras Miracle

Kentucky’s 31 point comeback in Baton Rouge to defeat LSU in 1994 is one of the greatest comebacks in sports history and one of the truly great moments in UK lore. Walter McCarty put the final dagger in Dale Brown‘s Tigers with this late corner three.

Walter McCarty averaged just 5.7 PPG during his Sophomore Season. This Kentucky team, led by Tony Delk (16.6 PPG) and Rodrick Rhodes (14.6 PPG) was defeated in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Marquette 75-63. Not an ideal finish for Kentucky Basketball, but this McCarty enshrined his place in Wildcat Basketball history with this shot.

Oct 16, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena before Kentucky Blue Madness begins. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

No. 7 – Patrick Sparks, All Over the Rim and In At the Buzzer

The only shot on this list from a losing effort by the Cats comes from Patrick Sparks in the 2005 NCAA Elite Eight versus Michigan State. Down three with only seconds left in regulation, Tubby Smith’s squad furiously tried to tie with three shots in their last possession. Sparks’ last attempt from the top of key rattled the rim long enough it needed new paint. But the shot fell through the net as Big Blue and Sparty went on to overtime.

Patrick Sparks transferred to The University of Kentucky after the 2003 season. Sparks played his first two years of college basketball at Western Kentucky University under head coach Dennis Felton. Felton is no stranger to the Southeastern Conference as he coached the Georgia Bulldogs for six seasons from 2003-2009.

The pride of Central City, Kentucky is almost as famous for the fierce high-five he exchanged with CBS commentator Billy Packer afterward as he is for making the shot. Kentucky ultimately fell to the Spartans in overtime, but this shot still deserves a spot in Kentucky Basketball history.

Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince (22) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 – Tayshaun From The Logo Versus the Tar Heels

No player in Kentucky history ever got into “the zone” like Tayshaun Prince did against North Carolina in December 2001. He connected on five straight three’s to open the game. The last one was just half a step in front of the UK logo at mid-court. It drove the Rupp Arena crowd into a frenzy. That was the ultimate heat-check ever for the Big Blue.

Tayshaun Prince went on to play 19 season in the NBA. Prince was drafted in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He was a fan favorite during his time in Lexington. The Compton, California native finished his prep career as the state’s Mr. Basketball as well as the nod as a McDonald’s All American. Prince finished his career at Kentucky earning numerous all-SEC honors and SEC player of the year in 2001.

No. 5- Cameron Mills Hits When it Matters Most

Kentucky came from 18 points down to defeat Duke in the 1998 South Regional final. Two big three-pointers from that epic contest make the list. The first one is by Cameron Mills to give the Cats the lead with a little over two minutes to go. The senior from Lexington picked an opportune time for his first basket of the game. I’ll have more to say about this game a little later.

Cameron Mills played at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky. As a Kentuckian, Mills was ultimately a fan favorite. Mills garnered a 53% 3PT field goal percentage for the 1996/1997 season, and followed it up with nearly a 46% 3PT field goal percentage for his senior season.

No. 4- Tony Delk’s Four Point Play

In the 1996 national semi-finals, Kentucky dispatched second-ranked UMass, led by Coach John Calipari. Many thought the top-ranked Cats would cruise to their sixth National Championship the following Monday night versus Syracuse. But the Orangemen gave the Wildcats quite a battle. Just who would claim the big prize was still in doubt late when senior star Tony Delk took this three from deep in the corner. Not only did he make the shot, but he was fouled and completed a four point play that put the game out of reach. It is only fitting that most prolific three-point shooter in Kentucky history makes this list.

Delk, a Tennessee native, finished his prep career as the state’s Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of The Year. He also added a nod to the McDonald’s All American Team. The Kentucky standout went on to be selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft and played 10 seasons in the NBA. Tony Delk was a fixture on the 1996 NCAA Championship team under coach Rick Pitino.

Dec 20, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Samford Bulldogs head coach Scott Padgett talks with the team during a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Samford defeated Nebraska 69-58. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 – Scott Padgett Slays The Ghost of Christian Laettner

That 1998 Regional Final win over the Duke Blue Devils is the only game that earns two shots on the list. After Mills hit No. 5 above to give the Cats the lead, Duke made a couple of foul shots and Kentucky made one to leave the score tied with under a minute to go.

Now, it is my opinion that far too many Kentucky fans still obsess far too much over the Laettner shot in the 1992 regional final. Big Blue got their revenge in St. Pete in this game. When I hear someone talk about a big shot in the Duke game, this is the shot I think about. The Louisville St. Xavier product connected with 40 seconds to go and gave Kentucky the lead for good. One of my absolute favorite moments in UK basketball history.

Mar 30, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) shoots and makes a three-point basket with 4.3 seconds remaining in the second half of the finals of the midwest regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 – Aaron Harrison Sends the Cats to The Final Four

Kentucky’s 2014 run to the NCAA championship game was unique is that it is one of the few times the Wildcats could really be considered an underdog. They were an eight seed going into the Big Dance. After a relatively comfortable opening round win over Kansas State, Kentucky won four straight nail-biters against tough competition. With the score tied late in the Elite Eight against Michigan, Aaron Harrison hit the second of his three shots to make the list. This three sent Kentucky to the Final Four.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) shoots a three-point shot over Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men

No. 1 – Aaron Harrison Final Four Game Winner Against Wisconsin

Just as memorable as the team’s 2014 tournament run was Aaron’s stretch of big shots. He hit huge late game threes to defeat Louisville, Michigan and finally Wisconsin in the semi-finals. This one came with the Cats down one. With brother Andrew Harrison‘s exhortation to put it up, his twin sunk a deep three to send Kentucky to the title game. The Cats ran out of miracles against UConn, but this last cold-blooded dagger by the star freshman will never be forgotten.

Harrison has slated his own section in the rich history of Kentucky Basketball with his clutch shots. The Cat’s came up short in 2014 but the fight of Aaron Harrison got them to the National Championship game. Kevin Ollie and the University of Connecticut out dueled the Cats with a great performance by Shabazz Napier.

Sep 15, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De Aaron Fox (0) forward Bam Adebayo (3) forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) and guard Malik Monk (5) during Kentucky media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Basketball is the winningest program in all of college basketball.

John Calipari has breathed new life into the Kentucky Basketball program. Fans got to see success Under Coach Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. the Big Blue Nation also had to bear through he Billy Gillispie era which nearly decimated the tradition that has followed the Wildcats since Adolph Rupp.

With eight national titles to their name, the last of them coming in 2012, Kentucky has hit a lot of big time shots in big time games. Saturday, February 11, 2017 will be another great milestone for the Kentucky Basketball team. It will be a chance to extend a streak of made three point baskets to 1,000 consecutive games.

John Calipari and Company will make their way to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide in an important matchup. Will the milestone streak be continued? If so, who will be the guy to put it in from behind the arc to start the journey to 2,000 consecutive games?