Oakland coach Greg Kampe on Jack Gohlke: 'Keep shooting'
Could we be seeing the next March Madness hero being born in front of us? Based on the first half of Kentucky–Oakland, the answer is yes and his name is Jack Gohlke. He has already made seven three-pointers in the first half against the Wildcats, the most they have ever allowed in an NCAA Tournament game.
If Gohlke can put together a similar performance in the final 20 minutes, it would be something for the ages. Oakland head coach Greg Kampe does not want him to slow down either. As the CBS broadcast called him the “smartest coach” in the country, his message to Gohlke was a good one.
“Keep shooting! Keep shooting!”
Rarely do you see coaches encouraged by a singular player attempting 13 three-pointers in a half, let alone a full game. However, Gohlke has been money thus far, even made sure the bank was open at one point.
Kampe knows in order to pull off the upset against Kentucky, Gohlke will have to continue his good shooting ways. A contribution from Blake Lampman — who is 1-5 from deep — would certainly help as well.
“He better have seven more if we’re going to win,” Kampe said to CBS’ Evan Washburn before heading into the halftime locker room. “Because we aren’t going to win if he or Lampman don’t do that.”
Oakland usually only attempts around 24 three-pointers per game but they are on their way to smashing that numbers.
Kampe does enjoy getting the ball inside to Trey Townsend, the team’s leading scorer. However, he was critical of how the game is being officiated down low, saying Kentucky is getting some favorable calls.
“I don’t know why, we’re just not getting the call inside. Trey is doing his work in there but it’s just not happening. We don’t foul. We foul fewer than any team in the country and all of their points are coming from the line. So, we got to fix that. If we don’t fix that, we’re going to lose. So, gotta fix that.”
Kentucky has gotten to the free throw line on 14 occasions, making 10 of them. Oakland has committed 12 total fouls, just three less than their usual average.
Rocket Watts picked up his third in the final seconds of the half, having the most of any of the Golden Grizzlies. Kampe is going to have to manage his players’ minutes in order to keep them on the court.