By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Isaiah Briscoe doesn’t mind bringing up the past and isn’t dodging questions about his shooting abilities.
“It was a struggle,” Briscoe said earlier this week. “I don’t know what happened, but last year is in the past. I’m comfortable and (last year) doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother me at all.”
In his first season with the Wildcats, Briscoe struggled from the perimeter and the free-throw line, a rarity for the sophomore guard, who made a name for himself as a three-point threat in high school.
“I’ve been working hard on my jump shot,” he said. “I’ve improved a lot but I still have a long way to go in trying to get better as a player.”
His poor shooting numbers were a red flag for professional scouts and hindered Briscoe’s chances of reaching the next level following his freshman campaign. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Briscoe made it a priority to work on his shooting during the off-season, spending countless hours concentrating on his shot from nearly every spot on the floor.
How much time did he spend in the Joe Craft Center?
“A lot,” he said. “Every night in here. It’s usually with a coach or by myself. I’ve just been shooting. My confidence is high and day-by-day I just want to get better as a player.”
In addition to his own shot, Briscoe said he’s not concerned about how the Wildcats will fare from the perimeter this season. Like last year, Briscoe thinks UK will get into a rhythm behind the arc.
“I don’t have any worries,” he said. “I think we’re fine. Obviously, we’re going to get better and we need to get better in certain areas. I think we’re fine.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari said Briscoe has turned the corner with his range and committed to being a better shooter by changing his habits and taking over the leadership role vacated by All-Southeastern Conference performer Tyler Ulis. Calipari also has been pleased with Briscoe’s maturity and added the sophomore guard’s rebounding and defending skills have carried over from last year.
“Isaiah’s bought into it,” he said. “That’s why I couldn’t be more pleased. He’s leading on the court. We’re teaching him how to lead off the court just like we did with Tyler. Early on, Tyler was great on the court. Off the court, he wasn’t as good leading and being around. Now Isaiah is going through that process. Unbelievable on the court, unbelievable. Shooting the ball better, really proud of him. Still the same defending, rebounding guard that he was.”
As his shooting has progressed, Briscoe said he has done “a lot of growing up (and is more) mature” and added he’s ready to be a leader.
“I’m up for the challenge and every challenge,” he said. “Coach obviously trust me 100 percent with the team. I have a great friendship with everybody on the team. I’m just going to push everybody to be the best that they can be.”
Now that he’s re-discovered his shooting touch, the sophomore guard insists he can beat every one of his teammates in a game of H-O-R-S-E. When asked if that was true, Bam Adebayo just laughed and smiled.
“If you go around and ask everybody, they will say I can beat them every day,” Briscoe said. “I play any of them a game of H-O-R-S-E.”
On a serious note, Briscoe is anxious to turn all of the talk into action on the court and is anxious for the journey to begin.
“I’m ready to get the season started,” Briscoe said. “It’s a great group of guys. I think we can go very far. There’s a lot of potential and I think we’re a talented group.”
How far can the Wildcats go in the postseason? Briscoe said a ninth national championship isn’t completely out of reach.
“I think we can (win a national championship),” he said. “Absolutely I think we can, and I’m not saying that just to say it.”
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter