It has become a 3-for all for the University of Houston men’s basketball team.
On any given day, Armoni Brooks will head to the gym and launch more than 200 3-pointers as part of his practice routine.
Take Tuesday morning, for instance, when the University of Houston sophomore guard lined up beyond the 3-point arc and took shot after shot.
He attempted 237. He made 200. “Had to get some shots up,” Brooks said.
He is not alone. Entering Wednesday night’s game against Tulane in New Orleans, the Cougars rank third in the American Athletic Conference in 3-point percentage (40.8). Four players — Corey Davis Jr., Brooks, Wes VanBeck and Rob Gray — are among the top 12 in 3-point shooting.
Putting the work in
“We all have the confidence that, every time one of us shoots, the ball is going to go in,” Brooks said. “It’s not surprising to see the ball go in as much as it does because of the work we put in.”
The barrage of 3-pointers includes an AAC-record 18 against Tulsa last Thursday. UH has made at least nine 3s in 10 games this season.
No wonder some have begun to call them the Trey Ward Cougars.
“It makes everything easier that we have so many weapons at so many different positions,” said Davis, who was 6-of-8 on 3s in Sunday’s 65-49 win at East Carolina. “Any given night, we have a different person that can have a great game.”
Through 17 games, the Cougars are shooting 40.8 percent on 3-pointers, which is on pace to threaten the program’s single-season record 42.5 percent set during the 1989-90 season.
With at least 14 games remaining (not counting the postseason), the Cougars are on pace to finish with 270 3-pointers. That would be the most since 290 during the 2009-10 season.
After the Cougars set the AAC record, Gray said the performance was not surprising considering the emphasis on making 3-pointers.
“It feels normal,” said Gray, whose 19.1 points per game leads the AAC. “In practice, when we move the ball and hit a lot of 3s, we know that’s our strength. When we do what we do, we can’t be too happy. You don’t get a pat on the back for doing what you’re supposed to do.”
Coach Kelvin Sampson stresses shooting 3-pointers in transition to score as quickly as possible. In addition, the Cougars’ 3-point success can be traced to an improved inside presence.
“Our inside presence this year is a lot more significant,” Brooks said. “I feel like we play inside-out more. So (opponents) have to collapse the defense, and then our bigs are really good at kicking out to our shooters. All we have to do is knock down the shots.”
All pitching in
At the start of the season, the Cougars returned two of their top 3-point shooters in Gray and VanBeck. UH has also benefited from a larger role from Brooks and San Jacinto transfer Davis, who has two games with at least six 3s and two others with five.
“I feel like once I make one, my confidence rises,” said Brooks, who is fourth in the AAC in 3-point shooting at 45.8 percent. “Once I see one go through the net, I feel like there’s more to come.”
Just like Tuesday, when Brooks got into a rhythm and made shot after shot.
The only uncertainty regarding the 3-pointers is which player is the best shooter, but even that is often quickly resolved.
“Normally,” Brooks said, “we come to a mutual agreement that Wes is the best shooter.”