Jaxson Robinson Had a Historic Shooting Night at Rupp Arena

Jaxson Robinson was money from downtown Lexington. It would have been a historic three-point shooting night, if only the stats counted.

Robinson scored 24 points by knocking down 8-12 three-point shots in a 98-67 win over Minnesota State. Unfortunately, those are not official stats because it’s an exhibition game. If we did track official stats, a couple of records would already be in jeopardy.

Before we get to Robinson, let’s turn back the page to the Kentucky Wesleyan game when the Wildcats made 21-42 three-pointers. That would have tied the single-game record for made three-pointers that was set back in Dec. 1989 against North Carolina. If the Cats sank 21 in the first exhibition game, Mark Pope’s first team is destined to eventually set a new Kentucky highwater mark.

As for Robinson, only two players have ever made more three-pointers in a single Kentucky basketball game. You can probably guess who is at the top of the single-game three-point shooting list.

Jodie Meeks knocked down 10-15 three-pointers during his 54-point barrage at Tennessee. He also sank 9-14 earlier in that 2008-09 season against Appalachian State. Tony Delk was the previous record-holder. He made 9-12 threes against TCU back in 1996.

If Robinson’s exhibition game stats were official, he would have become the seventh player to sink eight three-pointers in a Kentucky basketball game. Four of those games happened in the Calipari era and one of those names might surprise you.

Top Kentucky Basketball Three-Point Shooting Games

Player	3PM	3PA	Opponent (Year)
Jodie Meeks	10	15	at Tennessee (2009)
Jodie Meeks	9	14	App. State (2008)
Tony Delk	9	12	TCU (1996)
Immanuel Quickley	8	12	at Texas A&M (2020)
Malik Monk	8	12	North Carolina (2016)
Jamal Murray	8	10	Florida (2016)
Eric Bledsoe	8	9	East Tn. State (2010 NCAAT)
Cameron Mills	8	14	Florida (1998)
Derrick Miller	8	13	Tennessee (1990)
Derrick Miller	8	16	North Carolina (1989)
Derrick Miller	8	19	Kansas (1989)

Mark Pope Wasn’t Surprised

This is a brand new team at Kentucky, but Mark Pope is well aware of how hot Jaxson Robinson can get from downtown. Over the last two seasons at BYU, Robinson had 14 games where he made four three-pointers or more, including an 8-16 night last year against Denver.

“Jaxson has been playing for me this way for a long time and he’s pretty comfortable,” Pope said Tuesday night. “Jaxson’s not shy either. Is he? He’s not shy at all.”

It was a fun night for the Wildcats, but Robinson is ready to get the ball rolling when the stats become official at Rupp Arena next Monday against Wright State.

“Everybody’s super excited,” said Robinson. “These two exhibition games were great. It was good practice for us, but we’re ready to get the season rolling.”