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Jerome Jordan and Steven Idlet, as expected, have drawn much attention this year. Opponents are playing zone defenses and doubling the post immediately after they touch the basketball.
The biggest benefactors from this style of defense? Tulsa's perimeter shooters.
TU is ranked 16th nationally in 3-point shooting heading into Saturday's 7 p.m. home game against UCF. The Golden Hurricane is shooting a Conference USA-best 40.7 percent from the arc.
"We've just been buying into the way that we've run our offense, which is from the inside-out," Ben Uzoh said. "We establish our post guys early and, throughout the course of the game, our opponents honor them and do different things. It allows us to be ready to catch and shoot.
"We're taking advantage of our opportunities."
Uzoh is 27-of-65 (41.5 percent) from the 3-point line. Teammate Justin Hurtt is 41-of-92 (44.6 percent), which ranks fourth in the league.
Like Uzoh, Hurtt gives credit to the interior players.
"Teams double Jerome and Steven and are so worried about them, we're getting so many open looks," Hurtt said. "It's something that we practice every day. We're getting good looks and knocking them down."
TU coach Doug Wojcik said it's not just the team's accuracy but the ability to avoid bad shots that make things easier.
"We're taking good 3-point shots," said TU's fifth-year coach, whose program has never shot better than 35.9 percent from the arc during a season. "Taking good shots is a big part of making a high percentage of shots."
Wojcik said Uzoh, Hurtt and Donte Medder (19-of-46, 41.3 percent) were expected to have this type of season.
"Now we're seeing Bryce Pope develop," Wojcik said. "When you throw in Bryce, and then your team has great balance."
The 3-point line was kind for the Hurricane in Wednesday's 63-56 win at SMU. The Hurricane made 3s on five straight possessions and were 7-of-8 from the arc to outrace the Mustangs.
The made baskets were contagious, Uzoh said.
"I didn't realize it until after the game," the senior point guard said. "It was just us getting into the flow of the game."
SMU hunkered in a zone defense, which gave TU good looks from the perimeter.
"It's a wonderful balance, to be able to have the inside-out play," Wojcik said. "For me and my philosophy, it makes us a complete team."
Tulsa (13-3 overall, 3-0 in C-USA) has a 19-game homecourt winning streak, but Wojcik said it will be tested by UCF.
The Knights (9-7, 1-1) are one of the nation's youngest teams and have started three freshmen, including Marcus Jordan, the son of legendary player Michael Jordan.
"Kirk Speraw is one of the best coaches in the league," Wojcik said. "To have three freshmen and a winning record they are making the most of it."
Sophomore Isaac Sosa is averaging a team-high 11 points and is one of C-USA's most accurate 3-point shooters. Junior post player A.J. Tyler is averaging 10.1 points a contest. The player to watch may be sophomore point guard A.J. Rompza, a playmaker who hit a game-winning shot against visiting TU last season.
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