Don’t expect Kris Jenkins to show doubt

By PAUL GOTHAM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Villanova’s Kris Jenkins has hit just 27 percent of his shots over the Wildcats last three games, but Jay Wright knows that won’t affect his senior forward’s next shot.

“It doesn’t bother him at all,” Wright said during Friday’s media sessions at Key Bank Center. “That’s what I love about him. I want all of our guys to be like that.”

Jenkins, who nailed the game winner in the 2016 NCAA final, opened the 2017 tournament missing his first 10 attempts from the floor in a game where he finished two of 13 for seven points.

“We have a term, ‘shoot ’em up, sleep in the streets,'” Wright said referring to a conscience free state of mind for shooters he learned from NBA veteran Mike Riordan. “Kris lives that better than anybody that we’ve ever had. Scotty Reynolds was one of the best, and Kris is in that category. They don’t fear a 2 for 13 night.”

Jenkins, who is averaging more than 13 point per game on the season, has scored a tad more than eight in the Wildcats last three games – a stretch where he is shooting 27 percent from the floor.

“Sometimes the younger guys, if they miss a couple shots, they don’t want to take the next shot, and we don’t want them to play that way,” Wright explained. “We tell them, if we have you out there on the court, we have confidence in you to shoot.”

Jenkins handed out three assists and grabbed five rebounds in Villanova’s 76-56 win over Mount St. Mary’s, Thursday night.

Top-seeded Villanova takes on No. 8-seed Wisconsin in Saturday’s second-round matchup. Josh Hart expects his teammate to be ready for the Badgers.

“When you’re a great shooter, you don’t worry about slumps,” Hart said of his teammate. “He’s a great shooter, and I just know his mindset: Every one that he’s going to shoot is going to go in.

“As a great shooter, you don’t worry about the ones you miss, you have a short-term memory, and that’s how he is.”

Villanova and Wisconsin will tip off 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Notre Dame – West Virginia contest set for a 12:10 start time.