Oakland’s Jack Gohlke put on a shooting display in the first half of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky.
The No. 3 Wildcats went into the locker room firmly on upset watch, trailing 38-35 against the Golden Grizzlies. Gohlke had a lot to do with that. Oakland’s senior guard was 7-for-13 on three-pointers in the first half.
Gohlke’s final three of the half, which banked in off of the glass, even had one of the game’s officials impressed.
Oakland's Jack Gohlke is 7-for-13 on threes against Kentucky.
Even the referee is impressed. pic.twitter.com/uaWreFHDp4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 22, 2024
For reference, Gohlke’s seven made three-pointers were more than Kentucky and the rest of Oakland’s team combined for in the first half. The Wildcats made a trio of three-pointers, going 3-for-10, while the rest of the Golden Grizzlies were 2-for-7.
It was a dominant performance, which certainly caught the attention of NCAA Tournament fans.
I've been saying all season it's the Year of the Cold Ass White Boy in college basketball, and Jack Gohlke is doing a hell of a job making my point for me right now
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) March 22, 2024
One of the best 1st half's I have ever seen. https://t.co/mMZbi03jxi
— Joshua Andersen (@ProMotoFanTalk) March 22, 2024
Kentucky really gonna get sent home because jack gohlke aka chandler bing from friends dropped 40 on them lmao pic.twitter.com/Ur4FMH5UVX
— John (@iam_johnw) March 22, 2024
It’s so smooth off the screen too, he is already elevated and letting the ball go by time the defense reacts… && that’s when he doesn’t head fake and get the defender off their feet solo! https://t.co/kRzI9qmmXG
— 𝗭𝗮𝗰 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗻𝗲𝗿🎙 (@ZacOnTheMic) March 22, 2024
A picture of Jack Gohlke pic.twitter.com/lDs58PC0EX
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 22, 2024
The good news for Kentucky is that as well as Gohlke shot the ball, the Wildcats trailed by only three points at halftime. But for a program that hasn’t gotten beyond the second round since 2019, it’s a concern.
Gohlke entered Thursday’s game averaging 12.2 points per game on the season, while he shot 37% on threes. So, while the first half certainly exceeded what he’d done heading into Thursday’s game, Gohlke is a definite threat.
