Over the last month, PJ Washington has received national recognition for leading Kentucky back into the top-five of the Associated Press poll. Under the radar, though, has been the steady production of running mate Tyler Herro.
Towards the end of January, Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated compiled a NBA mock draft that included Herro landing in the first round with the Golden State Warriors. Since then, the young shooting guard’s play has only elevated.
During the month of February, Herro has played an average of 33 minutes to score 17 points per game. He’s also grabbed an average of five rebounds and two assists.
More importantly, Herro’s production has been incredibly consistent during the eight-game stretch. The freshman shooting guard is shooting 52% from the field, 51% from behind the arc and an astounding 97% from the free throw line (28-29).
Herro’s most recent outing was without doubt his most spectacular, scoring 12 first half points to keep Kentucky in contention at home against Arkansas.
The Wildcats found themselves trailing by double-digits at halftime to a struggling Razorbacks team, but Herro was determined to get his team back on track. Playing with an irritated achilles, Big Blue’s star shooter poured in 17 second-half points to total a career high 29 and aid the team’s comeback victory.
With Washington receiving double teams every possession, it was foreseeable that Herro would flourish with more room on the outside.
Opposing guard and fellow freshman, Isaiah Joe, had high praise for Herro’s game.
“Tyler’s definitely a great player. I played against him a few times and we knew coming into the game what we were going to see from him and he delivered,” Joe said.
Head coach John Calipari was asked about Herro’s swagger following the come-from-behind win.
“Well, you do know he gave up like 25 points today,” Calipari said. “In threes. He gave up like the first 11. So he had a great swagger going on defense.”
Of course, only Calipari can push the right button of a player who scored 29 points on 10 shots and was tied for a team-best +7 for the game.
“But he played well,” Calipari said. “He was 9-10 from the floor. He only shot 10 balls. I didn’t know. I didn’t know he had 29. I’m looking at this for the first time. Wow. 9-10. Probably should have shot more balls, huh?”
Of course Herro probably should’ve had more looks, but Kentucky will gladly live with his 29 points.
When Herro himself took the podium, he was asked about a moment late in the game where he iced two free throws to close the deal.
“I’m a bucket,” Herro said. “I feel like it’s going to go in every time I shoot a free throw.”
So far this season, Herro has been more than just a bucket. However, on Tuesday, his team needed a bucket. And he delivered.