Miles still hot beyond arc

Despite rep, guard sizzling from 3-point range

Kansas City, Mo. ? Someday, one of these long-range swishes finally will cause Aaron Miles’ reputation to crumble.

Can’t shoot? Try telling that to Kansas State.

Miles, Kansas University’s point guard, nailed four of six three-pointers and scored 18 points Friday in an 80-67 Jayhawk victory in the Big 12 Conference tournament quarterfinals. Only Wayne Simien’s 28 points prevented Miles from being KU’s high scorer Friday at Kemper Arena.

National pundits still question Miles’ future as a professional, though, mainly because they think the 6-foot-1 senior can’t score, particularly from beyond the arc.

But the Portland, Ore., native has drained 40 of his 77 three-point attempts this season — a 52-percent clip.

Need perspective? Kirk Hinrich was a secondary perimeter option on KU’s 2002 team behind Jeff Boschee. He hit 47.8 percent of his threes that year and was lauded for his long-range touch.

So where’s the love for Miles’ added weapon this year?

“It don’t matter,” Miles answered after taking a second to mull it over.

It was a predictable response from the quintessential team player, who seriously couldn’t care less what people think, as long as KU is winning. But his teammates have taken notice — both of Miles’ newfound ability and his outdated reputation that still tags along like a bratty kid sister.

KU's Aaron Miles, left, looks for an open teammate as he's pressured by K-State's Clent Stewart. Miles had four assists and was 4-for-6 on three-point tries against the Wildcats.

“I think his shooting often goes overlooked because of the fact that he’s a great passer and great on-the-ball defender,” senior Michael Lee said. “That’s what he’s known for. Because he wasn’t known for shooting early in his career, I think people still look over the fact that he’s been shooting tremendously well this season.”

Nothing kicked K-State in the gut Friday quite like Miles’ treys. His second gave KU its largest lead of the game at 23-8. His last two came on consecutive possessions, doubling the Jayhawks’ lead from six to 12 at 46-34 early in the second half.

The Wildcats recovered and brought the game within three in each half, but K-State never could climb over the mountain — in part because Miles’ shooting made it steeper.

“Reputation or not, the guy knocks down big shots,” Simien said. “It was definitely a key tonight. (K-State was) playing zone and double- and triple-teaming me, and I was able to find him several times. He was able to step up and knock them down.”

The Jayhawks move on to play Oklahoma State at 3:20 p.m. today in the tournament semifinals. They’re still shooting for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a first- and second-round trip close to home in Oklahoma City.

It seems KU, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma all are fighting for those two OKC berths this weekend.

With ailing Keith Langford’s status clouded, Miles could be even more important to the Jayhawks’ offense.

“I shoot if I’m open,” Miles said. “I’m not going to go out and force shots. But I think the more Wayne touches the ball, the more shots we’re all going to get.”