Oakland’s Bader closing in on 3-point record

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Travis Bader was a North Carolina fan growing up, but there was at least one Duke player who earned his respect.

That was J.J. Redick, the man whose record for career 3-pointers Bader is on the verge of breaking.

“It just seemed like everybody hated him, and I really don’t know why everybody hated him. It was just this kid who could go out there and light it up,” Bader said.

Bader has never faced the kind of constant taunting that Redick endured, but the Oakland University senior is now dealing with pressure of a different sort.

Although he hasn’t been at his best lately (12 of 53 in last five games), Bader needs eight 3-pointers to surpass Redick’s Division I record of 457.

Bader has played only 126 games, but he’s already attempted 1,127 3-pointers – one more than Redick. Their percentages from 3-point range (.406 for Redick and .399 for Bader) are almost even.

“I never thought of anything like making the most 3-pointers in the NCAA,” Bader said.