As I looked through the SoG tally here on scoop, it stuck out how Kam Jones only received 1, despite putting up many great scoring performances this season. I revisited his game logs which reveals some pretty telling statistics. In the last 6 games Jones is averaging 9.5ppg on 37.5% from the field as opposed to 17.2ppg on 50.85% shooting in the previous 9 games.
As we get closer to March, getting Kam back on track will be important for MU's success in both the BE tournament and NCAAs. What do you guys attribute his recent struggles to?
Kolek's emergence as a scorer? Tyler has almost matched Kam's hot scoring output from 12/20 to 1/21, averaging 17.1ppg over the last 6 games.
Teams keying in on him? Do MU's big east counterparts have him locked down more after his hot start to conference play?
Simply a slump? If so, let's hope we can get the best of Kam, and soon.
How can Shaka and the Golden Eagles effectively get Kam back on track while still giving Kolek the green light?
Fix his hip?
Still only a second year player. Still playing huge minutes. He had a proportional production decline last year.
Quote from: tower912 on February 19, 2023, 11:46:25 AM
Fix his hip?
In reality he has been getting a lot more attention on his driving ability. He needs to start hitting open 3's again.
Quote from: tower912 on February 19, 2023, 11:46:25 AM
Fix his hip?
Good point. Despite the injury, he never sat out a game. I guess the plus is that Kolek has not only replaced his scoring but also managed to average nearly 7 assists per game. We're lucky to see Tyler becoming a star with a couple years left of eligibility.
Not sure which "option" to choose, but in the GT/MU game in DC? He had 14 points, 5/10 overall, 4/9 3's, all in 16 minutes PT. Just one game and vs. a crappy opponent, but still....Not too shabby.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 19, 2023, 11:51:52 AM
Not sure which "option" to choose, but in the GT/MU game in DC? He had 14 points, 5/10 overall, 4/9 3's, all in 16 minutes PT. Just one game and vs. a crappy opponent, but still....Not too shabby.
Yes, the GT game is evidence that he hasn't completely "lost it" the last half-dozen games. But he is shooting only .289 from 3 over that span, and the vast majority of those have been wide-open 3s. He was shooting .372 on the season before this stretch.
So either his hip is bothering him, he's in a slump, or both.
We definitely are a lesser team when he's not hitting a large percentage of his open 3s, so here's hoping he finds the range again.
I think Kam is in a mini slump and that happens. It has not kept him from pulling the trigger and this a good sign, imo. Keep firing it and he will shake out of it.
Agree, Goose, it happens.
Steph Curry had a 5-game stretch last season in which he shot .222 from 3. Sam Hauser lost playing time this season because because he went .279 over two months, and he's a pretty good shooter.
It's happened to every shooter in the history of basketball. Even Greg Elliott!
Quote from: Markusquette on February 19, 2023, 11:38:57 AM
As I looked through the SoG tally here on scoop, it stuck out how Kam Jones only received 1, despite putting up many great scoring performances this season. I revisited his game logs which reveals some pretty telling statistics. In the last 6 games Jones is averaging 9.5ppg on 37.5% from the field as opposed to 17.2ppg on 50.85% shooting in the previous 9 games.
As we get closer to March, getting Kam back on track will be important for MU's success in both the BE tournament and NCAAs. What do you guys attribute his recent struggles to?
Kolek's emergence as a scorer? Tyler has almost matched Kam's hot scoring output from 12/20 to 1/21, averaging 17.1ppg over the last 6 games.
Teams keying in on him? Do MU's big east counterparts have him locked down more after his hot start to conference play?
Simply a slump? If so, let's hope we can get the best of Kam, and soon.
How can Shaka and the Golden Eagles effectively get Kam back on track while still giving Kolek the green light?
Kam Jones is "struggling" in the past 6 games. In 3 of those games he had an individual offensive rating over 120. Over that stretch Marquette is 5-1. Kam Jones has a total of 4 turnovers in 6 games and 5 steals. Marquettes lone loss is to Uconn who finished the game +18 in three point "luck"/ variance.
So.... Marquette isn't off track at all. And our three point shooter is just missing threes.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 19, 2023, 12:26:14 PM
Kam Jones is "struggling" in the past 6 games. In 3 of those games he had an individual offensive rating over 120. Over that stretch Marquette is 5-1. Kam Jones has a total of 4 turnovers in 6 games and 5 steals. Marquettes lone loss is to Uconn who finished the game +18 in three point "luck"/ variance.
So.... Marquette isn't off track at all. And our three point shooter is just missing threes.
I had one foot on the ledge but now I'm back off
Quote from: Goose on February 19, 2023, 12:07:06 PM
I think Kam is in a mini slump and that happens. It has not kept from pulling the trigger and this a good sign, imo. Keep firing it and he will shake out of it.
Agree, Goose.
Shooting a basketball at a very high percentage requires tons of reps. Marquette has played a slew of important games lately, watching video, working hard during practice on taking away opponents' strengths and accentuating their weaknesses. Add the demands of being a college student, and of course there isn't near as much time now as during summer to work on individual skills. You can bet Kam put up thousands of shots this summer. It paid off early, and now he's riding things out. With this full week off, I guarantee you Kam has taken more than a few practice 3's.
His quick-flash drives, old-school lay-ups with contorted twists are very difficult shots. They are also extremely hard to defend. I remember early in the season thinking to myself "it's amazing how Kam never seems to miss these high difficulty driving, twisting layups through two defenders." Well, I think it's just law-of-averages or reversion-to-the-mean or whatever explaining why he's missed a couple lately. This is going to sound weird, but I feel that maybe had he not missed his share lately, maybe other players wouldn't be rebounding better lately as well. Does OMax sense the same urgency crashing the board on that game winning tip-in vs Xavier? He probably does, and still converts it. Still...That's the great thing about when one player suffers a slump. It provides the chance for another player to lift the team, and even signals the urgency of everyone picking up the slack.
I think things are falling into place for something great to happen, in terms of how the season has developed. Early blowouts against quality competition showed this team what it's capable of becoming. Then, surviving this testing conference portion of the schedule, and grinding out close wins in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
Can't wait to see it all unfold.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 19, 2023, 12:26:14 PM
Kam Jones is "struggling" in the past 6 games. In 3 of those games he had an individual offensive rating over 120. Over that stretch Marquette is 5-1. Kam Jones has a total of 4 turnovers in 6 games and 5 steals. Marquettes lone loss is to Uconn who finished the game +18 in three point "luck"/ variance.
So.... Marquette isn't off track at all. And our three point shooter is just missing threes.
Jones is playing a little uncharacteristic, wouldn't you say? I didn't say MU is off track. I just would hate to see a late season fade and hope he bounces back a bit and can regain that scoring touch.
Isn't it true that Kam has had one good scoring game since the hip injury? It may just be bothering him enough to throw his shot off a bit. but who knows....
My understanding of Kam's injury is that it was a hip pointer and that to protect the injury, he's basically been playing with a thick piece of padding over the site. I don't know if he's still doing that or if he stopped at some point...but I imagine having a piece of extra padding over your hip probably messes with your shot a bit.
GFAW,
Good take. I agree.
Quote from: Goose on February 19, 2023, 12:07:06 PM
I think Kam is in a mini slump and that happens. It has not kept him from pulling the trigger and this a good sign, imo. Keep firing it and he will shake out of it.
Yep, I was happy to see him drive to the hoop for the last shot against X. Surprised it didn't fall. Thank you OMax.
Kam missed a ton of layups against Xavier. Seemed just like an off night for him. I think he will bounce back.
GoFast
Good take. I am expecting him to get back on track before long. Too good of scorer for an extended drought.
Quote from: DoctorV on February 19, 2023, 12:35:20 PM
I had one foot on the ledge but now I'm back off
Nice! ;D
At least one of Kam and OMax needs to pick up their game. If both find their rhythm, it could be Final Four time.
Quote from: Jockey on February 19, 2023, 05:56:23 PM
At least one of Kam and OMax needs to pick up their game. If both find their rhythm, it could be Final Four time.
Sure would be nice though I have a feeling Stevie and Joplin will have the huge March moments for us this year.
Quote from: Goose on February 19, 2023, 02:38:34 PM
GoFast
Good take. I am expecting him to get back on track before long. Too good of scorer for an extended drought.
Goose,
He's been a bit hesitant since the injury to attack the paint. I also believe, while he hasn't been gunshy, he has released his J with some hesitation in lieu of simply rising and firing. Kam scoring the ball, and draining 3's, is essential to our offense moving forward . He allows us to spread the floor and opens up space for everyone.
My take is our guys just need to play without thinking so much about teams sagging and daring them to shoot the mid-range shot or walk in triple. We absolutely need Kam and OMax to play with confidence and 0.0 hesitation to reach the promised land.
Muggsy
I must have said a dozen times pull the trigger at the X game to various guys. Frickin let it rip and do not hesitate. I hope Kam and Omax get more aggressive on taking the quick shot. I think they both, and the team, would benefit a great deal from it.
Quote from: Goose on February 19, 2023, 08:56:31 PM
Muggsy
I must have said a dozen times pull the trigger at the X game to various guys. Frickin let it rip and do not hesitate. I hope Kam and Omax get more aggressive on taking the quick shot. I think they both, and the team, would benefit a great deal from it.
100% agree. It's as if the sag is playing voodoo tricks on them. If teams aren't extending the defense take the dribble pull-up with confidence or punch the paint with patience and force. Whatever happened to changing direction off the bounce and using the shot fake Goose? No need whatsoever for hesitation, that's not the same as exercising patience. Relax, square up, and tickle the twine. Once the defense buckles go into attack mode and take no prisoners. Let's get our offense cooking and back to an elite level.
The sag is taking away passing angles and cutters. And then, when Oso does attempt a post move, larger people are sitting on his left shoulder. He does not yet have a counter.
Quote from: tower912 on February 20, 2023, 05:48:15 AM
The sag is taking away passing angles and cutters. And then, when Oso does attempt a post move, larger people are sitting on his left shoulder. He does not yet have a counter.
I assume Oso and Shaka will be working on a counter.
Probably in the offseason.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 20, 2023, 06:01:02 AM
I assume Oso and Shaka will be working on a counter.
At McDonald's?
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 20, 2023, 06:58:13 AM
At McDonald's?
There's a counter move for everything in hoops Scoop Snoop. I'm not talking about fast food.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 20, 2023, 07:46:46 AM
There's a counter move for everything in hoops Scoop Snoop. I'm not talking about fast food.
How about the counter trey?
How about point-counterpoint
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYT62vzXYAI5aFf.png)
Scoop is very contrarian this morning, nothing new.
Quote from: tower912 on February 20, 2023, 05:48:15 AM
The sag is taking away passing angles and cutters. And then, when Oso does attempt a post move, larger people are sitting on his left shoulder. He does not yet have a counter.
So teams are daring MU to beat them with the 3 ball or in pick and roll situations?
Quote from: avid1010 on February 20, 2023, 08:59:27 AM
So teams are daring MU to beat them with the 3 ball or in pick and roll situations?
That's exactly what I would do.
Marquette's 2 point % is the best in the Big East at .583. Their 3 point percentage is fourth at .360, which is effectively .540. Make them beat you from deep because the 2 point offense is ridiculously efficient.
Quote from: tower912 on February 20, 2023, 05:48:15 AM
The sag is taking away passing angles and cutters. And then, when Oso does attempt a post move, larger people are sitting on his left shoulder. He does not yet have a counter.
I've seen some counters to the sag already.
Against Georgetown, there was a possession where the sag took away the baseline back cut from the corner. Oso dribbled to the FT line and handed the ball to Jop for a wide open top of the key 3.
Against Xavier, Marquette ran ball screens late. About 4 minutes left, Kam received a staggered double ball screen from Jop and Oso. Nunge was playing a one man zone in the lane. That gave MU a 3 on 2 situation on the perimeter, and Kam got into the lane with ease. Nunge had to step up to stop the ball and Oso slipped to the basket for an open layup from a Kam pass.
Second example is the lob that lead to Oso's FTs with under 30 seconds left. This time a 2 on 1 ball screen. Same affect, with Nunge rotating to Kam and Oso wide open for a lob. The only thing Kam's defender could do was commit a foul by undercutting Oso.
So the adjustments are already being made. It's not quite as free flowing, but there are ways to exploit the sag.
Quote from: Juan Anderson's Mixtape on February 20, 2023, 09:15:39 AM
I've seen some counters to the sag already.
Against Georgetown, there was a possession where the sag took away the baseline back cut from the corner. Oso dribbled to the FT line and handed the ball to Jop for a wide open top of the key 3.
Against Xavier, Marquette ran ball screens late. About 4 minutes left, Kam received a staggered double ball screen from Jop and Oso. Nunge was playing a one man zone in the lane. That gave MU a 3 on 2 situation on the perimeter, and Kam got into the lane with ease. Nunge had to step up to stop the ball and Oso slipped to the basket for an open layup from a Kam pass.
Second example is the lob that lead to Oso's FTs with under 30 seconds left. This time a 2 on 1 ball screen. Same affect, with Nunge rotating to Kam and Oso wide open for a lob. The only thing Kam's defender could do was commit a foul by undercutting Oso.
So the adjustments are already being made. It's not quite as free flowing, but there are ways to exploit the sag.
Kam can get the floater or the kiss off the glass from 6 feet on a lot of our possessions. It's the quick decision with the downhill dribble that would lead to innumerable buckets.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 20, 2023, 07:46:46 AM
There's a counter move for everything in hoops Scoop Snoop. I'm not talking about fast food.
;D ;D ;D
JAM, thank you for pointing out the already made adjustments. You are right. Well spotted. Against Creighton, I expect Kalkbrenner to sag and the rest to switch everything, close hard on Kam and Kolek, and funnel OMax and Stevie into Kalkbrenner.
Quote from: Juan Anderson's Mixtape on February 20, 2023, 09:15:39 AM
I've seen some counters to the sag already.
Against Georgetown, there was a possession where the sag took away the baseline back cut from the corner. Oso dribbled to the FT line and handed the ball to Jop for a wide open top of the key 3.
Against Xavier, Marquette ran ball screens late. About 4 minutes left, Kam received a staggered double ball screen from Jop and Oso. Nunge was playing a one man zone in the lane. That gave MU a 3 on 2 situation on the perimeter, and Kam got into the lane with ease. Nunge had to step up to stop the ball and Oso slipped to the basket for an open layup from a Kam pass.
Second example is the lob that lead to Oso's FTs with under 30 seconds left. This time a 2 on 1 ball screen. Same affect, with Nunge rotating to Kam and Oso wide open for a lob. The only thing Kam's defender could do was commit a foul by undercutting Oso.
So the adjustments are already being made. It's not quite as free flowing, but there are ways to exploit the sag.
Thanks for posting this. Other than the UCONN game result, in a strange way our competitors may have inadvertently done us a favor by identifying the chinks in our armor. It should help us make the changes we need to in order to advance in the Big Dance.
It seems many scoopers are
almost writing off the Creighton game as a L. Not me.
The Kam/Oso pick and roll that got the free throws at the end of Xavier also generated an Oso dunk over Clingan.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 20, 2023, 09:53:58 AM
It seems many scoopers are almost writing off the Creighton game as a L. Not me.
Not writing it off. Just managing my expectations.
Quote from: Coleman on February 20, 2023, 10:08:10 AM
Not writing it off. Just managing my expectations.
That's fair.
Quote from: Newsdreams on February 20, 2023, 08:47:19 AM
Scoop is very contrarian this morning, nothing new.
Eff you.
You're contrarian!
Quote from: Coleman on February 20, 2023, 10:08:10 AM
Not writing it off. Just managing my expectations.
Long COLE even worse than long COVID
What does COLE mean? I see it a lot recently and i am the only one who does not have a clue.
means Cult of Low Expectations.
All this means is hes due
Hopefully tomorrow is the day he collects
Quote from: Coleman on February 20, 2023, 10:08:10 AM
Not writing it off. Just managing my expectations.
Expect nothing less from a COLEman.
Quote from: MU62 on February 20, 2023, 03:48:54 PM
What does COLE mean? I see it a lot recently and i am the only one who does not have a clue.
Considering MU's performance over the last 10 seasons, the same group could be referred to as SORE, the Society of Realistic Expectations.
Great bounce back by Jones the last 2 games! Hopefully any lingering soreness is gone. Perfect time to get back on track.
He needs to go full Dame Lillard/Dwayne Wade.......
Quote from: burger on February 27, 2023, 02:14:58 AM
He needs to go full Dame Lillard/Dwayne Wade.......
I'm not even sure what this means. These are two players with a different skill set.