Three Point Shooting

[79Warrior]

DePaul had 14 made treys and shot almost 50% from behind the arc. We made 4 and shot 25%. It is damn near impossible to win ( as we illustrated today) when we allow teams to light us up like that. We have been shelled two games in a row from three point land.

We were fortunate to get out of there today. The three has been such an important part of the college game and we don't have the offensive firepower to trade threes for twos.

Today's game was much much closer than it ever needed to be.

[GGGG]

Buzz wants to get paint touches on offense...wants to prevent them on defense.

His defense has always been about preventing interior touches even if it means giving up threes.  It is almost always how Marquette loses under Buzz.

[jesmu84]

Buzz wants to get paint touches on offense...wants to prevent them on defense.

His defense has always been about preventing interior touches even if it means giving up threes.  It is almost always how Marquette loses under Buzz.

Sultan, do you happen to have any data or statistics to support that this approach is the right one? I understand the thought process behind it, but I'm just wondering if we wouldn't be better off guarding the 3 and chancing 2s going in.

[mileskishnish72]

There must be stats to show how we stack up on D vs. 3's.y guess is we're not too highly rated.

[kylelylemustrong]

I would like to see the same data

[GGGG]

Sultan, do you happen to have any data or statistics to support that this approach is the right one? I understand the thought process behind it, but I'm just wondering if we wouldn't be better off guarding the 3 and chancing 2s going in.

I have no data and I am not sure it is the right approach.

[MerrittsMustache]

MU opp shoot 35.7% on 3s, ranking MU 233rd nationally in 3PT D.

MU opp shoot 45.3% on 2s only, ranking MU 68th nationally in 2PT D.

On average this season, college basketball teams shoot 34.34% from 3 and 48.52% from 2. I'm guessing these numbers are obviously involved in Buzz's thought-process. MU's lack of a defensive post presence, aside from Otule, particularly in the last few seasons of undersized post-players probably are part of the equation as well. Not saying it's right or wrong, just providing some numbers.

[Jay Bee]

His defense has always been about preventing interior touches even if it means giving up threes.  It is almost always how Marquette loses under Buzz.

Nonsense.

[WarriorFan]

Last night the principal defender was going under the screen or there was a switch.  For Creighton, the principal defender went over the screen which is why the D got pulled out too far and allowed more space for layups.  For some reason last night the 2nd defender in the screen situation did not "hedge" or "show" which would have prevented some of the open looks, but also takes them a step farther from the paint. 

Buzz does change his screen coverage based on situation and opponent.

What I thought the problem was last night was the coverage was just too slow.  Jamil and Juan and Derrick were all a bit lazy a few times getting behind the screen and back on their man, and this allowed enough time for a good shot.  With no hedge by the 2nd defender, this became a nice open look. 

[MerrittsMustache]

Last night the principal defender was going under the screen or there was a switch.  For Creighton, the principal defender went over the screen which is why the D got pulled out too far and allowed more space for layups.  For some reason last night the 2nd defender in the screen situation did not "hedge" or "show" which would have prevented some of the open looks, but also takes them a step farther from the paint. 

Buzz does change his screen coverage based on situation and opponent.

What I thought the problem was last night was the coverage was just too slow.  Jamil and Juan and Derrick were all a bit lazy a few times getting behind the screen and back on their man, and this allowed enough time for a good shot.  With no hedge by the 2nd defender, this became a nice open look. 

Well said. DePaul shoots 33.5% from 3 on the season. Playing the percentages, you'd expect them to hit about 9 or 10 if they take 29. Instead they made 14.  May not seem like a huge increase but that's 12-15 points.