Ben Gold’s shot

[Scoop Snoop]

LOL I saw F next to his name and assumed it was Freshman... not Forward.

What a maroon.

Those are delicious cookies.

[mug644]

LOL I saw F next to his name and assumed it was Freshman... not Forward.

What a maroon.

Those are delicious cookies.

It's macarooni that is a cookie, silly.

[Viper]

Then watch where he sets up.   Does he set up in the post?  If so, then that is where Shaka wants him.   If he sets the high screen and flares to the 3 pt line, that is where Shaka wants him.   Watch the game.  Assume the players are going where coached.  If they don't, it will be obvious.

I played ball, but I don't know ball. So, question. In your assessment, why does Shaka want a 6'11" guy that is not showing to be a very consistent 3pt shooter, flaring to the 3pt line? An attempt at drawing the D out? Butler had that figured out, but that was one game where MU was historically cold from outside. Any other reason?

[PGsHeroes32]

I played ball, but I don't know ball. So, question. In your assessment, why does Shaka want a 6'11" guy that is not showing to be a very consistent 3pt shooter, flaring to the 3pt line? An attempt at drawing the D out? Butler had that figured out, but that was one game where MU was historically cold from outside. Any other reason?

Basically.

Shakas offense is all about open 3s and efficient shots at the rim.

Ben(even if the makes are not consistent) is always getting open looks. And by him being out there its opening up the paint for Oso and our guards who are all elite at the rim.

[MUfan12]

I played ball, but I don't know ball. So, question. In your assessment, why does Shaka want a 6'11" guy that is not showing to be a very consistent 3pt shooter, flaring to the 3pt line? An attempt at drawing the D out? Butler had that figured out, but that was one game where MU was historically cold from outside. Any other reason?

Keeping the guard and the big in pretty constant motion makes life really hard on the defense. Look at what TK and Oso can do and that's all inside of 12 feet. Ben even being a threat to shoot drags a defender out to the perimeter or forces a switch.

PT just shared this clip- https://twitter.com/PaintTouches/status/1750630954886951139

The pick and pop puts DePaul in rotation, and even though the look didn't come from it, the guy who was guarding Ben couldn't drop to the paint and muck it up for Oso.

[tower912]

Oso doesn't post up in the traditional sense, either.   Not what MU runs.   MU optimizes Oso's abilities with pick and rolls as well as allowing Oso to handle the ball and create.   MU utilizes Ben with pick and pop action.   There have been glimpses of Ben eventually being to create off the dribble from the perimeter, perhaps even with passes to others, like his alley oop to Amadou.
   Ben plays like an international big.  Perhaps, before he graduates, he will develop a rudimentary post game, perhaps with a push shot from in the paint or a left handed jump hook.  Oso didn't have those two years ago.  It is too soon to write Ben off.
   With MU playing what is essentially a 5 out motion set, there are many possibilities for a skilled 6'10 player with 3 pt range.

[BCHoopster]

Like Ben playing with Oso, as he is rebounding better on the D side, plays better D than Joplin.  Ben needs to figure out how to improve his offensive game, very limited other then jacking up 3's.

[ATL MU Warrior]

At some point, they are gonna run action where Ben rolls to the hoop and the defense is gonna be like WTF?

[tower912]

That would be fun.

[Viper]

At some point, they are gonna run action where Ben rolls to the hoop and the defense is gonna be like WTF?

time is now, hey

[Daniel]

At some point, they are gonna run action where Ben rolls to the hoop and the defense is gonna be like WTF?

I really think this will happen... he has the skill for it,  then try to guard him... can shoot the three, can drive and slam.    Needs a post up game and then. Bam!

[tower912]

Had an amazing euro step against Nova.    How quickly they forget.   

[Shooter McGavin]

I don't think anyone is forgetting.  I think they see it too infrequently. Hopefully he plays his role to the best of his ability and Shaka starts to trust him more and more.  I agree with you and others that he is going to be pretty damn good by the time his MU career is over. 

[MU82]

Keeping the guard and the big in pretty constant motion makes life really hard on the defense. Look at what TK and Oso can do and that's all inside of 12 feet. Ben even being a threat to shoot drags a defender out to the perimeter or forces a switch.

PT just shared this clip- https://twitter.com/PaintTouches/status/1750630954886951139

The pick and pop puts DePaul in rotation, and even though the look didn't come from it, the guy who was guarding Ben couldn't drop to the paint and muck it up for Oso.

Yep. And I can remember at least 2 instances in the StJ game where we had an open path to the hoop because Soriano had to pay attention to Gold.

Pitino respects Gold more than some Scoopers do.

[BM1090]

Ben is up to 31.7% on 3 attempts per game. That is just fine for a sophomore backup big.

[MUbiz]

Ben is up to 31.7% on 3 attempts per game. That is just fine for a sophomore backup big.

Yes that is just fine - the only issue I have with the 3pt shooting is the consistency. Last year we were much more consistent. I do not remember massive swings in 3pt percentage from game to game like we have seen this year. 

[The Sultan]

We were just worse. .353 v. .325 this year. We have had a couple stinkers that drove down the average - at PC and home v. Butler.

[MUbiz]

We were just worse. .353 v. .325 this year. We have had a couple stinkers that drove down the average - at PC and home v. Butler.

Thanks! I was looking for what we shot last year. Yes, we are worse, but hoping we can shoot 35% going forward.

[We R Final Four]

Butler 5/31 16%
Texas 14/30 47%

[tower912]

Butler 5/31 16%
Texas 14/30 47%

Combined 19/61 31%  or just marginally under the season average.

[We R Final Four]

Combined 19/61 31%  or just marginally under the season average.

Yes....the average.

[The Sultan]

And last year we hit 50% against Vermont. I don't much difference in terms of variation - we're just worse.

[We R Final Four]

Yes that is just fine - the only issue I have with the 3pt shooting is the consistency. Last year we were much more consistent. I do not remember massive swings in 3pt percentage from game to game like we have seen this year.

Confirming Biz' position of massive swings in 3 pt% this season, not season 3 pt average compared to last season.

[tower912]

Huh

[Goose]

Anyone that gave up on Ben did so very prematurely. I get being disappointed or frustrated, but he has a very ceiling, imo. MU needs him to continue to gain confidence and I think he plays a big role the rest of the way.