Jop harnessing his handles

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Raftery, who didn't have his best game last night, was begging Jop to dribble more and drive more.

He was making the same point the previous MU game as well. Does he not see the results when  Jop tried to dribble or back his defender down?

[Shooter McGavin]

 

Shots in the lane are not considered "mid-range."  A 12 footer outside the lane is fine if the shot clock is winding down, but with enough time on the clock, Marquette would rather create a better looking shot - in the rim or an uncontested three. It's simply more efficient.

I think you are right about what people, like myself, think a mid range shot is by definition.  I like Joplin taking a close baseline shot or mid lane shot  to 8 feet rather than going to all the way to the basket and getting blocked because he can't jump or simply over dribbling and turning it over.  He has demonstrated that he can make those shots and they probably don't meet the definition of midrange.  He made two last night. 

Those shots are good for him with his height and shooting ability whatever they are called.  Not everyone should be taking those however.  NYP.  Obviously wide open threes and straight line drives for layups are better.  But when defenses get tough in the later rounds of the tournament, mid to close range jumpers are sometimes needed to score.  You see the best teams do it every year. 

Hopefully Jop continues to hit 2 or 3 a game.  It makes him and our team more dangerous offensively.

[MU82]

Agree that Raft was a bit off last night, but still a joy to listen to him and Benneti. Pretty lucky to get them as a regular Big East crew.

Benetti is a real pro and Raf is Raf. I thought last night both of them really got into rooting for Nova, especially when MU was threatening to run away with it. I kind of get it - they want viewers to stay tuned - but it was beyond just one or two comments.

He was making the same point the previous MU game as well. Does he not see the results when  Jop tried to dribble or back his defender down?

As an announcer, I don't think Raf is a big "does his homework" guy.

[Newsdreams]

Jop's usurpation of that game over rebound was a thing of beauty.  Excellent box out first and then he ended all hope from Nova.

He helped my sinful ways with that rebound.

[Tyler COLEk]

Benetti is a real pro and Raf is Raf. I thought last night both of them really got into rooting for Nova, especially when MU was threatening to run away with it. I kind of get it - they want viewers to stay tuned - but it was beyond just one or two comments.

As an announcer, I don't think Raf is a big "does his homework" guy.

On the contrary, Raftery is well renowned for his intensive preparation. I think at 80 years old he's just losing some sharpness. Always going to happen at some point.

[MUbiz]

On the contrary, Raftery is well renowned for his intensive preparation. I think at 80 years old he's just losing some sharpness. Always going to happen at some point.

Raf is a national treasure; he might be losing a little on the fastball but that will never deter me from watching a game he is calling. One of my greatest memories from Marquette was when we got to drink with Raf after midnight madness one year. It was amazing to listen to the stories.

[Afroman]

Jop needs to model his game after Klay Thompson, who rarely dribbles.

[mug644]

Jop needs to model his game after Klay Thompson, who rarely dribbles.

Interesting. I think Jop's build and bulk are more than Klay, and so he can pound inside a bit more than Klay. That said, I'm a believer that Jop should first and foremost be a shooter. I think he has potential to post up smaller defenders, but the dribble drive and backing in need to be lessened.

[Markusquette]

I'm laying off Jop a bit for now since he's one of the only guys shooting reasonably well from outside

[Daniel]

Jop has pretty much improved in all aspects -  now that said, practice some free throws.  But pretty happy with Jop lately

[jesmu84]

If jop is going to take the ball inside, I'd much prefer him back someone down than quick dribble drive.

[Goose]

jesmu

I agree completely. I still believe he can be a big time in the paint scorer, but not under his current style of play.

[Jay Bee]

How iz da assist rate l00kin?

[Uncle Rico]

How iz da assist rate l00kin?

Only 37% less than TyKo

[Elonsmusk]

If jop is going to take the ball inside, I'd much prefer him back someone down than quick dribble drive.

I'd have to disagree here.  Would prefer Jop to make one, quick, decisive move versus the crab dribble, back down that stagnates the offense and usually ends up with Jop forcing a tough contested FGA at the basket.  Jop is only shooting 43.8% on 2 PT FGA, a full 7% worse than our second worst 2 PT FG% player, Chase who is at 51.1%.

I do think Joplin should get some freedom to shoot open midrange shots outside of the paint, as I feel he'd have a better success rate shooting those  (than any other player on the team)  and better than backing down another player and trying to corkscrew himself a shot up and around a more athletic defender.

[jesmu84]

I'd have to disagree here.  Would prefer Jop to make one, quick, decisive move versus the crab dribble, back down that stagnates the offense and usually ends up with Jop forcing a tough contested FGA at the basket.  Jop is only shooting 43.8% on 2 PT FGA, a full 7% worse than our second worst 2 PT FG% player, Chase who is at 51.1%.

I do think Joplin should get some freedom to shoot open midrange shots outside of the paint, as I feel he'd have a better success rate shooting those  (than any other player on the team)  and better than backing down another player and trying to corkscrew himself a shot up and around a more athletic defender.

I don't personally think it's a good idea for jop to dribble drive or back down. But I prefer the back down for the lower chance of a too-sped-up/out of control turnover or horribly low chance shot.

[mug644]

In my earlier post, I was trying to find a third way for Jop...not just face up shooting 3s vs. slow dribble backing in. I think there can be opportunities for him to post up close to or in lane when he has a smaller defender on him. Catch a pass and move quickly to turn and shoot; no extensive dribbling and fast moves.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Or watching Jamal Murray kill the Bucks scored 35 or so with mostly mid range shots!

Jamal Murray hit 4 mid-range shots against the Bucks and made 9 shots in the paint

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm laying off Jop a bit for now since he's one of the only guys shooting reasonably well from outside

You must have a really high standard for "reasonably well" because on the current 5-game win streak:
Ross: 66.7% on 3 attempts
Joplin: 45.5% on 33 attempts
Kolek: 43.8% on 23 attempts
Stevie: 40.0% on 10 attempts
Kam: 35.7% on 14 attempts
Gold: 33.3% on 21 attempts

Jop is king, but I don't think you can say he is the only one shooting reasonably well at the moment.

[rocket surgeon]

anyone notice- jop seems to go 1 for 2 on his free throws the more time between attempts.  he seems to miss the first one, usually short, then re-adjusts and swishes the 2nd.  it's like he has to re-calibrate with the first shot each time he goes to the line.  if he were to say on the line after his first attempt, i'll bet he goes 10 for 10-half in jest, but just saying.

   needs to take a few lessons from oso

[CountryRoads]

anyone notice- jop seems to go 1 for 2 on his free throws the more time between attempts.  he seems to miss the first one, usually short, then re-adjusts and swishes the 2nd.  it's like he has to re-calibrate with the first shot each time he goes to the line.  if he were to say on the line after his first attempt, i'll bet he goes 10 for 10-half in jest, but just saying.

   needs to take a few lessons from oso

I thought the same but then I looked it up after the Nova game and here are the splits:

First FT: 12/19
Second/Third FT: 12/18
Total: 24/37

[swoopem]

anyone notice- jop seems to go 1 for 2 on his free throws the more time between attempts.  he seems to miss the first one, usually short, then re-adjusts and swishes the 2nd.  it's like he has to re-calibrate with the first shot each time he goes to the line.  if he were to say on the line after his first attempt, i'll bet he goes 10 for 10-half in jest, but just saying.

   needs to take a few lessons from oso

His setup seems very square to the hoop too as opposed to when he's shooting from deep he usually has his fight foot a little in front of his left (which is pretty standard). I think his setup on the line needs to be adjusted and not be so dead on square

[MU82]

You must have a really high standard for "reasonably well" because on the current 5-game win streak:

Ross: 66.7% on 3 attempts
Joplin: 45.5% on 33 attempts
Kolek: 43.8% on 23 attempts
Stevie: 40.0% on 10 attempts
Kam: 35.7% on 14 attempts
Gold: 33.3% on 21 attempts

Great stats, TAMU.

We aren't a great 3-point shooting team, but we're a lot better than we had shown during the bad stretch. And many of us kept saying that when our 3-point shooting turns back around, we'll do some serious winning.

Sometimes it's not all that complicated, and I think that's the case with Marquette: When we make a reasonable number of 3s - folks can define "reasonable" as they want, but I'll say 34-38% - we are VERY difficult to beat because our offense creates a lot of open 3s and we do so many other things well.

[rocket surgeon]

I thought the same but then I looked it up after the Nova game and here are the splits:

First FT: 12/19
Second/Third FT: 12/18
Total: 24/37

Thanks for this.

Seemed in nova game he missed the first free throw 3 times in a row so going into nova game he would have been 12/16 making my observation in accurate...that's a first🤪

[Newsdreams]

Thanks for this.

Seemed in nova game he missed the first free throw 3 times in a row so going into nova game he would have been 12/16 making my observation in accurate...that's a first🤪

FTs no matta