[Paint Touches] What will MU's offense look like in 2025?

[PaintTouches]

Been meaning to publish this for 2 months. Ooops.

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This split of Kam's stats is the basis of a lot of my optimism.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I have a question about this statement:

"The smart money is on "no" as no MU player has even crossed the 27% threshold the past 4 seasons. But I do think Kam will come close. Barring a sudden early return from injury from Sean Jones, or an unexpected leap from a ballhandler like Tre Norman or Chase Ross, a huge portion of the offense will fall on Kam's creative abilities..."

What does an "expected leap" look like? Because to me, Kam isn't going to be like the six games from last year because Chase and/or Tre SHOULD be better.  I have no doubt this team rides as far as Kam can take them, but I don't think it's unreasonable to think that Tre or Chase could be effective enough to lower his minute percentage to a more "normal" level.

[PaintTouches]

I think you may have confused usage with minutes %. I only have Kam around 80% of minutes. What that bolded part refers to is possessions. Those two had the fewest P&R + pass possessions of the guards (MU's primary offensive creation method).



I think they both double their 2024 load, but that still leaves 400 or so possessions from Kolek, with a huge chunk of that going to Kam. Look at his P&R usage without TK.



 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Thank you for this. I get completely what you are saying, but I think you are extrapoltaing too much from a pretty unique situtation. Kam was placed into a situation where he had to play so much because not only was Tyler hurt, but Sean was out for the year - the top two PG options when the season started. There really were no other options other than Kam.

My guess is that Chase and/or Tre will step up much more than you project because the staff and them have known since March that their roles were going to be different and expanded.

[PaintTouches]

No doubt, and as I have all of my eggs in the Chase basket, would love to be pleasantly surprised, haha. I think Stevie/Jop/Ben will see a big lift themselves, too, so don't mean it to sound like Kam is the only creator on the team.

I still think Kam flirts with 30% usage, though, and am willing to guarantee he ends up with the highest usage rate in the Shaka era.

[dgies9156]

The assumption here is that we have last year minus TK and Oso.

I don't buy it. If I'm right, Chase, Tre and Zaide as well as our freshmen (and David and Ben) will have stepped up and become what Coach Shaka thinks they will be. My best guess is if that happens, we'll barely miss a step or two.

If I'm wrong, this will be a long season and I'll be drinking a lot at NMD.

[GoldenEagles03]

Ben Gold listed as a top 20 center in basketball by the Field of 68.

https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/1852410282364322096?t=faZHmzaD1fWccldEDqPKdA&s=19

[Its DJOver]

Don't they know he's not a "real" center?

[MU82]

Don't they know he's not a "real" center?

Nor do we have a "real" point guard. We are a pretend team, and therefore are doomed.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Ben Gold listed as a top 20 center in basketball by the Field of 68.

https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/1852410282364322096?t=faZHmzaD1fWccldEDqPKdA&s=19

Third best in the Big East. I think that's fair.

[Uncle Rico]

Strikes me as a team that will struggle to score 50

[Shooter McGavin]

Strikes me as a team that will struggle to score 50

Quit making fun of the posters who thought our team would only average 50 pts a couple years ago.  They were Wojo guys.  Give them a break. They know not what they speak.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Quit making fun of the posters who thought our team would only average 50 pts a couple years ago.  They were Wojo guys.  Give them a break. They know not what they speak.

No one said that. Someone said there would be nights where the team would score in the 50s. They were correct four times that season.

[tower912]

I said there would be games where MU would only score in the 50's.   There were 4.  A 5th where it was in the 50's at the end of regulation.  I was right.   I never said MU would average in the 50's or would struggle to score 50.

But, the legend is funnier and a better story.

[Uncle Rico]

I said there would be games where MU would only score in the 50's.   There were 4.  A 5th where it was in the 50's at the end of regulation.  I was right.   I never said MU would average in the 50's or would struggle to score 50.

But, the legend is funnier and a better story.

This team will struggle to score in the 50's

[tower912]

...in the first half.


This team will be fine.

[Lennys Tap]

I said there would be games where MU would only score in the 50's.   There were 4.  A 5th where it was in the 50's at the end of regulation.  I was right.   I never said MU would average in the 50's or would struggle to score 50.

But, the legend is funnier and a better story.

Your larger point was that MU would be a poor offensive team. We were 64th in ORtg, a 30 spot improvement from the previous season.

[tower912]

Wrong again.  Early in the season, as the offense resembled one pass and shoot a 3, and there was wailing and gnashing of teeth, I was preaching patience.   That the offense would improve as the players learned to go past their first option, and that there were elements of Buzz's midget offense, with drive and dish opposite  components.   And I said that that Kolek kid reminded me of Brunson after the Illinois win.
  But it is nice to know I always have somewhere to visit rent free.

[Shooter McGavin]

No one said that. Someone said there would be nights where the team would score in the 50s. They were correct four times that season.

I know. Should have been in teal. Sorry to stir the pot.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I know. Should have been in teal. Sorry to stir the pot.

Never apologize for someone elses ability to miss obvious sarcasm