3 for 22

[MuggsyB]

You're not beating decent teams if you can't make a three.  That's the bottom line.  Beyond frustrating. 

[Johnny B]

And it was one freakin guy who hit those 3.. just amazing.

[Shaka Shart]

I thought this thread was about egg prices

[PointWarrior]

exactly, this is why we cant have nice things...

[MuggsyB]

And it was one freakin guy who hit those 3.. just amazing.

It truly is. Boy am I upset right now. 

[MarquetteMike1977]

Agree hard to beat great teams on the road when you are 3/22 from 3. True besides Jop the team was 0/16. Do not believe Kam has ever gone 0/5 from 3 and has the last 2 games 0/10. UCONN was 7/20. Switch those around and Marquette Wins by 18 points. Very Disappointing. We will bounce back at home against Saint John's.

[Shaka Shart]

I just slashed 3 of my neighbors tires in honor of 3/22

[1SE]

How much of this is on Shaka. Does he know how to use ChatGPT?

"I coach a high-level, major, college basketball team. Some of my players have been shooting well below their career 3pt% for quite a few games. What are some strategies I might try to employ to help get them back to their best performance?

ChatGPT said:

As a high-level college basketball coach, you know that shooting slumps can be as much mental as they are mechanical. Here are some key strategies to help your players regain their shooting confidence and efficiency:

1. Optimize Shot Selection & Rhythm

Review Film: Analyze if they're taking more contested or off-balance shots compared to past seasons. Are they rushing their release? Are they getting fewer catch-and-shoot opportunities?

Emphasize Catch-and-Shoot Opportunities: Get them in situations where they're stepping into shots in rhythm off clean passes.

Use More Actions to Free Them Up: Implement more off-ball screens, flare screens, or dribble-handoff actions to generate easier looks.

Adjust Shot Distribution: If they're forcing deep or tough threes, encourage them to attack the rim or take mid-range shots to build confidence before stretching back out.

2. Reinforce Shooting Fundamentals

Check Mechanics: Sometimes, minor mechanical issues creep in over time. Work with your shooting coach to ensure their balance, follow-through, and release point are consistent.

Short-Range Shooting Drills: Have them start practice with makes from short distances (e.g., "form shooting" from 5–10 feet) before moving to threes.

Reps, Reps, Reps: Rebuild muscle memory with high-rep shooting drills, emphasizing game-speed conditions (e.g., 100 makes a day at game pace).

3. Focus on Confidence & Mental Resilience

Encourage a "Shooter's Mindset": Great shooters believe the next shot is going in. Emphasize that slumps are temporary and to trust their work.

Remind Them of Past Success: Show clips of their best shooting games to reinforce their ability.
Free Them from Pressure: If they seem tense, remind them to focus on good shot selection rather than make/miss results.

4. Game Adjustments & Usage Tweaks

Get Them Easy Buckets First: If a shooter is struggling, getting an early layup or free throw can build confidence before taking deep threes.

Let Others Create for Them: If they're struggling off the dribble, design plays where teammates penetrate and kick to them for open looks.

Reduce Fatigue: Late-game legs impact shooting. Manage minutes or use rotation adjustments to keep them fresh.

5. Data-Driven Tweaks

Analyze Shot Charts: Look at their shooting zones—are they struggling from one particular spot? Adjust play design accordingly.

Compare Past Seasons: Identify if anything has changed in their shot mechanics, workload, or role.
Would you like drills or specific sets designed to get shooters clean looks?

You said:

Yes

ChatGPT said:

Here are some effective drills and sets designed to get your shooters high-quality looks and rebuild their confidence:

Drills for Improving 3-Point Shooting

1. "3-2-1 Shooting Drill" (Game-Speed, Pressure)
Shooter starts at the wing or corner.
3 shots: Catch-and-shoot.
2 shots: Off the dribble (one-dribble pull-up into three).
1 shot: Sprint into a shot off a screen (e.g., flare or pin-down).
Repeat for different spots. Make 5–7 in a row before moving.
Why? Builds rhythm shooting and replicates different in-game situations.

2. "Around the Horn: 7-Spot Shooting" (Repetition & Consistency)
Players shoot 5 shots per spot: Corner, wing, top, wing, corner, extended wings.
Goal: Hit 30/50 (or adjusted target) in a set.
Add pressure: If they miss a shot, they must hit 3 in a row before advancing.
Why? Simulates catch-and-shoot repetition under pressure.

3. "Pin-Down & Drift Shooting" (Coming Off Screens)
Place a screener at the elbow or low block.
Shooter starts at baseline, then sprints up off the screen.
Read options:
Tight curl if defender trails.
Flare to wing if defender goes under.
Straight cut for a clean three.
Passer delivers in rhythm.
Why? Mimics movement off screens, improves footwork and quick release.

4. "Beat the Closeout" (Live Defender)
Shooter starts at the 3-point line.
Defender closes out late (either aggressively or soft).
Shooter must read the closeout:
If late: Catch-and-shoot three.
If too aggressive: One-dribble pull-up.
If defender recovers: Escape dribble & relocate for another shot.
Why? Forces decision-making and improves reaction time.
Game Sets for Generating Open 3s

1. "Floppy Action" (Classic Shooter Set)
Shooter starts under the rim, between two screeners.
Reads defense:
Uses double screen to pop out for three.
If overplayed, cuts backdoor for a layup.
Best For: Sharp shooters who move well without the ball.

2. "Horns Flare" (Great for Stretch Shooters)
Set: Both bigs at elbows in a Horns formation.
Guard enters ball to a big, then sets a flare screen for the shooter.
Shooter drifts to opposite wing for a three.
Best For: If defenses overplay pin-downs, this action gets shooters open looks.

3. "Spain Pick & Roll" (Advanced NBA Action)
Standard high pick-and-roll, but with a shooter setting a backscreen for the roller.
After screening, shooter flares out for an open three.
Best For: Spacing out bigs and getting shooters open after screens.

4. "Elevator Screen" (Great for Quick Releases)
Shooter starts at free-throw line.
Two screeners at the elbows close the gap after shooter runs through.
Shooter pops out at the top of the key for an open three.
Best For: Getting clean looks with quick execution.

Would you like video links or diagrams for any of these? Let me know if you want adjustments based on your team's personnel!

[Stretchdeltsig]

The bottom line is that you mast make 3s to win period.

[IrwinFletcher]

You're not beating decent teams if you can't make a three.  That's the bottom line.  Beyond frustrating. 

Agreed.  And yet this awful team was within 1 point with 1 minute left in an incredibly difficult arena vs. a very talented team led by a great coach.

I get the frustration.  I  am as well.  But we were still in this game to the end.  A month ago we would have lost this game by 20.  I am looking forward to saturday and see if we can see an improvement in our play that we have seen over the past couple of weeks.

[Viper]

You're not beating decent teams if you can't make a three.  That's the bottom line.  Beyond frustrating. 

...and yet the game was winnable! But you are correct. MU's lack of shooting and no inside game to speak of...In hindsight early season success is all the more amazing. Wins over Purdue, Maryland, Wisconsin and Creighton are definitely earning interest. Win Saturday and get one next week, and maybe a 6 seed can be had. Lose both and play the dreaded 8/9 game for a chance to play who...Auburn? Our guy Kon & Duke?

[Captain Quette]

The team has layed some bricks this year from 3 and not shown much improvement. Kams shot looks flat and his follow through looks like he's tossing fish in Seattle. We also had a rough time on the boards. Place most of the blame on shaka for roster construction. I continue to say we need a shooter and a big from the portal next year.

All that aside, team played with toughness, applied great ball pressure. Thought gold and jop had very good games. Optimistic for Johnnie's.

[The Sultan]

...and yet the game was winnable! But you are correct. MU's lack of shooting and no inside game to speak of...In hindsight early season success is all the more amazing. Wins over Purdue, Maryland, Wisconsin and Creighton are definitely earning interest. Win Saturday and get one next week, and maybe a 6 seed can be had. Lose both and play the dreaded 8/9 game for a chance to play who...Auburn? Our guy Kon & Duke?

Not only was it winnable, I really believe they should have won it. Marquette wasn't missing closely guarded threes either. Stevie, Chase and Kam all had opportunities that were pretty wide open.

[mugrad_89]

No attempts from Ben and only one from Zaide should not happen. 

[tower912]

How many 3's were forced?  How many were open and in the flow of the offense?

[The Sultan]

How many were open and in the flow of the offense?

Many. And that's becoming part of the problem frankly. If you can't hit them when they are wide open, I don't know what you can do.

[tower912]

During UConn's game changing run, MU was going downhill, getting to the rack, not making the lay ups and not getting the calls.  MU made the adjustment.   It did not pay off.

[79Warrior]

Many. And that's becoming part of the problem frankly. If you can't hit them when they are wide open, I don't know what you can do.

Yep. This team has been an enigma from 3 all year. What you see is what you get. It cost them last year versus NC State and probably will be the downfall this post season.

[Jay Bee]

exactly, this is why we cant have nice things...

Eggzactly

[MUfan12]

Many. And that's becoming part of the problem frankly. If you can't hit them when they are wide open, I don't know what you can do.

That's why it's so frustrating. Everyone screams that they should take it to the hoop when the threes aren't falling, but teams will pack it in and MU isn't big/strong enough to finish through contact. The result is that wild acrobatic crap that Chase likes to throw up there in traffic.

Given the choice, I'd keep shooting the open ones and hoping a few drop. But it sucks to watch.

[muwarrior97]

Is shooting a skill that can be developed over time OR is it just one of the capabilities you have to recruit for?

I've heard Shaka talk about rebounding as something you have to recruit for on the Thursday radio show......IF shooting is something you develop then this is definitely one item that Marquette sucks at developing

Love this squad's effort but they are clearly the "Can't Shoot Straight Gang" 

[The Sultan]

I think shooting can be developed - to a point. Developing a better form and release point is possible. But developing the touch and feel for shooting is likely something that you either have or you don't.

[mug644]

Kolek and Vander are a couple of guys who come to mind as having developed stronger and more consistent shooting during their time at MU.

[MUfan12]

But developing the touch and feel for shooting is likely something that you either have or you don't.

I'd add the footwork to that as well. Watch really good shooters off the ball and their base when they catch. Puppies are always organized, as Raf would say.

I think this leads to a lot of Jop's inconsistency. A lot of times he'll catch, feet will be pointed sideways, and are too close together.

[MUbiz]

You can develop a shot and become more consistent. It just boggles my mind that our two highest volume 3 point shooters are a combined 111/365 and 30% for the season. I did not see that regression coming.