No Jump Shooters

[wisblue]

MU has several problems, but one of the top issues on my list is that they have no true jump shooters.

When I watch the games, even against a weak team like Valpo, I could count several shots that the opponents make that nobody on MU could get off, much less make.

I count in this category, players who can get off a 3 point shot quickly, including off the dribble or coming around a pick, players who can drive into the lane and pull up and get off a 10-15 shot over their opponent, and players who can post up and get off a turnaround or fall away shot. Some of these shots have a much higher chance of going in than some of the heaves that MU players are forced to toss up when they drive to the basket and are challenged by a rim protector.

This lack of jump shooters makes MU extremely easy to defend. It shouldn't be any surprise that they have trouble getting off a decent shot in those end of game situations. 

[MU82]

Yes, we need more good shooters.

[Zog from Margo]

MU does not appear to have a guy who can pull up off the dribble and take a jump shot as the clock is running down. That's for sure.

[JakeBarnes]

Pull Nash's redshirt!

[wisblue]

Yes, we need more good shooters.

It's more than just good shooters. It's having different types of shooters who can present more challenges to a defense.

For example, if a player is no threat to pull up and take a jump shot, the defender can play him tight around the three point line and not be concerned if he drives to the basket where he will be met by the big man who can park under the basket without being concerned that his man can step out for a 10 foot jump shot.

One of the criticisms of MU is that they miss too many "layups". While they have missed some real bunnies.a lot of those "layups" are tightly contested shots close to the basket that are much tougher than a shot from 12 feet directly in front of the basket.

[We R Final Four]

For example, if a player is no threat to pull up and take a jump shot, the defender can play him tight around the three point line and not be concerned if he drives to the basket where he will be met by the big man who can park under the basket without being concerned that his man can step out for a 10 foot jump shot.

Izzo says hello.

[BCHoopster]

Does Shaka recruit a kid with a real mid range jumper or a kid strong enough to hit a three with a jumper?  Not that I have seen, hard to believe.  As good as Ross is, he would be unstoppable with a jumper!

[romey]

Uh oh.  Here we go again.  Mid-range shots.

[Jay Bee]

Izzo says hello.

Bro does produce some great assistant video coordinators, tbh

[Zog from Margo]

Uh oh.  Here we go again.  Mid-range shots.

There's a difference between making it a focus of the offense and being able to hit one if needed.

[MuggsyB]

We don't have a spot shooter or a guy who can consistently use his handles, rise, fire, and bury jumpers.  Whether it be at the 3 pt line or anywhere else.  As for our unconscionable futility in the paint?  We almost never are balanced or play off of two feet.  We have no clue how to change angles or direction.  And we are wildly out of control like a bowling ball as opposed to a competent D-1 basketball player. 

[BM1090]

It's more than just good shooters. It's having different types of shooters who can present more challenges to a defense.

For example, if a player is no threat to pull up and take a jump shot, the defender can play him tight around the three point line and not be concerned if he drives to the basket where he will be met by the big man who can park under the basket without being concerned that his man can step out for a 10 foot jump shot.

One of the criticisms of MU is that they miss too many "layups". While they have missed some real bunnies.a lot of those "layups" are tightly contested shots close to the basket that are much tougher than a shot from 12 feet directly in front of the basket.

Agree with this. And it's my main issue with the no mid-range strategy. You don't need to take mid-range often, but you do need to have a guy or two comfortable creating and scoring from that area when the defense successfully takes away the paint and the three point line.

NBA teams have all but eliminated the midrange, but when you get to the playoffs you see a lot more of it and teams that advance typically have guys that are comfortable there. The same is true for college.

[We R Final Four]

Agree with this. And it's my main issue with the no mid-range strategy. You don't need to take mid-range often, but you do need to have a guy or two comfortable creating and scoring from that area when the defense successfully takes away the paint and the three point line.

NBA teams have all but eliminated the midrange, but when you get to the playoffs you see a lot more of it and teams that advance typically have guys that are comfortable there. The same is true for college.

Good points. Royce could be that man. Strong, tough guy with a 10' fadeaway would change things.

[jesmu84]

We don't have a spot shooter or a guy who can consistently use his handles, rise, fire, and bury jumpers.  Whether it be at the 3 pt line or anywhere else.  As for our unconscionable futility in the paint?  We almost never are balanced or play off of two feet.  We have no clue how to change angles or direction.  And we are wildly out of control like a bowling ball as opposed to a competent D-1 basketball player. 

You say this all the time and it's absolutely meaningless.

[MuggsyB]

You say this all the time and it's absolutely meaningless.

That's not an answer, a retort, or anything in between. 

[brewcity77]

Christ, this team can't score on the good looks from three or open shots at the rim we do get and we're worried about mid-range? FFS if we can't make the easy, high-value shots the last thing we want to do is try to open up the parts of the floor where no one regularly hits much more than 0.8 points per shot.

[Jay Bee]

Christ, this team can't score on the good looks from three or open shots at the rim we do get and we're worried about mid-range? FFS if we can't make the easy, high-value shots the last thing we want to do is try to open up the parts of the floor where no one regularly hits much more than 0.8 points per shot.

True (except for taking the Lord's name in vain - shame!). It's a good reminder #FTsNoMatta.

Even if we shot an unthinkable 60% from the line, getting there would be a godsend.

I know there is going to be a game(s) where we get lucky from 3. I hope it's Saturday. #pray

[BM1090]

Christ, this team can't score on the good looks from three or open shots at the rim we do get and we're worried about mid-range? FFS if we can't make the easy, high-value shots the last thing we want to do is try to open up the parts of the floor where no one regularly hits much more than 0.8 points per shot.

I don't think it's a priority for this team. It's more of a concern for teams that are bordering on elite than one in MU's position.

It's not about taking more than a couple of midrange shots per game. It's about changing the geometry of the floor. If you don't have to be guarded in midrange then you're not going to be a threat to pass from that area either. You don't have to actually take the shots but you have to be able to make them. Oso for example wouldn't have been nearly as effective of a passer if his defender didn't have to respect him from 8-12 feet with his hooks and floaters.

But this team has far more basic issues so they don't need to worry about that.

[MuggsyB]

I don't think it's a priority for this team. It's more of a concern for teams that are bordering on elite than one in MU's position.

It's not about taking more than a couple of midrange shots per game. It's about changing the geometry of the floor. If you don't have to be guarded in midrange then you're not going to be a threat to pass from that area either. You don't have to actually take the shots but you have to be able to make them. Oso for example wouldn't have been nearly as effective of a passer if his defender didn't have to respect him from 8-12 feet with his hooks and floaters.

But this team has far more basic issues so they don't need to worry about that.

Agreed

[wisblue]

Christ, this team can't score on the good looks from three or open shots at the rim we do get and we're worried about mid-range? FFS if we can't make the easy, high-value shots the last thing we want to do is try to open up the parts of the floor where no one regularly hits much more than 0.8 points per shot.

You're missing my point.

I'm not saying that this collection of players should try to set up more midrange shots. I'm saying that the fact that they don't have players with jump shots makes the offense very easy to defend.

That's a criticism of recruiting.

Given the things these players can and can't do,they are largely stuck with an offense that's going to rely on 3 point shooting, and they're not very good at it.

If the staff had been able to recruit a couple of jump shooters in the senior, junior, and sophomore classes, maybe they wouldn't be in the bind they are now.

[MU82]

You're missing my point.

I'm not saying that this collection of players should try to set up more midrange shots. I'm saying that the fact that they don't have players with jump shots makes the offense very easy to defend.

That's a criticism of recruiting.

Given the things these players can and can't do,they are largely stuck with an offense that's going to rely on 3 point shooting, and they're not very good at it.

If the staff had been able to recruit a couple of jump shooters in the senior, junior, and sophomore classes, maybe they wouldn't be in the bind they are now.

Yes, we need more good shooters.

[Shaka Shart]

A turnaround jumper from the elbow should be worth 3 points due to its importance

[brewcity77]

You're missing my point.

I'm not saying that this collection of players should try to set up more midrange shots. I'm saying that the fact that they don't have players with jump shots makes the offense very easy to defend.

That's a criticism of recruiting.

Given the things these players can and can't do,they are largely stuck with an offense that's going to rely on 3 point shooting, and they're not very good at it.

If the staff had been able to recruit a couple of jump shooters in the senior, junior, and sophomore classes, maybe they wouldn't be in the bind they are now.

That I agree with. The lack of Growth from the bulk of our returning players in this regard is a major concern.