3 point shooting

[jwp91]

I am starting to temper my expectations for the season. While the media picked us 2nd in the conference, I have seen enough to see that consistent 3 point shooting will be our achilles heal this year that will contribute to unexpected losses over the course of the season.

We are shooting about 27% from behind the arc through almost 20% of the season. DSR is on fire making over 50% of his 3 point attempts. With the exception of Hopkins (whom I think should be excluded from the analysis as hopefully won't be taking any more 3s) no one else is shooting close to 40%.....Cameron at 36% does not qualify as close in my book.

Bowen and Trawick have yet to break the seal according to guhoyas.com. Domingo added to this group makes them 1 for 21 from behind the arc for a sub 5% combined shooting percentage.

While I would expect improvement in the 3pt shooting percentage from many of the players, I have seen enough inconsistency to know we have a problem and it is likely to bear its ugly head at the least opportune times.

[johnnysnowplow]

I'm not nearly as worried. Markel has proven himself capable in the past and is clearly just in a slump. The problem with looking at percentages this early on is that the samples are so small, they swing drastically on only a few data points. For example, Cameron was 50% before Lipscomb, where he went 0-3, bringing him down to 36% (4-11 overall). Had he made even 1 of his attempts in that game, he'd be 5-11, for a much improved 45%. Jabril and Bowen are just horrible shooters, yes. They will continue to badly miss almost every one they shoot. But we've got at least 3 capable outside shooters (I'm counting Cameron because the kid can clearly shoot despite "only" hitting on 36% so far) and another potential shooter in Domingo if he ever gets his mechanics together.

Even the teams we had in the past that had more "shooters" were prone to going cold in any given game and we'd lose. It happened last year too. Live by the three, die by the three. The difference this year is that with Smith down low and improved offensive efficiency from Jabril and Hopkins so far, we can actually score inside this year so missing from outside in any particular game is not a death sentence for us.

[saxagael]

I'm not sure what has happened to Trawick's 3 shot. When he has attempted it he has looked timid with it. Many of his attempts this year for 3s have been down in the corners, where I seem to remember he was more successful equal to or above the free throw line.

Starks has been jacking up threes from well beyond 3 line with "some" success. Bowen has never been a great 3 shooter, good perhaps but not the person I would set a three play for.his best spot seems to be the corners, but he gets well covered there and he is always inching in for tap backs. I think Cameron will get more time and improve his 3 capabilities in games, he is good now but getting covered. If Cameron can make his own shot out in three land it would help him as he is getting fairly well covered when he sets up there. Getting consistent drives from outside to the hoop could also open up some space for his threes.

As far as Hopkins shooting threes, he makes them and is quite consistent with them in practice. He has always had a really good mid-range and out shot, better than good. He took the roll of playing inside when that wasn't his strength, but Hoyas were short of options. I'm happy to see not only has his shot from range not diminished, it has improved. He is also a really smart shooter knowing when to take a shot from range or not. With Joshua and Moses getting most of the minutes at 5, which are better fits, Hop fits better in the 4 (particularly stretch 4 role) that also works really well in the JTIIII offense.

I would love to Domingo get his 3 working again and get it consistent as he can create his own shot outside, but it really helps if the shots go it.

[johnnysnowplow]

I have to agree that Starks is chucking threes from far too deep. In his case the issue isn't his ability, but his shot selection, which I'm hoping improves. When he's had open threes from a reasonable distance off handoffs and kick outs, he's generally made them.

[Deleted]

3 point shooting will be a lot better once Starks starts making some.. He’s taken the most by far and his percentage is right above 20%.. Hopefully that changes soon and he gets back or close to that 40% mark he shot last year… Aside from him DSR or Reggie Cam nobody should be taking more than 1 or 2 a game. You cant even put a pinky on someone driving in the lane so attack the basket...

[rockhoya]

Dec 1, 2013 10:21:39 GMT -5 jwp91 said:

I am starting to temper my expectations for the season. While the media picked us 2nd in the conference, I have seen enough to see that consistent 3 point shooting will be our achilles heal this year that will contribute to unexpected losses over the course of the season.

We are shooting about 27% from behind the arc through almost 20% of the season. DSR is on fire making over 50% of his 3 point attempts. With the exception of Hopkins (whom I think should be excluded from the analysis as hopefully won't be taking any more 3s) no one else is shooting close to 40%.....Cameron at 36% does not qualify as close in my book.

Bowen and Trawick have yet to break the seal according to guhoyas.com. Domingo added to this group makes them 1 for 21 from behind the arc for a sub 5% combined shooting percentage.

While I would expect improvement in the 3pt shooting percentage from many of the players, I have seen enough inconsistency to know we have a problem and it is likely to bear its ugly head at the least opportune times.

I generally agree, but two points. How is Cam's percentage not close??? One more make and he's basically a 40% shooter (even though this whole discussion of percentages is pointless five games in). Also, I wouldn't say we (Jabril, Aaron, and Domingo mainly) have been inconsistent....more like consistently bad. Ying and yang my friends

[HometownHoya]

Its been 5 games. 21 3's between 3 players over FIVE games is not a big deal. Would it help if they made those shots? Of course, but none of Jabril, Bowen, or Domingo are forcing up shots, they are all taking shots that the offense is giving them. My real complaint would be Markel taking Jason Clark esq shots from nearly at mid-court. Both Bowen and Jabril know what their strengths are and aren't forcing it and Domingo is growing trying to find his shot.