OT: Tournament Discussion

[Bearcat_NTS]

You clearly haven't seen Nik Stauskas play live, it even further reinforces the need to have a good shooter. He caused the UK defense to focus on him, leaving others open. When they would guard the three point line, he would drive it right down their throats. He is just great to watch, you know it is going to go in right out of his hand.

I get tired of UC fans consistently complaining about not having shooters like the staff is willingly refusing to recruit shooters.

Hopefully among the current group of guys someone can emerge a three pointer shooting specialist. That would do wonders for the floor spacing and create much better opportunities for Thomas and Lawrence. I believe next year will be the most offensively capable roster Mick has had in 8 years. Now the question is how will they develop. I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the end of next season...

 

[JumpinJack5]

I get tired of UC fans consistently complaining about not having shooters like the staff is willingly refusing to recruit shooters.

Hopefully among the current group of guys someone can emerge a three pointer shooting specialist. That would do wonders for the floor spacing and create much better opportunities for Thomas and Lawrence. I believe next year will be the most offensively capable roster Mick has had in 8 years. Now the question is how will they develop. I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the end of next season...

I'm not blaming anyone, just wish we had one. Our staff works hard and does the best they can with the cards they are dealt....

 

[TheLongHaul]

I get tired of UC fans consistently complaining about not having shooters like the staff is willingly refusing to recruit shooters.

Hopefully among the current group of guys someone can emerge a three pointer shooting specialist. That would do wonders for the floor spacing and create much better opportunities for Thomas and Lawrence. I believe next year will be the most offensively capable roster Mick has had in 8 years. Now the question is how will they develop. I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the end of next season...

Obviously the staff doesn't willingly refuse shooters but they place greater emphasis on just about all other aspects of the game, that much is obvious.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I get tired of UC fans consistently complaining about not having shooters like the staff is willingly refusing to recruit shooters.

Hopefully among the current group of guys someone can emerge a three pointer shooting specialist. That would do wonders for the floor spacing and create much better opportunities for Thomas and Lawrence. I believe next year will be the most offensively capable roster Mick has had in 8 years. Now the question is how will they develop. I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the end of next season...

couldn't agree more. Graham if he comes,KJ and TC will give us more then enough 3 point options without even mentioning Sanders and Guyn who both have had their moments. My big concern is replacing the defense we lost in Rubles and JJ. Post defense next year is my biggest concern.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Obviously the staff doesn't willingly refuse shooters but they place greater emphasis on just about all other aspects of the game, that much is obvious.

I don't agree with that.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I don't agree with that.

That's fine, but what is your explanation for why his teams continually struggle with their outside shooting?

 

[Bearcat22]

couldn't agree more. Graham if he comes,KJ and TC will give us more then enough 3 point options without even mentioning Sanders and Guyn who both have had their moments. My big concern is replacing the defense we lost in Rubles and JJ. Post defense next year is my biggest concern.

The post defense has a chance to be solid. We'll have true low post players in DeBerry, Strickland, and Moore that won't be out muscled. That will give JL a chance to play at a more natural position and use his athleticism to block shots on help defense. Clark will contribute as well.

 

[TheLongHaul]

That's fine, but what is your explanation for why his teams continually struggle with their outside shooting?

For reference, below is how UC ranked for 3 point shooting over the past several years:

2014: 198th
2013: 255th
2012: 171st
2011: 185th
2010: 279th

That is terrible.

 

[JasonS]

That's fine, but what is your explanation for why his teams continually struggle with their outside shooting?

The lack of a post presence does not lead to as many open three pointers as other teams get. There is no collapsing on the post. Add in the fact that Titus couldn't shoot a jumper and that just left another player that could sag off Titus and clog up the lane for a drive a kick. A team like Memphis didn't have many good shooters from deep. The best way to beat them was to sag off and give them that shot. I don't see teams sagging off UC shooters (Titus excluded) just begging them to shoot the three. Sanders, SK, KJ late, Troy all showed they could be dangerous from deep this season. I bet if you go look at the percentages, you will see UC shot much higher from three on the break, secondary break and off of offensive rebounds than just running offense. When this team was at it's most dominant, Jackson was established early in the game forcing teams to respect him and therefore opening up the outside jumpers. No, there is no Field Williams on this team, but there are adequate shooters who would be good shooters with more open looks. Does everyone want a knock down, lights out shooter? Yes. Of course. But finding one that is ready to play high major D-1 ball is like finding a dominant big man. There are a few out there but they are in high demand and unlikely to pick UC at this time.

 

[TheLongHaul]

First, you only mention this past year. I noted stats showing that they have been horrible dating back to the 2009-2010 season. And they had a good low post presence in Yancy Gates for some of those years.

Also, I know I've read over and over on these boards that the offensive scheme is fine, UC is just missing open shots. Sounds like you are saying they aren't getting open shots? I do agree with that to a point. I think they struggle too hard to get open looks, but I also don't think they have very good shooters on the team. Sanders is probably the best but he has missed the rim on a handful of wide open 3's. Really good shooters don't airball their shots.

 

[Bearcat04]

For reference, below is how UC ranked for 3 point shooting over the past several years:

2014: 198th
2013: 255th
2012: 171st
2011: 185th
2010: 279th

That is terrible.

Of course you'd rather shoot better from 3, but what is the correlation to 3pt % and winning?

Creighton was the best in the country and they got upset early. UK is #229 and they are still playing.

 

[Bearcat22]

Here's a look at historical true shooting % over the years. Its' a the bottom of the page, you might have to scroll down.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/cinc...2013-2014&chart=true_shooting_pct&type=#chart

 

[TheLongHaul]

Of course you'd rather shoot better from 3, but what is the correlation to 3pt % and winning?

Creighton was the best in the country and they got upset early. UK is #229 and they are still playing.

You answered your own question. If there wasn't a correlation, why would you "of course" want to shoot better at 3's? Because it gives you a better chance at winning.

But just for arguments sake, Creighton was the best in the country but they shot 21% from 3 while Baylor shot 61% in their loss. And yes, UK was #229, but in their win against Michigan they shot 64% from 3 while Michigan shot 39%. They shot poorly against UL but UL actually shot worse (29% vs. 27%).

 

[Bearcat04]

You answered your own question. If there wasn't a correlation, why would you "of course" want to shoot better at 3's? Because it gives you a better chance at winning.

But just for arguments sake, Creighton was the best in the country but they shot 21% from 3 while Baylor shot 61% in their loss. And yes, UK was #229, but in their win against Michigan they shot 64% from 3 while Michigan shot 39%. They shot poorly against UL but UL actually shot worse (29% vs. 27%).

How much better of a chance though? That's what I was getting at. I'm guessing there's a happy medium, where you are an effective 3pt shooting team, but you don't live and die by the shot.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

How much better of a chance though? That's what I was getting at. I'm guessing there's a happy medium, where you are an effective 3pt shooting team, but you don't live and die by the shot.

Florida isn't a great three point shooting team but they have Michael Fraizer who is a great shooter and Wilbekin who hits timely shots from the perimeter. Arizona has Gabe York as a specialist and Nick Johnson hit timely shots. Those are two teams that play a very similar style to Cincinnati (excellent defensive teams and play a very slow pace). That is the type of composition that UC will try to replicate.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

UConn is leading Florida by 3 at the half. Great recovery after a rough start where they scored just 4 points in the first 11 minutes (sounds familiar).

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

UConn is leading Florida by 3 at the half. Great recovery after a rough start where they scored just 4 points in the first 11 minutes (sounds familiar).

Offense comes and goes but defense is forever.UCONN went small and began taking advantage of their athletism. Daniels really stepped up. A lot like UC when they get that 3rd option.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Offense comes and goes but defense is forever.UCONN went small and began taking advantage of their athletism. Daniels really stepped up. A lot like UC when they get that 3rd option.

Their "big three" of Napier, Boatwright and Daniels have been fantastic. Very highly skilled guys...

 

[Levettation]

I used to root for UC's conference mates to do well, and even though we need AAC credibility I am not sure what comes from this amazing UCONN run in the tourny. It makes the AAC look better, but then again it could help the Huskies get into another conference (likely the ACC).

 

[Bearcat04]

Their "big three" of Napier, Boatwright and Daniels have been fantastic. Very highly skilled guys...

And there were actually posters on here that tried to argue that UConn was just a 2-man team. Daniels is a very good player.

The road for UK just keeps getting easier and easier. Sickening.