Sean Kilpatrick

[ucswais]

Good points on both sides, but my main thought is if we're going to complain about SK shooting lots of 3s we need to reconsider a lot of our half court sets. We spend a ton of time and energy getting him decent looks from the perimeter so if we're asking him to shoot it less from out there we are probably reorganizing a lot of our offense.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Good points on both sides, but my main thought is if we're going to complain about SK shooting lots of 3s we need to reconsider a lot of our half court sets. We spend a ton of time and energy getting him decent looks from the perimeter so if we're asking him to shoot it less from out there we are probably reorganizing a lot of our offense.

I don't really like comparing SK's numbers of last year. Our entire offense was based around the perimeter, and all they would do is swing the ball around till the shot clock winded down and someone had to chuck one up from a mile. The opposing D would just guard the 3. He had PLENTY more open looks his soph year than he did last year. Now, I feel like he's been getting more open looks this year, but he isn't as wide as he often was his 2nd year. I agree that he's streaky, but I also think he's just been guarded a lot tougher the last couple years, and he isn't that great unless he's pretty wide open. But even when wide, he can go into dry spells, i.e. right now.

 

[Bearcat22]

I would tend to agree with this, but using Rutgers as an example, he shot it 10 times from deep and at least half he was wide open and a few were with the shot clock expiring. I think there was one that I counted that I thought was a bad shot. So while 10 is too many, it doesn't paint the whole picture in this case. He did a very good job attacking the basket against Rutgers. Eventually he has to figure it out or cut down his shots but as of now I still want him to shoot it if he is open.

I agree with your points. A common sense approach is needed. If there's a good open look he should take it. Launching 3's early in the shot clock, when you could get that shot later in the possession are the ones that drive me nuts - not pointing a finger at SK just a general statement about offense overall. Quick shots negates JJ's, Rubles and JL's passing ability which has lead to looks in the paint and Caupain and Sanders being the recipients of that extra pass leading to some open 3's from the corners.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Good points on both sides, but my main thought is if we're going to complain about SK shooting lots of 3s we need to reconsider a lot of our half court sets. We spend a ton of time and energy getting him decent looks from the perimeter so if we're asking him to shoot it less from out there we are probably reorganizing a lot of our offense.

The point isn't getting him open looks from the outside, it should be SK being more efficient and getting the team to take the best percentage shot. If we run SK off multiple screens and he gets the ball and he is open from 3 but has missed 7 in a row, he needs to drive/get fouled or drive/pull defense in then kick to Sanders/Shaq/Troy for an open shot. Shaq and Sanders both shoot better from 3 than SK, and SK is a better FT shooter. I think what people are saying is that he needs to pick his spots. While he isn't an great shooter he still is dangerous from the outside. WHen his outside shots aren't falling get the ball to the open shooter or drive and draw a foul and make 2 FT's.

 

[L-T]

I would tend to agree with this, but using Rutgers as an example, he shot it 10 times from deep and at least half he was wide open and a few were with the shot clock expiring. I think there was one that I counted that I thought was a bad shot. So while 10 is too many, it doesn't paint the whole picture in this case. He did a very good job attacking the basket against Rutgers. Eventually he has to figure it out or cut down his shots but as of now I still want him to shoot it if he is open.

And, after I posted that he should try to find his shot against lesser competition, I realized that the last two games are against the lesser competition in the league, so maybe that is why he shot more. Anyway, I want him to shoot and make them. I just hope he realizes that this team is developing more good options than just him. Early in the season, we all felt that as he goes, so goes the team. It's not that way anymore, so there's no need for him to put pressure on himself thinking that he needs to shoot in every critical situation. He is still the man, but when "da man" isn't hitting, he's now got some other pretty good men to pick up the slack.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Sean's career Ft shooting numbers say his game has changed substantially from more jump shooting and less threes to dribble drive and draw fouls.
FT FTA FT% games
2010-11 65 90 72.2 35
2011-12 66 88 75 52 37
2012-13 107 145 73.8 34
2013-14 88 102 86.2 17


His number of 3 attempts are also down. I'd say he has altered his offensive approach. Would I like to see him make a few more, absolutely but I don't think he is relying on it as his primary weapon. His assist average is also the highest of his career. If he makes a couple more shots a game and keeps everything else the same we will all be very happy with his production. Fact is we are 15-2 and playing our best basketball of the season with him being a little off from long range. i really don't want him to change his game just make a few more shots. Everything else is fine. This season he is producing, more free throws,more assist and less threes. Those are all good things he is delivering.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Sean's career Ft shooting numbers say his game has changed substantially from more jump shooting and less threes to dribble drive and draw fouls.
FT FTA FT% games
2010-11 65 90 72.2 35
2011-12 66 88 75 52 37
2012-13 107 145 73.8 34
2013-14 88 102 86.2 17


His number of 3 attempts are also down. I'd say he has altered his offensive approach. Would I like to see him make a few more, absolutely but I don't think he is relying on it as his primary weapon. His assist average is also the highest of his career. If he makes a couple more shots a game and keeps everything else the same we will all be very happy with his production. Fact is we are 15-2 and playing our best basketball of the season with him being a little off from long range. i really don't want him to change his game just make a few more shots. Everything else is fine. This season he is producing, more free throws,more assist and less threes. Those are all good things he is delivering.

If you extrapolate his numbes out to a full season, his game really hasn't changed that much.

The number of 3 pt shots right now is at 117. If we play 17 more games he will be at 234 which is right around his total for the past 2 seasons (245,267)

His assists are also high for this year (43). If you figure we play 17 more games his assists would be the highest in his career(86) but only by 10 if he keeps on same pace. 63, and 78 the past 2 years respectively.

He will end up shooting a lot more FT's this year than any other year. This could be a factor of a couple things. The increase of foul calling this year has to be the #1 factor. The other factor is that Mick is using him almost as a pg so he has the ball in his hands more and gets more chances to get to the line, this goes with point #1.

His numbers haven't changed drastically the past 3 years, based on him keeping the same pace the second half of this season. His steals, again on pace for what he reached the past two seasons. His rebounding numbers are down considerably also this season at the mid-way point.

I would also call shooting 12% (4-33) in the last 5 games from deep more than, "a little off."

Hopefully he shrugs it off and gets going soon. Bottom line for UC to make a run at the end of the season in conference tourneys and NCAA, we need Kilpatrick shooting better than the last 5 games.

 

[Bearcat04]

I'd like to see SK's average number of 3's drop from 7 to about 5 per game. It's not that I don't have confidence in him regaining his stroke, I just think he's a much better player inside the arc. He's shooting a career best 52% on 2pt FG and those numbers have gotten better every year. I do not know, however, if those numbers are skewed by more fastbreak points. I'd also like to see him attack the basket more in the first half. I couldn't find a 1st half/2nd half split, but it seems like he struggles more to make shots in the first 20 minutes. With this defense just imagine how much tougher it'll be to beat this team when SK gets hot. Hopefully he's just saving it for an outstanding month of March!

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I'd like to see SK's average number of 3's drop from 7 to about 5 per game. It's not that I don't have confidence in him regaining his stroke, I just think he's a much better player inside the arc. He's shooting a career best 52% on 2pt FG and those numbers have gotten better every year. I do not know, however, if those numbers are skewed by more fastbreak points. I'd also like to see him attack the basket more in the first half. I couldn't find a 1st half/2nd half split, but it seems like he struggles more to make shots in the first 20 minutes. With this defense just imagine how much tougher it'll be to beat this team when SK gets hot. Hopefully he's just saving it for an outstanding month of March!

I agree. He needs to stop relying on the three point shot. I feel like in the first half he takes a bunch of three's trying to get "hot." It shouldn't take until the second half to attack the basket. He isn't a shooter, he is a scorer. Kilpatrick is going about it backwards.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If you extrapolate his numbes out to a full season, his game really hasn't changed that much.

The number of 3 pt shots right now is at 117. If we play 17 more games he will be at 234 which is right around his total for the past 2 seasons (245,267)

His assists are also high for this year (43). If you figure we play 17 more games his assists would be the highest in his career(86) but only by 10 if he keeps on same pace. 63, and 78 the past 2 years respectively.

He will end up shooting a lot more FT's this year than any other year. This could be a factor of a couple things. The increase of foul calling this year has to be the #1 factor. The other factor is that Mick is using him almost as a pg so he has the ball in his hands more and gets more chances to get to the line, this goes with point #1.

His numbers haven't changed drastically the past 3 years, based on him keeping the same pace the second half of this season. His steals, again on pace for what he reached the past two seasons. His rebounding numbers are down considerably also this season at the mid-way point.

I would also call shooting 12% (4-33) in the last 5 games from deep more than, "a little off."

Hopefully he shrugs it off and gets going soon. Bottom line for UC to make a run at the end of the season in conference tourneys and NCAA, we need Kilpatrick shooting better than the last 5 games.

can't agree with your assumptions. The offense is now flowing through both him and JJ. His FT's are up because he is going to the hoop and shooting less jump shots. His assist will keep improving as the youngsters develop. In years past do you think not having a inside game to rely on had something to do with his assist number. Who would he throw it to? Now with him and JJ able to play a two man game his assist are up. Look I hope he can make a few more shots. I honestly think he will.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

can't agree with your assumptions. The offense is now flowing through both him and JJ. His FT's are up because he is going to the hoop and shooting less jump shots. His assist will keep improving as the youngsters develop. In years past do you think not having a inside game to rely on had something to do with his assist number. Who would he throw it to? Now with him and JJ able to play a two man game his assist are up. Look I hope he can make a few more shots. I honestly think he will.

SK's numbers aren't much different for a full season this year compared to the last two. FT's are up all around the country due to the hand checking rules now in addition to SK having the ball more. Assists is the main number that is higher, rebounds are lower.

 

[mdchick]

The fact is in college basketball there is a shot clock if we are getting off shots generally I can not be upset with it. Three pointers are the easiest shot to get offensive rebounds off of, from the amount of time the ball is in the air it gives all of the offensive players to gain position on the defensive players. To me a the 3 point shot should ether be a transition jump shot or the last possible option in the offense. But there is no doubt it is way better than a turnover, by shooting a 3 at least we have a chance of the ball going in the basket.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

The fact is in college basketball there is a shot clock if we are getting off shots generally I can not be upset with it. Three pointers are the easiest shot to get offensive rebounds off of, from the amount of time the ball is in the air it gives all of the offensive players to gain position on the defensive players. To me a the 3 point shot should ether be a transition jump shot or the last possible option in the offense. But there is no doubt it is way better than a turnover, by shooting a 3 at least we have a chance of the ball going in the basket.

With UC's thin front line that statement is not necessarily true. What if Rubles and Jackson are on the bench with foul trouble?

 

[handwaver]

The fact is in college basketball there is a shot clock if we are getting off shots generally I can not be upset with it. Three pointers are the easiest shot to get offensive rebounds off of, from the amount of time the ball is in the air it gives all of the offensive players to gain position on the defensive players. To me a the 3 point shot should ether be a transition jump shot or the last possible option in the offense. But there is no doubt it is way better than a turnover, by shooting a 3 at least we have a chance of the ball going in the basket.

Actually, if you do the math, UC produces more points/shot by shooting 3's than 2's. As a team, they have shot 96/287 shooting 3's or 288 pts.
Shooting 2's, they are 321/698 for 642 pts. So, every 3 pt shot has produced at least one pt. whereas the 2 pt attempts have produced less than a point/shot. Something to think about....now, of course, some of the 2 pt shots become and one's, so that produces a few more points but UC doesn't have that many 3 pt plays, so I don't think that's relevant

 

[handwaver]

For the time being I would like to see SK taper it back a bit on the threes. Maybe 5 or so a game not 7, 8, or 10. If he can make 40% he can shoot 10. Right now he is a more effective weapon driving and getting to the line. Kid knows how to predict, create and handle contact.

Wide open 3's or late in the shot clock I am fine with. Other than that I would like to see him driving, passing, running off picks etc. I would also rather see TC running point most of the time and SK at the 2 with the possible exception of icing the game. I wouldn't mind seeing his minutes scaled back just a tad so we don't wear him out. He might be worn out already judging on outside shooting alone.

LOL...if he (or anyone) could consistently make 40%, there would be no reason to ever shoot anything else. That would be the equivalent of making 60% of your 2 point shots.

 

[waterhead]

LOL...if he (or anyone) could consistently make 40%, there would be no reason to ever shoot anything else. That would be the equivalent of making 60% of your 2 point shots.

That was my point. If he was shooting 35% I would be OK with 5-8 a game. 40% go ahead and shoot 10. But since he is struggling under 20% recently he needs to scale back 5 or under until he starts knocking more of them down.

 

[waterhead]

That was my point. If he was shooting 35% I would be OK with 5-8 a game. 40% go ahead and shoot 10. But since he is struggling under 20% recently he needs to scale back 5 or under until he starts knocking more of them down.

So if you are making UNDER 20% of your 3's at 10 shots (I will give the benefit of making 2)...that's 6 points. If you are making 40% of your 2's at 10 shots you will have 8 points...but if you are ALSO getting fouled and it doesn't count as a shot and you knock down 8 of 10...that's another 8 points. That would be 16 pts compared to 6. With SK it doesn't just come down to 2 pointers vs 3 pointers...because he is a great FT shooter. At his recent pace at the 3 it is very obvious what he should be doing more often.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

With UC's thin front line that statement is not necessarily true. What if Rubles and Jackson are on the bench with foul trouble?

I'll say that 3-pointers are the hardest for defenses to traditionally rebound because they can go long which makes rebounding more of a 50-50 thing because they get out past your low post players. I've said in the past one of the reasons we were so good at offensive rebounding is because we took so many jump shots that went long. But at the same time, if those rebounds go to an opposing guard it can easily become a transition bucket for them. A number of SK's misses turned into fast-breaks for Rutgers the other night.

 

[JasonS]

Read an article on cnnsi by Seth Davis that essentially said Kilpatricks struggles will be the undoing of UC. He doesn't seem to think he will recover.

You were saying, Seth Davis?

 

[ralph1950]

SK star of the game tonight!