1 assist?

[ClassOf02]

That tells the story. The spacing, ball movement, fluidity of the Iowa game disappeared today.

Not saying we should be blowing Michigan out at their place in this stage of Pike's program build. But man it's frustrating to see one single assist in an entire game.

 

[RU82]

We did a decent job in holding Michigan to 62 points. The simple truth is that we’re always going to struggle against teams that defend us as well as Michigan did today.

 

[blockm2]

why do they so often dribble around and settle for the 2 point shot within 1 foot of the line? It's the single worst shot in basketball. And while Sanders and Baker seem like they are pretty good at it, you'd rather be mediocre at shooting a 3 then elite at a long 2, yet they often take it.

On the season, Rutgers has shot 470 2 pt jumpers vs only 313 3 pt jumpers which is a horrible ratio. It's hard to be even average on offense taking such bad shots. And while RU is limited in offensive talent, it seems that simply taking smarter shots would go a long way towards bumping up their efficiency on that end.

 

[bac2therac]

credit Michigan, they scouted RU perfectly and took away everything. RU was taking low percentage shots throughout the game and didnt finish around the rim, when that happens you can get beat in transition...16-1 is ugly but shows how we can be exposed by an opponent that stresses defense

 

[mikefla]

Thank God Freeman got an assist or it would be 16-0 :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[Mr Magoo]

Thank God Freeman got an assist or it would be 16-0 :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Freeman leads the team in assists...with 1. That’s mind-boggling.

I’m not sure which is more amazing.. that we only had one assist or that freeman got it.

 

[willisneverrana43]

Oh, and if you didn't notice, we just can't shoot.

 

[rubaseball78]

why do they so often dribble around and settle for the 2 point shot within 1 foot of the line? It's the single worst shot in basketball. And while Sanders and Baker seem like they are pretty good at it, you'd rather be mediocre at shooting a 3 then elite at a long 2, yet they often take it.

On the season, Rutgers has shot 470 2 pt jumpers vs only 313 3 pt jumpers which is a horrible ratio. It's hard to be even average on offense taking such bad shots. And while RU is limited in offensive talent, it seems that simply taking smarter shots would go a long way towards bumping up their efficiency on that end.

Having people who not good shooting 3s hoisting up 3s is not a good solution.

 

[TODDB33]

why do they so often dribble around and settle for the 2 point shot within 1 foot of the line? It's the single worst shot in basketball. And while Sanders and Baker seem like they are pretty good at it, you'd rather be mediocre at shooting a 3 then elite at a long 2, yet they often take it.

On the season, Rutgers has shot 470 2 pt jumpers vs only 313 3 pt jumpers which is a horrible ratio. It's hard to be even average on offense taking such bad shots. And while RU is limited in offensive talent, it seems that simply taking smarter shots would go a long way towards bumping up their efficiency on that end.

The Michigan D was picking our guards up well above the 3 pt line they were forcing them to try to dribble penetrate. When you have guys in your face from half court in it is tough to get good looks at the 3 point line. We couldn’t execute the pass into the low post for possible kick outs. As is the case with us if we play good D we can win games. Michigan D won this game

 

[RUTrack94]

Freeman leads the team in assists...with 1. That’s mind-boggling.

I’m not sure which is more amazing.. that we only had one assist or that freeman got it.

Damn .... could have tied (maybe) even owned the record if 0.

 

[RutgHoops]

The Michigan D was picking our guards up well above the 3 pt line they were forcing them to try to dribble penetrate. When you have guys in your face from half court in it is tough to get good looks at the 3 point line. We couldn’t execute the pass into the low post for possible kick outs. As is the case with us if we play good D we can win games. Michigan D won this game

As fans we got to see all of Beilein’s run at WVU. He is a terrific HC. He has the perfect personnel to play us the way he did today. It was a great coaching job. Nothing we could do once he took away the guards so high.

Rahman wins the “It was Dentyne” (Hoosiers reference) award. Geo couldn’t shake that kid.

 

[Big East Beast]

Damn .... could have tied (maybe) even owned the record if 0.

Does anyone know if 1 assist is a record? What an indictment of our guard play., but I will tip my cap that Michigan was outstanding on D.

 

[willisneverrana43]

Having approximately 320 Division 1 teams with better year-long shooting percentages is an indictment of our guards and our everybody else.

 

[blockm2]

Having people who not good shooting 3s hoisting up 3s is not a good solution.

having them shoot 3s instead of being 2 feet closer shooting a 2 is better. Because no matter how bad they are from 3, they aren't going to be much better from just inside of 3 and you get 50% points for each make behind the arc.

 

[rubaseball78]

having them shoot 3s instead of being 2 feet closer shooting a 2 is better. Because no matter how bad they are from 3, they aren't going to be much better from just inside of 3 and you get 50% points for each make behind the arc.

I agree, shooting two pointer just inside the 3 pt line doesn't make sense. Shooting contested 2 pointers just inside the 3 pt line makes even less. A 12 footer vs a 3 pointer from someone who can't shoot 3 pointers is a world of difference.

 

[RUChoppin]

Having people who not good shooting 3s hoisting up 3s is not a good solution.

Well, Issa has now moved up to 41.8% from range, and 46.2% during conference play. We need to start running more plays designed to get him the ball.

The only other player shooting threes better than 26% (overall or in conference play) is Geo.

 

[Hope4RU]

You cannot win with only one assist per game !

 

[ColonelRutgers]

I agree, shooting two pointer just inside the 3 pt line doesn't make sense. Shooting contested 2 pointers just inside the 3 pt line makes even less. A 12 footer vs a 3 pointer from someone who can't shoot 3 pointers is a world of difference.

Geo loves that 18' two-point FG attempt. Sure, when it goes in you say "beggars can't be choosers" but I hope he gets in the habit of taking one less rhythm dribble and try to get 50% more points from one step back.

 

[BoxStater]

Geo loves that 18' two-point FG attempt. Sure, when it goes in you say "beggars can't be choosers" but I hope he gets in the habit of taking one less rhythm dribble and try to get 50% more points from one step back.

And interestingly during conference play Geo is basically shooting the same percentage from 3p (33%) as he his from 2p (34%).

 

[winfield102]

In a couple of years, my hope is that type of shot gets you benched. With our current talent level, it's acceptable.

Next season, those long 2's need to be 3's for Geo.

 

[blockm2]

In a couple of years, my hope is that type of shot gets you benched. With our current talent level, it's acceptable.

Next season, those long 2's need to be 3's for Geo.

while in theory that sounds nice, habits are formed young and aren't always easy to break. Might be easier to work on drilling in those good habits this year when wins and losses don't mean as much.

 

[winfield102]

I have a theory that those are the shots he can get off. As a defender, don't give up the 3 or the drive. Geo doesn't seem to be able to get to the hole against quality teams and doesn't have room to shoot the 3. He's a freshman who we are asking a lot of.

 

[RUChoppin]

I have a theory that those are the shots he can get off. As a defender, don't give up the 3 or the drive. Geo doesn't seem to be able to get to the hole against quality teams and doesn't have room to shoot the 3. He's a freshman who we are asking a lot of.

A lot of times it's him putting his head down to drive for a step, then pulling up for the jumper when his defender drops off him. If he started that move a step or two further back, he'd end up just behind the line.

That shot is almost always there, though - for Corey, too. Take a hard step forward, then pull up just inside the arc. It's not a good shot, though - you're getting 3P% on a 2P shot. I'm sure defenses are happy letting them take them on most possessions.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

A lot of times it's him putting his head down to drive for a step, then pulling up for the jumper when his defender drops off him. If he started that move a step or two further back, he'd end up just behind the line.

That shot is almost always there, though - for Corey, too. Take a hard step forward, then pull up just inside the arc. It's not a good shot, though - you're getting 3P% on a 2P shot. I'm sure defenses are happy letting them take them on most possessions.

You do realize we get blown out by Seton Hall and lose to wisconsin without the mid range jumpshots taken from Corey and Geo, right?

 

[BoxStater]

You do realize we get blown out by Seton Hall and lose to wisconsin without the mid range jumpshots taken from Corey and Geo, right?

??
Geo was 5-19 from 2p during those 2 games, but 3-5 from 3p.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

??
Geo was 5-19 from 2p during those 2 games.

You can rewatch the games if you’d like. A good amount of our points came from midrange/deep 2s from Corey and some from Geo. Thats a shot that we’ve taken alot of this year. Even look at the Michigan state game on the road. Not competitive without Midranges from Corey

 

[BoxStater]

You can rewatch the games if you’d like. A good amount of our points came from midrange/deep 2s from Corey and some from Geo. Thats a shot that we’ve taken alot of this year. Even look at the Michigan state game on the road. Not competitive without Midranges from Corey

At MSU, Corey was 9-23 with zero from 3p. I think the point trying to be made is that a lot of those 2s should not be taken and be more patient for open looks. And Thiam must be more aggressive because in conference he’s shooting a way better percentage from 3 than either Corey or Geo are shooting from 2p much less 3p.

 

[RUChoppin]

You can rewatch the games if you’d like. A good amount of our points came from midrange/deep 2s from Corey and some from Geo. Thats a shot that we’ve taken alot of this year. Even look at the Michigan state game on the road. Not competitive without Midranges from Corey

I do - but it's like saying "live by the three, die by the three".... but with twos, instead. When those shots fall, we do well - but they fall at less than 35% overall for just 2 points.

Outside shots are streaky - if you're going to be streaky, better with 3 points per make than 2.

As I said - that shot's almost always there, and defenses are much happier letting Sanders/Baker take that shot than they are letting them get into the lane or get an open look from three.

Better shot is to either pull up from outside the arc, or take an extra step forward to get to the elbow. A 21 footer and a 15 footer are both better shots than an 18-19 footer.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

You can rewatch the games if you’d like. A good amount of our points came from midrange/deep 2s from Corey and some from Geo. Thats a shot that we’ve taken alot of this year. Even look at the Michigan state game on the road. Not competitive without Midranges from Corey

But if 1 of those deep 2s was a 3 then maybe we would've WON the Michigan State, right? Rick Pitino once said that the deep 2 was the worst shot in basketball.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

But if 1 of those deep 2s was a 3 then maybe we would've WON the Michigan State, right? Rick Pitino once said that the deep 2 was the worst shot in basketball.

Why do you assume that all of the mid ranges or deep 2s we take would go in from 3? We are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country and theres a reason we dont take that many

 

[BoxStater]

Why do you assume that all of the mid ranges or deep 2s we take would go in from 3? We are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country and theres a reason we dont take that many

Again because Corey took 23 shots at MSU making only 9 but he had a teammate that shot 50% from 3 that game and shoots 46% from 3 during conference so Corey needs to not shoot as many 2s or 3s but instead facilitate and distribute.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

Again because Corey took 23 shots at MSU making only 9 but he had a teammate that shot 50% from 3 that game and shoots 46% from 3 during conference so Corey needs to not shoot as many 2s or 3s but instead facilitate and distribute.

No one else on the team wants to shoot, and you can see it on practically every possession. But thats not even what I was talking about. All Im saying is a mid range jumpshot from Corey if open is a shot we can live with.

 

[kcg88]

why do they so often dribble around and settle for the 2 point shot within 1 foot of the line? It's the single worst shot in basketball. And while Sanders and Baker seem like they are pretty good at it, you'd rather be mediocre at shooting a 3 then elite at a long 2, yet they often take it.

On the season, Rutgers has shot 470 2 pt jumpers vs only 313 3 pt jumpers which is a horrible ratio. It's hard to be even average on offense taking such bad shots. And while RU is limited in offensive talent, it seems that simply taking smarter shots would go a long way towards bumping up their efficiency on that end.

I've been honking this horn for quite some time. I think Pikiell is a really good coach but it's obvious from the numbers and the eye test that there are some principles on offense that are lacking.

 

[kcg88]

Why do you assume that all of the mid ranges or deep 2s we take would go in from 3? We are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country and theres a reason we dont take that many

It's basic math. Let's say a player can hit 40% of his long-range twos, but only 30% of his threes.

On 100 two-point shots, hitting 40% = 80 points.

On 100 three-point shots, hitting 30% = 90 points.

So even though this player is making 25% fewer baskets (30 divided by 40 = 75), he's scoring more efficiently.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

It's basic math. Let's say a player can hit 40% of his long-range twos, but only 30% of his threes.

On 100 two-point shots, hitting 40% = 80 points.

On 100 three-point shots, hitting 30% = 90 points.

So even though this player is making 25% fewer baskets (30 divided by 40 = 75), he's scoring more efficiently.

We take the 3rd least 3s per field goal attempted in the country. If we all of the sudden stop taking midranges and just start hoisting up three pointers do you truly think that we would be hitting at your numbers

 

[kcg88]

We take the 3rd least 3s per field goal attempted in the country. If we all of the sudden stop taking midranges and just start hoisting up three pointers do you truly think that we would be hitting at your numbers

I think the example I gave is pretty close to what Geo Baker could do, actually.

Obviously some players should not be shooting threes. Freeman throws up some awful two-point attempts but that's STILL better than him from 3.

Sanders' and Williams' 3P%s both went backwards from 2016 to 2017 and again from 2017 to 2018. I don't know what you do about that except hope that it's just bad luck and not a player development trend. But having three upperclassmen starters shooting 22% on 139 three-point attempts is staggeringly poor.

But the point is, it's not like they're elite at the long-range 2-pointer. No stats sites I'm aware of separate out 2-point jumper percentage from 2P% in general so I can't give you the numbers, but, almost uniformly across every level of basketball, a 3-pointer is a better shot than a long 2-pointer.

 

[winfield102]

Andrew,

Unfortunately, the long 2 is probably our team's best shot this year. It isn't good but it's the best we have this year. The long 2's by Sanders led us to victory against SHU.

We are a bad shooting team that takes low percentage shots. It is because we are a bad shooting team that we end up having to take low percentage shots IMO (due to the opponents defense). It's depressing to see us consistently have fewer assists than our opponents.

Since we have no low post threat, we really need a stretch 4 (which we don't have). In my dreams, Eugene gets a 3 in the off season and he gets some spot minutes at the 5 next year. That would open up the court and positively impact Sanders, Geo, Thiam and Kiss. Without a stretch 4 next year, I see us continuing to have to take too many contested long range 2's.

 

[BoxStater]

We take the 3rd least 3s per field goal attempted in the country. If we all of the sudden stop taking midranges and just start hoisting up three pointers do you truly think that we would be hitting at your numbers

Yes because 2 out of the 5 starters for Rutgers shoots at least 33% from 3p during conference. Especially Geo because he shoots the same percentage from 2p as 3p.

 

[RUChoppin]

Why do you assume that all of the mid ranges or deep 2s we take would go in from 3? We are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country and theres a reason we dont take that many

No one else on the team wants to shoot, and you can see it on practically every possession. But thats not even what I was talking about. All Im saying is a mid range jumpshot from Corey if open is a shot we can live with.

Not talking about a mid-range shot. Those are great. Talking about shots when the shooter's heel is within a sneaker length of the line.

Both frequently take mid-range jumpers from 12 to 16 ft, and that's great. It's the ones were they pull up at 19.5 to 20.5 feet that need to go away.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Why do you assume that all of the mid ranges or deep 2s we take would go in from 3? We are one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the country and theres a reason we dont take that many

Where did I say I assumed anything not to mention that ALL deep 2s would go in? What I KNOW is that a three pointer is worth 50% more points than a deep two pointer. So if you're taking an 18-19 foot shot you better be more than 50% more likely to make that shot than one from 20.75 feet or it's not a good shot.