3 pointers

[Knight Time Fan]

I periodically get tired of everyone's obsession with 3 pointers. It is a popular play in today's game, but, as a point of information there are some successful teams that use the 3 less than Rutgers:

NCAA #345 - LSU - 2.8 per game
#322 Texas A&M - 3.2 per game
#300 Mississippi State - 4.2 per game
#276 Indiana - 4.7 per game
#273 Baylor - 4.7 per game
#270 Tennessee - 4.8 per game
#264 Michigan - 4.8 per game
#258 Rutgers - 5 per game

Granted, UConn is 17th with 8.4, Oregon is 8th with 9.2 per game and the NCAA leader, FGCU at 11.5 per game.

Interestingly, Baylor may make less than RU, but they have the #1 3pt percentage, hitting 41% Rutgers is 122nd, hitting just over 31%. That is mediocre.

My point is that the harping on 3 point shooters is not the specific problem with this team, or if you wish, with Vivian's style. It may be part of the picture, but some very, very good teams do not RELY on 3 pointers.

None of this has anything to do with the complaining. Folks can complain away - there is A LOT to complain about. But I get tired when the complaints just are not factual, and 3 pointers are one of several areas that I don't think most folks are very accurate about.

 

[RUClassof67]

Agreed. And they statement that we don’t play up tempo offense is also inaccurate. Sometime I wonder if we don’t need to slow it down a little. Many of our turnovers are the result of trying to score in transition. Those who make these statements most likely look at scores not the actual games.

 

[RUgrad]

I personally disagree and think its a big problem. Sure there are a few good teams that are around us in lousiness, but there are many many more that are way ahead. Plus the other good teams around us have other offensive weapons they use, so its likely a choice. We have a pathetically low per game average, if we hit 60 its a big night. Whenever we get against a decent defense we can't score, so we need to shoot 3's because we can't function against good defenses. Finally our ineptitude at shooting 3's keeps weaker teams in the game. Last night was a perfect example. We made 1 shot (out of 6). MSU had 9-24. 9-24 is still only 37%, but the fact they kept shooting them kept them in it. MSU had a 27-3 scoring edge from three, thats huge.

 

[rimsky]

Aside from the actual 3 points, a long distance 3-pointer (a la KK or T Mack) infuses the home team and the crowd! Similarly, seeing the other team make 3-pointers has the opposite effect.

 

[Knight Time Fan]

I personally disagree and think its a big problem. Sure there are a few good teams that are around us in lousiness, but there are many many more that are way ahead. Plus the other good teams around us have other offensive weapons they use, so its likely a choice. We have a pathetically low per game average, if we hit 60 its a big night. Whenever we get against a decent defense we can't score, so we need to shoot 3's because we can't function against good defenses. Finally our ineptitude at shooting 3's keeps weaker teams in the game. Last night was a perfect example. We made 1 shot (out of 6). MSU had 9-24. 9-24 is still only 37%, but the fact they kept shooting them kept them in it. MSU had a 27-3 scoring edge from three, thats huge.

I agree that the other teams have made a choice. I think the coaches would resent you calling them lousy because they succeed without the 3 pointer. Whether Vivian has made a choice or not, I don't know, but from what I was told by someone who would know years ago, transition and put-backs were at that time the "key" to Vivian's offense.

I doubt that living by the 3 pointer without addressing more fundamental concerns would solve Rutgers problems. That was my point - you can succeed without depending on the 3. Rutgers doesn't overly use the 3, but as you say doesn't seem to have the other weapons either.

I have always thought that, while otherwise pretty good defensively, Rutgers defense has always been vulnerable to (good) 3 point shooting.

 

[ScarletDave]

FWIW if you told me that this year our only big centers would be Jordan Wallace and a freshman I would have laughed if you said we’d be in 6th in the B1G standings. It’s incredible that we are where we even are and especially with the injuries

 

[RUcrazee]

FWIW if you told me that this year our only big centers would be Jordan Wallace and a freshman I would have laughed if you said we’d be in 6th in the B1G standings. It’s incredible that we are where we even are and especially with the injuries

Agree 100%. This will be a tough one today vs OSU. They shoot the three well. Our matchup zone often gets burned by good shooting teams. MSU beat us that way as well as Northwestern.
We don't want to rely on the three like Arkansas does, but we do need to shoot open threes with confidence and knock em down. Arella has always been reliable. We've looked our best when KK, TMack, and Mael join the party, confidently shooting a decent percentage (like vs Mich). That just makes it easier for Arella and KK to drive and create. Makes it easier for Jordan and Mack on the inside. In the paint is our strength. Threes to stretch the D are what we need the rest of the way. ... I just wonder if they are getting the reps in practice and hope they aren't wearing out their legs with too lengthy practices (nothing kills shooting more than no legs).