KU box score and moving forward

[jaymOU]

Looking at the box score, I noticed something OU needs to improve on to win in mid-March, which we have all been waiting around to see this season.

Look at the guards - including the reserves - the Sooners backcourt shot 16 for 47 - that's a 34% clip Saturday. Ugh. Seems to be a trend lately - as they shot 34% at ISU, 38% against TCU, 40% against TTU.....

Been a while since OU's guards have all shot the ball well in a game.

To me, it's a product of too many threes and not enough dribble penetration. Cousins and Woodard are hard to stay in front of and Buddy is really a good slasher. I'd love for OU to really focus on scoring from the paint as they hit the tournament. Traditionally, 3's seem harder to make in the NCAA tournament - maybe it's the arenas or being on the road or whatever, but it seems like this is the case, although admittedly I don't have any hard evidence to back this up.

OU's D has been pretty consistent - sans second half at ISU - but guard shooting and assist-to-turnover ratio are the two keys for me. If OU guards can shoot 40% or better and OU has a positive assist to turnover ratio, they win. The assist to TO ratio is not just guard dependant. OU's best games have seen Thomas have 3+ assists, which is a sign they are working the ball inside out.

Do this and Sweet 16 is on the table.

 

[Swans]

Their shot selection hasn't been the best lately. In the first half Saturday they went 4-5 conssecutive posessions where they came down and fired up a jump shot without ever getting into the offense. When combined with our inability to prevent KU from dominating the offensive boards it allows for a two point game at the half even though the beakers only shot 27%.

 

[opsooner]

I'd like to see stats on certain sets. I think we shoot it well in transition and when we play inside-out. When it is a guard-only half-court offense we are in trouble.

 

[Zimwillett]

Good observation. I think Cousins, in particular, has fallen too much in love with that dribble drive and pull up from 15-18 feet. The dribbling part generates a lot of oohs and ahhs, but 9 times out of 10 it results in a really tough shot and it's even tougher for the bigs to get in position for an offensive board. I'd love to see Cousins trust his ability to get to the rim more.

Buddy could also stand to improve his finishing around the rim (especially if he intends to try his hand at professional basketball). Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 or 4 instances vs. KU where Buddy failed to finish very makeable opportunities at or near the rim. Those are the kind of shots your star player needs to consistently make if you plan to make any noise in March.

 

[jaymOU]

I'd like to see stats on certain sets. I think we shoot it well in transition and when we play inside-out. When it is a guard-only half-court offense we are in trouble.

Based on what I see I would agree, although I don't have access to those kind of stats. Sometimes, unfortunately, it looks like OU's half-court offense has a little Scott Brooks in it. I love shots coming on the break, but the no pass, jump shots need to be eliminated.

 

[oukyle]

I have no issue with jumpshots; that is a large part of who we are as a team. But we need to make the other team defend. Certain shots are ok at 12 seconds on the shot clock that aren't ok at 27 seconds on the shot clock. Dribble penetration is not this team's strong suit and it has cost us many possessions and points given up in transition when we try to force that issue.

Run the offense, work it inside out, and keep the ball moving with as few dribbles as possible, that is what this team needs to do. Do that and the open shots will come, and we will hit our fair share.