Practice 10/9

[AdaSooner]

I'm hoping we go the K-state route of last year where they just played great D. It stinks we don't have our Osby/McGruder type to go to for a bucket when we need it, but stifling D with a lack of 3 point shooter worked for them. Look at their attempts, makes and 3P% for their players. (per game avg)

McGruder 1.5/4.3 - 33.6%
Rodriguez 1.7/4.8 - 34.4%
Southwell 1.5/3.3 - 43.6%
Spradling 1.4/3.8 - 35.9%
Irving 1.1/2.7 - 39.8%

These players accounted for 97% of the attempted 3's by K-state last year. Combined they shot 36.8%, not a bad number, but they made less than 7 per game last year, and no player even averaged 2 a game. Their one shooter above 40% from 3 barely took 3 a game. I would be happy if we averaged ~7/19 that K-state averaged last year with their good defense.

I was curious to see if this was just a trend in college, but I looked at the top players in 3P Made last year, top 100 qualified on ESPN, and every single one made 2.2 or more (no idea how far down it goes to get to 2.0). Out of these 100 players making 2.2 or more/game, only 8 shot less than 35%, not a bad number in my eyes shooting that many from deep.

Basically this rant comes down to this, I agree we need a 3 point shooter, it's a shame Booker wasn't in last years class to have a year under him, and Neal didn't quite pan out the way we had hoped. But I think we can get by this year with great D and a moving offense that gives us open looks where we can hit some 3's at a decent enough rate to keep the offense going.

(also, I'm counting down the hours to OU/TX weekend, so passing last few hours at work this afternoon)

Dahl, your "rant" is full of some great stats and a number of really good points. Nothing I don't agree with.

Putting that aside for the moment, I will be thrilled if this team can average better than 35% from three. Heck, give me a 30% average and I'll be happy. A team that can combine decent three point shooting with great defense will win a lot of games.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't believe anyone on our roster would be thought of as a great three point shooter. Pledger was arguably the best shooter on the team last year, and even he barely made it past the 36% mark. I'd take that right now from any player on this team and never ask for more.

Hornbeak is our most consistent returning player with a 33% average last year. The others, Tyler, Buddy and Cousins, averaged between 23 and 26%. That has to improve (and I believe it will) or our opponents will pack it in on defense and challenge our players to make shots from the perimeter.

We can still have a winning season with great defense. Fail to shoot well from the perimeter, and any success we have will be limited.

 

[dahldennsull]

The point I was trying to make is that I don't believe anyone on our roster would be thought of as a great three point shooter. Pledger was arguably the best shooter on the team last year, and even he barely made it past the 36% mark. I'd take that right now from any player on this team and never ask for more.

Hornbeak is our most consistent returning player with a 33% average last year. The others, Tyler, Buddy and Cousins, averaged between 23 and 26%. That has to improve (and I believe it will) or our opponents will pack it in on defense and challenge our players to make shots from the perimeter.

We can still have a winning season with great defense. Fail to shoot well from the perimeter, and any success we have will be limited.

Agree with both of these. I don't think anyone will be a 3 point shooter/specialist. I'm hoping with an actual offensive flow it will cause some open looks that will help up our average.

On the latter, I agree, think Hornbeak can be in the 30's, and I think we can get at least 2 other players to shoot above 30%. Heck Spangler shot the 3 ball really well from a deeper Euro line, so maybe he even buries a couple as a trailer.

 

[BCSooners]

I think our guards will get a few more good looks this season. Last year opposing pg's would just sag off grooms to the paint and pressure our wing players. Therefore we couldn't get very many drive and kicks bc grooms' man was backed off him so far. Hopefully Woodard can be consistent enough to have his man play him straight up.