Our shot selection created by floor spacing

[Ty4cy1104]

Tough game last night. Makes it hard to come to this site today because I know a lot of people will be freaking out and in a panic that the season is coming crashing down. We still have an incredible team this year and they will get back on pace. I'd like to contribute to something other than a meltdown thread. So here is something I've been watching lately.

I find it fascinating to watch Hoiberg's offense develop over the past few seasons. The way he emphasizes spacing the floor to create space for players to create shots is incredible.

What impresses me even more is the consistency of where our shots come from due to that floor spacing. We rarely shoot any 2pt fg outside the paint. And the ability to knock down outside shots
(-KU,OU) really helps open the paint area for our players to take advantage of driving to the hoop.

vs Baylor... shot chart has only 2 fg attempts outside the lane
Baylor Bears vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Jan 07, 2014 GameTracker - CBSSports.com

vs OU... 1 fg outside the lane
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Oklahoma Sooners - Jan 11, 2014 GameTracker - CBSSports.com

vs. KU... 1 fg outside the lane
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Jan 13, 2014 GameTracker - CBSSports.com

The last two games of been a struggle from deep obviously and that needs to change in a hurry. Because it's that 3 pt threat that allows us to rack up points in the paint. Even against bigger teams like BU and OU where we doubled their points in the paint.

 

[Wesley]

Those Hogue bunnies were being contested at the rim last night. Hogue needs to develop a move that fools those seven foot defenders.

 

[fsanford]

Those Hogue bunnies were being contested at the rim last night. Hogue needs to develop a move that fools those seven foot defenders.

Timely pump fakes can be effective

 

[Cyclonin]

I think the only long 2's we take are Hogue from the baseline, and he hasn't missed one yet.

 

[CornFedIABoy]

CFH has said publicly and repeatedly that a long two is the worst shot in the game. If you're going to shoot from outside go all the way out and get the extra point, otherwise get it down in the post and make your layups.

 

[Ty4cy1104]

seems like a simple concept, but their are so many teams that repeatedly take jump shots a foot inside the 3 point arc. I think Uthoff for Iowa takes about 3-4 shots where one foot is over the line each game. And I know Tharpe had 2 shots that easily could have been a 3 if he would have paid attention at all.

 

[Amesboy]

@Ty4cy1104 The problem with the 3 ball is it's a higher % shot I know it's our weapon to spread out the point margin against teams but last night was a perfect example of those nights when were not hitting and have to continue to be a threat inside and I don't think we got it done. Embiid at 7' was a presence and a threat last night. He ended with 28 and 9 boards. We got beat by a athletic and quick Kansas team last night that hit almost 50% from the field and 31% from 3 land. We shot a horrid 31% from the field and 16% from 3. You take the ball inside with a 6'11- 7' and your going to get fouled and get FT's and hopefully not get intimidated or have your shot altered and missed.

 

[heitclone]

We haven't shot well from 3 against good competition most of the season, that comes from a couple things, one is good teams usually mean good coaching,scheme, those good coaches know Fred a little better now and are making adjustments. Another thing is, while this has been a good 3pt shooting team most of the year, we haven't had that one guy step up (like Scotty or Tyrus) who you know can go to every night and get a couple big shots (3's) when you need them, yet. It's more of a, lets see who gets hot tonight type of team. It's a threat just based on the sheer number of 3's they will put up.

There's nothing wrong with that at all, its just going to lead to some cold nights. Even with poor shooting, Niang, Ejim and Hogue still got enough good looks in the paint for us to have won, KU is just one of the few teams who can not only step out and contest our 3's but at the same time not give us any clear mismatch with our post up guys. On most nights, we can fight through tough shooting from 3 bc we can still spread teams out and exploit a mismatch somewhere on the post.

Fred can coach through poor 3pt shooting as long as it still spreads teams out and allows him to dictate matchups and set guys up for good shots in the paint. We got that last night, Embib and company just outplayed our big guys down low. I think the shots attempted in the shot charts are just fine and intentional. It's worked 14 our 16 times so far. Nothing wrong with your frontcourt getting outplayed by the top 2 picks in next years draft.

 

[CyJack13]

CFH has said publicly and repeatedly that a long two is the worst shot in the game. If you're going to shoot from outside go all the way out and get the extra point, otherwise get it down in the post and make your layups.

This is true, but I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas try to pump fake and get a mid range jumper off once in a while. From his highlights in high school he looked to have a terrific mid range jumper (although I know they are highlights so who knows what percentage he actually shot). Thomas isn't going to be able to consistently get to the rim at this point in his career but being able to take a dribble or too might help him get in a better rhythm. He shot 35% from 3 his senior year so I didn't expect him to step in against a much higher competition level and start knocking down 40% from deep, but I think he's limiting himself by pretty much just shooting 3's at this point.

 

[dtISU]

This is true, but I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas try to pump fake and get a mid range jumper off once in a while. From his highlights in high school he looked to have a terrific mid range jumper (although I know they are highlights so who knows what percentage he actually shot). Thomas isn't going to be able to consistently get to the rim at this point in his career but being able to take a dribble or too might help him get in a better rhythm. He shot 35% from 3 his senior year so I didn't expect him to step in against a much higher competition level and start knocking down 40% from deep, but I think he's limiting himself by pretty much just shooting 3's at this point.

It seems that that is what Fred is asking him to do.

 

[Cycsk]

Long 2s may be a bad choice, but making moves that allow you to take medium 2s in flow aren't bad. In fact I think they may be just what Thomas needs to get his shot going.

 

[CyJack13]

Just for comparison Scotty's senior year, 52.4% of his shots were 2's and those certainly weren't all layups. Only 28.1% of Matt's shots have been 2's.