After so many lean shooting years it's obviously tremendous that this is now a legitimate option for us offensively (Sampson's ability from 17+ and Greene's improvement from the perimeter have been two of the biggest developments this season). But that doesn't mean we should be a primarily jumpshooting team, and that's what we've looked like recently.
Our jumpshot : dunk/layup ratio was probably 4 or 5 to 1 in terms of attempts last night. Every team remaining on our schedule would sign up for that approach from us this second. It became obvious after 5 minutes that we were going to be able to get an open look from 17 feet and out whenever we wanted it. Not bad shots (by any stretch), but when you settle for it early in the shot clock possession after possession you're playing into exactly what USF wanted, which is to take us out of attack mode.
This ratio is about a mentality for this team as much as it is about the level of percentage shot being taken. Not surprisingly, our run around the 15 minute mark directly coincided with the following sequence: Sampson baseline post move, Balamou transition layup, Pointer transition foul (2 shots), and Sampson drive middle for a 5 footer. Now all of a sudden a team that looked like it was sleepwalking is getting into people defensively and out in transition, which is how we'll win games this year. Not a coincidence.
We need to attack earlier in possessions. Break defenses down, create plays at the rim and easier second chance opportunities. That's our game. We'll be able to get jumpers late in the shotclock when that's not there, because teams are giving them to us.
Our jumpshot : dunk/layup ratio was probably 4 or 5 to 1 in terms of attempts last night. Every team remaining on our schedule would sign up for that approach from us this second. It became obvious after 5 minutes that we were going to be able to get an open look from 17 feet and out whenever we wanted it. Not bad shots (by any stretch), but when you settle for it early in the shot clock possession after possession you're playing into exactly what USF wanted, which is to take us out of attack mode.
This ratio is about a mentality for this team as much as it is about the level of percentage shot being taken. Not surprisingly, our run around the 15 minute mark directly coincided with the following sequence: Sampson baseline post move, Balamou transition layup, Pointer transition foul (2 shots), and Sampson drive middle for a 5 footer. Now all of a sudden a team that looked like it was sleepwalking is getting into people defensively and out in transition, which is how we'll win games this year. Not a coincidence.
We need to attack earlier in possessions. Break defenses down, create plays at the rim and easier second chance opportunities. That's our game. We'll be able to get jumpers late in the shotclock when that's not there, because teams are giving them to us.
