Outside Shooting

[gk314]

I think it has become even more apparent after tonight's game against Arkansas, that we need someone (besides AJ) to step up and consistently knock down an outside shot. I can't remember one guard besides AJ (and he was almost a part of the list tonight) that made a shot outside the paint. It seems to me that Mason's shot has only regressed since Freshman year. Thoughts?

 

[UTatYale]

Post-focused possessions in college games usually end up being low percentage, primarily because refs will let almost anything go down there and are inconsistent with what they call. You can't score enough to put a decent team away unless you can make some 3's and stretch the defense. If tonight had been called like an NBA game, we would have shot 50 free throws. They were hack-a-shaq-ing Dexter all night.

 

[TexHorn71]

Our outside shooting was the worst I can remember under Barnes. James never came close outside of 5 ft. Abrams was 3-16, Mason 5-13. Teams dont even guard Ward and Balbay on the perimeter. Team was 1-16 on 3 pointers. Maybe Conner would have helped but he's been so inconsistent lately. With any outside shooting we would have won by 10. This game wont matter in March, but we have to have some balance. Cant win every game with defense.

 

[HTownSmitty]

Next year's team will be surely more fun to watch on offense. We'll have four guys capable of hitting outside shots as opposed to just one, who on nights like tonight is forcing up off-balance 25 footers.

Mason and James were both better shooters last year - as was Atchley. They are all messed up now. Maybe they can rediscover their touch in the next few weeks. Until/unless they do, this is the kind of game we're likely to see repeatedly.

 

[gk314]

Mason may have went 5-13, but the 5 makes were all lay-ups. Obviously, I think part of the problem is we no longer have anyone who can create shots for others. Balbay could be that guy, but defenses play so far off him because he can't shoot, it negates any playmaking he could potentially do.

 

[starchild]

i love mason, but his shot looks very awkward. he doesn't look anything like the shooter of the past. frustrating to see us bog down offensively, but it isn't the first time, and it won't be the last. final 4 run for this team is unrealistic--at least at this time. things can change though, and they probably will.

 

[hornpharmd]

we have lived and died with AJ's touch the last couple of seasons. If he shoots well and scores we usually do well or win. Otherwise we have about zero chance. Problem is he is too streaky.

 

[Nordberg]

We have four guards. Three of them can't shoot, three of them can't create their own shots, and three of them can't create shots for others. This ******* sucks.

 

[Bob in Houston]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Scooter]

Correct me if I'm wrong (I was at the game but up in the rafters), but did Texas make a first-half field goal longer than a 3-footer?

 

[ballrific]

I thought the 1 man zone they were playing on balbay was pretty neat. Haven't seen that in a while. Sad when none of our guards can hit a 15 footer and the 1 that can is 5'9" and can't get it off without a screen. lack of creative offensive sets by Barnes doesn't help this poor shooting bunch either. bad loss.

 

[iluvthisbbteam]

A really really bad loss.

 

[mars]

Nothing is more frustrating than guards that can't shoot. I appreciate what Mason, Ward, and Balbay bring to the table, but how can they be that awful on jumpshots? I think with Ward it is more hesitation; he has a nice looking stroke- he just needs to get more comfortable. But Balbay's and Mason's are ugly. Real ugly. Mason's jumpers are not even close. Anyone should be able to develop a shot with enough practice. I don't get it.

 

[GoHornsGo90]

Next year can't get here quickly enough. I actually had a dream last night that Jai Lucas casually skipped down the court and just busted a three from like 3 feet behind the top of the key...buckets. Can't wait till Hamilton, Bradley, Williams, and him get here.

 

[hornpharmd]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Bob in Houston]

More consistent?

Before the loss to Arkansas, AJ was 25th in the nation in 3 point shooting. He was hitting almost 45 percent of his threes, when, as I was trying to say, he is the focal point of the offense this year, the player the other team tries most to stop.

He's still at 42 percent post-Arkansas, which is good enough to be ranked in the top 50, which I think is pretty good. He just doesn't make four of every set of 10, which is what I think you are asking for.

I find it hard to believe that you are going to blame AJ for losses the last two years when he was the second or third option. The person you need to blame is RB, because we know from watching Dogus Balbay that something keeps him from shooting.

But the facts are that DJ took more shots than AJ last year, and AJ is shooting about the same number of shots per game this year that he did last, and his 3pt percentage is up.

If you said you don't like AJ's game, that would settle it. You certainly wouldn't be the first.

 

[gk314]

I now cringe every time we attempt an outside shot....AJ included

 

[BrothaHorn]

With Pittman, Johnson and James, this teams to become a inside/out team. Start pounding it inside and maybe we can get some open outside shots that might go in..if nothing else, we can wear the other team down.