4 replies to this topic

[glenn__davis]

I'm not sure how much it really means, but...

In 7 conference games, Alex Len has attempted 37 free throws. Dez Wells has attempted 24.

No one else has attempted more than 8.

Now, obviously you would expect Len and Wells to have the most as they are the primary offensive players, but for guys like Faust, Allen and Layman, who all are averaging over 20 minutes a game, to not have more than 8 FT attempts in 7 games? Those 3 need to get to the line more. Particularly Faust with the game that he plays.

[bnickle]

Faust and Allen, when able to get to the basket, don't go up strong. They look to avoid contact instead of embracing it. You have to earn those calls.

[SportsGuy]

Too many jumpers.

MD has enough speed and athleticism where everything should be going to the basket.

[glenn__davis]

I'd actually say it's too many outside jumpers, not enough mid-range jumpers. I think the book is out that guys like Faust and Allen simply do not take mid-range jumpers. Everything is either a 3-point shot, or put your head down and try to go to the basket against 3 guys. And as bnickle mentioned, even when they do that they don't really go in there hard. So teams just sit back there and wait.

We saw this really exemplified in the 2nd half of the first FSU game. After a while they just started sitting in the lane and waiting, because they knew no mid-range shot was coming.

Faust, Allen and Layman are all 7/8 from the line. Obviously that's an extremely small sample size, but you have to think that if they even average 3-4 more trips to the line a piece, this team's offensive output would increase by about 6-7 points. For a team averaging around 60 points right now, that's pretty significant.

[bnickle]

And yes, you're right. There is no mid range game with this group. No stop and pop or catch and shoot inside the 3 point arc.