5 replies to this topic

[glenn__davis]

Not sure if anyone noticed, but for all the criticism of Faust at various sites he improved his shooting quite significantly this year. I thought as soon as the season began that his shot looked much-improved, and I'm glad to see him get some results from that. It was pretty evident to me that he put a lot of work into revamping it during the offseason.

His overall 3-point shooting improved from .271 to .354. Since the start of conference play he's actually been even better, shooting just under 40% in ACC games (including the ACC tournament). That is pretty darn good over a 2 1/2 month period of time.

His FT shooting improved from 62% to a very respectable 74%.

To me, the big thing with Faust is confidence. I hope that his good shooting to end this season gives him confidence going into next year. A lot of the criticism lobbed his way has been justified, but a confident Faust next year will be a dangerous Faust. I'd really like to see him improve his mid-range game, particularly the pull-up jumper, to avoid his reckless driving at times.

[Mackus]

The biggest difference IMO is that he stopped shooting as many bad shots and did a better job of taking good looks at the basket.

When he takes a three off the dribble, he misses nearly every single time. I bet his percentage is under 10%. When he is standing still and catches a pass and shoots it, he can fill it up pretty good. He still does take some bad threes, and you can almost guarantee he'll shoot a couple bad ones after he makes one of the good ones. Hopefully he can limit the bad looks even further next season, because he does have a decent stroke when he's got time and is set up. He just isn't, and I don't think will become, a guy who can fire consistently off of the dribble, like a guy like Stoglin used to be able to do.

Catch-and-shoot threes and slashing to the basket are what his offensive game needs to be built around, as well as getting out in transition where he and Wells are very good. Faust struggled with finishing around the rim a little bit this year compared to last year it seemed, though he's still pretty solid there. He can be incredibly frustrating, but I think he can get his game better dialed in to highlight his strengths and be a pretty reliable swing man over the next two years.

[SportsGuy]

One of the many reasons its vital for MD to win some NIT games.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Up until February 21st, Faust was averaging the following in ’12-’13: FG% .367, .293 3P%, 70% FT%, 8.0 ppg, 24.3 minutes per game. After scoring in double-figures in 7 of the first 8 games of this year, Faust scored in double-figures just 3 times in the next 18 games.

His play since that point is one of the positives of the year. It has been great to see him find another gear, and start knocking down some shots. Again gives you confidence that he can be an impact player over the next two seasons.

[SportsGuy]

Of course, he did end the season well last year and came in with high expectations this season.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Of course, he did end the season well last year and came in with high expectations this season.

Yep, no doubt. One difference was that with Howard's 2nd injury last year, the ball was in his hands and he was regularly attacking the rim - he wasn't knocking down any shots.

In recent weeks he has been cutting better without the ball, and actually scoring from outside. With Aronhalt not being around next year, it will be important for Faust to show he can be a consistent threat (not expecting a pure shooter like Aronhalt, just saying Faust has to at-least be a threat).