Why shoot 3s

BleedGreen64 · November 22, 2006

Over the years I have noticed we keep shooting 3 point shots. When they are hitting them it is all good. If you look at the box scores of each game you normally see the 2s are a much higher percent. Even such an authority as Avery Johnson encourages the 2s. To me common sense would encourage 2s - you have a higher percent and when going to the basket yo0u pick up free throw opportunities.

Outside of that I am proud of our start and JJ's recruiting.

Good crowd last night for a holiday game.

raygogreen · November 22, 2006

I was at the game. Took my 13 year old son and sat down close. Can't beet the seats vs quality of action for the $.

Tulsa played hard nosed defense all game. We ried to work the ball inside much of the game, especailly in the second half, without much success. Alot of missed catches and errant passes, which a good D will force. Some part of the 3s is becuase that is what was available, though some part was that is what they wanted.

GrandGreen · November 22, 2006

Over the years I have noticed we keep shooting 3 point shots. When they are hitting them it is all good. If you look at the box scores of each game you normally see the 2s are a much higher percent. Even such an authority as Avery Johnson encourages the 2s. To me common sense would encourage 2s - you have a higher percent and when going to the basket yo0u pick up free throw opportunities.
Outside of that I am proud of our start and JJ's recruiting.
Good crowd last night for a holiday game.
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Maybe because they count 3 points. A shooting percentage of 33.3% for threes is equivalent to 50% in twos in points scored. In addition a college three is much easier (closer) than a pro three. Also obviously a good outside game will open up the inside game and vice versa. North Texas so far this season has not demonstrated a very effective offensive inside game further pushing reliance on an outside short.

jbchis · November 22, 2006

Maybe because they count 3 points. A shooting percentage of 33.3% for threes is equivalent to 50% in twos in points scored. In addition a college three is much easier (closer) than a pro three. Also obviously a good outside game will open up the inside game and vice versa. North Texas so far this season has not demonstrated a very effective offensive inside game further pushing reliance on an outside short.
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The strength our team is our guards as most college teams, especially the mid majors.

The 3 point shot allows teams like Oral Roberts to beat Kansas. ORU made 11 3s compared to KU's 2. That offset the fact that KU had twice the number of offensive rebounds.

The midrange jumper is almost dead in college basketball. It is either 3 pointers, low post play, or a combination of both (if you are Duke, UNC, Florida, etc.)

Buford_Julep · November 22, 2006

Avery coaches in the NBA where the 3-point line is 23 feet 9 inches from the basket. The college distance is 19 feet 9 inches.

My opinion is that to win in college you need to do both.

Has anyone ever watched Duke play. Do they shoot too many 3's? I don't think so.

Of course a team will shoot a better percentage in closer to the basket than from the 3-point arc, but consider this. Say you make 10 of 20 two-pointers for a glittering 50% field goal percentage. My team hits 7 of 20 three's for a crappy 35%. Guess what. I won the game 21-20.

Of course it is true that you can draw many more fouls by going inside. Comparing NT's offense in the UTA game to the Tulsa game is a perfect example of this. I like the balanced approach used in the Tulsa game much better. There are some drawbacks to going inside. You are much more likely to turn the ball over when in the paint, or when trying to get the ball into the paint. The more often you go inside, the tougher it gets.

When you shoot a 3-pointer you are helping to open up space that will clear the way to safely go inside. There is a also a better chance of a long rebound that may go to an offensive player.

Edited November 22, 2006 by Buford_Julep

CMJ · November 22, 2006

In addition to all that was said, I think the closeness of the college arc gives more guys the idea that they can knock down the trey, even if they don't have the range to do so. This affects all college teams though.