HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2685
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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01-11-18 12:09 PM - Post#242994
In response to mrjames
Thanks mrjames and 84, I do agree that there are benefits to playing on the perimeter and taking the 3's. Certainly, less TO's and offensive fouls, maybe even more offensive rebounds. I also understand that today's basketball dictates' the use of the trey, and I accept the reasons why.
I just don't see this Harvard squad winning consistently by competing in a 3 point shooting contest with any Ivy team. Halfway through the season, Harvard is dead last in 3pt % - with a relative % about 20% less than the league aveage. Shooting 23.5 3's per game, despite playing the slowest tempo in the league, means we're spotting teams like Princeton 7 points per game, and Penn and Yale 5 points per game (just on shooting %).
Maybe that's just a weakness - like poor FT shooting used to be for Harvard. On the other hand, I just have to feel that opponents are breathing a sigh of relief when instead of attacking we settle for 26 3's, making 19% of them. Especially later in games, our shooters seem to get gassed - especially Corey, Bryce and now Christian - leading to even their already woeful shooting percentages to drop down the stretch.
If Harvard truly recruited the best and most talented players, building an offense that results in a low % shot doesn't seem to be the best way to exploit our perceived advantage.
Just as an example, the 2015-16 Yale squad only shot 17 three's per game, although making 36.3%. This year Harvard shoots 23.5 3's, at at 29.5% clip. Yale likely had more possessions, as it averaged 11 more ppg.
If our goal is to work the perimeter (likely 30 feet from the basket), then I think we're looking at a frustrating season. Without Bryce, that may be our only option. With him, I'd hope we do better.
By the way, I need to add that based on prior analysis shared here I note that Harvard has been shooting 3's at a reasonable rate at home, at least in the first half.
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