Key To Banner 12: Outside Shooting Threat

by Bruin77 on Apr 1, 2008 10:28 AM PDT

During this week, all the predictions and speculation on who will win and by how much is just hyperbole. I think the more interesting conversation is on what it will take to win. To that end I offer a simple opinion on what needs to improve for the Bruins to hang banner 12: consistent outside shooting. This assumes that what the Bruins have done well through the tournament and all season long (strong defense without fouling, good rebounding, KL's inside game and his outlet passes) continues. While ideally the outside scoring should come from the wing, especially Josh Shipp, it won't matter if it is Collison dropping 3's or some combination of all the players on the floor. UCLA must present at least the threat that they can beat teams both inside and out. Like using the run to set up the pass (or visa versa) in football, a decent outside game in basketball opens up the inside giving the Bruins' frontline more offensive rebounds and second chance scoring opportunities.

While this may sound overly simplistic, I believe a consistent outside threat is the only thing missing from this Bruin team. The key word in the sentence, by the way, is "consistent." Collison is hitting 3's at greater than a 50% rate, but he doesn't look for the shoot often enough unless the shoot clock is winding down. Similarly, Westbrook looks to drive the lane and 3's or a jump stop 15-17 footer is not much of an option. Sure Josh is in a shooting slump, but those of us that follow the Bruins know what he is capable of. Let's hope this is the weekend the slump ends.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Slump?

Versus Xavier:

.538 FG
7-15 3PTS (.467)
.722 FT

That's a shooting day that, if replicated, should lead to victory with CBH's steady and tenacious defense.

by bruinhopeful on Apr 1, 2008 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

I've said this elsewhere and I'll say it here...

whether josh shipp likes it or not, he's gonna have to absolutely contribute offensively. this isn't xavier, nor is it western kentucky. and i don't mean this to be negative in anyway towards the young man. I just feel in looking at all the possible matchups in this game, Josh is gonna have to come through and hit shots...

by bruinmo on Apr 1, 2008 11:01 AM PDT reply actions

3's and Rebounds

Instead of hucking up lots of 3's, I would MUCH rather see us run our normal offense, and try to feed KL down low every single time.

Remember it is much harder for KL and LRMAM to get offensive rebounds off of 3's than it is drives / low post shots. Long 3's = long rebounds = leads to fast breaks for Memphis (who like to run, as does UNC).

If JS or RW is open off of nice screens, then sure, go ahead, but I think forcing 3's would be a huge mistake. I remember a particular play late in the Xavier game, when JS passed up an open 3 to use more of the clock, and try to set up a better shot. It was a smart, heady play on his part, and the announcers gave him shit for it.

by haster123 on Apr 1, 2008 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

Good point

I agree with what you said wholeheartedly.

by cyberdbk on Apr 1, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

In any sport or competition, you have to stick with what you do best. We have the best center in college, we need to feed him the ball. He needs to get touches, regardless of if they are passes or rebounds. We're one of the best teams on the boards. It pains me to see a missed three end up in the hands of the opposition.

Stick to what we do best: Defense and points in the paint. Sticking with those will eventually open up 3 point shots for the team.

What would John Wooden do?

by JKNaka on Apr 1, 2008 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Shipp's shot

As much as you all emphasizing Shipp's shooting, that is not a critical factor as to whether we lose the next game or not. There are a lot of other aspects of the game that are pivotal this weekend. That includes, rebounding on both ends of the floor, stopping guard penetration by lock down defense that CBH teams are capable of doing, dominating the paint by KL and productive stats from combination of our guards DC, RW, and JS. That will lead to a victory just like it has in the past.
Would it help if Shipp makes his outside shots? Absolutely but the game doesn't hinge on that factor. I think everyone should just stop obsessing over this point.

by cyberdbk on Apr 1, 2008 11:50 AM PDT reply actions

Someone WILL step up...

I too believe we need a solid, double-digit contibution from Josh Shipp but as long as someone steps up - like JKeefe against WKent or LRMBAM/RWestbrook against Xaview, we should be good to go. KLove continues to be unguardable and DCollison got his bad game out of the way.

by Keith @ Bruins Nation on Apr 1, 2008 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

We've been focusing

on how we're going to stop Memphis' offense quite a bit already, but their defense is going to put up quite a challenge as well.

As has been mentioned, they are very long and athletic, and create a lot of turnovers leading to an almost unstoppable transition game. We absolutely cannot afford to turn the ball over. And as was mentioned above, long rebounds leading to quick baskets the other way would also spell doom.

This is no surprising revelation, but quite simply, we are going to have to slow this game down with patient, half court offense. KLove should touch the ball at least one time every possession (and Memphis surely will do everything to deny him the ball.) DC and Westy will have to utilize their quickness (and make up for their size disadvantage) by penetrating and kicking out to an open shooter, Luc will need to play his game (read: no long jump shots or dribble-drives to the basket), and of course Shipp just needs to let the game come to him and keep taking open shots.

If this game is in the mid 20's at halftime, things will be going well for us. If they hang 40 to 50 like they did against their last two opponents, it could be a long day.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 1, 2008 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

Not all 3s are taken from the perimeter.

Getting fouled on your way to the basket is a great way to pick up that extra point. I would prefer we play our game and take the 3s that present themselves rather than trying to add a new trick at the last minute.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 1, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

good point...

and this is what i meant when i said Josh Shipp needs to come through. not only with outside shooting. i'd like to see him drive more and possibly get three point opportunities against the memphis hack artists (Dozier and Dorsey).

by bruinmo on Apr 1, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Let's not over-analyze

The key to getting banner number twelve starts against Memphis, and it requires getting just one stinkin' point more than they do. It doesn't matter who or how. With all due respect to those smarter than I am, I am very happy to leave all the analysis with those who wear the suits and ties and sit next to the team at the games. They have done reasonably well getting us that one extra stinkin' point.

And we do NOT have a two-game season. We have a one-game season. There is no game on Monday. There is only a game on Saturday. That't the only thing that our team needs to think about.

by Fox 71 on Apr 1, 2008 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Not Necessarily...

Memphis could not show up and the Bruins could win in a forfiet. Wouldn't even have to score a point.

But, seriously, I posted this diary becuase I was interested in what those who follow the Bruins closely think needs to happen from a strategic standpoint to win the game. Scoring more points than the other team will result in a victory, but how we get those points (and how we prevent the other team from getting their points) is critical. At this stage of the tournament, the talent differential between teams is not that great. The team that has the right game plan and executes it the best should have the most points at the end of the game.

by Bruin77 on Apr 1, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

well then...

i guess you just took all the fun out of coming onto this site in the first place! LOL! can't disagree with you though...

by bruinmo on Apr 1, 2008 2:02 PM PDT reply actions

Naw - there's plenty to do

As long as justsc still exists, our work here is not done.

by Fox 71 on Apr 1, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

We Can't Depend on the Perimeter Shot!

Anybody see how a great Texas team got blown away by Memphis? We cannot run up and down and jack up perimeter shots. Every possession must go through K-Love, no exceptions! The scoring has to come from the paint with JS cutting to the rack, Westy and DC with the dribble drive. Luc, please don't dribble the ball. Josh needs to just focus on lock down defense and driving on offense, he doesn't need the pressure of hitting his outside shot which has been MIA since January. Then, leave the rest to the big boy, K-Love. We have to put Calipari's boys in early foul trouble and we can only do that by attacking the hoop, not jacking up 3s.

by bruin75 on Apr 1, 2008 9:16 PM PDT reply actions