3pt FG production

[Bigtenchamp]

Really one of this teams big issues... and it goes back to last year.

In our two recent losses we made 2.5 3pt FG per game.

In 2014 that's just not the game anymore.

 

[volhawk50]

We make 5.7 threes per game on the season, 238th in the nation, and score 84.5 points per game, 8th in the nation. Three point shooting is not a concern. We need to get back to the way we score without shooting 3s.

 

[Bigtenchamp]

I beg to differ..

In our last 4 wins - 27-63 (42%) and nearly 7 made 3pt's a game.

Last 3 losses 9 - 32 (28%) 3 made per game..

Sure we can score 95 points against sucky teams that foul us and can't run with us in the open court...

But in the Big Ten.. with equal talent an late shot clocks situation... need to be able to produce more from the perimeter...

 

[moonhawk]

I couldn't agree more. The other thing is we can't finish around the rim with contact. We are not physical. Don't hold the ball strong, whether catching passes in tight traffic or securing boards against the conference big boys. too many skinny finnese guys for the B1G..

I beg to differ..

In our last 4 wins - 27-63 (42%) and nearly 7 made 3pt's a game.

Last 3 losses 9 - 32 (28%) 3 made per game..

Sure we can score 95 points against sucky teams that foul us and can't run with us in the open court...

But in the Big Ten.. with equal talent an late shot clocks situation... need to be able to produce more from the perimeter...

 

[libradawg]

I couldn't agree more. The other thing is we can't finish around the rim with contact. We are not physical. Don't hold the ball strong, whether catching passes in tight traffic or securing boards against the conference big boys. too many skinny finnese guys for the B1G..

That's just crap. We're 3rd in the nation in rebounding, something that is literally IMPOSSIBLE for a team that lacks strength and physicality. Fail.

3 point shots should be coming along with Uthoff and Gesell developing, they just have to take the open shot. Especially Gesell. He can hit them but doesn't take nearly enough of them. These are easy fixes, but get the free throw thing taken care of first. Taking open shots is something we can easily improve on. All Fran has to do is get his players to, well, take the shot. Our problem is free throws and that's fixable enough.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Then FT shooting is not a concern, since the team shoots over 72% at the line. That's pretty good, right?

Problem is, the team does not shoot shoot exactly 72% every single game. FT shooting clearly has gotten us beaten in a few games this year. I think the same thing can be said for our 3 point shooting.. It has disappeared in big games when the team has needed it the most.

It's too easy to just look at the averages at make conclusions.. The seasonal average is much better this year from 3, but not so good in big games.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I looked at Iowa's losses this year to see how many 3's we've made per game, and how many our opponents have made, and calculated the point differential based on made 3's.

Villanova: 11 makes. Gave up 14. So that's -9 behind the arc in that game (3 more makes times 3 points)
Wisconsin: 4 makes. Gave up 10. -18 from behind the arc.
@ISU: 4 makes. Gave up 6. -6 behind the arc.
@Michigan: 2 makes. Gave up 8. -18 behind the arc.
MSU: 3 makes. Gave up 10. -21 behind the arc.

Sure, you have to assume that Iowa is making some 2's or getting to the FT line on some of the possessions rather than making 3's so you can't totally look at that stat in a vacuum, but it's hard to ignore the fact that in our losses, the 3 ball has been a decidedly better weapon for our opponents than it's been for us. Particularly in league games.

And yes, I do agree that the FT shooting in key spots in the game has to improve. That beat us in the ISU, Nova, and MSU games for sure. Still, better 3 point shooting would also have helped in some of our defeats.

I'm not really in love with the thought of jacking up 3's every time down the floor, but basic math will tell you that getting 2 but giving away 3 is not a winning formula. Iowa needs to either start making more threes, or allowing less. Or both.

 

[Bigtenchamp]

I'm not saying we need to become a team like ISU or Michigan that really depends on the 3... but we really lack balance in this area and its kill us against real teams.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I'm not really concerned about 3 pt shooting. Do I wish we did it better? Yes.
But Iowa is one of the top scoring teams in the country and #1 in the conference in scoring and scoring margin. I'm more concerned with FT shooting at this point.