Phantom Warrior
07-31-2016, 03:28 AM
It seems to me that a major factor behind the hope MU might be able to make it back to the Big Dance this season is based on what is expected to be improved three-point shooting. It is also pretty obvious why more than just a few posters seem to feel this way.
Last year MU shots 33.9% on treys overall, which ranked seventh in the conference. In league games only, the figure dipped to 32.9%, which also ranked seventh.
Fans' expectations for improved three-point shooting seem reasonable in part because two of the least efficient shooters from behind the arc are no longer on the team. Henry shot only 28.8% on treys for the year, a pretty unimpressive stat, and Wally was even lower at 25.0%. It should also be noted that Henry averaged roughly three trey attempts per game and Wally just under one per game.
In short, even if MU added no players at all to the roster, the three-point percentage should, in theory, climb.
But the Warriors have added four players, two experienced vets and two frosh. All four have reputations as solid outside shooters. Rowsey drained a solid 38.2% of his treys his last season at UNC Asheville, not exactly eye-popping but certainly respectable. However, he attempted an almost unbelievable 8.6 treys per game, which he certainly won't do this year at MU. For his part, Reinhardt shot 37.3% last year at USC< again a decent figure but not awe-inspiring. In fact, both Haanif and JJ had higher three-point percentages than both Rowsey and Reinhardt had their last year of D-1 hoops. Still, neither 37.3% not 38.2% are shabby, and both are substantially higher than Henry's and Wally's three-point percentages a year ago.
And then, of course, there are the H & H freshmen - Hauser and Howard. Hauser took second place in the three-point shooting contest at the McDonalds' event, and Howard led the US U-19 team in three-point shooting - both outstanding credentials. Then again, one never knows how freshmen will adjust to the transition to D-1 ball. Lazar came into MU with the rep as being the "best outside shooter in his class" but hit something like 19% of his treys his first year at MU.
Still, H & H offer considerable hope that they can continue to shoot well from behind the arc.
The third reason, of course, is that both JJ and Haanif hit over 38% (38.5% and 38.7% respectively) last season, and both are probably at least 50-50 bets to improve those stats, even if only slightly. The same holds true for both Duane and Traci. Duane seemed to be dealing with some sort of leg issues last season, and it took Traci quite awhile to start draining some treys. Both could - and some would say should - raise their percentages of 34.6% and 31.4%.
I don't think we need anyone to reach Novak or Diener type percentages of over 40%. But if MU can improve from 33.9% overall to even 37.9%, let alone 38.9% this year, that should could be enough to get back to the NCAA.
I have my fingers crossed. I am guessing that like all teams that rely heavily on three-point shooting, in some games our percentage will probably be dismal and it will cost us a few games, but in others it could lead to surprising upsets. I can't wait to see how it all works out.
Last year MU shots 33.9% on treys overall, which ranked seventh in the conference. In league games only, the figure dipped to 32.9%, which also ranked seventh.
Fans' expectations for improved three-point shooting seem reasonable in part because two of the least efficient shooters from behind the arc are no longer on the team. Henry shot only 28.8% on treys for the year, a pretty unimpressive stat, and Wally was even lower at 25.0%. It should also be noted that Henry averaged roughly three trey attempts per game and Wally just under one per game.
In short, even if MU added no players at all to the roster, the three-point percentage should, in theory, climb.
But the Warriors have added four players, two experienced vets and two frosh. All four have reputations as solid outside shooters. Rowsey drained a solid 38.2% of his treys his last season at UNC Asheville, not exactly eye-popping but certainly respectable. However, he attempted an almost unbelievable 8.6 treys per game, which he certainly won't do this year at MU. For his part, Reinhardt shot 37.3% last year at USC< again a decent figure but not awe-inspiring. In fact, both Haanif and JJ had higher three-point percentages than both Rowsey and Reinhardt had their last year of D-1 hoops. Still, neither 37.3% not 38.2% are shabby, and both are substantially higher than Henry's and Wally's three-point percentages a year ago.
And then, of course, there are the H & H freshmen - Hauser and Howard. Hauser took second place in the three-point shooting contest at the McDonalds' event, and Howard led the US U-19 team in three-point shooting - both outstanding credentials. Then again, one never knows how freshmen will adjust to the transition to D-1 ball. Lazar came into MU with the rep as being the "best outside shooter in his class" but hit something like 19% of his treys his first year at MU.
Still, H & H offer considerable hope that they can continue to shoot well from behind the arc.
The third reason, of course, is that both JJ and Haanif hit over 38% (38.5% and 38.7% respectively) last season, and both are probably at least 50-50 bets to improve those stats, even if only slightly. The same holds true for both Duane and Traci. Duane seemed to be dealing with some sort of leg issues last season, and it took Traci quite awhile to start draining some treys. Both could - and some would say should - raise their percentages of 34.6% and 31.4%.
I don't think we need anyone to reach Novak or Diener type percentages of over 40%. But if MU can improve from 33.9% overall to even 37.9%, let alone 38.9% this year, that should could be enough to get back to the NCAA.
I have my fingers crossed. I am guessing that like all teams that rely heavily on three-point shooting, in some games our percentage will probably be dismal and it will cost us a few games, but in others it could lead to surprising upsets. I can't wait to see how it all works out.