While licking my wounds I thought we might benefit by reviewing some cold hard facts. Averaging just the three(3) D-1 games we've played, these facts stand out:
1. Scoring Offense: 78. Figure 80 is a good goal, we're close. Not really a problem.
2. Scoring Defense: 76.3. Figure 70 is the goal, this is a REAL PROBLEM.
3. Field Goal %: 48.8. Figure 47 is a good goal, again we're doing just fine.
4. FG Defense %: 51.9. Figure 40 is the goal (last year we averaged 45) ... this is a HUGE PROBLEM.
5. 3-pt FG/Game: 10.3. Figure 10 is good (last year we averaged 12) ... we're improving with 8, 11, & 12 in each of the 3 past games. We're okay
6. 3-pt FG %: 37. Figure 37 is good (last year we averaged 38.5 ... again, we're okay.
7. Free-Throw %: 60.3. We should be over 75% (last year 75.1%). Another REAL PROBLEM.
8. Rebound Mgn: 4.7. Figure 8 is a goal. We did fine against Belmont & PS, but -14 yesterday. INCONSISTENT.
9. Assists/Game: 17.3 We look for 20, which we hit against Belmont, but only 16 against PS & OD. INCONSISTENT.
10. Turnovers/Gm: 11.7 We look for 10. We're doing better, here, with 16 against Belmont, only 8 against PS and 11 yesterday. We've generally improved since Belmont. Not a problem.
Gang, yes we miss Hunter and Garrison, but the numbers don't lie. It's not their offensive production we're missing, its Defense. Scoring Defense & especially FG% Defense. And what's really annoying is CBR has called-out defense as a goal this year. Watch for coaches to be drilling this into our guys' heads.
And Free-Throw %age. If either of the last two games had come down to free-throws I wouldn't have been optimistic. This is something controllable. Look for add'l emphasis on these basics going forward.
Yes, our offense relies on movement and 3pt shooting, but the numbers reveal this isn't our real problem. It's defense, pure and simple. Go 'Dins.
1. Scoring Offense: 78. Figure 80 is a good goal, we're close. Not really a problem.
2. Scoring Defense: 76.3. Figure 70 is the goal, this is a REAL PROBLEM.
3. Field Goal %: 48.8. Figure 47 is a good goal, again we're doing just fine.
4. FG Defense %: 51.9. Figure 40 is the goal (last year we averaged 45) ... this is a HUGE PROBLEM.
5. 3-pt FG/Game: 10.3. Figure 10 is good (last year we averaged 12) ... we're improving with 8, 11, & 12 in each of the 3 past games. We're okay
6. 3-pt FG %: 37. Figure 37 is good (last year we averaged 38.5 ... again, we're okay.
7. Free-Throw %: 60.3. We should be over 75% (last year 75.1%). Another REAL PROBLEM.
8. Rebound Mgn: 4.7. Figure 8 is a goal. We did fine against Belmont & PS, but -14 yesterday. INCONSISTENT.
9. Assists/Game: 17.3 We look for 20, which we hit against Belmont, but only 16 against PS & OD. INCONSISTENT.
10. Turnovers/Gm: 11.7 We look for 10. We're doing better, here, with 16 against Belmont, only 8 against PS and 11 yesterday. We've generally improved since Belmont. Not a problem.
Gang, yes we miss Hunter and Garrison, but the numbers don't lie. It's not their offensive production we're missing, its Defense. Scoring Defense & especially FG% Defense. And what's really annoying is CBR has called-out defense as a goal this year. Watch for coaches to be drilling this into our guys' heads.
And Free-Throw %age. If either of the last two games had come down to free-throws I wouldn't have been optimistic. This is something controllable. Look for add'l emphasis on these basics going forward.
Yes, our offense relies on movement and 3pt shooting, but the numbers reveal this isn't our real problem. It's defense, pure and simple. Go 'Dins.