Game 13- Valpo

[sevelev711]

Tank the OOC and then run through the MVC, ruining resumes along the way. A classic move, usually experienced by us on the other end of the stick.

[UNIAlum95]

48 points in the paint, 33 points off 3-pointers and 7 free throws. Good thing we made those two crucial baskets between the arc and the paint to open everything else up.

And without Phyfe contributing to those points in the paint. I haven't seen enough yet to be confident we've fixed our issues but this was a great step.

[not a drake fan]

1.24 points per possession against UE & 1.33 yesterday. UNIs best two games of the year according to Bart Torvik's efficiency based game scores. Defensively it was .91 and .94 which is also solid (1.00 is average).

UNI is a few tough breaks away from being 9-4 or 10-3 but it's nice to feel some optimism about where things may be headed. Missouri State is going to be a tough matchup for UNIs defense but after that, I think the schedule remains manageable in the near term.

The shotquality.com numbers have been on a clear upward trajectory lately, especially defensively. It was nice to hear Lehman talk about how UNI has been putting a focus on trying to get open 3s and shots at the rim. It's looked that way as an outsider but it's good to hear that from someone with inside info.

I think the team is going to be in good shape in the rears ahead with Nate Heise taking on a bigger role - he's been UNIs best player from an efficiency standpoint, by far. Though it's easier for him when he's got AJ there taking the bulk of the attention and focus.

The team is better, I think, even it operates like it did yesterday, getting everyone involved with back cuts as opposed to relying on so much iso ball from AJ.

[PantherAlum09]

AJ has done a much better job not forcing shots and becoming more of a distributor. The movement on offense has been so much better. The defensive intensity has been so much better. They have really put it all together the last couple games. Valpo isn't a good team, obviously, but their talent level is higher than Evansville. I truly believe that. The shot quality for us is similar to what we were giving up earlier this season. I am just hopeful we continue on this trend. It's like our team has done a complete flip. Better looks on offense and not allowing good looks on defense. Huge game coming up on Saturday. It will be a true sign of where we are.

[BCPanther]

We scored 92 points while having a 5 minute drought in the 2nd half. I can't remember a recent example of that happening and that's a great thing.

The defense is SO much better. Rotations were solid and the effort was the best its been in the last two games.

Time to take that defense on the road. I think the play this weekend is make Prim beat you alone without Phyfe on the floor. Ty, Tytan, Heise and Antwan have to do a great job on Mosley and Black.

[A Fan In Lean Years]

This was clearly the best game the team has played to date. It's the first time I've seen this potential that everyone is speaking to come to fruition.

['70 Grad]

This was clearly the best game the team has played to date. It's the first time I've seen this potential that everyone is speaking to come to fruition.

Nice to see you here after a win. Now where is Mudra?

[1994grad]

This is what we were expecting to see when we played Nicholls and Vermont. I am happy where we are right now.

[UNI Ka-Bullseye]

We absolutely abused Krikke down low with quickness and solid footwork. Fun to watch Noah and Tytan remain patient, pivot, pivot, pivot until they find an opening for a shot and they have been dropping lately.

[UNI Ka-Bullseye]

48 points in the paint, 33 points off 3-pointers and 7 free throws. Good thing we made those two crucial baskets between the arc and the paint to open everything else up.

Jacobson call in show tonight he was asked about Tytan Anderson’s shooting range. He said either down low or 3-pointers. He said they don’t practice much midrange due to efficiency numbers. Only certain guys has the midrange game been a part of their offensive game plan. Historically he mentioned Haldeman, Lohaus, and Benny J. Interestingly, he mentioned AJ, Trae, Born, and Noah as current players that can all do that. Just interesting given the discussion on the other thread (sorry if I derail this one too, but it’s 24 hours after the game so…)

[BCPanther]

Jacobson call in show tonight he was asked about Tytan Anderson’s shooting range. He said either down low or 3-pointers. He said they don’t practice much midrange due to efficiency numbers. Only certain guys has the midrange game been a part of their offensive game plan. Historically he mentioned Haldeman, Lohaus, and Benny J. Interestingly, he mentioned AJ, Trae, Born, and Noah as current players that can all do that. Just interesting given the discussion on the other thread (sorry if I derail this one too, but it’s 24 hours after the game so…)

They're teaching it exactly correctly.

Unless you can shoot an elite percentage, anything between 6 and 20 feet is an absolutely awful shot.

[clenz]

Jacobson call in show tonight he was asked about Tytan Anderson’s shooting range. He said either down low or 3-pointers. He said they don’t practice much midrange due to efficiency numbers. Only certain guys has the midrange game been a part of their offensive game plan. Historically he mentioned Haldeman, Lohaus, and Benny J. Interestingly, he mentioned AJ, Trae, Born, and Noah as current players that can all do that. Just interesting given the discussion on the other thread (sorry if I derail this one too, but it’s 24 hours after the game so…)

Gee. Almost exactly what I pointed out....I just happened to give the actual data behind it based on research done on it - and I was told that I was wrong for saying teams don't shoot midrange because it's the worst shot you can take.

[SteinPizza]

Gee. Almost exactly what I pointed out....I just happened to give the actual data behind it based on research done on it - and I was told that I was wrong for saying teams don't shoot midrange because it's the worst shot you can take.

The research and/or this trend didn’t get it’s start in college. It started in the NBA 5-10 years ago when some teams did some moneyball style statistical research on shooting percentages, scoring, shot locations, and outcomes of games. The whole thing went into a “soup” and determined that it’s far better to attempt a ton of three’s and layups/dunks than it is to shoot jumpers inside the arc. I’d like to see the arc moved back in both college and the NBA. Cutting down on the number of three attempts would help the game.

[clenz]

It wouldn’t help the game. The shooting percentages from 14 feet won’t change. It will still be a horrible shot to take. It always has been but coaches and players, until recently, were taught by guys who learned in the 80s and 90s. Most 3s aren’t taken right at the line. Watch the games. Look at shot charts. You could move the line back 2 feet and it isn’t changing anything at all in college and the nba.

people who think we need to force more mid range shots and 3 pointers are bad for the game are the same football fans that think Kirk Ferentz has the right idea for how to run an offense. It’s the 3 yards and a cloud of dust, never go for 2 or on 4th down, punt from the 37 yard line, etc type thinking.

It’s outdated. Statistically it doesn’t make sense to do it. It’s real dumb. Game theory has evolved. Fans won’t like it because “it’s not what I grew up watching” but it’s changed. Every sport has. Baseball fans hate it but the reality is striking out a bit more if it means the hits you get are more extra bases than a few more hits that are singles over the course of a season is better for producing results.

[not a drake fan]

It wouldn’t help the game. The shooting percentages from 14 feet won’t change.

Well, if you move it back far enough, it would lower the points-per-shot that you get from 3s and eventually get it to the point where it is about as attractive as a mid range shot. It's a sliding scale.

I'm not saying that basketball needs these changes. I personally don't find the modern game harder to watch. But plays like this are hard to argue against:

https://twitter.com/DubMnE/status/14...806646275?s=20

That play got me wondering recently if basketball is going to make any wholesale changes. Analytics broke through with baseball and it really kind of ruined the sport in the long run and made it hard to watch. Baseball didn't react quick enough; the game action decreased dramatically. And it's hard to really blame them for that, they were the guinea pigs. The questions I wonder are: is basketball going to feel like it needs to evolve, and will it?