In Reply to: I should add, well done Coach Close posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on March 29, 2026 at 15:11:41
I just checked ESPN's game stats from the last 8 games and the last two games are startling to me in how good teams are aggressively defensing our wings to the three point line.
VS Duke: 2-14 3 pt. 14%
VS Minn: 4-16 3 pt. 25%
VS OK State: 7-17 3 pt. 41%
VS Cal Baptist: 5-15 3 pt. 33%
VS Iowa: 13-26 3 pt. 50%
VS tOSU: 6-19 3 pt. 32%
VS Wash: 1-10 3 pt. 1%
VS USC: 9-24 3 pt. 34%
To me when teams didn't aggressively defense our wings to the three point line, we got many more open 3 point shots. We also had better passing lanes to the paint, which Betts and our post players got good looks down low. And our wings had open lanes to drive to the basket (Jaquez, Rice, Kneepkins).
The last couple games, teams were aggressively pursuing our wings and that, to this casual basketball observer, took us out of our game a bit until we adjusted in the second half. Against a team like UConn, I think we could be in a bit of trouble if we can't get open looks from the 3 point line.
Also, we need Kneepkins to step it up to open it up.
Perhaps a basketball savant can elaborate on my suspicions or where I am off base.