As we all know, we have not shot the ball particularly well this season. Our FG % of 42.2% ranks 267th in the country. Surprisingly, our 3 point % (34.6%) is middle of the road at 141st in spite of our 3 point specialist Roderick sitting at 17.5%. Free throws have been great, 43rd in the nation with 75.8%.

Meanwhile, our opponents are shooting 45.9% which is 46th highest in the country ...but just 29.2% from 3 which is 299th in the country. So basically the battle of the 2 pointers has NOT went well for us on either end. Obviously missing DW and his 65% FG% has harmed us in this department. Also, as good as we have been at the FT line, our opponents have been better (80% the 4th highest opposing FT % in the country).

I've observed that this has felt like legitimately bad shooting and not a product of a weak offense that can't create good looks. From the eye test it just feels like we missed a lot of shots that we all felt were gonna go down. We have managed turnovers well and maximized possessions. This is supported by our points per shot of 1.15 which ranks 280th in the country. Bumping that up just a tenth of a point to be middle of the pack would make a huge difference and to me is the core of what needs improved when we get to MAC play.

We are top 100 in steals while ranking 32nd in the country in least amount of turnovers (10.7), this in spite on Sears still being a little turnover prone with room to grow in my opinion. We are nearly the best in the country at NOT committing fouls at just 12.8 per game. We rebound at a rate of 48.3% (not good, 280th in the country) but given how many 2 pointers we miss on offense and how few 2 pointers our opponents make, I am not sure this is a huge indictment on our rebounding.

The cyncical response would be shooting is tough to teach in the short term and we just don't have enough good shooters. I choose to view this all as encouraging. I think the guts of the team and in a broader sense the program and scheme is looking very good. If Roderick starts hitting 3s more, and Carter's touch around the rim gets going, Sears hits a few more floaters, etc...it makes us very tough to beat.

Nice breakdown Andrew…. In the bold predictions thread for this year I had said Ohio would have the largest ft% and ft% defense percentage turnaround in the country. As you pointed out, we are doing better making them but, holey moley, is our defensive percentage terrible! Now, I don’t want to do this but, maybe the Green Jinx should be brought back… I’m guessing some of the old timers may know the steps to do it? ;)

Go Bobcats!

Love the info - one question - you say, "We rebound at a rate of 48.3% (not good, 280th in the country) but given how many 2 pointers we miss on offense and how few 2 pointers our opponents make, I am not sure this is a huge indictment on our rebounding."

But I thought in the first paragraph you said our opponents are not making 3s, but making 2s. Am I mistaken? Should it read..."how many 2 pointers our opponents make, I am not..." just trying to make sure I'm following the analysis.

High percentage points under at the basket are money when 3's aren't dropping. BVP was cold and Boals sent the message to paint, paint, paint !