Is Sterling Smith being utilized right?

[Sean Miller Fan]

Smith shot 42% from 3 last year and is shooting 57% this year, but only on 14 shots. The kid is a borderline elite shooter and he rarely shoots and only plays half the game.

I look at what Cline did from Purdue. 4 for 4 in about 5 minutes. That right there was the difference. I wonder if Smith got 4 open 3s in that same time period.

Smith is a heck of a weapon and I'd like to see us use him more and less of Chris Jones. Instead of the Smith/Jones platoon, I'd like to most of the minutes go to Smith. He's a guy other teams have to worry about. We have Young and Artis and if Robinson is scoring, Smith becomes even more dangerous.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Smith shot 42% from 3 last year and is shooting 57% this year, but only on 14 shots. The kid is a borderline elite shooter and he rarely shoots and only plays half the game.

I look at what Cline did from Purdue. 4 for 4 in about 5 minutes. That right there was the difference. I wonder if Smith got 4 open 3s in that same time period.

Smith is a heck of a weapon and I'd like to see us use him more and less of Chris Jones. Instead of the Smith/Jones platoon, I'd like to most of the minutes go to Smith. He's a guy other teams have to worry about. We have Young and Artis and if Robinson is scoring, Smith becomes even more dangerous.

-Yea. I agree. Pitt should play him more and set him up for more 3's. Give him open looks and he'll be able to knock them down at a good rate.

- We definitely need to do this vs Duquesne tomorrow due to their great three point shooters. Smith can "help" match the 3's they make. Also, Pitt needs to play Milligan and Wilson more. They combined for just 4 minutes vs Purdue!! Wilson, at 6-5, (IMO) should also be able to get time at SG when J-Rob's on the court too. These two should combine for at least 10 min a game.

Go Pitt...

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Sterling smith is clearly a better shooter than mason this year.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Sterling smith is clearly a better shooter than mason this year.

Which means that he is the greatest three point shooter in the history of college basketball!!!

 

[Zaratoughda]

Other than the 'big 3', Smith is the ONLY player on the roster that is carrying his weight. He isn't lightening it up but he isn't putting up a lot of misses either... and plays solid defense. Seems to be finding where he fits in better as time moves along... and thus overall is getting better.

On the other hand... I am really disappointed with Chris Jones. Has the talent to be an impact player off the bench and his floor game is good but he is leaving a LOT of shots short and that impresses me as a sign of immaturity. Has not grown up as a player yet.

What *I* think Dixon should do... is trim down the rotation significantly. STOP playing MY much if at all at C, and instead get Jeter more minutes spelling BOTH MY and Artis (at SF). Move Slim back to SG and let him compete with Jones for PT there spelling Smith.

Yeah, Slim was ofor against Purdue as well but he is just a RS freshman so he has time. Jones though is a junior and is running out of time. Again he has the potential to be an IMPACT player off the bench. Just put the ball in the hoop and go from there.

Of course the above scheme would leave the 'Three Amigos' (ANO, Maia and Luther) to handle the C slot but, playing MY there isn't gonna bring you any more D so you may as well go that way... and can always play MY there if you have to.

IMO MY is the best player on this team and you got to optimize your rotation around him... and after him, Artis and Robinson... Jeter is the player with the most potential so you gotta get him time in preference to Jones or Slim.

Of course, I don't expect Dixon to go this way.