When you lose the battle of rebounds, turnovers, shooting percentage or free throws, you increase your chances of losing significantly. Pitt has rarely lost the battles in any of these areas this season, with the exception of shooting percentage. Against St. Francis for example, Pitt had 23 turnovers. Enough said. Against Notre Dame for example, Pitt shot 31% from the field. Enough said. Pitt ranks 236th out of 340 teams in field goal shooting %. It goes without saying that any team could potentially win more games by shooting the ball better, especially the 3 pt. shot. The impact the 3 pt. shot has on the game of basketball is incredible. If you look at Pitt's recent losses to Wake Forest and Virginia, Pitt outplayed both teams with the exception of the 3 pt. shot field goal percentage. Against Wake Forest, Pitt was 5 of 12 on 3 pt. shots while Wake Forest shot 15 of 32. Pitt won the rebounding, turnovers and free throws yet lost by 1 point. Against Virginia, Pitt was 4 of 14 from 3 pt. land while Virginia shot 12 of 24. Pitt won the rebounding and turnover battles and the free throws were even, but Pitt lost by 7 points. The needed improvements are as obvious as they are frustrating. Simply put, Pitt needs to shoot the 3 pt. shot better and find a way to reduce the percentage of successful 3 pt. shots against them by reducing the NUMBER of 3 pt. attempts against them. Just using these two games as an example, when you are facing a talented team with elite 3 pt. shooters, force them to take the ball to the hoop. Trading just three successful 3 point conversions to 2 point conversions is a three point difference. Great shooters will still make some 3 pt. attempts but if you forced just a few successful 3 pt. shots and traded them for successful 2 pt. shots, you win these two games.
Trading 3's for 2's
- Thread starter thelegendmjb54
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