Should we expect an improvement in offense?

[CascadeClone]

I think 3 things can help improve our offense.

1. Stop turnovers in bunches. Our turnovers have gone down the past 2 games from around 18 per game to 12. However, having several in a row really puts pressure to score immediately.
2. Hunter is starting to penetrate more and that will help.
3. Continue or get back to better ball movement. When it sticks we get forced, contested shots.

The OU loss to me was a Defensive breakdown in the last 10 minutes more than our offense.

I think you a have it pretty close here.

One thing I wonder about- as OP noted these guys were basically all starting from scratch playing together, and its obvious they spent a LOT of time on defense at practices from day 1. Now that the defense is pretty well installed, they may spend some practice time on adding different offensive looks (e.g. curt noted that 'horns' has started to happen) and maybe we will see more of that and other wrinkles. That could help when teams change up defenses.

The defense is so good now, that just a few more points makes a big difference. And god help the opponent on nights when any 2 of Grill, Kunc, Gabe, or Hunter are hot from 3... Good luck defending IB, Hunter driving, and having good shooting on kickouts. They have got good 3 point looks all season long (Byalor the exception imho) just haven't shot it great consistently.

 

[AuH2O]

I am also hoping for some offensive adjustments/tweaks. I am hoping we see some ball movement going in and out, instead of just back and forth.

I know Rob Jones missed some "lay up" shots...... however I loved seeing some action in the lane...... also some aggression. I thought he had a great game, over all.

We have to be able to go inside to allow for better shots outside.

Conditt can't do much standing at the free throw line, waiting to hand the ball off to someone.

While we probably go to that well too much, we had some of our best offense vs. OU running the action with GC at the FT line.

 

[AuH2O]

There are so many great stories with this team this year, I hope people don't overlook how hard Robert Jones is working to find a place on this team.
The consensus from a lot of people when he was brought in was that he was kind of just filler for a team desperate for size. He's worked his tail off to be more than that and to be a contributor on a Big 12 squad. Conditt is clearly more talented offensively, but our team offense often seems to work better with Jones in there instead.

My interpretation from TJs comments on the Jones commit was that TJ knew Rob was going to come in and make sure they had high levels of intensity and competition in practice at the least. My interpretation of Jones sticking in the rotation early was that TJ has committed to the fact that for this ISU team to be successful he needs through the roof intensity in practice. If Jones is one of the guys driving that, come pretty much hell or high water TJ is going to give him minutes and send that message.

Sort of the opposite when all the CF posters were freaking out about Lard not getting pretty much all the minutes he could handle when he was (allegedly) doing pretty much the opposite of Rob. He was better than Beverly, so he should just play. That's how loser cultures are built. Thankfully TJ is a lot smarter than CF posters.

 

[VeloClone]

Didn't he bank in two straight FT's early in the season? I couldn't decide whether he did that on purpose or just that both were that far off. However, if that would work for him it'd be worth a try.

I remember Chelsea Poppens being atrocious at free throws when she came to ISU. The coaching staff worked with her and eventually had her shoot free throws entirely one handed and it worked. By the end of the season they had her percentage up to .627. Her senior year she shot .837 from the line.

 

[CyHans]

I remember Chelsea Poppens being atrocious at free throws when she came to ISU. The coaching staff worked with her and eventually had her shoot free throws entirely one handed and it worked. By the end of the season they had her percentage up to .627. Her senior year she shot .837 from the line.
[/QUOT
Interesting. I've always thought that FT shooting was something you could fix with lots of practice. I understand that some guys will naturally be better than others but at this level they should be able to make FT's.

 

[madguy30]

The margin for error is pretty tight so when they get to the rim they need to close the deal.

Enaruna finding it would help a lot.

 

[madguy30]

My interpretation from TJs comments on the Jones commit was that TJ knew Rob was going to come in and make sure they had high levels of intensity and competition in practice at the least. My interpretation of Jones sticking in the rotation early was that TJ has committed to the fact that for this ISU team to be successful he needs through the roof intensity in practice. If Jones is one of the guys driving that, come pretty much hell or high water TJ is going to give him minutes and send that message.

Sort of the opposite when all the CF posters were freaking out about Lard not getting pretty much all the minutes he could handle when he was (allegedly) doing pretty much the opposite of Rob. He was better than Beverly, so he should just play. That's how loser cultures are built. Thankfully TJ is a lot smarter than CF posters.

It's early but I'd be curious what TJ could have done with some CSP guys.

Doesn't always pan out but if a player has clear cut expectations the outcome can have a better chance.

 

[CyberJJJ]

A few thoughts on our offense:

1. As TJ has said, our defense ignites our offense.
2. The offense looked quite different with Gabe hitting shots.
3. Kansas defended the rim well under the bucket. I was surprised the number of paint shots we took up and got stripped or blocked with no fouls and limited scoring. Felt like we lost a bit of the toughness edge there for part of the game, especially 1st part of the 2nd half.
4. Grill is no longer just a spot up three point shooter as he has shown he can pull up coming off a screen and shoot with someone in his face.
5. The next time Brockington goes to the right on a defender will likely shock the hell out of them, but dude is money in the midrange game.
6. Love how hard Jones runs the floor because he isn't the guy we run lots of sets for.
7. Would love to see George be able to drive when a big (ex Groves in OK game) overplays him on the wing. Feels like he doesn't even look at the bucket to be a threat to pass or drive so they can overplay his passes to the weaving guards. His ability to finish the lobs has worked well.
8. Going 1-20 or 1-14 from three makes every offense look worse. If we have multiple threats, including Hunter, that spreads the D and makes our motion offense more effective.
9. It feels like other teams haven't respected Jazz's shot as they always look surprised when he puts one in from range vs. driving.

 

[davegilbertson]

I am also hoping for some offensive adjustments/tweaks. I am hoping we see some ball movement going in and out, instead of just back and forth.

I know Rob Jones missed some "lay up" shots...... however I loved seeing some action in the lane...... also some aggression. I thought he had a great game, over all.

We have to be able to go inside to allow for better shots outside.

Conditt can't do much standing at the free throw line, waiting to hand the ball off to someone.

As much as I'm not a fan of initiating through GC 24 ft from the rim, feel that may be our version of trying to space. GC isn't a shooting threat, but if he's handing off/setting a pick on IZB'S man. GC's defender has to come out help.

 

[cygrads]

After watching the KU game there were a few times Hunter had a chance to attack the KU defense before they were setup, like a secondary break situation, that he didn't and once he starts pressing that action we may be able to avoid scoring droughts.

 

[SCarolinaCy]

Sometimes I think there is too much lateral weave passing, (turn over risk) without anyone cutting or getting open under the rim, or other wise moving toward the basket.

I am not a fan of the turnaround jump shot. Good for Curry, but not our level of play. Spot the shooter (s) on the 3 point line facing the basket with feet set and ready to shoot.

 

[quasistellar]

After watching the KU game there were a few times Hunter had a chance to attack the KU defense before they were setup, like a secondary break situation, that he didn't and once he starts pressing that action we may be able to avoid scoring droughts.

Yeah I've noticed that, too, but I will consider it a bonus this year if he develops more of that style of game.

 

[ZRF]

After watching the KU game there were a few times Hunter had a chance to attack the KU defense before they were setup, like a secondary break situation, that he didn't and once he starts pressing that action we may be able to avoid scoring droughts.

Hunter uses his body to shield the defender from the ball beautifully on clear breaks. He just doesn't have the feel for secondary breaks where he could push the action and succeed. When he pushed in the half court, he often misfires on his spots, drives into a wall of defenders, then tries to pass through them instead of kicking out. On the latter, if and when that happens, we need to hit the open (3) with more consistency.

 

[SolarGarlic]

A few thoughts on our offense:

1. As TJ has said, our defense ignites our offense.
2. The offense looked quite different with Gabe hitting shots.
3. Kansas defended the rim well under the bucket. I was surprised the number of paint shots we took up and got stripped or blocked with no fouls and limited scoring. Felt like we lost a bit of the toughness edge there for part of the game, especially 1st part of the 2nd half.
4. Grill is no longer just a spot up three point shooter as he has shown he can pull up coming off a screen and shoot with someone in his face.
5. The next time Brockington goes to the right on a defender will likely shock the hell out of them, but dude is money in the midrange game.
6. Love how hard Jones runs the floor because he isn't the guy we run lots of sets for.
7. Would love to see George be able to drive when a big (ex Groves in OK game) overplays him on the wing. Feels like he doesn't even look at the bucket to be a threat to pass or drive so they can overplay his passes to the weaving guards. His ability to finish the lobs has worked well.
8. Going 1-20 or 1-14 from three makes every offense look worse. If we have multiple threats, including Hunter, that spreads the D and makes our motion offense more effective.
9. It feels like other teams haven't respected Jazz's shot as they always look surprised when he puts one in from range vs. driving.

I think it's important that Brockington look to get all the way to the rim. Related to #5, when an opponent forces him right like TT did, he has to be comfortable enough to go right with a plan, even if it's to get back to his left. He should have some counters. His move on Agbaji on his last midrange was fantastic.

It seems like he wants to shoot midrange no matter what the defense is giving to him. TT basically gave him the lane if he went right, and he wouldn't take it.

Also, not everything has to be a two hand dunk. He got blocked on an inbounds play where he was wide open because he decided to gather himself, jump off two feet, and go for a two handed dunk. This isn't Grambling St. Get the ball on the glass and score. He later missed a putback because he tried to dunk it from a long distance instead of easily laying it in. Points are valuable for this team. We can't sacrifice any for style points.

Anyways, Brockington has been awesome, but he has room to be even better.

 

[blutarsky]

I do wish our bigs would dribble every once in a while...it's like a combination of Conditt/Jones get the ball at the top of the key and they are afraid to dribble ANYWHERE

It becomes awkward when Conditt, Kunc and Jones are stuck that far from the hoop. There back is to the basket and dribbling appears to be the last resort. Would like to seem them square up to the hoop on that action to be able to hit someone diving to the hoop. It would look more natural anyway.

 

[blutarsky]

Enaruna finding it would help a lot.

Enaruna appears to be in witness protection lately. It might take him a few more conference games to get his swagger back. They need the Tristan from the Baylor game. Not this imposter from the last three.

 

[t-noah]

Sort of the opposite when all the CF posters were freaking out about Lard not getting pretty much all the minutes he could handle when he was (allegedly) doing pretty much the opposite of Rob. He was better than Beverly, so he should just play. That's how loser cultures are built. Thankfully TJ is a lot smarter than CF posters.

So it sounds like Lard lived up to his name!

 

[t-noah]

While we are still running a lot of the high post offense, in the last couple games we have run some "Horns" look which we hadn't done previously.

I'll admit I had to look this up. I never knew it was called that, but I believe you are right.

I'm hoping for some "Horns-down" offense (and defense) on Saturday!

 

[Jkclone15]

Does George Conditt have another gear to his game? At this point 6 of the 9 rotation players have led the team in scoring at least one game. I would be shocked if Jones ever does, and surprised if Tre does, but idk what to think of Conditt. What is his ceiling?

 

[VeloClone]

Does George Conditt have another gear to his game? At this point 6 of the 9 rotation players have led the team in scoring at least one game. I would be shocked if Jones ever does, and surprised if Tre does, but idk what to think of Conditt. What is his ceiling?

George is his own worst enemy. He plays with such enthusiasm that you hate to squelch it but he picks up too many headscratcher fouls. Then when he picks up a questionable foul he is already in foul trouble. He could be so valuable on offense if he could stay on the floor.