Something that will low-key help our more borderline guys like Karaban and Newton is that a lot of their 3-point attempts were from deep.
This was frustrating when it felt like we were taking more difficult 26-footers than easier 23-footers, but will help them and their credibility as NBA shooters.
Funny you noted the deep 3s he would take. I actually liked that he and Newton would often take open threes two to three feet beyond the collegiate three-point Arc. Knocking down outside Js are more a factor of repeated execution at comfortable distances than the distance themselves.
I've often wondered why wouldn't coaches teach their good shooters to take their threes at least a foot or more beyond the outside Arc, where defenders often allow more a buffer from that distance. I wonder statistically if there much of a big difference between taking a less contested 25 footer compared to taking one with their toes just behind the arc with a hand in their face.
Seeing how often Newton and Karaban took deep threes, would seem to indicate that it was part of Hurley's player development and game plan. Not only do those deep dagger threes have a psychological impact on the opponent, it also opens up the court forcing the D to defend further out and provides a lot of intriguing film for NBA franchises that are looking for shooters that are comfortable beyond the NBA 3-point arc.
I think we're going to see more of the same this coming season and beyond as long as UConn has one or more outside shooters who feel comfortable shooting out there and are able to knock them down at reasonable clip.
Alex did struggle with consistency for some stretches during the season, but I think as he gets stronger and has more time to work on his game, he'll get those percentages back up to an impressive number. Selfishly, I wish he wasn't shooting them quite as good at the combine ensuring a return to UConn, but I think there will be more than one franchise that will see enough in his overall game in addition to his sharp shooting to commit to taking him at an acceptable draft position and dollar figure. I have often wondered what if a team picks him in the second round that hasn't promised a certain contract number before one of the teams is able to select him that did lay out some parameters. Some second round picks are getting some big contracts with solid guaranteed money, but not all of them.
