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On Sunday, the game against Seton Hall will be UConn's 19th game. To date, I'm somewhat flummoxed by the team's overall 3-pt shooting percentage. Currently, UConn ranks 37th in the nation with a collective 35.3%. On top is ND, a smidgen below 43%. On a team with a myriad of efficient shooters, I think UConn is underperforming shooting threes. However, I do expect by season's end, the shooters will find their groove.
Who among you would have pegged Morgan Chelli to have the best 3-pt shooting % (10-22) at this juncture? If you did, I want your latest stock recommendation. Since the Iowa St blowout when UConn blazed the nets (20-34) from beyond the arc, they have connected on 54 out of 165 for a 32.7% over 7 games. I don't believe the Iowa St game was an outlier, but if you subtract the game's stats, UConn is connecting on 33% of its three's for the season. That would place them 113th in terms of 3-pt shooting %.
Thankfully, UConn doesn't live or die beyond the arc, nor are they dependent on getting to the foul line (less than 10 attempts per game) to win. As with past UConn teams, they shoot the ball efficiently (50.8%), and they protect the ball (a little more than 10 TO's per game). However, I do feel they can shoot significantly better from long range, which will open up the floor for Paige, Azzi, and Ash to display their mid-range talents, and for Sarah, KK & Morgan to take the ball to the basket more.
Currently, Ash is the only player besides Morgan shooting above 40% from the arc. A pure shooter, Azzi has a career 38.7% from long range. I realize it is an unfair expectation, but with her stroke, I'm surprised when she misses. If Azzi keeps trending the way she is, that % will obviously go up.
Since Paige connected on 5 of 7 from three in the Iowa St game, she is only 6-22. Unlike Azzi and Ash who are great catch-and-shoot players, Paige is a much better shooter in motion. Over this span, I feel her 3-pt attempts, particularly when she misses, haven't been in flow, but are forced - like I haven't heaved one up in awhile, so here goes. This might feel like nitpicking, but Paige, like Azzi, is just too good of a player/shooter.
There is one reason why I think the team will shoot better as the tourney approaches. There are 9 on the roster that are averaging 15 minutes or more of playing time (Morgan is a shade below). Geno has experimented with many different player combinations, and that may be disruptive to developing a shooting rhythm. In theory, the outside shooting % should improve as the rotation tightens and court continuity increases for the core players.
As long as UConn keeps winning, 3-pt shooting isn't a factor. However, they have too many players who are capable of shooting the lights out, as we saw in the Iowa St game. Imagine how difficult it will be for teams to defend UConn firing on all cylinders, facing them for the first time.
Oddly enough, it seems UConn brings out every opponent's best outside shooting game. Beginning with Seton Hall, let's reverse the table.
Who among you would have pegged Morgan Chelli to have the best 3-pt shooting % (10-22) at this juncture? If you did, I want your latest stock recommendation. Since the Iowa St blowout when UConn blazed the nets (20-34) from beyond the arc, they have connected on 54 out of 165 for a 32.7% over 7 games. I don't believe the Iowa St game was an outlier, but if you subtract the game's stats, UConn is connecting on 33% of its three's for the season. That would place them 113th in terms of 3-pt shooting %.
Thankfully, UConn doesn't live or die beyond the arc, nor are they dependent on getting to the foul line (less than 10 attempts per game) to win. As with past UConn teams, they shoot the ball efficiently (50.8%), and they protect the ball (a little more than 10 TO's per game). However, I do feel they can shoot significantly better from long range, which will open up the floor for Paige, Azzi, and Ash to display their mid-range talents, and for Sarah, KK & Morgan to take the ball to the basket more.
Currently, Ash is the only player besides Morgan shooting above 40% from the arc. A pure shooter, Azzi has a career 38.7% from long range. I realize it is an unfair expectation, but with her stroke, I'm surprised when she misses. If Azzi keeps trending the way she is, that % will obviously go up.
Since Paige connected on 5 of 7 from three in the Iowa St game, she is only 6-22. Unlike Azzi and Ash who are great catch-and-shoot players, Paige is a much better shooter in motion. Over this span, I feel her 3-pt attempts, particularly when she misses, haven't been in flow, but are forced - like I haven't heaved one up in awhile, so here goes. This might feel like nitpicking, but Paige, like Azzi, is just too good of a player/shooter.
There is one reason why I think the team will shoot better as the tourney approaches. There are 9 on the roster that are averaging 15 minutes or more of playing time (Morgan is a shade below). Geno has experimented with many different player combinations, and that may be disruptive to developing a shooting rhythm. In theory, the outside shooting % should improve as the rotation tightens and court continuity increases for the core players.
As long as UConn keeps winning, 3-pt shooting isn't a factor. However, they have too many players who are capable of shooting the lights out, as we saw in the Iowa St game. Imagine how difficult it will be for teams to defend UConn firing on all cylinders, facing them for the first time.
Oddly enough, it seems UConn brings out every opponent's best outside shooting game. Beginning with Seton Hall, let's reverse the table.
