Vital in the first 8 games of conference play from 3: 9/43 (21%)
3pt attempts per game: 5.4
2pt attempts per game: 6.6
Offensive rating (ORTG): 96.9 (median 90.5)
Our record: 2-6
Vital in the last 7 games of conference play from 3: 22/58 (38%)
3pt attempts per game: 8.3
2pt attempts per game: 5.9
Offensive rating (ORTG): 113 (median 111)
Our record: 4-3
Takeaways - Vital was shooting 37.5% in the non-conference season from 3. His performance in the beginning of conference play when combined with a tough schedule (or caused by it?) had a big impact on our offense and winning. He has since dramatically increased his 3pt shooting percentage while also increasing his attempts by 50% in the 2nd half of conference play. That combination is pretty wild, considering how efficiency generally diminishes with attempts. Taken with his shooting last year, it's pretty apparent he was just in a bad slump. He seems to believe that he's out of it, because he's taken at least 7 3pt attempts in 6 of the last 7 games (only did that once in the first part of the schedule.)
His reversion to the mean has made up for some of the injuries we've suffered and is a big part of the reason why our offensive efficiency gains have offset the defensive efficiency losses after Akok's injury. The shooting of Vital and Bouknight will obviously be crucial in the AAC tournament, but their recent form and Whaley's play has me quite optimistic.
3pt attempts per game: 5.4
2pt attempts per game: 6.6
Offensive rating (ORTG): 96.9 (median 90.5)
Our record: 2-6
Vital in the last 7 games of conference play from 3: 22/58 (38%)
3pt attempts per game: 8.3
2pt attempts per game: 5.9
Offensive rating (ORTG): 113 (median 111)
Our record: 4-3
Takeaways - Vital was shooting 37.5% in the non-conference season from 3. His performance in the beginning of conference play when combined with a tough schedule (or caused by it?) had a big impact on our offense and winning. He has since dramatically increased his 3pt shooting percentage while also increasing his attempts by 50% in the 2nd half of conference play. That combination is pretty wild, considering how efficiency generally diminishes with attempts. Taken with his shooting last year, it's pretty apparent he was just in a bad slump. He seems to believe that he's out of it, because he's taken at least 7 3pt attempts in 6 of the last 7 games (only did that once in the first part of the schedule.)
His reversion to the mean has made up for some of the injuries we've suffered and is a big part of the reason why our offensive efficiency gains have offset the defensive efficiency losses after Akok's injury. The shooting of Vital and Bouknight will obviously be crucial in the AAC tournament, but their recent form and Whaley's play has me quite optimistic.