Live by the jump shot, die by the jump shot?

by mlmintampa on Dec 21, 2010 9:52 AM EST in Florida Basketball

Florida's loss to Jacksonville, in which they shot 36 percent, looks strange next to their victory against Kansas State, in which they shot 54 percent. Against an inferior opponent, UF would have won the game if they shot better than 68 percent (23-34) at the free throw line too.

No one here is James Naismith, but I think that we can agree that UF has two major problems on offense; too many guys standing around and too many jumpers. Florida got to the line 34 times against the Dolphins, but only 15 times against Kansas State. UF is averaging 19.8 free throw attempts per game, tied for 229th in the nation. To make that number worse, they are shooting 66 percent at the line, 235th nationally.

I realize that Alex Tyus is allergic to contact and Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker are not big enough to drive to the hole and convert, but something has to be done to get easier buckets. Even against K-State, Florida was knocking down 18-footers, not layups. It isn't as simple as passing more, because three guys standing around watching the ball as Vernon Macklin posts up, won't make it easier.

The most concerning thing about the losses to Jacksonville and UCF is that UF lost to inferior teams. Jump shooting teams have bad nights. But good offensive teams have those bad nights and can still win by scoring at the line or driving to the hole. UF hasn't done that.

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Two coaches who are making in or around 4 million dollars. And no offense from either of them.

The Once and Future King

by FlaGators on Dec 21, 2010 10:14 AM EST reply actions

I was just talking about this in the other post about the JU game

What happened to alley-oops? What happened to dunking the ball? Too many times in that JU game I watched Vernon, Tyus and Murphy all attempt to tip or lay up a ball right under the rim. I thought guys that tall were supposed to dunk it on your head if they’re that close. Apparently these guys have missed the memo.

Another thing Patric, stop trying to emmulate Macklin, you’re better than that. Be physical, stop spinning toward the paint and more defenders and spin baseline, use your freaking left or dunk it.

And I’m tired of watching Chandler and Co. stand around waiting for the ball, what happened to back screens and making the defense move and then attacking? If you’re the bigs aren’t making shots, you’ve got to have player and ball movement. Heck, you’ve got to have that anyways!

Get out of my House!

by ECFIVESTER on Dec 21, 2010 11:30 AM EST reply actions

Seems like the only dunks

come on plays where there is no one around them. Even Tyus’s putbacks, now come when no one is in his way. Jump over some one, God gave you two legs to do it.

Get out of my House!

by ECFIVESTER on Dec 21, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions