Points in the Paint

[kyyote]

I finally found the stat that I have been looking for.  I have complained about the soft play from the big men offensively.  We have 1 and 1/2 3-point shooters.  Boum is our one who isn't a great three-point shooter but capable.  I keep screaming get closer!  Big men need to stuff.  Guards need to drive and dish.

So, here is the points in the paint and our opponents.

UTEP        Opponent     w/l # Points
28             14 WNM        W +28
32             34 NMSU       L -6
40             14 NNMC       W +35
20             20 Pac           W +9
10             18 UCR          L -12
22             16 FAMU        W +14
28             52 NMSU       L -3
26             46 KU            L -26
36             36 UNM         W +8
30             40 McN          W +10
14             36 NCC         W +4
26             16 Brad         L -7
26             36 UAB          L -13

In 13 games we had more points in the paint in 4 games-Western New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, FAMU, and Bradley.  We won three of those.  We had an equal number of points in the paint with Pacific and UNM and won both of them, beating Pacific by 9 and New Mexico by 8.  Seven games played in which we scored less that the opponent in the paint we lost 5 and won 2.

More points in the paint than the opponent winning 75%.
Equal points in the paint winning percentage 100%
Less points in the paint than opponent winning percentage 29%

Now, in the 4 games that we had more pitp, 3 of them are competition approximately equal to glorified scrimmages.  In the one that was against tough competition Bradley showed that a true outside shooting game can be very dangerous.  Pacific and UNM equaled UTEP in points in the paint but UTEP won by 9 and 8 points based on defense and turnovers. 
There have been health related problems but that is true for everyone.  Now, looking at the games and teams we have played and the teams in conference play and ask yourself how we will do in the paint.  More, the same or less?

My question is simple.  I want to know if the coach is not creating opportunities for the front-line players to get theirs or are they just not capable.  I have wanted TV to play like a strong man but have gotten finesse.  I had thought that it was deference to Bryson, and that this season he would get his chance to be a force.  Evidently, I was wrong.  But I want to know why.  Again, I go back to the coach putting him in position to be a beast that he is or bring a beast mode to him if he doesn't have it naturally.  Really, the same question is what I have about our front line, entirely.   

[Chanson]

Great stats.

This tells me we need more points in the paint. Teams always have off shooting nights. That is where defense & points in the paint wins games. We don't have any lock down shooters. What we have is athleticism & defense. Last I checked, athleticism doesn't need to shoot, but drive & score or drive & dish. It's difficult to do when you only have size & strength.
That being said, we are not at 100%. Kennedy nursing a knee while Verho is nursing his back. Sibley can be great, I just can't figure the kid out.

[kyyote]

The lack of points in the paint lowers offensive rebounds and put back points. It means less fouls forced on opponents and less foul shots. And for crying out loud the shots are closer and easier to make!  So my question remains. Is it Golding?  Is he trying?  Is the mix needed to play defense his way dictating an abandonment of the inside game?  The guy shot like 50% or better for UAB and nobody fouled him. I am going to HackaShaq his ass and make him earn the points at the line-especially since most of those guys are doing a lot of running around and watching him score.

[SisyphusMiner]

What inside game could we have?  Our inside game is Kennedy or Sibley driving.  TV can't score.  Maring is a mess.  Kalu either can't or won't shoot.  Hollins sucks.

[kyyote]

That?s why I want the guards driving and dishing to big men for dunks instead of kicking it out for a brick try at a three. Or a put back from a big man a front line player acting like one. Maybe Golding is so concerned with them getting back and guarding that they can?t play forward. Again, isn?t that the coach?s job to solve that?  If that?s a problem are we addressing it. Can we see evidence of it?  Am I just crazy?  I am a lot so I can?t tell anymore.

[SisyphusMiner]

I'm just saying I'm not confident that we can dish to big men for dunks.  Which big man will go up strong for a dunk? Only Maring and Onyema and those guys hurt you so bad in every other wahy what good does it do to have them out there?  Kennedy goes up soft for dunks too which is why so many of his are blocked.  None of these guys play truly physical.  I think Kalu may in time, but not now.  I'm not sure Hollins feet actually leave the floor at any time.

[kyyote]

In sincerity we only have one consistent shooter from 3.   Satterfield
Only one consistent shooter from inside 3.  Sibley

TV can?t hit a 2 ft baby jump hook.  Boum is wildly inconsistent, as are Kennedy and Bienemy.   Holland and Agnew should never shoot anywhere.  Maring no farther than 3 feet.

Back door is essentially unguarded

I'm just saying I'm not confident that we can dish to big men for dunks.  Which big man will go up strong for a dunk? Only Maring and Onyema and those guys hurt you so bad in every other wahy what good does it do to have them out there?  Kennedy goes up soft for dunks too which is why so many of his are blocked.  None of these guys play truly physical.  I think Kalu may in time, but not now.  I'm not sure Hollins feet actually leave the floor at any time.

Sooooo, we have no shooters, no big men, and the defense is like a screen door on a submarine.  And to think that we used to win championships.  The landscape has changed over time and we seemed to have hired Rip Van Winkle to keep us up to date.  Or maybe shit just changed so quickly.  Or did it?  Money?  More of my crazy?