What’s changed with Marquette’s Offense?

Due to work circumstances, I’ve found it difficult to put pen to paper on the old blog, and have instead dumped some threads onto Twitter.

Normally, I’d say it’s lazy and inefficient to then copy and paste that into a blog, but it’s better to keep it all in one place, particularly for those who aren’t on Twitter.

#EliteCuttingUnit

#mubb thread time, and apologies to @TheGoldenBreak but I'm going to steal the point they've been hammering home for over a month now (that's why you should follow them and listen to their pods).

Has Marquette blossomed offensively and become an #EliteCuttingUnit?

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 13, 2022

It's also important to note that as defined in Synergy, a Kolek/Oso P&R where Kolek passes to a "cutting" Oso flashing to the basket is not categorized as a cut, but rather P&R Man.

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 13, 2022

Since Big East play has started, #mubb's efficiency on Cut possessions has dipped to 1.18. That's bad right?

WRONG!

1.18 PPP is about average nationally, but also would constitute the 2nd most efficient play type MU runs.

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 13, 2022

So MU is now scoring 11 points a game from cuts, and again, this includes the 1st 3 losses, not just the wins.

And the eye test backs it up. Players are diving so well for Oso and Greg and Stevie, not just waiting for Kolek to work his magic.

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 13, 2022

All of this is to say, I think it's pretty safe to say #mubb has blossomed offensively.

We noted the decrease in 3pt Rate yesterday, and it all ties together.

MU is moving off ball much better, so there is less need to shoot low quality 3s.

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 13, 2022

Dunkapalooza!

With 11 dunks last night, #mubb now sits at 74 for the season, per TRank, most in the Big East in both volume and share of shots.

It also breaks the previous MU record (since 2010) of 65 set in 2012. We're barely past the halfway of the season, this is nuts. pic.twitter.com/v17rJKu4H1

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 12, 2022

I'd also like to add that of those 40 Cut/P&R, 18 have been dimes from Kolek.

Next highest is Greg with 6.

Apologies to @jgtrends for constantly ripping his stuff, but you can see why #mubb is so high in this chart (prior to last night). pic.twitter.com/MbZsPSogdV

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 12, 2022

I've never thought to check where #mubb's dunks rank nationally, but not only are they 2nd in total dunks made, they are also 2nd in the country in share of shots that come from dunks.

It's never finished in the top 50 nationally (since 2010).

Originally tweeted by Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) on January 12, 2022.

Putting the 3s back in 3s and dunks

#mubb shot 45.8% from 3 last night, its 2nd best game of the season and best at Fiserv.

If you look at the TRank trend, you can see the 5-game average (the black line), shooting up 8 points in just 3 games. That's awesome to see.

The big Q: is it sustainable?

I've beat the drum over and over that this isn't a good shooting team, and I still wouldn't call the season long average of 33.2% "good," though it's not awful any more (186th).

But I do think there has been a significant change.

For starters, the ratio or 3s as overall FG attempts has gone down pretty significantly. Here is the 5-game rolling average.

If you don't have a cadre of shooters, it's best to not make it the primary source of offense.

But the really interesting part, to me, is who in fact is shooting those 3s.

Only 2 players who averaged at least 1 3pt attempt a game in Dec and Jan have increased their volume.

But look in that circle, Kolek, Lewis and Morsell all decreased their volume.

These are your pillars, the ones who play the most minutes being much more discerning with their shot selection and not settling.

They are still taking 3+ a game, so it's not like they have a red light, but the quality of them also continues to improve.

But the thing with 3s, it's always important to acknowledge how much luck comes into play.

In Dec, MU shot 36% (14/39) on unguarded 3s.
In Jan it's at 60.8% (17/28).

There have been (and will be) games when the good looks just don't go down.

All in all, though, the process seems much more sustainable.

Get Kam and Greg as many open looks as you can.
Get OMax that open corner pocket.
Limit contested looks.

May the results continue to follow.

Originally tweeted by Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) on January 12, 2022.

With Style