You live by the three, you die by the three. From the time the three-point shot was first introduced into the game of basketball way back when, this expression, a variation of the biblical proverb "live by the sword, die by the sword," has applied to a countless number of teams. When it comes to UNLV hoops, perhaps no team in recent memory better fit the bill of this expression than last season's Runnin' Rebels. In fact, they may well have been the poster boys. The Gunnin' Rebels, if you will.
Last season, UNLV attempted a staggering 708 three-point shots, this despite making less than 35% of their tries. The Rebels fired up, on average, five more attempts per game than their opponents. Perhaps the most startling statistic, however, is revealed when you look at UNLV's total number of field goal attempts last season. In 2008-09, the Rebels took 1,770 total shots. Three-pointers made up 40% of their total attempts. 40%! Gunnin' Rebels, indeed.
Perhaps it's because their roster is now more athletic, and features a greater number of players with the ability to drive to the basket and finish. Perhaps it's because of their depth, and that their ability to wear down opponents has led to easier baskets later in games. Perhaps it's because head coach Lon Kruger has simply taken to the word "no," and has directed his team to pass up the questionable looks in favor of the wide open ones. Whatever the reason is...in all likelihood it's a combination of all of the above...the 2009-10 Rebels are doing a lot more Runnin' and considerably less "Gunnin'.
Now, of course, three ballgames in November does not a season make. That said, UNLV's first three contests of the season...all victories...have yielded some interesting numbers, numbers that bare little resemblance to those of last season. Through three games, UNLV has attempted 181 total shots. Of these, only 55 have been three-point tries. That's just barely above 30%...or 10% fewer three-point attempts than last season. And though the Rebels haven't shot the longball well to this point, having made less than 31% of their attempts, they are making their shots inside the arc. UNLV, who connected on just under 48% of their two-point tries last season, are making over 53% of their two's this year. In other words, the shot they're making more often, they're taking far more often...10% more often than last season.
Now, of course, this isn't a suggestion that the Rebels not use the three-pointer as a weapon. A number of UNLV players, in particular junior Kendall Wallace, have shown the ability to knock down the shot in bunches. This is a suggestion, however, that the Rebels continue shooting the three wisely, which means having the discipline to pass up the contested, rushed ones and taking the open, in rhythm ones.
Don't go the way of the Gunnin' Rebels, gentlemen. Don't allow yourselves to die by the three.
Runnin' Rebel Notes: The Rebels take on Holy Cross on Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Crusaders, of the Patriot League, are 0-4 on the season, having lost a pair of games by 3 points or less.
Comments
Good stuff, keep it up.
Insightful with good statistical backup, hopefully some of that group is reading your column.
Great analysis and something I have noticed just 3 games in. It's good to have the data to back it up. Good work.
It also seems that our scoring is higher than what it was last year as well. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues too if they are attacking the basket more and shooting less three's
The abilty to drive effectively usually leads to something good, be it a layup, a trip to the foul line, an open three, offensive rebounding opportunities, etc. Hopefully Derrick, Tre'Von, Oscar & Company stay aggressive and keep attacking the rim. It'll almost certainly lead to good things.
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