Kansas basketball: Lack of threes vs. ETSU isn’t cause for concern
Last Tuesday night against ETSU, Kansas basketball was a rotten 1-of-14 from behind the three-point line; it isn’t overly concerning though.
In today’s college basketball, if you can’t shoot the threes, it’s a serious competitive disadvantage. After the departure of Lagerald Vick last season, Kansas basketball lost its only bonafide threat from behind the three-point line for that season, and it showed.
The difference between the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Kansas Jayhawks is that this year’s squad has multiple players that can hit from behind the arc.
Devon Dotson, Christian Braun, Tristan Enaruna, Isaiah Moss, Ochai Agbaji, and even Marcus Garrett can all shoot from behind the arc.
Iowa grad transfer Isaiah Moss is especially deadly and will be a huge asset for Kansas basketball this season, especially when March rolls around. He’s a career 39% three-point shooter, so he’s the best shooter on the team percentage-wise.
All that being said, the Jayhawks had an awful night shooting the three-ball last Tuesday night against ETSU. Kansas was 1-of-14 or 7% from behind the arc, and it was ugly to watch.
Still, the Jayhawks got the win.
The problem is that when the Jayhawks face a better team like they will in the Maui Invitational, they probably won’t be able to get away with such poor shooting. Kansas basketball fans shouldn’t be concerned though.
The Jayhawks are still averaging over 36% from behind the three-point line over the season, which isn’t too shabby considering last Tuesday’s performance. Not only that, but Moss has been playing limited minutes due to a hamstring injury, and he didn’t even play in the Duke game.
This team should be taking a minimum of fifteen three-pointers per game, with Moss taking around five of them. Even Marcus Garrett should take wide-open attempts, despite not really being thought of as a shooter.
Ochai Agbaji has been struggling to shoot threes this season, as he’s only 25% from behind the arc so far. Agbaji can shoot, and it seems like it may just be a confidence thing. Hopefully, he’ll get things figured out and prove to NBA scouts that he’s more than just athletic.
Now that the Maui Invitational is upon us, the Jayhawks will be taking on their biggest challenge of the year in Chaminade. Just kidding, but Kansas will have to play either BYU or UCLA, and if they win, possibly Michigan State.
KU Hoops. Guide to the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. light
The ETSU game was just an off-night for Kansas basketball, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s better to get it out of the way now, instead of on the national stage where you can’t just win on talent alone.
The Jayhawks will take on Chaminade next Monday at 8:00 PM central time on ESPNU.