:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25762229/454218829.0.jpg)
In a recent FanPost, Corollary highlighted the change in Villanova's shot selection to start the season. As he detailed, the move to more three-pointers has helped turn the 117th most efficient offense in 2012-13 into the 35th most efficient offense this season.
After noticing this trend a couple games into the season, I decided to start tracking three-point attempts in detail beyond a box score or even play-by-play level. The goal being to write about my findings leading up to the Syracuse game, who year after year is the premier team in the NCAA at making opponents take bad threes. 283** three-pointers later, I have both data and the "eye test" to discuss the overall impact on the offense. Corollary's post serves as a great introduction to the information to come. While he focused more on the theory behind letting it fly from three, the following is a look at the results thus far.
**11 three-point attempts are missing from my sample. The majority of these are from the opening minutes of the Rider game. Fox Sports One was still showing the end of the St. John's game at that time.
1. The team really is "shooting 'em up, and sleeping in the streets" to start the season.
Quick Facts:
- The ball goes inside just 42% (120/283) of the time at some point in the possession prior to shooting a three.
- 67% of three-point attempts have come within the first 15 seconds of the shot clock.
One of the many things I charted was if the ball went inside during the possession prior to a three-pointer being taken. "Inside" is a bit of an ambiguous term, but I defined it as drives or post-ups that forced the defense to respond. It's difficult to put the 42% from above into proper context without a league average for comparison, but from a scouting perspective it definitely feels like Jay Wright is content with early threes. Take a look at attempts by time left on the shot clock:
As you can see above, 3P% has been relatively solid on early attempts. However, we have to consider the opportunity cost of these shots. By taking an three early in the shot clock, a team is essentially giving up the chance at finding a better shot (i.e. - an open layup) to ensure a turnover-free possession. Not surprisingly, TO% has dropped considerably for the Wildcats to the start the season. As long as everyone is sharing the ball and taking quality shots, early threes aren't a bad strategy.
2. Almost every three is the result of ball movement, except for Arch.
Quick Facts:
- 243 of the 283 (86%) three-point attempts have been of the catch-and-shoot variety (no dribbles).
- 26 of the 40 off-the-dribble attempts have been taken by Ryan Arcidiacono. He is shooting just 19% on these attempts.
Arch's early season struggles are well-documented. Instead of beating a dead horse, I'd rather focus on the other shooters. Darrun Hilliard, Kris Jenkins, and Josh Hart have all been effective spot-up shooters. Hilliard leads the team at 39% in catch-and-shoot situations, while the two freshman are right behind him at 38%. James Bell has been a bit of an enigma through 11 games. Although I don't have the exact number, the senior easily leads the teams in air-balls. He is shooting just 27% on catch-and-shoots, despite multiple hot shooting stretches (most notably in the second half vs. Kansas).
Sample size is still fairly small for each player, and I think the more important thing here is the signs of good ball movement (not isolation basketball). The Wildcats are 7th in the entire country in assists per made field goal.
3. Really good things happen when the ball goes inside.
Quick Facts:
- 74 of the 283 three point-attempts have been created by a pass directly from the inside. The team has shot 42% (!!) when this is the case.
- Tony Chennault leads the team at getting into the lane and finding outside shooters. The team is 10/18 (56%) when this is the case.
4. Location, Location, Location.
In the NCAA, the three-point line is the same distance all the way around. However, Villanova's shooting has been drastically different depending on location. I'll let the images speak for themselves:
Even with the new hand checking rule changes, Villanova has actually gone to the foul line slightly less than last year's team. The numbers indicate that aggressive takes to the hoop will not only generate points at the line, but also help increase 3P% by moving the defense. The defense is already playing at an elite level, but even marginal increases in offensive efficiency over the next few months would make this team extremely dangerous in March.