We know there was a slurry of things that lead to UNLV’s collapse at the end of the year last season that needs to be corrected this season. But in your opinions what is the number one thing they need to work on and improve that will be on the most benefit to this team? Please explain why you voted the way you did.
I think we have improved on a bunch of these items and Kruger is continuing to work on some of these items but the number one thing I think we need improvement on is Free Throw Shooting. It is very hard to put away close games if you can't make the foul shot and many times pour free throw shooting keeps oposing teams in the games. As a team collectively I am hoping to be above 70% form the stripe, sub 70% could cause some problems in close games, and sub 60% is unforgivable.
I voted for free throw shooting. I can think of a couple of games (Cincy and SD State come to mind) where we quite possibly would have pulled a win out if we would have hit the free throws. It's so critical, especially down the last stretch. We just didn't have the shots last year when we stood at the line. And how frustrating was it when we REALLY needed the basket? I would put consistency a close second.
Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding! Too many extra chances for Rebel opponents due to lack of rebounding. They must go from #8 in rebounding in the MWC to 3 or better.
I'm with reb4ever2. Rebounding gives you more possesions and take away possesions from the other team. With the team getting taller, longer, and more athletic, I expect that this area should improve significantly. I would vote consistency would be second (see win at Louisville, #3 game sweep by SDSU)
When we start REBOUNDING better we will give up less field goal attempts and free throw attempts then we did last season and in turn will get more field goal attempts and more free throws due to more possessions over the course of a game.
I voted free throw shooting, however it is a toss up between that and rebounding/post play. If we would have been 5-10% better in the free throw dept. OR could have brought down 5 more rebounds / game. that would have equaled at least 3 extra wins. and the year could have been much different.
I think some of us were saying it last year, the margin of error is very slim, and a few free throws and a few rebounds/game is the difference between splitting a reg. season conference championship last year, and finishing fifth.
THis year we make those few extra plays...and reap the benefits.
By the wy, it sure is nice to see all the records reset on the home page to 0-0. Ive looked at that fifth place finish all off-season, an shook my head every time.
New season, new talent, same great coach, same great school. Lets hit this season hard, fresh start, i cant bear to live with the recent impression of SDS beating us three times last year. Not to mention the two reg. season gaffs to weaker schools.
Lets do this. Im already getting jacked for the reg season, and we havent had an exhibition game yet. if im this excited now, im going to go ballistic at the Louisville game.
That game will be sold out, and it will be one of the toughest places they play all year.
I already got my Louisville tickets and I live In OREGON!!! Can't wait for that game!!! What's up with the ball being dropped on the Kansas St. game, I'm In Vegas that weekend and need a ticket to the game!!! Can naybody help me out???
I said shot selection and the reason I did was because "last year" we didnt have an inside presence and so the ball would go around the perimeter until they had to take a shot. This year I think we will be able to drive and kick and then with shooters like Wallace, Willis, Bellfield, Jasper, etc they wont hesitate to take the shot and if they cant we will be able to pass it back down low because of the other team having to adjust out and that will create more one on one opportunities and short basket passes and dunks. Go Rebs!!!
Certainly rebounding and free throw shooting hurt the team last year, but the biggest improvement needs to come in shooting percentage. You can't shoot 43% from the field over the course of a season and expect to achieve results. Too often last year the Rebels would go on a scoring slump where they would go five or six minutes without a single basket.
The poor shooting percentage was caused in part in that last years team got very, very few easy baskets. Too often they threw the ball around on the perimeter until someone took a 3-point shot. Add to that fact they seldom scored on tip-ins or offensive rebound put-backs. The poor shooting percentage also kept them from pressuring on defense, something they should have been able to do very consistently.
Hopefuly this year the shooting percentage will be in the mid fifties, resulting from lots of break away layups and dunks, some very nice drives to the basket ending in dunks or passes out to open three point shooters, and lots of scores off of offensive rebounds.
I guess you did say HOPEFULLY but that is a stretch in the least. Mid fifties for a shooting percentage is an awfully aggressive number. If we shot the same percentage as last year (which I think that we should shoot a little better) but had 5-8 more attempts per game like we would have if we rebounded better our PPG average would have been at least 4 points better per game.
