Rick Pitino Urges St. John’s Players to Embrace Three-Point Shooting
Legendary coach Rick Pitino has issued a challenge to his St. John’s players: shoot more three-pointers. In a recent plea, Pitino encouraged the team to let it fly, ignore their misses, and take advantage of open opportunities beyond the arc. This call to action comes after St. John’s disappointing one-point loss to Creighton, where they attempted a season-low nine three-pointers and made only two. Despite the setback, Pitino remains optimistic about the team’s potential if they embrace the three-point shot.
Breaking Down St. John’s Three-Point Struggles
St. John’s current three-point shooting statistics paint a grim picture. The team ranks 224th nationally in three-point percentage, 283rd in made threes per game, and 295th in attempts. In three conference games, they have only managed to sink a total of eight threes. Pitino expressed his frustration at the team’s hesitancy to take three-point shots when presented with the opportunity. He emphasized the importance of confidence and urged players like RJ Luis to capitalize on open looks from beyond the arc.
Embracing Pace and Offensive Efficiency
Pitino believes that St. John’s offensive struggles are interconnected with their pace of play. The team’s success hinges on pushing the ball, maintaining tempo, and moving the ball effectively. In games where they exhibited stagnant offense, such as against Creighton and Providence, St. John’s averaged a mere eight assists and struggled from the three-point line. Forward Zuby Ejiofor acknowledged the need to improve ball movement and pace to enhance offensive efficiency.
Looking Ahead and Finding Identity
Despite their recent offensive woes, St. John’s remains in a favorable position with a 2-1 record in league play and upcoming home games. Pitino likened the team to a football squad that relies on defense, rebounding, and occasional three-point shooting. He stressed the importance of maintaining their intensity and desire to win, highlighting the team’s resilience and potential for growth. With a group of dedicated fighters, Pitino is confident that St. John’s will continue to evolve and improve as the season progresses.