Zips basketball: Offense needs to find its groove at Kent

A certainly reality set in amongst Zips players this week after their meeting with Ball State – they’re not shooting well and they know it. 

The truth is that they haven’t been shooting well or finishing at the rim offensively.  Stats in say that they are shooting better than 46 percent of their shots in the last month, a more telling stat in the case of the Zips may be three-point shooting which is under 35 percent thus far, on the season.

“Actually, I think we've been getting through on talent and defense,” point guard Alex Abreu said after Wednesday’s game against Ball State. “Teams can't really score on us. That's why it's hard for us to lose close games.”

Yes, but what about games such as Ball State where they’re expected to dominate?

For anyone who has watched the Zips play in person, they’ve missed their share of bunnies and layups and it’s undeniable that they’ve had their share of shots rim out.

But much of the problem lies with them and short selection is part of the problem.  Just being off the mark accounts for some of it.  Against the Cardinals they only hit one of their first five shots and they looked flat footed the rest of the game.

Coach Keith Dambrot rightly said that he worries about how they finish.  Anyone can see that point, but how a game start sets tone, another important factor.

Dambrot puts it succinctly when he talks about what will win today’s game against Kent:  good ball movements and shot selection.

A good portion of those shots need to be from the outside if only so that the big men can do their jobs.

“It is what it is,” senior guard Brian Walsh said. “Our defense has been keeping us in games, but when our offense clicks, it's going to be scary because we are good shooters.”

Today would be a good day for the Zips’ offense to spook Kent State..