By JP Pelzman
As Seton Hall prepares for a grueling three-game stretch to close the regular season, beginning today at Marquette, the question on most Pirates’ fans minds is the same one that has lingered there for weeks now.
What is wrong with Myles Powell’s outside shot?
His three-point percentage for the season tumbled to 30.1 percent after a 2-for-11 day from beyond the arc in an 81-65 victory over St. John’s on Sunday. Compare that to his marks of 36.3 as a junior and 37.9 as a sophomore, and it is easy to see how un-Powell-like that is.
After that game, two theories were mentioned, nagging tendinitis in Powell’s right knee, and the lingering after-effects of the concussion he suffered on Dec. 14.
“I've been playing college basketball for four years,” Powell said. “I've been battling tendinitis, hopefully I can get a lot of treatment in (during the bye).”
He added that it “sometimes” bothers him during games.
“It depends on little things I try to do, it’s nothing really that bad. I'll be OK.”
Powell indicated the knee has been troubling him “since a little bit before the Villanova game” on Feb. 15.
“You guys (reporters) know I'm not a guy to make excuses,” he added. “The ball’s just not falling for me right now. … You guys know if we’re winning, I'm fine” with everything.
Coach Kevin Willard said, “It’s nothing terrible, but he does have a little bit of tendinitis going on, so I think this week will be good for him.
“He loves to practice. I balance getting him (less practice time) because he likes to compete, but I think everyone’s workload for the most part this time of year is really cut. You just have to, whatever month we’re in.”
Willard added, “I think after the concussion, that it could take some time to get all your motor skills a little bit going. He’s obviously 100 percent recovered from it, but I do think there’s some lingering effects with just technique and form, and that’s what we’ve been working on more than anything. I don’t think it’s his knee, I’ve done a lot of research and (trainer) Tony Testa has done a lot of research. Sometimes some of the basic things that you know and you’ve done forever can linger a little bit, and I think that has a little bit to do with it.”
Powell was 0-for-4 from long range in that fateful loss to the Scarlet Knights. Since then, he is shooting 24.8 percent from long distance, as opposed to 39.8 prior to the concussion.
Willard said after the St. John’s game that he recently has been working closely with Powell on his shot.
“We actually started working a lot in the last week, week-and-a-half,” he said, “and right now, the way he’s releasing it and the way it’s coming off his fingertips every time, it looks like it’s going in, but right now, he’s having a hard time buying one.”
To be fair, Powell’s shot did look better against the Red Storm, with a few threes that were on line but rimmed out. He also hit two of his last three after starting 0-for-8.
Willard said, “I think he’s doing so much other good stuff on the court, and when he’s out there, he’s getting his teammates involved. I think he’s playing an all-around terrific game, but right now, he just can’t buy a shot to go in.”
The Pirates could use something resembling a vintage day from Powell on Saturday because his close friend Markus Howard is tearing it up for the Golden Eagles. Howard is averaging 27.2 points overall and hitting 38.1 percent from long range over his last six games. He is scoring 26.7 points per game in Big East play.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
As Seton Hall prepares for a grueling three-game stretch to close the regular season, beginning today at Marquette, the question on most Pirates’ fans minds is the same one that has lingered there for weeks now.
What is wrong with Myles Powell’s outside shot?
His three-point percentage for the season tumbled to 30.1 percent after a 2-for-11 day from beyond the arc in an 81-65 victory over St. John’s on Sunday. Compare that to his marks of 36.3 as a junior and 37.9 as a sophomore, and it is easy to see how un-Powell-like that is.
After that game, two theories were mentioned, nagging tendinitis in Powell’s right knee, and the lingering after-effects of the concussion he suffered on Dec. 14.
“I've been playing college basketball for four years,” Powell said. “I've been battling tendinitis, hopefully I can get a lot of treatment in (during the bye).”
He added that it “sometimes” bothers him during games.
“It depends on little things I try to do, it’s nothing really that bad. I'll be OK.”
Powell indicated the knee has been troubling him “since a little bit before the Villanova game” on Feb. 15.
“You guys (reporters) know I'm not a guy to make excuses,” he added. “The ball’s just not falling for me right now. … You guys know if we’re winning, I'm fine” with everything.
Coach Kevin Willard said, “It’s nothing terrible, but he does have a little bit of tendinitis going on, so I think this week will be good for him.
“He loves to practice. I balance getting him (less practice time) because he likes to compete, but I think everyone’s workload for the most part this time of year is really cut. You just have to, whatever month we’re in.”
Willard added, “I think after the concussion, that it could take some time to get all your motor skills a little bit going. He’s obviously 100 percent recovered from it, but I do think there’s some lingering effects with just technique and form, and that’s what we’ve been working on more than anything. I don’t think it’s his knee, I’ve done a lot of research and (trainer) Tony Testa has done a lot of research. Sometimes some of the basic things that you know and you’ve done forever can linger a little bit, and I think that has a little bit to do with it.”
Powell was 0-for-4 from long range in that fateful loss to the Scarlet Knights. Since then, he is shooting 24.8 percent from long distance, as opposed to 39.8 prior to the concussion.
Willard said after the St. John’s game that he recently has been working closely with Powell on his shot.
“We actually started working a lot in the last week, week-and-a-half,” he said, “and right now, the way he’s releasing it and the way it’s coming off his fingertips every time, it looks like it’s going in, but right now, he’s having a hard time buying one.”
To be fair, Powell’s shot did look better against the Red Storm, with a few threes that were on line but rimmed out. He also hit two of his last three after starting 0-for-8.
Willard said, “I think he’s doing so much other good stuff on the court, and when he’s out there, he’s getting his teammates involved. I think he’s playing an all-around terrific game, but right now, he just can’t buy a shot to go in.”
The Pirates could use something resembling a vintage day from Powell on Saturday because his close friend Markus Howard is tearing it up for the Golden Eagles. Howard is averaging 27.2 points overall and hitting 38.1 percent from long range over his last six games. He is scoring 26.7 points per game in Big East play.
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
