The X Factor

[Fordham_57]

Just after the St. John's game, I posted a thread stating that i thought the X factor for the Pirate's season might well be IW's improvement in his 3 point shooting. I based that on the fact that at that time IW appeared to be focusing on developing his 3 point accuracy.

The response to that post was underwhelming as most fans felt that IW's 3 point shooting was atrocious (as attested to by his stats), and that he would be better served concentrating on penetrating and slashing. Seems that my post was pretty prophetic as IW's dramatic improvement in his shooting from beyond the arc in a matter of a just few weeks has fueled the team's climb to 3rd place in the conference.

I have never seen such a startling improvement in the development of a Pirate player's 3 point shooting, liking it only to John Morton's impovement between his junior and senior years.

IW's improvement in his long range accuracy has only added to the already impressive arsenal of weapons he already possesses. This next statement may seem a little rash, but IMO I have to believe that IW may be the best player behind Bob Davies ever to play at the Hall. Frank

 

[Merge]

7-12 the last 2 games from deep, and I think he didn't hit the rim on 6 of those. Just looks so smooth out there right now.

 

[SHUMAN]

Hopefully his hot hand continues into March (and April). I love to imagine this core team together as seniors and see them dominate.

 

[Bud Boomer]

IW's shooting 59% from 3 (on 39 attempts) since the St. John's game, which is outrageous (and not sustainable). No doubt IW and Delgado have been the two primary reasons for our recent great play, but if I had to pick an X factor it would be Ish. Kid is so good on defense.

 

[HallB]

SHUMAN, I'll just take the core all staying for their junior season, but right now, IW looks like a guy who belongs on the next level.

 

[Merge]

SHUMAN, I'll just take the core all staying for their junior season, but right now, IW looks like a guy who belongs on the next level.

Nah... Needs at least another year... Right? Right guys?

 

[batts]

IW is a streaky 3 point shooter. His shot wasn't falling for most of the first half of the Season, but now he's on fire.

 

[Burnsly]

Frank definitely called it.

 

[statenman]

The most important improvement from the beginning of the season to now isn't his 3pt percentage , but his transformation into a floor general. He went from Jordan Theodore soph year to Jt his senior year, in only 2 months. And by next year his overall game could be as highly regarded as kris Dunn.
What worries me is scouts may tell him he can play in the NBA now, and they could pick him up without using a draft pick or spending much money.

 

[mjs428]

He's a lot more talented than Theodore...

 

[SHUMAN]

Nah... Needs at least another year... Right? Right guys?

I don't think the draft gurus have him too high on the list now. Granted, if he keeps up this pace and gets some visibility in the tourney, he might start getting in the discussion. Hopefully, he looks at someone like Kris Dunn and sees how that junior year makes a huge difference in draft projections. And since IW wants to put SHU back on the map, what better way than to do it with your friends this year and next.

 

[Piratefan2009]

IW is on a hot streak from three right now, and as another poster already said 59% from three isn't sustainable. Players go on hot streaks. The team shouldn't rely on the PG having a deep stroke every game.

IW and other guards need to cut down on running into the lane for 1 on 3s. That isn't going to work against Xavier or Butler. We're at our best when we are making the extra pass and getting people involved inside through post threats.

 

[mbraue]

Just after the St. John's game, I posted a thread stating that i thought the X factor for the Pirate's season might well be IW's improvement in his 3 point shooting. I based that on the fact that at that time IW appeared to be focusing on developing his 3 point accuracy.

The response to that post was underwhelming as most fans felt that IW's 3 point shooting was atrocious (as attested to by his stats), and that he would be better served concentrating on penetrating and slashing. Seems that my post was pretty prophetic as IW's dramatic improvement in his shooting from beyond the arc in a matter of a just few weeks has fueled the team's climb to 3rd place in the conference.

I have never seen such a startling improvement in the development of a Pirate player's 3 point shooting, liking it only to John Morton's impovement between his junior and senior years.

IW's improvement in his long range accuracy has only added to the already impressive arsenal of weapons he already possesses. This next statement may seem a little rash, but IMO I have to believe that IW may be the best player behind Bob Davies ever to play at the Hall. Frank

You couldn't have been more on point. Whitehead's dramatic improvement in 3-point shooting, improved playmaking, and reduced turnovers has given this team the leadership and shot in the arm offensively it needs. He is playing at another level now - very high BB IQ - in a real zone. His defense has been off the charts too - he's been blocking shots on help defense and not picking up silly fouls.

All I can hope for is that he continues to play at this enlightened level and leads that Hall into the NCAAs. The entire team feeds off his shooting and playmaking.

Speaking of John Morton, I had a long and lovely conversation with him after a recent home game. What a gracious and well-spoken man. His improvement was dramatic shooting-wise, but if you remember PJ moved him off the point to shooting guard and had Greene run the point. Will never forget his 35 points against Michigan. Would love for him to join the staff in some capacity one day.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

It's a lot easier to shoot a higher percentage when you are taking good shot. I don't think he's improved his actual 3 point shooting as much as he's improved his shot selection. I thought he could shoot the ball from the 1st time I watched him. I said it at the time and I'll say it again, pulling him in OT of the Wichita State game after 2 forced shots is the best thing to happen to him. At the same time he's showed a lot of character in how he responded from that moment, embracing the changes needed.

 

[cernjSHU]

The most important improvement from the beginning of the season to now isn't his 3pt percentage , but his transformation into a floor general. He went from Jordan Theodore soph year to Jt his senior year, in only 2 months. And by next year his overall game could be as highly regarded as kris Dunn.
What worries me is scouts may tell him he can play in the NBA now, and they could pick him up without using a draft pick or spending much money.

Back in the early part of the Big East season, IW was taking bad sot after bad shot and not passing the ball. He did not embrace the role as facilitator. I wrote that I want to see IW have a game that he had 5 points and 10 assists. That would be way more important to the team. The USF game IW had 10 assists and only 6 points. He still took too many bad shots that game but he began to pass the ball and become the facilitator.

In the past 5 games, not only has IW become the facilitator, his shot selection has been much better resulting in better efficiency. In short, he has transformed his game in a relatively short period of time. I still think he has holes in his game as a pg. At this point in time, he is not a first round pick and he would be way better off coming back one more year. But, that can change as we head to the most important part of the season.