Green Light Gives JB Chance to Finish Career Strong
Coach Jim Boylen acknowledged the other day that around Christmas, he gave senior guard Johnnie Bryant "the green light" to shoot whenever he feels like he has a shot, even if he's closely guarded.
So how much has that paid off?
In wins and losses, not as much. The Utes are 7-5 since Christmas, after starting 7-3. But the Utes have enjoyed much better production out of Bryant -- which has been a huge key in winning four of their last five games, going into their game against San Diego State at the Huntsman Center on Saturday.
Bryant is shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 48.9 percent from three-point range since getting the green light, and averaging 16.8 points per game.
And though his overall shooting percentage is down from 54 percent in the first 10 games, he has drastically improved his three-point shooting from 41.5 percent and his scoring average from 11.2 points per game. He's also taking about two more shots per game -- both of them three-pointers, on average.
"He has responded," Boylen said. "I think he has respected the game, I don't think he has forced a lot of shots, I really don't."
Bryant has had only two certifiably bad games since Christmas, going a combined 5-for-25 at home against Brigham Young and Wyoming -- and the Utes lost both games. Take those games out, and he's shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 53.2 percent from three-point range and averaging 18.6 points per game.
To me, that's a very tangible example of how the Utes appear to slowly be getting more comfortable with Boylen and his system.
Of course, Bryant's shooting is not a pure barometer for winning and losing. He had 25 points against New Mexico, for example, and the Utes still lost. Just as important an indicator seems to be whether he gets much help from his teammates.
In four of the five losses since Christmas, the Utes have had only two other players reach double-figures in scoring. The lone exception? When three others reached double figures but the Utes still lost by two at Gonzaga.
In other words, Bryant isn't the only one who needs to keep shooting.
So how much has that paid off?
In wins and losses, not as much. The Utes are 7-5 since Christmas, after starting 7-3. But the Utes have enjoyed much better production out of Bryant -- which has been a huge key in winning four of their last five games, going into their game against San Diego State at the Huntsman Center on Saturday.
Bryant is shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 48.9 percent from three-point range since getting the green light, and averaging 16.8 points per game.
And though his overall shooting percentage is down from 54 percent in the first 10 games, he has drastically improved his three-point shooting from 41.5 percent and his scoring average from 11.2 points per game. He's also taking about two more shots per game -- both of them three-pointers, on average.
"He has responded," Boylen said. "I think he has respected the game, I don't think he has forced a lot of shots, I really don't."
Bryant has had only two certifiably bad games since Christmas, going a combined 5-for-25 at home against Brigham Young and Wyoming -- and the Utes lost both games. Take those games out, and he's shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 53.2 percent from three-point range and averaging 18.6 points per game.
To me, that's a very tangible example of how the Utes appear to slowly be getting more comfortable with Boylen and his system.
Of course, Bryant's shooting is not a pure barometer for winning and losing. He had 25 points against New Mexico, for example, and the Utes still lost. Just as important an indicator seems to be whether he gets much help from his teammates.
In four of the five losses since Christmas, the Utes have had only two other players reach double-figures in scoring. The lone exception? When three others reached double figures but the Utes still lost by two at Gonzaga.
In other words, Bryant isn't the only one who needs to keep shooting.
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 1:43 PM |
1 Comments:
I agree. When Johnnie is on, the Utes are tough to stop. Utah's offense seems to work outside in. When JB, LB, Drca, Green and Kepkay are hitting their 3s the defense extends and Luke gets more open looks. When they're not, the defense sags down more on Nevill, and it's harder for the team to score.
That's actually kind of a troubling sign for Utah, because three point shooting can be a streaky business. Anyone who saw the TCU-Wyoming homestand can attest to that.
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