Amid the array of bad shots and missed opportunities, one of the most glaring problems in Illinois' first loss of the season was the team's continued reliance on 3-pointers.
The Illini haven't been a particularly effective or consistent perimeter shooting team. Yet, they attempted 25 3s Saturday against Nevada-Las Vegas, in a 64-48 loss, keeping them on pace to shoot more than any Illinois team since 2006-07. Coach Bruce Weber hopes to re-focus the offense tonight when the Illini (10-2) face visiting Cornell at 7 p.m.
"I think it's more about shot selection than whether we are good shooters," he said. "That makes such a difference. We have to work harder to get shots and do a better job of being a little more patient and getting the ball to our shooters in the right spots."
Illinois has attempted more than 20 3-pointers in five of the past six games and is attempting 19.6 per game. However, the Illini are shooting only 32 percent beyond the arc.
They are averaging two more 3s per game than last season. The last Illinois team to shoot as many was the 2006-07 team, which averaged 19.7.
Guard D.J. Richardson has proved to be worthy, making 42 percent. But Brandon Paul, Sam Maniscalco and Tyler Griffey are a combined 29 percent.
"No doubt, especially when we're not shooting the 3s well that we have to limit the attempts," Weber said.
Weber isn't convinced the Illini are a poor perimeter shooting team. He said he was surprised at how well they shot 3s on a tour of Italy in August, making 38 percent. He admitted that the defenses weren't as good as what Illinois now is facing. But Maniscalco and Paul attempted the most and were well above their current percentages.
Against UNLV, Illinois frequently broke down offensively and ended up firing a 3-pointer near the end of the shot clock or in a less than ideal situation.
"Our guards have not been cutting and don't make the next read," Weber said. "Sam kept looking at me for calls and there were no calls. Once (UNLV) took a play away, now you have to go make plays."
