Razorback Reels for Texas A&M
Video essay analyzes the offensive process difference between the first and second half last night
Who is ready for a thread full of dudes shooting free throws?!?
Just kidding.
Arkansas shot 54% from the field and 50% from three in the first half compared to just 24 and 22 in the second half. What was different?
Roll the tape!
Not all shots are created equally. Process matters and the Hogs had a significantly better process in the first half in two significant ways. First, the assist rate was considerably higher in the first half. They were moving the ball on plays like this one.
We see Chandler Lawson slipping on the high ball screen. He gets right to the weak spot in the zone and finds a cutting Devo for an easy layup.
Here's another excellent example. Does A&M want to extend their defense? Who cares? The same principle is at play. Get the ball to that weak spot in the zone, and good things will happen.
If three makes a pattern, the pattern in the first half last night was Lawson slinging the rock. He was surgical in picking apart that A&M zone.
Here's a bit of a different look. We see Makhi Mitchell up top for a high ball screen for Tramon Mark. Mark dishes to Keyon Menifield who uses some dribble penetration to tilt the defense. Menifield then throws it back out to Mark who steps into a clean look from deep.
I know Mitchell has struggled from a traditional big perspective, but this pass was a thing of beauty. Just fantastic passing out of the short roll.
You also may have noticed another pattern if you were paying attention. All of these looks led to attempts at the rim or from 3. Arkansas's Rim or 3 Rate was significantly better in the first half, and it made a difference.
I know Muss used his post-game interview to grandstand for the midrange game, but the fact of the matter is that he's choosing to die on a silly hill. He was just flat wrong. The team scored 0.42 points per possession in the midrange last night. It was evident in the shooting percentage in the second half. The offensive output decreased as the midrange attempts (and isolation play) increased.