Paulus, one of interim coach David Padgett's assistants, teamed up with the rest of the staff to implement some new guidelines in Louisville's practices. The coaches put tape on the floor to remind players of good places to stand when they don't have the ball, and they hammered home the importance of movement to create space and open shots.
The result?
Louisville is 40-for-97 from 3-point range over its past four games, including a season-high 14 3-pointers on 26 attempts against Memphis. In the first six games, Louisville averaged 1.05 points per possession; in the past four, that's up to 1.23.
"They've done a better job and it's helped them get to their spots," Padgett said. "Because of that, you get the ball into the lane, you're at your spot. Now you can kick it out and make the right play, and you're open for a shot instead of trying to force it. It's been spacing. It's been playing unselfish."
"The thing is just having confidence and believing in myself," Snider said. "That's been the priority, trying to have confidence and keep moving. ... There's a big difference (in the spacing). We're spreading the ball out."
And, much to Padgett's liking, Louisville has 37 assists on 57 made field goals over the past two games.
"Ever since (Padgett) started getting big on spacing, that's helped us get a lot of open shots," Adel said. "Guys are driving and looking for each other. ... Everybody has confidence right now."
Interesting to hear the staff and team take this new emphasis on spacing to heart. It seems to have helped not only outside shooting and getting better shots, but also assists as well. Of course I know they can't always hit 14 three pointers a game but whatever works.
The result?
Louisville is 40-for-97 from 3-point range over its past four games, including a season-high 14 3-pointers on 26 attempts against Memphis. In the first six games, Louisville averaged 1.05 points per possession; in the past four, that's up to 1.23.
"They've done a better job and it's helped them get to their spots," Padgett said. "Because of that, you get the ball into the lane, you're at your spot. Now you can kick it out and make the right play, and you're open for a shot instead of trying to force it. It's been spacing. It's been playing unselfish."
"The thing is just having confidence and believing in myself," Snider said. "That's been the priority, trying to have confidence and keep moving. ... There's a big difference (in the spacing). We're spreading the ball out."
And, much to Padgett's liking, Louisville has 37 assists on 57 made field goals over the past two games.
"Ever since (Padgett) started getting big on spacing, that's helped us get a lot of open shots," Adel said. "Guys are driving and looking for each other. ... Everybody has confidence right now."
Interesting to hear the staff and team take this new emphasis on spacing to heart. It seems to have helped not only outside shooting and getting better shots, but also assists as well. Of course I know they can't always hit 14 three pointers a game but whatever works.
