Key Insights on College Basketball: Michigan State’s Defense and Other Notable Trends

Let’s dive into this week’s edition of 10 Trends after digesting numerous games from the past week.

1. Michigan State’s Remarkable 3-Point Defense

To keep it simple, there are three types of 3-pointers that a player can take:

An open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer
A contested catch-and-shoot 3-pointer
An off-the-dribble 3-pointer.

Shooting percentages for median college teams this year:

37% on unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers
32% on guarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers
29% on off-the-dribble 3-pointers

Not all 3-pointers are created equal because who is taking them matters, but data suggests unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers are the best to take. Elite offenses strive for such looks. For Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, eliminating these shots has been crucial in their successful start, holding Illinois to just two open 3-point attempts in a recent win.

Turns out, this is not an anomaly. The eighth-ranked Spartans have allowed an unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointer on just 7.3% of defensive possessions this year, ranking No. 1 among high-major clubs.

2. Ja’Kobi Gillespie Rising for Maryland

As Maryland navigates through close matches in their Big Ten games, Gillespie has become an integral part of their late-game strategies. Showing impressive efficiency, Gillespie has thrived in clutch situations.

3. Khaman Maluach Boosting Duke’s Defense

Duke is showing compelling defensive prowess with Maluach on the floor, allowing for a significant opposing field goal percentage drop.

4. Tennessee’s Evolving Offensive Strategies

Tennessee’s offense is finding new efficiency, particularly with contributions from leading scorer Chaz Lanier and pivotal roles from Felix Okpara and Zakai Zeigler.

5. Malik Thomas Shining at San Francisco

Malik Thomas has established himself with impressive game stats, marking him as a top performer in the college scene.

6. Mississippi State’s Transfer Success

Mississippi State’s transfer players have significantly contributed to their recent success, with an uptick in overall team performance.

7. Zach Freemantle’s Impact for Xavier

Freemantle’s versatility in defense was crucial for Xavier in their close win over Marquette. His defensive capabilities helped limit Marquette’s scoring efficiency.

8. Kobe Sanders Emerging at Nevada

Selling as a two-way threat, Kobe Sanders has quickly become an important player for Nevada’s dynamic offense.

9. Tre’Von Spillers’ Growth at Wake Forest

Spillers is becoming a linchpin for Wake Forest, showcasing his improving skill set and adaptability on the court.

10. Santa Clara’s Offensive Surge

Santa Clara’s recent offensive strategy focuses on high 3-point attempts, leading to successful scores in recent games.

Stay tuned for more insights as the season progresses!