UConn vs. Eastern Washington: Saturday, December 28, 1:00 p.m. EST
Opposition Report: Eastern Washington Eagles
Record: 5-5
Notable Wins: Boston University (80-68), LIU (102-70)
Notable Defeats: Washington (92-80), Saint Mary’s (93-65), Seton Hall (92-70)
Offense: 1.06 points per possession (165th nationally)
Defense: 1.08 points allowed per possession (260th nationally)
Keys to the Game:
1) Keep Venky Jois off the glass (8.1 rebounds per game; 1.2 points per play “around the basket”)
2) Contain Tyler Harvey, and force him to take contested shots (has range on jump shot; he carries Eastern Washington against good teams)
… I don’t think there’s a need to over-complicate the “keys to the game.”
Quick Thoughts: Eastern Washington is a small-ball oriented team that produces a lot of baskets from 3-point range. 51% of the team’s shots are “jump shots”, and 73% of those jump shots are from behind the arc. In some sense, the Eagles live and die from 3-point range.
3-point shooting this season:
Wins:
6-20 (30%)
10-26 (39%)
10-18 (56%)
11-17 (65%)
9-19 (47%)
Average percentage: 47.4%
Losses:
11-26 (42%)
4-21 (19%)
4-23 (17%)
9-27 (33%)
10-27 (37%)
Average percentage: 29.6%
In order for Eastern Washington to compete in this game, it will need a strong performance from sophomore guard Tyler Harvey. Harvey attempts 20% of Eastern Washington’s shots — he’s a crafty guard who can shoot from deep but also penetrate the lane. Harvey has single-handedly carried the Eagles in several games, particularly against “good” teams. He’s scored 28 points vs. Washington, 21 vs. Boston, 21 vs. UC Irvine, 30 vs. Seattle and 20 vs. Saint Mary’s.
However, Harvey is prone to taking (or forcing) “bad shots” early in possessions. This is both a curse and a blessing for the Eagles.
Alongside Harvey on the perimeter are juniors Drew Brandon and Parker Kelly. Both players have range on their jump shots, and are not hesitant to shoot from deep.
On the interior, the Eagles start Australian import Venky Jois, a 6-7 post player who is a tenacious rebounder and also has a nice touch near the rim. Jois is a good player who could probably play in any league. They also start 6-10 Martin Seiferth, but he only plays 19 minutes per game.
In summary, the Eagles’ tallest player who plays at least 20 minutes per game is 6-foot-7. They are a small team. Tyler Harvey needs to be accounted for on the perimeter, and Venky Jois needs to be accounted for down low (especially with regards to rebounding). Parker Kelly and Drew Brandon capitalize on the attention Harvey draws — 60% of Parker Kelly’s shots are catch-and-shoot, and 35% of Brandon’s shots are catch-and-shoot.
Eastern Washington is clearly undermanned in this game, but they maximize the value of the 3-point shot, and can score in bunches. If UConn’s guards can play solid perimeter defense and keep Venky Jois off the glass, the Huskies should be successful.
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Eastern Washington Eagles
Scoring Distribution: 49.5% 2-Pointers | 34.1% 3-Pointers | 16.4% Free Throws
Shot Attempt Breakdown: 51.2% Jump Shots | 33.4% Around Basket | 8.1% Runner | 7.3% Post-Ups
Key Players (no particular order):
Venky Jois — 13.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.7 APG
Sophomore, F, 6-7, 230
- Big Sky Freshman of the Year last season
- Strong and athletic post presence who is a great rebounder.
- Has touch around the basket, and can create for himself.
- Struggles to shoot the ball, and doesn’t have range beyond 10 feet (75% of his shots have come in the paint)
Put-Backs / Crashing Boards
As mentioned, Jois is a big-bodied post player who cleans on the glass. He averages 8.1 rebounds per game, and when you look at the film, it’s clear that once a shot goes up he positions himself near the basket. He can compete with bigger players due to his combination of strength and athleticism down low. He can rebound on both sides of the ball.
“Around the Basket” Scoring
75% of Jois’ attempts this season have come in the paint. And he’s posting a solid a 1.17 points per play “around the basket.” He has the strength to finish through contact, and often will put his head down and attack the rim.
Poor Shooting
However, Jois doesn’t have much touch outside the paint. He’s posting a below average .68 points per jump shot attempt, which ranks in the bottom 80th percentile nationally. He sometimes receives the ball on the perimeter, and will even attempt 3-pointers, but he’s struggled to shoot the ball thus far in the season.
Tyler Harvey — 19.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
Sophomore, PG, 6-4, 180
- Eastern Washington’s primary scorer and best player
- 73% of his shot attempts are 3-pointers (averaging 8 attempts per game)
- Can run off screens, albeit he doesn’t do so frequently
Shooting
73% of Harvey’s attempts this season have been jump shots, where his 1.1 points per possession ranks in the 75th percentile nationally. The lefty can create a shot with ease, and can score in bunches. He’s not a great athlete, and doesn’t have great size, but he’s crafty with the ball and makes plays. Can also create for himself one-on-one, as he’s shooting 47% in isolation situations.
He attempts 8 three-pointers per game. As mentioned, he can go off in big games — 28 points vs. Washington, 21 vs. Boston, 21 vs. UC Irvine, 30 vs. Seattle and 20 vs. Saint Mary’s.
Isolation
Attacking the Paint
Although his game is predicated on outside shooting, Harvey can also penetrate the lane. He has soft touch on his runner, and can finish at the rim. The stats back it up, too — he’s shooting 71% finishing “around the basket.” However, I’m not sure he’s faced a shot blocker like Amida Brimah, or the athleticism of Phil Nolan/DeAndre Daniels.
Shot Selection
I’m not certain about this, but on film it seems Harvey often takes ill-advised shots early in possessions. If he finds an inch of separation, he’ll take the shot. Harvey can convert difficult shots, but at times “difficult” transcends into poor shot selection.
Parker Kelly — 10.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 APG
Junior, G, 6-4, 195
- Good shooter with range on his jump shot (80% of attempts are jump shots)
- 60% of attempts are catch-and-shoot; only 13% off the dribble
- Can score in bunches from outside
Video: Good Shooter (mostly catch-and-shoot)
Video: Spot-Up Misses (mostly off the dribble)