re: Another Look at the Game Winning Shot (In Pictures)

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Gray waited WAY too long to initiate. We should get a shot up with 5 seconds left to give us a chance at the put back. That didn't happen.

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No, tie game on the road you want one shot to win the game with worst case being OT. Shooting with 5 secs left gives Ark a shot to get off a game winner. Maybe Gray should have started his move 1 second earlier at most, but thats even pushing it.

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Gray got very lucky finding Hornsby in the corner. Gray jumped and then you saw him hang in the air a split second looking for who to pass to. He found Hornsby.

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This was part of the play design setup to have two shooters in the corners. I guarantee you that was the exact spot Hornsby was supposed to be in after Gray's move. Gray probably shouldn't have left his feet, but in the end he made the right decision and a good pass.

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Hornsby bailed us out, but I thought the last play was poorly executed.

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No, again I guarantee you Hornsby shooting that shot from that spot was an option on the play.

Anyone got the gif of Martin's block?
Big time play, also!

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Does he (Qualls) want recognition for hitting the game-winning shot?

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Sounds like it. Probably grazed it with a fingernail and it had no effect on the ball flight. But, if it makes him feel better.

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Agreed. They have run plays specifically designed for Hornsby to shoot from the corner. I can remember the game at WVU where we needed a 3 to tie and it was a similar spot. They've also set him up for that corner shot on set plays before half-time buzzer. I think he likes that look. Not to say he was the primary option, but TQ clearing that corner was definitely part of the design.

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Yep. In situations like yesterday where you need to run time off and get a last second shot, you aren't running a play from Hoosiers. You want some form of iso with shooters in positions to make shots.

The last shot should depend on where the help defense comes, if it comes.

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Martin should be breaking for the goal here rather than moving out to 3pt territory.

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I was thinking the same thing Meaux. Martin rolling to the goal IMHO, better option than having him pop behind the line. And he had been making very tough shots heading goalward all day.

Either way Hornsby and Patterson still both probably just as open.

But hey, it worked out.

Martin picks up a charge if he does that.

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Martin picks up a charge if he does that.

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Ok, so drop the % from 85% down to 60%.

Do you still take a 40% chance at a game-winner over a 60% chance?

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Why does Martin not break to the goal after the initial pic and get a standard roll pass and drive the lane on the defenders leaving Patterson and Hornsby?

Turn a 40% win chance into about an 85% win chance with a layup, slam, short 5 footer or getting fouled as the possible outcomes.

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Short answer, the pass after the trap is a really, really, hard pass. Gray's pass to Hornsby wasn't easy but he did have a passing lane. If Martin rolls hard to the rim there is no passing lane plus you have help defenders one step away. That is the type of pass good defenses dare you throw after a pick and roll trap. Also the catch on a pick and roll (as opposed to a pick and slip and pick and pop) almost never results in an immediate good shot. The best shots are created out of the first and second passes out of the roll to catch the defense trying to switch and recover, which takes more than 1 second. To run a pick and roll action they would have need to start the action much earlier which makes it less like you end up with a shot with 1 second left.

Not saying its a bad idea, just requires a different set. Also, these days pick and rolls generally involve other action by shooters to get open and confuse the defense and often a second screen set on or off the ball (think the elevator doors set run by a ton of NBA teams now). Can be done and might be a better last second shot set, but its can get complicated.

You're way off base if you think that was well executed.

And "no putbacks"? WTF not!?!

Also, third option is Patterson if his man sags down? Not the way this play was executed. He would have gotten the shot off two seconds after the buzzer!

I liked the play. I like that Gray had it in his hands with the possibilities you mentioned. But, in spite of having an overall great game, Gray blew it. He should have found a way to drive four seconds earlier. If Hornsby had missed this board would be alight over having no time for a putback - and rightfully so.

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But, in spite of having an overall great game, Gray blew it.

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