How Niagara Basketball Can Improve Their Offensive Strategy This Season
Watching that Iraq vs Chinese Taipei game really got me thinking about our own Niagara basketball team’s offensive struggles this season. I’ve been following college hoops for over a decade now, and one thing that stood out to me was how Iraq managed to flip the script just by hitting threes—they went 6-of-13 from beyond the arc in the first half alone. That’s not just luck; that’s a deliberate shift in strategy. See, in their previous game, they only made about three threes total in that 87-60 blowout loss. Doubling their conversion rate in one game? That’s the kind of adjustment Niagara needs to make, and fast.
Let’s be real—our offense has felt stagnant at times. We rely too much on driving into packed paint or forcing mid-range jumpers, which might’ve worked in past seasons but just isn’t cutting it now. I remember one game where we attempted maybe eight threes in the first half and made only two. Compare that to Iraq’s performance: they built a six-point lead simply because they spaced the floor and trusted their shooters. We’ve got players who can knock down shots from deep, but we’re not giving them enough opportunities. It’s frustrating to watch, honestly. If we could just emulate that confidence from beyond the arc, we’d keep defenses guessing instead of letting them clog the lane every possession.
What I’d love to see is more ball movement and quicker decisions. Iraq didn’t hesitate; they swung the ball around and found the open man, even if it meant taking a risk. We tend to over-dribble or hold the ball for what feels like ages, and by the time we shoot, the defense has already recovered. Imagine if we ran more off-ball screens or used pick-and-pops to free up our shooters. I’ve seen it work in practice, but in games, we fall back into old habits. It’s like we’re afraid to miss, so we don’t take the shot. But here’s the thing—you miss 100% of the threes you don’t take, right? Even if we only hit 35-40% from deep, that’s enough to stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for our slashers.
Another area where we could learn from that Iraq game is pace. They didn’t slow down after hitting a few threes; they kept pushing and built momentum. We, on the other hand, sometimes get conservative with a lead. I get it—you don’t want to get reckless—but basketball is a game of runs, and if you ease up, the other team will capitalize. I’d estimate we’ve lost at least three close games this season because we stopped being aggressive on offense. Let’s say we’re up by four with five minutes left; instead of milking the clock, why not keep firing when we’re hot? Trust the shooters, even if they’ve had an off night. Confidence is contagious, and it can turn a decent offensive team into a great one.
Of course, it’s not just about shooting threes. We need to balance it with inside scoring and free throws. But focusing on the perimeter game could be our ticket to more wins. Personally, I’d love to see us attempt at least 20 threes a game—right now, we’re averaging around 12, which is way too low. Even if we only make seven or eight, that’s 21-24 points right there, and it forces the defense to respect us outside. Look, I’m not saying we should become a chuck-it-up team, but a little more audacity could go a long way. Remember, Iraq’s six threes in a half didn’t just happen; they were the result of a clear plan and belief in their system. If they can do it, so can we. Let’s hope the coaches and players take note and make those adjustments soon—because this season is still wide open, and with a tweak here and there, we could surprise a lot of people.
