The importance of Katie Rutan

[cinskyline]

I wanted to see if X's 3 point shooting was as mediocre as it seems it's been this year, and this is what I found:

According to the NCAA's national stat rankings:

Xavier makes 5.6 three pointers per game -- that ranks 138th nationally
Xavier is shooting 32.9% from three -- that ranks 109th nationally

Since Katie went down with her injury, these numbers have been plummeting. Special and Moss are good players, but not necessarily great 3 point shooters. It's a lot like the situation that the men's team has with Redford out this year. Holloway and Lyons are good players but not great 3 point shooters.

Bottom line is that this team is much more dangerous and difficult to defend with Katie than without her, and could be the difference between a big post season run and an early exit. Let's hope the extended rest has allowed her to completely heal and that this will not be a season-long issue.

[xuwin]

I wanted to see if X's 3 point shooting was as mediocre as it seems it's been this year, and this is what I found:

According to the NCAA's national stat rankings:

Xavier makes 5.6 three pointers per game -- that ranks 138th nationally
Xavier is shooting 32.9% from three -- that ranks 109th nationally

Since Katie went down with her injury, these numbers have been plummeting. Special and Moss are good players, but not necessarily great 3 point shooters. It's a lot like the situation that the men's team has with Redford out this year. Holloway and Lyons are good players but not great 3 point shooters.

Bottom line is that this team is much more dangerous and difficult to defend with Katie than without her, and could be the difference between a big post season run and an early exit. Let's hope the extended rest has allowed her to completely heal and that this will not be a season-long issue.

I totally agree that Katie is sorely missed, but, I think part of the reason for the mediocre totals from outside is due to the fact that they have two of the best big players in the country and choose to get it inside first. Katie wll help keep teams from sagging on Phillips so much.

[SixFig]

As we learn from the men's team, lack of a consistent three point threat can make the whole team, perimeter and post players alike suffer.