Hot Off the Bench, 12/26 – 1/8
Breaking down eight players who have come off the bench and provided their teams with instant offense beyond the arc
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Coming off the bench as an instant scoring threat can be tremendously valuable. But being able to do it from deep also helps spread the floor, allows other teammates to more easily attack the basket, and can shift the momentum of the game. This week we highlight several Power Five players who’ve been providing boosts to their teams by being proficient from beyond the arc whenever they rotate into the game.
Carys Baker, Virginia Tech
A 6-foot-2 freshman forward may not be what initially comes to mind when thinking of a weapon from distance, but with a 57.1 three-point field-goal percentage on 2.5 attempts per game, it’s risky for opponents to leave this lefty open. Baker has knocked down shots off of kickouts, from dribble hand-offs, and in transition, ranking her first in points per play (1.45) among all Division I players averaging 10 or more minutes a game. In Virginia Tech’s 98-50 win over Long Island University, she helped her team set a new program record of 17 made threes in a game, individually contributing 4-of-6 from outside and 7-of-9 from the field for a career-high of 18 points. If Baker continues to stay assertive when subbed into the game, there’s no doubt she’ll be an incredible value to the Hokies as they try to make another deep run this season.
Timea Gardiner, Oregon State
As a 6-foot-3 forward, Gardiner was one of our sophomores to keep an eye on as a versatile high post who’s a difficult matchup for many teams because she can pick and pop, give a shot fake then attack the basket, or dish to a teammate, quickly relocate, and tee-up for a corner three. She’s not only upped her 3-point attempts from last season (4.2 vs 3.1), but she’s also been connecting on them at a higher percentage (39.0% vs 36.3%). Averaging 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists off the bench, she’s also had five games where she scored in double-digits, two of which were double-doubles. As Oregon State continues to work its way through a very loaded Pac-12 Conference, Gardiner will be a critical piece to the Beavers building on their 12-2 record and a potential difference-maker in how far they’ll make it in the postseason.
Aubrey Joens, Oklahoma
As we noted when highlighting under-the-radar upperclassmen, Joens has proven she can be trusted to let the 3-ball fly almost anytime. Leading her team in 3-point field-goal percentage (38.4%) and connecting on 2.0 triples per game (10th in the Big 12), she’s the second-highest scorer on her team (11.6 points per game) and contributes 4.4 rebounds coming off the bench. She has also racked up eight games where she’s scored in double-digits, including the Sooners’ recent game against Southern where she put up 18 points, including hitting 4-of-8 from outside. Currently tied for first in the Big 12, the Sooners will need Joens to continue to be effective from long range if they want to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
Moriah Murray, Penn State
Initially part of Drexel’s 2022 recruiting class, Murray never suited up for the Dragons since she began her career recovering from a knee injury and transferred to Penn State midway through her first season. Now as a redshirt freshman, the 5-foot-8 guard has become a reliable offensive threat for the Lady Lions—especially from deep—whenever she enters the game. With eight games where she’s connected on two or more threes, Murray is shooting 41.0 percent on just over four attempts from distance per game. In Penn State’s recent 101-73 win against Central Connecticut, she buried 4-of-9 triples for 12 points, while also contributing four assists. As the Lady Lions’ schedule continues to ramp up, Murray needs to keep pursuing open looks from three to help her team compete at the highest level.
Logan Nissley, Nebraska
Whether it’s being a spot-up shooter, coming off screens, or trailing in transition, the 6-foot freshman guard knows that she’s put on the floor to take and make shots, and she has grown more comfortable calling for the ball. With Nebraska’s guard-heavy team, she is also making the most of her minutes, already amassing five games with double-digit scoring and connecting on at least one 3-pointer in every game except two. In the Cornhuskers’ most recent outing against Indiana, she made 3-of-6 from outside and shot 5-of-9 overall for 13 points. Now averaging 6.8 points per game—including 1.7 makes from deep with a 41.9 three-point field-goal percentage—Nissley should continue to be a key scoring threat and a very valuable piece in Nebraska’s lineup.
Abbey Schreacke, Missouri
As a freshman, Schreacke impressed early and has remained incredibly consistent for the Tigers off the bench. With a 44.3 three-point field-goal percentage, the 6-foot guard has drained a 3-pointer in every game except two. She’s also already racked up six games where she’s scored in double-digits and is averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. On a team that ranks second in the SEC in 3-point makes per game (8.7), being able to put the ball in the hoop from outside is not only important in terms of getting points on the board, but also because it spreads out the defense. As long as Schreacke keeps hunting for her shot and taking advantage when opponents’ closeouts arrive too late, she should continue to earn quality minutes and be a valuable spark for her team.
Emma Shumate, Ohio State
Although the 6-foot-1 redshirt sophomore may not be playing quite as many minutes as she did last season (9.9 vs 11.1 per game), she’s more than tripled her scoring average mainly due to taking (3.2 vs 1.7 attempts per game) and making (44.7% vs 23.1%) more threes. In her second year with the Buckeyes, she’s already surpassed last year’s total made threes (12) by five in 19 fewer games, with a career-high of six coming in a single game against in-state rival Ohio, when she scored 22 points in 22 minutes. With the Buckeyes losing 3-point phenom Taylor Mikesell to the WNBA this past spring, they needed multiple players to step up to fill that gap, and Shumate has been helping to meet that demand. If she continues to exploit opponents who leave her open around the perimeter, she should increasingly be relied upon off the bench.
Carla Viegas, Florida State
Having made a 3-pointer in every game this season except one, opponents are wise not to give Viegas an inch of space around the perimeter. The 5-foot-9 freshman from Spain is a phenomenal spot-up shooter, and even when she isn’t given room, she has the ability to create all she needs with a quick step-back and even quicker release. And with 90.4% of her points coming from long range—the second highest among all Power Five freshmen averaging 10 or more minutes per game—she serves as a major deterrent for opponents thinking about doubling up on her teammates in the paint. As Viegas continues to gain experience at the college level, the impact she provides for her team will only grow.
Subbing into a game and being able to consistently hit threes is far from easy. It requires a great deal of extra practice time in getting shots up as well as a tremendous amount of self-confidence to rotate in relatively cold and trust in one’s abilities. But the hours and effort these players put in are invaluable to their teams, and it can not only result in increased playing time, but it can also be a game changer in racking up wins.
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