Hakim Hart Needs A Bigger Offensive Role for Maryland
Maryland Basketball finished their two-game trip to the Bahamas with a loss in the Bahamas Championship to Louisville, 63-55. Their first game in the event was an impressive comeback victory over a feisty Richmond side, 86-80. A 1-1 showing in the Bahamas was what I expected when the schedule was released, but the 5-2 Terps don’t look promising right now. Part of improving will be changing the offensive approach. My solution is giving junior guard Hakim Hart more touches.
Hakim Hart’s Touches Do Not Reflect His Development
Over his three-year UMD career, Hakim Hart has steadily improved in all aspects of his game. His shot efficiency has been a clear indicator of this development. So far this season, he is shooting 50% from the field and 38% from three. By any metric – effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage, etc. – Hart has been a better shooter each year. Against Richmond, Hart posted the second-highest mark of his career with 24 points on 8/9 from the field and 4/5 from three-point range. In the following game against Louisville, Hart inexplicably finished with two field goal attempts. Why is one of the most efficient shooters on the team getting two shot attempts coming off a career-best performance?
Maryland Needs to Prioritize Their Most Efficient Players
When looking at Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell’s respective shooting splits, this should be a no-brainer. Ayala is shooting 37% from the field, 30% from three, and 64% from the line. Russell is shooting 40% from the field, 24% from three, and 70% from the line. The Terrapins rank 61st in KenPom’s Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. Perhaps Maryland’s offense would be better if they prioritized putting the ball in the hands of their most efficient players. There’s no good reason why Hakim Hart only took two shots in 33 minutes the game following a 24-point performance. None. Especially considering that inefficiency has been the Terps’ biggest issue so far this season. Other than the Richmond game, the Terps have eclipsed 30% from three-point range in just two of their other six games.
Hakim Hart has demonstrated the ability to score with both volume and efficiency. Given the shooting woes plaguing Maryland Basketball this season, it’s high time to give him some more touches.
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