Rick Pitino has a goal for Simeon Wilcher the rest of the season: Attempt a minimum of six 3-point shots per game.
A sophomore, part-time starter, Wilcher is averaging three triples per game and shooting 30.5 percent from distance.
“He needs to get up three-to-five more attempts a game, because he’s such a good shooter, and he’s not [taking enough 3s]. He’s open, and he’s looking to drive, and that’s concerning,” Pitino said on Monday, as No. 15 St. John’s prepared to face Georgetown in Washington on Tuesday night. “I do think it’s self-confidence. Shooters like Aaron [Scott], ‘Sim,’ they’re counting their misses too much in their minds instead of just taking open shots when they’re there.
“Drive and get somebody a shot when you’re covered. Take every open shot available to you when you’re open regardless of what your percentages are.”
Wilcher is having a solid year, averaging 9.3 points on 43.2 percent shooting from the field. He has frequently made big plays in crunch time. But Pitino wants him to be more aggressive.
Another issue with the 3-point line, according to the Hall of Fame coach, is that Wilcher is taking them too deep at the Garden, confusing the college and NBA 3-point line.
“He needs to step on that line and not shoot two feet behind the line,” Pitino said.
St. John’s is averaging only 19.9 attempts from deep per game, which is 297th in the country, and only hitting 29.9 percent from 3, which is 328th nationally.
Pitino expects starting point guard Deivon Smith to miss Tuesday’s game against Georgetown because of a bruised shoulder.
The 6-foot guard has received multiple cortisone shots since suffering the injury in a win over Villanova on Jan. 11 and aggravating it a week later against Seton Hall.
Smith, who will have missed three of the past four games, did some non-contact drills in practice on Monday.
“It’s a little concerning,” Pitino said of the prolonged absence. “The good thing is there is no dislocation, nothing like that.”
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