No, Aaron Scott shook his head. Nothing has changed for him.
His self-belief hasn’t waned. Doubt hasn’t crept in. He still believes in his ability to knock down shots, even if very few have fallen for him of late.
“My confidence is high right now. I know I can make shots. I’ve done it before countless and numerous games,” the St. John’s senior forward said Monday, as the Johnnies prepared to face Xavier on Tuesday night in Cincinnati. “It’s going to fall. It’s the game of basketball, highs and lows.
“I’m not getting too low. It’s just the game of basketball. You’re supposed to have fun. Shots not falling — it’s cool. Do something else to win the game. That’s what I’m doing.”
He did it in Saturday’s win over Butler. Scott had seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals and was St. John’s leader at plus-20 in 26 quality minutes.
It, however, has been a struggle for the 6-foot-8 newcomer on the offensive end.
The team’s best on-ball defender has scored in double figures in only two of his past 10 games.
He’s 8-for-41 from 3-point range in that span. St. John’s brought him in from North Texas for his defense and grit but also his ability to stretch the floor. A year ago, Scott shot 37 percent from deep. This season, that number has fallen to 26.9.
Teams are keying in on Scott, forcing him off the 3-point line. It has led to contested shots and fewer attempts. Coach Rick Pitino has wanted him to attack more to keep the opposition honest.
“That’s not an excuse. Everybody gets scouted,” Scott said. “I have to move better to find my shots better. Find my open shots.”
Said Pitino: “You have to move without the basketball, you have to get to the rim, you have to get to the foul line, you have to grab offensive rebounds, you have to get backdoor cuts and not just rely on spotting up. … He’s a veteran, Aaron, I never worry about. He gives you 100 percent. He’s just got to understand why he’s not getting the same looks.”
Scott is obviously not alone.
St. John’s has struggled shooting the 3 for quite some time, making just nine in its four league games in 59 attempts, but still is 3-1 and 12-3 overall.
Scott believes it will turn for everyone, not just himself. In the meantime, the shooting woes haven’t held the team back for the most part.
“We’re still winning,” Scott said. “I think people forget that — that we’re still winning. It’s impressive, but I’m not surprised. We got a team of dawgs, a team full of hard workers. We don’t have to make 3s. We get it [with] offensive rebounds, drives, in transition. We’ve just been doing all the other things, where if we miss shots, it’s OK.”
Forward Zuby Ejiofor was named to the Big East honor roll for the fourth consecutive week.
Freshman guard Jaiden Glover (wrist) is doubtful to play against Xavier, according to a source.
He has not been able to practice in several days. He suffered the injury prior to the win over Butler on Saturday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
