Time to trust Dowuona: After shooting 93% over the past 4 games, he’s earned more touches

Look, I understand that Ebenezer Dowuona isn’t some dominant offensive force at this in his career.

I understand he probably doesn’t dominate on the offensive blocks in practice. And because of that, I understand why the Wolfpack guards are reluctant to drop it down there and let him go to work. I understand that they would rather call him out to come set a high ball screen to free them up to create.

But at some point, you have to start to give the kid a chance. And at this point, he’s earned it. Dowuona is shooting 93% over the past 4 games. He’s missed just 1 shot.

Meanwhile, it’s not like the NC State offense is lighting the world on fire. In fact, they are shooting just 42% from the field and 29% from 3 point range.

Aside from Dereon Seabron attacking the rim, this team is settling for jump shots on almost every half-court possession, and a lot of them are long 2s. Both Cam Hayes and Jericole Hellems are consistently pulling from inside the arc, and while they are hitting some of them, it’s not a great habit, seeing as it’s the most inefficient shot in the college game.

Because of this, this Pack team is going on long offensive droughts which cost them in the loss to Louisville, the loss to OK State, and nearly cost them in their win over Nebraska. They are too easy to guard and too one-dimensional. Whether or not they believe Dowuona is capable of being a factor on offense in the post, they have to give him a shot. They have to show teams that they are willing to dump it down and let him work in one on one situations.

If they can do this, you immediately add a dimension to your game, something the other teams need to prepare for. They are forced to either drop down and help or shade the shooters and let Dowuona go one on one. The guy is 6’11 and while most of his buckets are putbacks and dunks, he has scored from the block a few times and seems to have a decent touch.

Lastly, he’s not going to improve if he doesn’t have confidence from his teammates. He needs to know they trust him down there. It will help him make better decisions and empower him to work on his offense and know his teammates are relying on him.

The more a big touches the ball, the less they become a black hole. Meaning, the more they catch and take a real look at their options. When they get only a few touches per game, they feel the need to get a shot up, whether it’s good or not, because they might not get it back.

If you are dumping it down whenever the lane is clear and you have a one-on-one situation on the block, the big man feels like a part of the offense. If he is able to get a few back-to-the-basket buckets (I mean, look the guy is 6’11 and athletic) suddenly defenses have to hedge down, and the big will be able to kick it back out.

That’s inside-out basketball and it’s been a reliable offensive plan to win basketball games for over 50 years.

I’m not saying this is the key to NC State winning. I’m not saying Dowuona is going to light the world on fire. I’m very aware that most of his buckets over this span have been put backs or dunks, but not ALL. So what I am saying, is it COULD be another dimension the Pack could add to their arsenal, and I think it’s time to find out…

…Dowuona has earned it.