Has anyone noticed that Ronald Ramon has been in a shooting slump? No. Really. Here are his shooting numbers in total and then on 3-pointers.
Louisville: 1-6 — 1-6
Providence: 0-4 — 0-3
West Virginia: 2-2 — 2-2
Villanova: 0-3 — 0-3
St. John’s: 2-5 — 1-4
Total: 5-20 — 4-18
Obviously no one was complaining or really noticing since Pitt had won the prior 4 games. Besides, he hasn’t been the lightning rod for criticism the way Levon Kendall (as much a reaction to constant media puffery) or Mike Cook (in a slump starting from the ‘Nova game) have become.
I think part of the reason for the slump is that Ramon is now struggling to get open as teams are much more aware of what he can do — and can’t do — so they are playing a lot tighter on him and making it harder for him to get a good look. As we all know, he is not the kind of guard that can create his own space. The other part, of course, is he is just missing shots. Even when he is coming off the screens, lately, the shots just aren’t going. Hopefully that will change — soon.
Last year there were times when he did take it to the hoop with some success. He seems a little reluctant to even try now. They will definitely need him over these next few games.
