Dana Altman shares key to getting Jackson Shelstad back on track offensively

It’s been a rough month for Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad, but head coach Dana Altman gave the talented freshman a vote of confidence ahead of the Oregon State game and explained what he needs to do to get back on track.

Shelstad averages an even 12 points per game on the season, but is scoring just 8.1 per night over the last seven games. During that stretch, Shelstad has shot just 33% from the field, barely 40% from 2 and a measly 21% from 3 while going 0-for from deep in five of the seven. Call it a slump for the rookie.

“Well, he’s got to take a little bit better shots,” Altman commented of Shelstad’s recent play. “You know, I think he’s trying too hard to get his offense going. I think, just taking a step back and saying, ‘Okay, I got to make sure these first few shots are good shots.'”

But often times, players have trouble getting through their heads that they need to let the good shot attempts come to them.

” I think guys put pressure on them, you know — ‘Got to score, got to score. It’s my turn to get a shot up here’ — rather than letting the game come to them. That’s when they get in stretches like that. So, just got to slow him down a step. Usually offensively, when guys struggle a little bit, they’re just trying too hard. You know, everybody tells them they got to score and they want to score, and I think they just try a little too hard.”

Through the struggles, Altman certainly hasn’t lost faith in Shelstad as a shooter.

“We know he can shoot it. In practice, shooting drills or practice activities, he shoots the crap out of it. So, just got to get him to take a step back and and slow down a little bit.”

After that response, another reporter asked Dana Altman if he’s been pleased with Shelstad in other areas of the game during his brutal month from the field.

“Well, I like the fact that he doesn’t turn the ball over and he’s trying to make the right play,” said the Ducks coach. “You know, defensively, he’s making, like a lot of our guys, too many mistakes. But no, I like he’s competing, you know, he’s got a great attitude, he’s easy to coach, wants to be a good teammate. So yeah, I know he’s doing a lot of good things.”

Now, if he can only break out of this shooting slump.