X-Factors: Pacific’s Alec Kobre

Feb 13, 2014; Stockton, CA, USA; Pacific Tigers fans hold up signs during the second half of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alex G. Spanos Center. The Pacific Tigers defeated the Brigham Young Cougars 89-82. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reasons Pacific had a lot of success last season on their run to the CIT semifinals was the ability of many different players to spread the floor and hit outside shots.  Of their top 9 scorers from 2013-14 season, 8 of them made at least 14 three pointers.  They resembled a typical Wisconsin Badgers team in that almost all of the big men that played were able to step out and shoot from beyond the arc.  The two best shooters from three point range were Aaron Short (29/57, 51%) and Trevin Harris (32/87, 41%).  Harris graduated and Short transferred, and the Tigers are left with only 2 returning 3 point threats in T.J. Wallace and David Taylor, neither of whom shot better than 35% from beyond the arc.  With so much production from beyond the arc from last season, who will the Tigers turn to when they need an outside shot?  Junior College transfer Alec Kobre.

Kobre shot 112/252 from beyond the arc last season at Santa Rosa JC for just under 45%.  Does Santa Rosa sound familiar?  It should.  Portland Pilots sharpshooter Bobby Sharp played there before becoming one of the best shooters in the West Coast Conference last season.  Also, Kobre’s former teammate Matt Hayes (who will be a sophomore at LMU this season) shot 44% at Santa Rosa last season, and the two combined to make a ridiculous 6.5 threes per game.  Additionally, former New Mexico State sharpshooter Kevin Aronis, who is known for making the game tying three pointer to send an NCAA Tournament game against San Diego State to overtime, also got his start at Santa Rosa.  So Santa Rosa has a track record of sending some great shooters to success at D1, and Kobre is no different from the players that came before him.

While he may not start, Kobre could find his niche as a player who can provide an offensive spark off the bench on a team that looks to be fairly offensively challenged after losing 7 of their top 8 players from last season.  The more shots he makes, the more minutes he will likely receive from head coach Ron Verlin.  If he cannot step up and hit shots, Pacific will struggle offensively with the defense clamping down on the paint, so it is crucial that Kobre becomes the shot maker at Pacific that he was at Santa Rosa.