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I'm sure there has been threads on this topic, as it. Pertains to the lack of offense shown against the zone lately, but here's my two sense, and I want to know if im just going crazy or if other people see the same thing.
1. First off, I know boneyarders take one comment about one instance and people react as if that that persons whole morale compass is pass the point of sanity. I full heartedly agree that this season is a process, as coach Ollie describes. And I believe that process is working...the team looked immensely better last night in terms of looking like the game is slowing down and finding good shots. I think this team is going to get to where it needs, but it'll take patience on the teams part and the fans part.
2. With that said, I know beating a zone means patience and the right passes at the right time to the right person. UConn seems to be hesitant on a lot of passes. At the top of the zone, a lot of times a guard will hold the ball for just 2 second straight too long before swinging and switching sides. Reading the defense takes maturity and expereience so I get that, but at some point, you have to make quicker passes to get the defense in a compromising position.
3. I got really frustrated at times over this season with the lack of attacking the zone BEFORE they get set up. I'm not talking about fast breaks, I know we are short handed and we need Adams as fresh as can be down the stretch, but there were 4 or 5 instances Monday night where UConn was set up incense before the zone was fully set. Yet the ball handler would back off and let curse sink into position. With such a young defense, if you don't hesitate, and drive at the two guards up top, the defense will overreact compromising that zone. I rewatched the game and saw plays that would have developed for an easy bunny multiple times. I hope this is part of ollies process,where they are too young, and he is teaching patience for the zone, finding the man in the middle, and will instill more of the attack piece as the season moves. Either way, I believe being tentative on offense may be preventing them from just going out and balling. Fast forward to 8:26 in the replay from Monday, you will see an excellent outlet pass from a defensive rebound. It should have set CV up for an uncontested layup, but resulted in the offense slowing down and letting cuse sink into their zone (the offense that trip was actual good following that, with a wide open, but missed 3). Purvis drew the middle defender to him, and would have an easy one bounce pass to the free throw line, except CV didn't run with Purvis, he slowed and stopped at the 3 point line. I know they are young, and I'm sure the coaching staff is telling these guys to be patient against he zone, but gotta know your lanes and how to get open without the ball.
Again, not saying I don't like where the team is going, not saying the coaching staff or any player sucks. Just a couple things I look at with teams needing to find answers against the zone. I am far from an expert in basketball strategy, but just want to know if I am the right track?
Ps maybe it has something to do with our guys playing in jerseys small enough for middle schoolers...seriously, are our guys that much more jacked than the opposing teams, or did our equipment manager buy jerseys 2 times smaller for the intimidation factor??
1. First off, I know boneyarders take one comment about one instance and people react as if that that persons whole morale compass is pass the point of sanity. I full heartedly agree that this season is a process, as coach Ollie describes. And I believe that process is working...the team looked immensely better last night in terms of looking like the game is slowing down and finding good shots. I think this team is going to get to where it needs, but it'll take patience on the teams part and the fans part.
2. With that said, I know beating a zone means patience and the right passes at the right time to the right person. UConn seems to be hesitant on a lot of passes. At the top of the zone, a lot of times a guard will hold the ball for just 2 second straight too long before swinging and switching sides. Reading the defense takes maturity and expereience so I get that, but at some point, you have to make quicker passes to get the defense in a compromising position.
3. I got really frustrated at times over this season with the lack of attacking the zone BEFORE they get set up. I'm not talking about fast breaks, I know we are short handed and we need Adams as fresh as can be down the stretch, but there were 4 or 5 instances Monday night where UConn was set up incense before the zone was fully set. Yet the ball handler would back off and let curse sink into position. With such a young defense, if you don't hesitate, and drive at the two guards up top, the defense will overreact compromising that zone. I rewatched the game and saw plays that would have developed for an easy bunny multiple times. I hope this is part of ollies process,where they are too young, and he is teaching patience for the zone, finding the man in the middle, and will instill more of the attack piece as the season moves. Either way, I believe being tentative on offense may be preventing them from just going out and balling. Fast forward to 8:26 in the replay from Monday, you will see an excellent outlet pass from a defensive rebound. It should have set CV up for an uncontested layup, but resulted in the offense slowing down and letting cuse sink into their zone (the offense that trip was actual good following that, with a wide open, but missed 3). Purvis drew the middle defender to him, and would have an easy one bounce pass to the free throw line, except CV didn't run with Purvis, he slowed and stopped at the 3 point line. I know they are young, and I'm sure the coaching staff is telling these guys to be patient against he zone, but gotta know your lanes and how to get open without the ball.
Again, not saying I don't like where the team is going, not saying the coaching staff or any player sucks. Just a couple things I look at with teams needing to find answers against the zone. I am far from an expert in basketball strategy, but just want to know if I am the right track?
Ps maybe it has something to do with our guys playing in jerseys small enough for middle schoolers...seriously, are our guys that much more jacked than the opposing teams, or did our equipment manager buy jerseys 2 times smaller for the intimidation factor??