Georgetown Post Game Thread

[REB1094]

Not sure I agree. Managing your territory versus chasing a man, reading a switch, fighting through picks has a lot less complexity to it. When the basis of the issue is being too slow footed and having spacial awareness issues, a zone could help. They don’t need to run it 40 minutes, but to splash in for 3-4 minutes here and there can be the kind of curveball to throw off another team just enough.

When you’re letting some of the worst 3pt shooting teams in hoops light you up I really don’t know what you have to lose honestly. To keep up the same strategy at this point when you have almost a full season sample of the defense being awful feels silly. Man when done well has the higher upside but done poorly has lower downside. Zone keeps you in the safe middle.

Well that's my point, I wouldn't say any of Ball, Stewart, and Ross are slow footed and they're still horrible defenders this year. And if we're already getting burned by 3 point shooting now, that's going to get worse in a zone which is even more susceptible to wide open 3's. Changing it now would be nothing short of a disaster

The only zone that Hurley has played since the start of our run is an ugly 1-3-1 or extended 2-1-2 that instantly gets burned every single time

It's not a bad idea to mix in some zone for short bursts to keep other teams guessing and to disrupt rhythm, lots of teams do it. But I would bet that Hurley has not spent 1 second in practice this year on an actual 2-3 or 3-2 zone

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The only zone that Hurley has played since the start of our run is an ugly 1-3-1 or extended 2-1-2 that instantly gets burned every single time

It's not a bad idea to mix in some zone for short bursts to keep other teams guessing and to disrupt rhythm, lots of teams do it. But I would bet that Hurley has not spent 1 second in practice this year on an actual 2-3 or 3-2 zone

Smart high school and youth coaches throw in a trap zone if their base defense really sucks. It can't be any worse than what we are doing.

 

[RuffRuff]

Smart high school and youth coaches throw in a trap zone if their base defense really sucks. It can't be any worse than what we are doing.

Yup - I’ve seen many a college program use it effectively, in more than just spurts. It’s a tool, and for the right team can be useful. Especially now that we are going into do or die season and you want to be able to pull out all the stops and even surprise a team.

Man would eliminate all these pumped out close outs because we are reacting too slow to a switch or chasing a man from behind. It removes this whole high hedge strategy which I’ve come to find useless and rarely providing the ROI Hurley keeps clawing for. It’s a better defense for Tarris to keep him out of foul trouble and on the interior not running all over the place.

Hurley has stated he needs to go more vanilla offensively, given how bad we are defensively maybe he should try that too.

 

[djct1999]

You can also argue that it's easier making assists to Ben, Rashad, Emeka and Charlie than it is to Solo, Liam and Karaban.

If you watched Marcus, you would quickly realize it didn’t matter who he was passing it to. He was that gifted a passer.

 

[djct1999]

Yup - I’ve seen many a college program use it effectively, in more than just spurts. It’s a tool, and for the right team can be useful. Especially now that we are going into do or die season and you want to be able to pull out all the stops and even surprise a team.

Man would eliminate all these pumped out close outs because we are reacting too slow to a switch or chasing a man from behind. It removes this whole high hedge strategy which I’ve come to find useless and rarely providing the ROI Hurley keeps clawing for. It’s a better defense for Tarris to keep him out of foul trouble and on the interior not running all over the place.

Hurley has stated he needs to go more vanilla offensively, given how bad we are defensively maybe he should try that too.

While I agree we should eliminate the high hedge, I feel any sort of zone would actually expose us more. Out backcourt is small, one is hobbled, and lack lateral speed. Our front court, is even slower. Teams with any sort of ball movement would rip us apart. The solution to me is simple, go straight man, elliminate the high hedge and any sort of switching. Play straight up, knees bent, dig deep. Let’s go!

 

[RuffRuff]

While I agree we should eliminate the high hedge, I feel any sort of zone would actually expose us more. Out backcourt is small, one is hobbled, and lack lateral speed. Our front court, is even slower. Teams with any sort of ball movement would rip us apart. The solution to me is simple, go straight man, elliminate the high hedge and any sort of switching. Play straight up, knees bent, dig deep. Let’s go!

Right now Hassan can barely defend with his knee. When he’s out and we want to go big with Liam/Stew would be the best opp to use it.

Going no switch man would be fascinatingly scary!

 

[upstater]

If you watched Marcus, you would quickly realize it didn’t matter who he was passing it to. He was that gifted a passer.

I watched Marcus and I agree. Heck, I watched Bobby Dulin. Just saying this is a discussion about a player coming on after freshman year. That was also the best team in UConn history, IMO.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Right now Hassan can barely defend with his knee. When he’s out and we want to go big with Liam/Stew would be the best opp to use it.

Going no switch man would be fascinatingly scary!

I do not like no-switch because it is so easy to attack. I like matchup zones if the back of the zone players can make quick reads, which I think Reed and Johnson could have done.

The high hedge should only be used against really good guards (Kam Jones and Ashworth are the only two I would do it against), otherwise the costs outweigh the benefits, especially with UConn.

I like zone traps because all you need is hustle to make it adequate, and it forces the ball out of the other team's best player's hands. It is an attacking defense rather than a passive defense like man-to-man or most traditional zones, which I think makes it easier to play because there are not as many complicated reads.

 

[djct1999]

Right now Hassan can barely defend with his knee. When he’s out and we want to go big with Liam/Stew would be the best opp to use it.

Going no switch man would be fascinatingly scary!

Not necessarily, if Taris and Alex hold firm on the block and can offer help in the lane. The problem now is teams are pulling out bigs away from the hoop and there is no help.

 

[RuffRuff]

Not necessarily, if Taris and Alex hold firm on the block and can offer help in the lane. The problem now is teams are pulling out bigs away from the hoop and there is no help.

That is true, why a zone does have a certain appeal.

Right now our strength defensively is blocking shots, but to your points hard to do when the guys that can do it aren’t anchoring back. I really do wonder if Hurley pulls it out. No point in doing prematurely as don’t want to show the hand too soon.

 

[Palatine]

That is true, why a zone does have a certain appeal.

Right now our strength defensively is blocking shots, but to your points hard to do when the guys that can do it aren’t anchoring back. I really do wonder if Hurley pulls it out. No point in doing prematurely as don’t want to show the hand too soon.

The high hedge is designed to take the ball out of the hands of the opponents most dangerous player. However, in the most recent games, SJU and G'town, the guys we wanted to have the ball hit threes. Heck, in the GT game one of there guys who hadn't that a three all year made one. The high hedge also depends o rotations, they have to happen fast. if they do it's effective. Hurley believes in it. He s not going to change at this time of year.

Nothing is wrong with the high hedge if the rotations are right and fast.

 

[gtcam]

Boatright was incredibly quick with an excellent vertical for a guy his height. Napier was very savvy, a very good ball handler, good shooter, not as quick as Boat but much quicker than Nowell.

Bazz was criticized his freshman year for being totally out of control and way too loose with the ball. Sometimes all that speed means nothing if it's not handled correctly.
Bazz worked on slowing his approach to the game down and to be more court observant and deliberate in his game. Nowell will find the correct speed with which to play.
I've watched the kid for 2 years in AAU ball and the kid has handle and can change speed. The difference at UConn is that he is being thrown to the lions without being able to work through mistakes which should of happened during the cupcake schedule but Dan Hurley went for the blowouts rather than player development. Now the team is in a "can't afford another loss" situation, that isn't a place for development. Between this scenario and the injuries, it has been less than productive for Nowell.
If he decides to stay at UConn (probably not a good bet) I would hope Dan Hurley would give a top 30 recruit more benefit of the doubt.

 

[RuffRuff]

The high hedge is designed to take the ball out of the hands of the opponents most dangerous player. However, in the most recent games, SJU and G'town, the guys we wanted to have the ball hit threes. Heck, in the GT game one of there guys who hadn't that a three all year made one. The high hedge also depends o rotations, they have to happen fast. if they do it's effective. Hurley believes in it. He s not going to change at this time of year.

Nothing is wrong with the high hedge if the rotations are right and fast.

Devils advocate big picture is our defense is awful, embarrassingly bad with really no shot at making a run at the current rate. So here in March do you hold onto the notion that this team still has a chance to figure a strategy that has failed for 28 games or do you shift strategy somewhere? This ain’t working. A Gtown team without their best player and 143 OKP just lit it us up at 52%, 41% from 3. People want to claim 0-15 guys hit threes - this has been happening ALL YEAR. The opponents coach took the time to say the opposing team can’t defend in the post game presser. Teams know how to approach and attack us and come into the game with confidence knowing how bad the defense is. Defense if you’re good impacts the opponent even before the tip.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

We being being down by about 10 and coming back is monumental this season. If we can take down Marquette and do ok in the BET we should be able to improve our seeding in the Big Dancel….Providence has istorivally been a hemroid.

Beating Providence at their place on paper is the toughest game left on the schedule
Although we won at Creighton and Marquette and lost at Seton Hall , Nova .Xavier and at home to Creighton so predictably of this team is almost impossible.

 

[RuffRuff]

Beating Providence at their place on paper is the toughest game left on the schedule
Although we won at Creighton and Marquette and lost at Seton Hall , Nova .Xavier and at home to Creighton so predictably of this team is almost impossible.

By late Wednesday we should know whether we want to drive to the 7 seed (or better) or fall to the 10.

If we win both, we go for the 7, if we lose both or just Marquette, we may want the 10 if the BE 4 seed.

I really don’t want an 8-9

 

[bendm]

By late Wednesday we should know whether we want to drive to the 7 seed (or better) or fall to the 10.

If we win both, we go for the 7, if we lose both or just Marquette, we may want the 10 if the BE 4 seed.

I really don’t want an 8-9

Are you saying we should throw games by resting guys? i think angling for a specific seedline is too cute by half, there’s too much outside our control and it’s a big risk.

I’d prefer a 6/7 to a 4/5 as well but there’s no way I’d recommend intentionally losing games if we found ourselves on the 4/5 line. Same goes for 8/9.

 

[Inyatkin]

Are you saying we should throw games by resting guys? Has Hurley ever done that?

We can hope for whatever we want, but you cannot realistically plan for getting a 10-11 rather than an 8-9. The committee will do what it does, pretend it put deep thought into the matter and the rest of the world will have to live with it.

 

[ARIDE]

Mahaney has a better handle

He does but it can't get done and gets physically abused...

 

[boog204]

The high hedge is designed to take the ball out of the hands of the opponents most dangerous player. However, in the most recent games, SJU and G'town, the guys we wanted to have the ball hit threes. Heck, in the GT game one of there guys who hadn't that a three all year made one. The high hedge also depends o rotations, they have to happen fast. if they do it's effective. Hurley believes in it. He s not going to change at this time of year.

Nothing is wrong with the high hedge if the rotations are right and fast.

I agree. But the rotations are not right and fast and haven't been since game 1. At some point, don't we jettison it if it is legit ineffective? Really all it does at this juncture is give teams really good looks either in the paint or from 3.

 

[RuffRuff]

Are you saying we should throw games by resting guys? i think angling for a specific seedline is too cute by half, there’s too much outside our control and it’s a big risk.

I’d prefer a 6/7 to a 4/5 as well but there’s no way I’d recommend intentionally losing games if we found ourselves on the 4/5 line. Same goes for 8/9.

Yeah that’s not going to happen. Let’s just say I won’t be hurt if we lose games that knock us back off the 8-9 line if we lose one of these two upcoming games. Right now let’s gun for a 7. No reason we shouldn’t as well be favored every game rest or way.

I don’t think there is any reason for this team to play into Saturday if the 4 seed in the BE tourney. I’d rather they rest for the real tournament.

 

[Son of Robert]

Yeah that’s not going to happen. Let’s just say I won’t be hurt if we lose games that knock us back off the 8-9 line if we lose one of these two upcoming games. Right now let’s gun for a 7. No reason we shouldn’t as well be favored every game rest or way.

I don’t think there is any reason for this team to play into Saturday if the 4 seed in the BE tourney. I’d rather they rest for the real tournament.

Seriously? Am I reading this right? What kind of loser thinking is this?

Winning the BIG EAST Tournament comes with buku treasure. It is the culmination of the BIG EAST season and is perhaps the best tournament in the country with some of the best basketball that is played all year. Winning this tournament, or playing really well secondarily, can fill up that giant cup of confidence and team chemistry, as teams try to peak going into the post season. Ya gotta be a contender first to ever be the champ. (old boxing axiom)

 

[RuffRuff]

Seriously? Am I reading this right? What kind of loser thinking is this?

Winning the BIG EAST Tournament comes with buku treasure. It is the culmination of the BIG EAST season and is perhaps the best tournament in the country with some of the best basketball that is played all year. Winning this tournament, or playing really well secondarily, can fill up that giant cup of confidence and team chemistry as teams try to peak going into the post season. Ya gotta be a contender first to ever be the champ. (old boxing axiom)

Maybe a little loserish but I’d rather make a mark and surprise in the dance this year and I’m trying to be realistic with what this team is capable of and where they are.

They’re banged up and lack depth. 3 BE games in 3 days, with a likely loss against MSG StJ could do more harm than good. There have been plenty of teams that have bowed out early in the conf tourn that have gone on big runs. This team has barely been able to win back to back games since early Jan. I’ll take my chances in multiple 2 game sets with time to scout and prep. I think this team will do better against first time opponents OOC than in league for third time.

Not gonna get upset if they win the BET obviously, but not gonna cry if they drop out early either.

 

[HooperScooper]

Yeah that’s not going to happen. Let’s just say I won’t be hurt if we lose games that knock us back off the 8-9 line if we lose one of these two upcoming games. Right now let’s gun for a 7. No reason we shouldn’t as well be favored every game rest or way.

I don’t think there is any reason for this team to play into Saturday if the 4 seed in the BE tourney. I’d rather they rest for the real tournament.

Kemba Walker would be so disappointed in this talk. Rest is for the weak.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Kemba Walker would be so disappointed in this talk. Rest is for the weak.

It also just seems insane to tempt fate with a committee that's not bending over backwards to give Big East teams the benefit of the doubt.

 

[HooperScooper]

Arrogant and spoiled.

“They’re pretty damn good. The thing is, the expectation when you win spoils people,” Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley said, providing his perspective on this UConn season after the reigning back-to-back national champions improved to 19-9 on the year and 11-6 in the Big East.

“There’s always the ebb and flow with teams. At some point, every team will have their chance. Right now, Connecticut has a really good run, but again, when you win at the level of which this program has won at the last two years, where else can you go? So, any type of setback, everybody’s like, ‘Oh, wow, the roof is falling in. Something happened, what’s going on?'”

UConn notes: Solo Ball ‘just scratching the surface’ of potential; Huskies ‘unlock’ Tarris Reed

UConn men’s basketball guard Solo Ball is already on the NBA’s radar with his 3-point shot, but has only scratched the surface of his potential.

www.courant.com

 

[Coach J]

Or our center fouling the 3pt shooter.

Which causes multiple problems for us.

 

[Coach J]

While I agree we should eliminate the high hedge, I feel any sort of zone would actually expose us more. Out backcourt is small, one is hobbled, and lack lateral speed. Our front court, is even slower. Teams with any sort of ball movement would rip us apart. The solution to me is simple, go straight man, elliminate the high hedge and any sort of switching. Play straight up, knees bent, dig deep. Let’s go!

I agree except when say Diarra is in foul trouble and when Nowell was hurt we would have been better off adjusting to our talent on the floor (Mahaney) and going zone then having him 1. Immediately get beat. 2. Pick up a preventable foul. 3. Demoralize him to the point of neutering his offensive prowess. 4. Effectively ruining his season and maybe the team's.

One of this team's strengths the last two years was our ability to wear down our opponents as the game went on. Having Hass play 35 minutes on one knee, because we stubbornly won't adjust what we are doing to the talent we have on the court makes that impossible this year.

 

[Coach J]

The high hedge is designed to take the ball out of the hands of the opponents most dangerous player. However, in the most recent games, SJU and G'town, the guys we wanted to have the ball hit threes. Heck, in the GT game one of there guys who hadn't that a three all year made one. The high hedge also depends o rotations, they have to happen fast. if they do it's effective. Hurley believes in it. He s not going to change at this time of year.

Nothing is wrong with the high hedge if the rotations are right and fast.

What happens if they are not, and it kills you on a nightly basis?

 

[Huskyforlife]

The high hedge works when guys rotate properly, it’s not on the center to immediately cover the slip, the opposite corner man takes the big, which is the part this team is struggling with. Off ball defensive IQ is probably a hard trait to scout in high schoolers, would love to know if that’s something coaching staffs genuinely look for when deciding who to recruit.

 

[cp176]

I am and forever will be a man to man coach. But using using all types of zone presses at the fullcourt level and running and jumping trapping and rotating always has added to the defensive strategy designed to speed up opponents hopefully leading to creating turnovers. The challenge of learning to play man to man the right way is in my opinion the only way to teach and coach young players if you want them to some day be good players. Now with all that, good man still uses good zone principles. I just want to see one UConn player take a cut away from an opposing player. Jump to the ball and bar arm them. No one cuts across your face! Every program has to have a philosophy on both offense and defense. If you are a man program and you are recruiting players, I think it makes sense to bring in players who are fundamentally sound on the defensive side of the ball.