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Message: [QUOTE="Ricker, post: 4376516, member: 1245"] We need something to discuss. Strategy: Even with a decade of coaching under his belt, I think this can be a real growth year for Hurley as a coach. On paper we have a versatile team with so many possible successful combinations of players, the combinations Hurley chooses to play, and what he tries to do, will be very revealing. With more talent, will he be more flexible to experiment with lineups in games? Hurley has a history of being stubborn, (Adams and Gilbert floundering), (never playing a zone), (always hard hedging with his bigs, even when it seems not to fit the player - Carlton), etc. In my mind he generally allows the opposing team to dictate personnel matchups, rather than trying to force that team to match us. By that, I mean that he nearly always goes small when another team does, even when that team can't handle our size, (Sanogo taken out of St Johns & Carlton DNP's are examples). Will he find a way to keep Clingan in the paint defensively, or negate our own size advantage in the paint by having him hedge or be drawn to the perimeter to defend? Will Hurley better counter when an opposing coach chooses not to guard a player, (Creighton - Whaley). Those defensive strategies result in 5 defenders against 4 offensive options we prefer to take the shot. Clingan can shoot from the outside like Whaley, and Sanogo (per Karaban) is hitting 3's, but, if they are unguarded and allowed to shoot, we don't want that to be our offense. Other than just trying a different defender, will Hurley be prepared with any strategies to stop an opposing player who is taking over a game against our regular defense, (Gillespie & Richmond backing down Cole on clearouts, the New Mex St kid going off, etc)? Maybe you have other strategy points. Tactics: (What will we try to do) 1. I expect us to rebound and run to try to finish at the rim or shoot a spot up 3 before the defense is set. 2. Once we are set against a half court defense I think as a general strategy we will favor certain outcomes a. Newton to the rack to draw fouls on the other team & get their better players into foul difficulty, (he seems to have that knack in the past) b. Get the ball to Sanogo in his favorite jump hook position close to the rim, (pass back out if he is a step o/s his sweet spot) c. Spot up 3's from Hawkins, Alleyne, Karaban, Calceterra d. Passes to any of our players cutting to the rim from the key or the baseline for finishes or fouls 3. Threes by Johnson, Diarra, Jackson, and Newton are okay but I would expect less conversion 4. (Clingan set a great Jake Voskuhl pick in the scrimmage highlights. I'd love a steady diet of that to free shooters & drivers) End of shot clocks? Cole took over, I'm not sure who Hurley will turn to, nor what the intent will be. Your thoughts? End of games, last possessions with small leads. I want our 85% foul shooting team on the court. Newton, Alleyne, Calceterra, Karaban, Jackson. This team of ball handlers should be able to get the ball in, get fouled, and make the shots. We'll see how Hurley plays it. With so many athletes will we play full court pressure D with Sanogo, Clingan, or Johnson in the role of Thabeet as the last line of defense? How do we play if Newton is on the bench for a rest or 2 early fouls? I assume Diarra takes over and Jackson needs to be on the court with him, or does Jackson take over and really on support from Calceterra & Alleyne? Defensive end of game possession full court. I would think Johnson's wingspan on the inbounder to allow Jackson to play the Henefeld role? Who else? Defensive end game front court possession. Who do you expect to be on the court? Any change in the in bounds play is under the basket? Type away your thoughts [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

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