I say, let them press, let them run.

[Prezidint]

Are you with me? I want to know if you're with me.

I'm so sick to of this miserable, anorexic, schizophrenic, eye-sore thing we call our "half-court" offense. I'm vomiting inside. Even a case of sacreds don't begin to dull the headache I have that was caused by watching that mess this afternoon. At LEAST last year we had great D to focus on. Kind of like a woman with a butter face and a playboy rack - just keep your eyes in the right place and you can overlook the "eGADs man" of having to stare at the face - the offense. The running around like they're playing kill-the-man-with-the-ball (remember that?).

It's just flat out awful to watch.

Can I throw in that it must just donkey stomp recruiting? If you're the next Moe Harless out there, where would you go? UConn, where, if you score 30 you're 75% of production, or somewhere where the offense doesn't look like Amy Winehouse on a bad coke day?

Here's my suggestion - just let ----ing dogs out. Take off the leashes. Take off the pinch collar. Remove the invisible fence. Let. Them. Run. All of them. Press and run. Run and gun. ANYTHING but this horrid, creature-from-the-black-lagoon sickness that is our half court offense. My Lord, I'm starting to lean toward those who say that our style is unwatchable. I had moments today when I had to force myself to ask, "am I watching this for entertainment? Or to do an at-home heart stress test?"

Bazz and Boat get 30 each a game and they run like fiends. Give Allen 5 a game, even if he sucks. Just run. And press. And sub guys in like crazy. And tell every guy, when you get in there, the most important thing is that you run. Like Forrest f----ing Gump. And don't stop running. And pressing.

And then, at least, even if we get beat, it will be like entertainment, and fun, and not like dentistry in Eastern Russia, and having sex with a meat grinder.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

 

[Huskybass]

I agree 110%. I have been saying this for a month. The odds of winning when this team scores 75 or more points have to be 5x greater than when they score 57 or 48. Run, press, run, sub, run, run some more...

 

[mauconnfan]

Love the idea Prez but wish it were that easy. Pressing is way too sophisticated for a couple of these guys and the anticipation abilities of a few are not very good, which is a key driver of the press. Plus guards need to have some size - the speed is there but a good passing team with bigger guards and wings will just throw it over the top........and then you will need a "Henefeld" somewhere and who might that be? Jeremy may be good, long pretty quick but not a great or smart defender as of yet. Niels is pretty smart and might be a nice anticipator actually as he has some brains.

Honestly I see a lot of easy buckets vs this team if they were to press............guessing that's why we don't see it because the staff feels the same way! I could be wrong and wished I was!

 

[champs99and04]

I don't think it would work, but it's worth a try. I hate watching this half-court offense as much as anybody.

 

[tykurez]

Calhoun has expressed a reluctance to press with the lack of depth thus far. I wouldn't be surprised to see him work it in more now that the boat saga is behind us ...

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Drummond the 5 inserted as our shot blocker and the ‘last defense’ on the press is a foundation that makes this a tempting proposition even at this stage of the season. Syracuse an unranked team to start the season in 2003 incorporated more of the press as the season went on. This Syracuse team was far from unbeatable but were mentally tough and had Melo. They won 15 games that they trailed in the second half that championship year. They relied I believe on Jeremy McNeil on their press at the 5. We have AD. Pace, Warrick and Melo gave SU great length. Duany and Edelin also had length but McNamara was no defensive stalwart.

I think the press strategy should be match up driven and today was an opportune time to have it in our arsenal. We used it sparingly and out of desperation.

JMHO

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Drummond the 5 inserted as our shot blocker and the ‘last defense’ on the press is a foundation that makes this a tempting proposition even at this stage of the season. Syracuse an unranked team to start the season in 2003 incorporated more of the press as the season went on. This Syracuse team was far from unbeatable but were mentally tough and had Melo. They won 15 games that they trailed in the second half that championship year. They relied I believe on Jeremy McNeil on their press at the 5. We have AD. Pace, Warrick and Melo gave SU great length. Duany and Edelin also had length but McNamara was no defensive stalwart.

I think the press strategy should be match up driven and today was an opportune time to have it in our arsenal. We used it sparingly and out of desperation.

JMHO

It would be interesting to see what Shaka Smart would do with this talent base.

 

[huskyharry]

when we tried to press today in the second half, ND broke it easily and scored, so UConn had to take it off.
I do like the pushing the tempo idea, though. This team is far too mistake prone to be trying to limit the total number of possessions on offense.
A little run and gun make help players like DD to get confidence.

 

[mauconnfan]

Would this be a comparison of Shaka vs JC?

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Would this be a comparison of Shaka vs JC?

Yes mauconn that would be a safe assumption. I think Shaka Smart should make the leap to a power conference. In my opinion he is the hottest commodity in coaching. This year Bradford Burgess is the only guy returning that was a solid contributor from last years final 4 run. The team consists of 6 freshman and 3 sophomores. VCU sits at 18-5 and 9-2 in conference.

Former VCU coach Anthony Grant has struggled out of the gate at Alabama in my opinion.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/anthony_grant_sends_disturbing.html

Alabama was 1 of my preseason sleeper final 4 picks. Will they turn it around? Maybe...

I think Shaka is the quintessential "today's coach". He has charisma, intellect and integrity.

 

[Prezidint]

In my opinion he is the hottest commodity in coaching.

I'd throw in the Hurley boys too. They're going to get a big time offer within the next year or two.

 

[mauconnfan]

Yes mauconn that would be a safe assumption. I think Shaka Smart should make the leap to a power conference. In my opinion he is the hottest commodity in coaching. This year Bradford Burgess is the only guy returning that was a solid contributor from last years final 4 run. The team consists of 6 freshman and 3 sophomores. VCU sits at 18-5 and 9-2 in conference.

Former VCU coach Anthony Grant has struggled out of the gate at Alabama in my opinion.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/anthony_grant_sends_disturbing.html

Alabama was 1 of my preseason sleeper final 4 picks. Will they turn it around? Maybe...

I think Shaka is the quintessential "today's coach". He has charisma, intellect and integrity.

Let's see how many NC's he gets before we compare. And that doesn't mean going to UCLA to do it menas staying put and doing it. Because UConn was VCU when JC took over he didn't go to an elite program and win 3 NC's now did he??

 

[willie99]

I don't agree. JC is trying to make them run the type of offense that wins tournament games in March. It's almost always ugly in Jan, and sometimes it carries over into Feb, but it wins in Mar.

I think we all know that JC is not going to change. I don't want him to change. I want Jim to be Jim.

 

[Huskymaniac]

It hasn't always won in March. We have had NIT teams that never turned it around. Remember just two years ago? And that wasn't the lone exception. We have had other teams make it to the NIT and lose in the first round. We have had NIT teams lose early in both the Big East tournament and the NIT. There have been several teams that didn't get it even up to the last game. And, yes, there have been teams that turned it around in a big way in Feb or March like last year's team or even the NIT championship team. But this illusion that every Calhoun team eventually turns it on is just that, an illusion. Some do, some don't. Most do, thankfully. This team doesn't appear to be turning the corner any time soon. We will see......

 

[Prezidint]

I don't agree. JC is trying to make them run the type of offense that wins tournament games in March.

The feed Alex at the elbow in a zone offense? I don't think that wins in any month.

 

[Danzz]

You have to be able to rebound and make shots to press.

 

[willie99]

The feed Alex at the elbow in a zone offense? I don't think that wins in any month.

you absolutely beat a zone at the elbow, you have to cut to the free throw line

it's executing from there that's the key

 

[jibsey]

Even with Boat back we are short on guards for an all out press, but why not do it intermittently? This stagnant offense can't continue so yes it's time to try some different things. What's to lose?

 

[HuskyFich]

As much as this would be to watch, you have to think about the situation we are in. We have 9 players that play at all and 2(DD, TO) haven't shown anything lately. I understand that TO is hurt with the heel, but regardless, that still leaves JC with 7 players to deal with in a game. Having RB out obviously hasn't helped SN's situation at all because he had to play 38+ min a game, but having him back will help. However, with the lack of depth, and past circumstances, running this team all out will just make them even more tired, and could really hurt our chances of making any deep runs.

 

[Prezidint]

Lack of depth?
When did lack of depth become a problem?
We should have one of the deepest teams in the country.

The problem is, JC wants to play a half court game with 7 guys and yank 4 of them for minor offenses.

AO, RS, TO, SN, JL, NG all return from a NC team.
AD, DD, and RB are all guys who are talented enough to run.

Far as I can tell, that means we go 9 deep, with everybody in that 9 being a solid player.

Throw in BA, who was serviceable in his limited time, and what's the issue?

If you can't press and run with 9 quality guys, then you need to check cardio.

I'm concluding that what it comes down to with JC is this - he's going to run the team a certain way, regardless of personnel fit. That results in great years, when the personnel fit the system, and miserable years, when the personnel does not fit the system.

This appears to be one of these years when we're all going to suck down watching JC smash a 2" square peg into a 1" round hole.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Let's see how many NC's he gets before we compare. And that doesn't mean going to UCLA to do it menas staying put and doing it. Because UConn was VCU when JC took over he didn't go to an elite program and win 3 NC's now did he??

Shaka coaches in the Colonial Athletic Conference. This is a conference that now includes Jimmy’s former team Northeastern. Jimmy did a great job at Northeastern. He won 2 NCAA tournament games in 14 years. Shaka has competed in a Final 4.

My reference to Shaka going to a power conference from VCU would be the equivalent of Calhoun going from the ECAC North Atlantic Conference to the Big East back in 1986. As you know the Big East was founded with the intent of creating a powerhouse basketball conference. UConn was a charter member. With that membership came influence and power in the recruiting game. Would Calhoun’s 2 biggest recruits in the history of the program ( Chris Smith and Scott Burrell) have contemplated a scholarship offer from Northeastern and eventually accepted? The Big East was such a powerful conference that UConn finished 4-12 in 1988 and won the NIT. Ewing and Sleepy Floyd led Georgetown to the championship game in 1982 and Georgetown cut down the nets in 1984. In 1985 three Big East teams made the Final 4 and Villanova cut down the nets. UConn and Calhoun benefited from the success of the conference. Eventually Jimmy landed Scotty and Chris and UConn took their program to the next level. Without the Big East that never would have happened.



Shaka undoubtedly in my mind can achieve the same success over time as Calhoun in a power conference. Assuming of course that Shaka would accept a potential quality of life change in a different part of the country.

So the foundation was set. Jimmy did not go to an elite program he went to an elite conference with Xposure. That was his ticket to recruiting success. UConn was never VCU under Jimmy. UConn became the Big East and VCUis the CAA (emphasis added).

So with a straight face your telling me Shaka has to win three NC’s at VCU ( a team in the CAA) to compare to Calhoun’s 3 NC’s with UConn? Are you telling me that if Shaka was available right now to be the UConn coach of the future you would bypass him for another candidate? I think there is a good chance Hurley takes over for coach K (referencing the Prez comment).

All JMHO. Have a great day. I am not questioning whether JC is 1 of the best coaches ever.

 

[orangehomer]

i think that pressing is a pretty good change-of-pace strategy to speed your opponent up at times, but i don't think that pressing is a viable strategy to use for extended periods. i just think that modern teams are too good to press for a long time, there are too many ballhandlers on these teams now because so many of the forwards can handle it well. you can't really trap a forward with guards and you almost can't even trap a guard with just guards. we've use the press a little here and there, but i think it only really works because we are trapping typically trapping guards with a forward and dion, and dion is ball hawk. if you want to have a running team you have to speed teams up and/or create turnovers in the halfcourt defense, which is hard to do when teams are stallballing you.

 

[boog204]

we haven't pressed consistently in like 10 years, why would we now? also, we always used a 2-2-1 which was there to be a nuisance, not necessarily create turnovers. the dream season was the year where you saw all the steals, after that it was to take other teams out of the flow. either way, we're not going to see a pressing team as has previously been stated, we may have the numbers to do it, but not the players. our guards are too small and the rest of the guys have little basketball IQ.

the biggest issue is we literally have no idea what we're doing offensively. we don't even run sets anymore. it's one screen/roll then one on one offense and it's shocking that someone who is in the hall of fame allows/encourages it every game. it's putrid and baffling that that's the best they can do b/c i am certain that the guys aren't willingly standing in place for 25 seconds watching someone dribbling around.

 

[mauconnfan]

Shaka coaches in the Colonial Athletic Conference. This is a conference that now includes Jimmy’s former team Northeastern. Jimmy did a great job at Northeastern. He won 2 NCAA tournament games in 14 years. Shaka has competed in a Final 4.

My reference to Shaka going to a power conference from VCU would be the equivalent of Calhoun going from the ECAC North Atlantic Conference to the Big East back in 1986. As you know the Big East was founded with the intent of creating a powerhouse basketball conference. UConn was a charter member. With that membership came influence and power in the recruiting game. Would Calhoun’s 2 biggest recruits in the history of the program ( Chris Smith and Scott Burrell) have contemplated a scholarship offer from Northeastern and eventually accepted? The Big East was such a powerful conference that UConn finished 4-12 in 1988 and won the NIT. Ewing and Sleepy Floyd led Georgetown to the championship game in 1982 and Georgetown cut down the nets in 1984. In 1985 three Big East teams made the Final 4 and Villanova cut down the nets. UConn and Calhoun benefited from the success of the conference. Eventually Jimmy landed Scotty and Chris and UConn took their program to the next level. Without the Big East that never would have happened.



Shaka undoubtedly in my mind can achieve the same success over time as Calhoun in a power conference. Assuming of course that Shaka would accept a potential quality of life change in a different part of the country.

So the foundation was set. Jimmy did not go to an elite program he went to an elite conference with Xposure. That was his ticket to recruiting success. UConn was never VCU under Jimmy. UConn became the Big East and VCUis the CAA (emphasis added).

So with a straight face your telling me Shaka has to win three NC’s at VCU ( a team in the CAA) to compare to Calhoun’s 3 NC’s with UConn? Are you telling me that if Shaka was available right now to be the UConn coach of the future you would bypass him for another candidate? I think there is a good chance Hurley takes over for coach K (referencing the Prez comment).

All JMHO. Have a great day. I am not questioning whether JC is 1 of the best coaches ever.

BLUEDOG............love ya but you're high comparing shaka to JC. You are missing the point in the comparison.............he went to UConn and made UConn. UConn was basement material when he got there so the process from Northeastern to UConn vs Shaka from VCU to mostly anyone but maybe Rutgers/DePaul could not be compared. UConn "benefitted from the success of the BE" - of course because of Calhoun......did you see them with Perno??? Please this is a joke to even go there......hopefully we can both check this out in 25 years until then please?!??!?...........................