Inbounds issues

[ConnEd]

This is not a new topic. There was a thread on it last year during the tournament, and I recall many discussions in post-game threads. We seem to have a real issue with getting the ball inbounds. We have multiple TOs recently just getting the ball in. And, when pressured, our plays(?) seem to favor bringing it in in the corners where we're trapped.

I wouldn't bother to bring it up, but I just watched Dan Hurley's Creighton pre-game media availability where he was asked about it. There's no doubt that Hurley is a great coach and has (re)built a terrific team culture. But his answer on inbounding was troubling to me. Paraphrasing, he said players need to want the ball and that because kids don't play other sports anymore, they don't learn how to juke and fake to get open. There may be truth to that, but does the coaching staff have ANY responsibility for not giving the kids plays they can use to get open?

What I see over and over is the two guards flaring into the corners from the key in hopes of outracing their defenders to that spot. It's predictable, and, as I've said, even when successful, leads to Silas or Solo easily trapped. I don't think this thread should be used to design inbounds plays for them. But I do worry that this is a pattern with Danny where the answer to the problem is just, "They have to play harder." A couple of years ago, that was the answer to why the offense was stagnant. But then he took some input from Luke, and they coached the team to a better solution. Is stubbornness keeping them getting to a better solution?

 

[boog204]

This is not a new topic. There was a thread on it last year during the tournament, and I recall many discussions in post-game threads. We seem to have a real issue with getting the ball inbounds. We have multiple TOs recently just getting the ball in. And, when pressured, our plays(?) seem to favor bringing it in in the corners where we're trapped.

I wouldn't bother to bring it up, but I just watched Dan Hurley's Creighton pre-game media availability where he was asked about it. There's no doubt that Hurley is a great coach and has (re)built a terrific team culture. But his answer on inbounding was troubling to me. Paraphrasing, he said players need to want the ball and that because kids don't play other sports anymore, they don't learn how to juke and fake to get open. There may be truth to that, but does the coaching staff have ANY responsibility for not giving the kids plays they can use to get open?

What I see over and over is the two guards flaring into the corners from the key in hopes of outracing their defenders to that spot. It's predictable, and, as I've said, even when successful, leads to Silas or Solo easily trapped. I don't think this thread should be used to design inbounds plays for them. But I do worry that this is a pattern with Danny where the answer to the problem is just, "They have to play harder." A couple of years ago, that was the answer to why the offense was stagnant. But then he took some input from Luke, and they coached the team to a better solution. Is stubbornness keeping them getting to a better solution?

He said the same sort of thing last year, and I think it's really puzzling. You can actually run plays, set screens, and stuff. It's not just having players who "want" the ball or know how to get open. There's, like, pressbreak plays, too.

 

[UConnRock]

A slow developing inbound play with multiple screens does not work with a 5 second count. Inbounding against these athletes has to be quick and decisive. Too often UConn is left with no options after the screening fails to work, then desperation results. Just stop overthinking what needs to be done.

 

[UCann]

I know the solution: They need to practice inbounding more. Can someone with a connection to the team pass this on to the coaching staff??

 

[Brad Palmer]

How about a few wrinkles? The "new style" start everyone out of bounds could be one option, or lining everyone up near midcourt, or even going long. And a quick screen or two is definitely possible off of a dead ball. Lastly, off of a "live clock" inbounds, why does AK walk slowly to pick up the ball, thereby allowing the press to totally get set? The advantage of letting 3-4 seconds run off the clock (if it's with more than a minute left) is offset by the fact that the press gets set up.

We do so many things well; unfortunately this is one area where we don't. Not expecting perfection, just some creative options.

 

[uconngb]

How about a few wrinkles? The "new style" start everyone out of bounds could be one option, or lining everyone up near midcourt, or even going long. And a quick screen or two is definitely possible off of a dead ball. Lastly, off of a "live clock" inbounds, why does AK walk slowly to pick up the ball, thereby allowing the press to totally get set? The advantage of letting 3-4 seconds run off the clock (if it's with more than a minute left) is offset by the fact that the press gets set up.

We do so many things well; unfortunately this is one area where we don't. Not expecting perfection, just some creative options.

It’s maddening when these solutions seem so simple to us armchair idiots. The lasssiz fare approach to grabbing the ball and inbounding it right away is particularly troubling.

1/2 the time OUR guy gives the ball to the ref to check, giving further time to the defense to set up. What sense does this make and how do our coaches not see and stop this????

 

[JakeTheDog]

How about a few wrinkles? The "new style" start everyone out of bounds could be one option, or lining everyone up near midcourt, or even going long. And a quick screen or two is definitely possible off of a dead ball. Lastly, off of a "live clock" inbounds, why does AK walk slowly to pick up the ball, thereby allowing the press to totally get set? The advantage of letting 3-4 seconds run off the clock (if it's with more than a minute left) is offset by the fact that the press gets set up.

We do so many things well; unfortunately this is one area where we don't. Not expecting perfection, just some creative options.

It’s made worse by the fact that every time we inbound off a make with urgency we get it in easy. It’s so frustrating watching AK walk to the ball while the defense sets up a press.

 

[Icehawk]

But I do worry that this is a pattern with Danny where the answer to the problem is just, "They have to play harder." A couple of years ago, that was the answer to why the offense was stagnant. But then he took some input from Luke, and they coached the team to a better solution. Is stubbornness keeping them getting to a better solution?

Agreed. Hurley is great but not infallible and, I believe, prone to get stuck/blind sometimes. This IS an issue and it's fixable - not sure why he's being stubborn here.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

It’s made worse by the fact that every time we inbound off a make with urgency we get it in easy. It’s so frustrating watching AK walk to the ball while the defense sets up a press.

He does that because he’s watching the game clock when UConn is up by a few points. He’s trying to wind the clock down so that the opposing team has less time.

That said I totally agree that the five or so seconds that this delay tactic helps us isn’t worth the fact that the other team is able to get into a full out pressing defense while he’s delaying.

 

[navery12]

About half of the inbounding problems would be solved by Alex just throwing the first pass to a guy that's 85% open. Too often he passes that up and nobody ever ends up 100% open

 

[HooperScooper]

1/2 the time OUR guy gives the ball to the ref to check, giving further time to the defense to set up. What sense does this make and how do our coaches not see and stop this????

I had the same comment. Karaban always gives the ball to the ref.

 

[HooperScooper]

He does that because he’s watching the game clock when UConn is up by a few points. He’s trying to wind the clock down so that the opposing team has less time.

Isn't the clock stopped in the last 2 minutes of a game? So in those instances it doesn't help.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Whether the opponent is playing man or a 1-2-1-1, they are looking for that corner trap on first pass.

If we dont change up design, lets not have Solo or Ross catch that first pass in corner.

 

[Dutch Boyd]

It’s maddening when these solutions seem so simple to us armchair idiots. The lasssiz fare approach to grabbing the ball and inbounding it right away is particularly troubling.

1/2 the time OUR guy gives the ball to the ref to check, giving further time to the defense to set up. What sense does this make and how do our coaches not see and stop this????

Or letting the ball just roll around the floor. Brutal

 

[Peacefrog]

Lets run the ole picket fence at 'em.

I'm on board with grabbing the ball after a make and getting it in quickly. The tossing it to the ref bit seems counterproductive.

 

[aceboon]

He does that because he’s watching the game clock when UConn is up by a few points. He’s trying to wind the clock down so that the opposing team has less time.

That said I totally agree that the five or so seconds that this delay tactic helps us isn’t worth the fact that the other team is able to get into a full out pressing defense while he’s delaying.

AK does it even under 1 minute when the clock stops. The other issue with him besides the slow walk to the ball allowing the defense to set up is he's incredibly gun shy with the ball and won't pull the trigger when guys flash open in front of him.

 

[REB1094]

We let the ball bounce for 3 seconds and then pass it to the refs for another 2 seconds to burn clock, which then leads to the defense being comfortably set up

Then the only play we run is to sprint into the deep corner, get trapped, hope you can get it to AK back in the middle before you turn it over. Silas is pretty good at that, but he’s the only one

I’m not a coach but it feels like either inbounding faster or starting guys farther up court and running to the middle or wings would help

 

[husky429]

About half of the inbounding problems would be solved by Alex just throwing the first pass to a guy that's 85% open. Too often he passes that up and nobody ever ends up 100% open

And because of this I want someone else inbounding. I know it's the 4s job traditionally but it ain't working

 

[gtcam]

Perhaps Dan Hurley should farm out coaching the inbound play?
His hasn't worked since Day 1

 

[uconnfan68]

And because of this I want someone else inbounding. I know it's the 4s job traditionally but it ain't working

In the past few games, both Smith and Demary also have turnovers trying to inbound. Who's left?

 

[husky429]

In the past few games, both Smith and Demary also have turnovers trying to inbound. Who's left?

If the standard is "anyone who has never had a turnover" we're probably looking at Koroma.

 

[ucp990411]

We won’t have an issue tonight. Creighton rarely presses.

 

[ucp990411]

I have said it before. When I coached I would have one or two guys in the backcourt. Easy to guard if you have 4. Think about it if Silas was the only guy to receive the ball. Nobody could guard him for 5 seconds

 

[Fishy]

Crazy thing is that Calhoun's teams often were terrible at inbounding the ball, too.

We're institutionally deficient at it.

But Dan Hurley's answer about it was awful. Just make things a little simpler so it does not take 4.75 seconds to get someone open to receive the ball.

 

[ConnEd]

I have said it before. When I coached I would have one or two guys in the backcourt. Easy to guard if you have 4. Think about it if Silas was the only guy to receive the ball. Nobody could guard him for 5 seconds

The only problem with having Silas there alone is that a second defender (the in-bounder's) could double up on him.