Misconceptions behind the "5 on 4" problem

[diggerfoot]

I've seen it brought up recently and in the past the problem UConn has in the situation where there's a single perimeter player who does not have a good outside shot. The five defenders on the other team will then have the proverbial ability to cover only four players.

"5 on 4" is a problem if there is one indispensable player among the other 4. Let me say first I don't think Jefferson on the perimeter will be a problem, but even so, there is not as much to be alarmed about as the doomsayer brigade thinks. In Moore's senior year "5 on 4" amounted to much more of a problem than faced this year, because that 5th player could concentrate on double teaming Moore, or at least hedging with an eye on Moore, as the team remained a little more dependent on her than they should have been.

What havoc is that dreaded 5th player going to wreck on UConn this year? Double team Stewart? KML? Dolson? Hartley? Please! No one in wcbb has as much potential to withstand the apocryphal "5 on 4" as UConn (and how many teams out there have all sharpshooters to begin with?). No one. Perhaps ever. Defenses are going to have to excel as a team with the proper switching and help everywhere, just like ours. No junk defenses or hedging will work against us this coming year.

Woe is us for the potential "5 on 4?" Give me a break.

 

[pinotbear]

when you stop and think about it: how many teams don't have an occasional "five-on-four" problem? How many teams can consistently put 5 players on the floor, all of whom are offensive threats, and don't have one player who's their "go-to" guy". I think Diggerfoot has it right.

 

[doggydaddy]

Thanks Digger. I posted similar things in the Clay picks ND thread.

They can't afford to cheat off Jefferson. She will bolt to the hoop and reek havoc!!!!

 

[diggerfoot]

Thanks Digger. I posted similar things in the Clay picks ND thread.

They can't afford to cheat off Jefferson. She will bolt to the hoop and reek havoc!!!!

Yes, "reek" havoc. When you split and inverse it like I did you can get away with wreck, but thanks for the correction.

 

[Icebear]

I knew something stunk.

 

[Zorro]

Wasn't Mo a pretty good 3 point shooter in HS?

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

In reality, UConn has usually had 2 or 3 really first rate players - stars of the Women's Basketball universe, if you will - and 2 or 3 players that could be the star of some other team (not necessarily a top 25 team, but a quality one). And they play at their best because they are supporting players on UConn and are on the floor with other players that make them better. I would suggest the rest of your team is as good as the non-starters at almost any other team.

Quality players leads to quality records, especially when they are well coached.

At least that is the general feeling I have had over the years.

 

[HuskeySlim]

Remember early last year. Teams were leaving Kelly Faris wide open on all 3 point attempts. I mean it was obvious bigtime. Kelly had to prove herself to the opposing players and coaches that she would TAKE the shot and bury it. She did take the shots, and became a decent perimeter shooter. She knew what the defenses would do, and so did Geno. I don't know what her 3 pt % was last year, but I bet it was better than 30 %. As a matter of fact it would not surprise me if her % was better than Caroline's.

Kelly Faris was not going to be a loser, so she worked he rear off to become a better outside shooter. Instead of a liability she made herself become a respected outside shooter.

 

[Icebear]

Remember early last year. Teams were leaving Kelly Faris wide open on all 3 point attempts. I mean it was obvious bigtime. Kelly had to prove herself to the opposing players and coaches that she would TAKE the shot and bury it. She did take the shots, and became a decent perimeter shooter. She knew what the defenses would do, and so did Geno. I don't know what her 3 pt % was last year, but I bet it was better than 30 %. As a matter of fact it would not surprise me if her % was better than Caroline's.

Kelly Faris was not going to be a loser, so she worked he rear off to become a better outside shooter. Instead of a liability she made herself become a respected outside shooter.

Difference is Kelly was not going to blow by anyone like MoJeff can even when a player lays off her. Laying off of MoJeff is not the same as laying most non shooters. Kelly needed to become a frequent and to make shots because she, also was not going to attack you off the bounce.

If you lay off MoJeff and give her space she will attack you off the bounce and force you into making mistakes. Your best option is to deny her the ball and that means you can't lay off otherwise she gets the ball and crosses you over going right or left at will.

Z, yes, MoJeff did have a 3 shot in high school.

 

[jdubct]

Well, even allowing for Jefferson being the least significant outside threat, how does a team defense Dolson (inside), KML outside and in the lane, Hartley, and Stewart all at once? And this is only in a half-court offense. There is no defense to counteract Jefferson ball hawking steals, speed and fast break points.

 

[Zorro]

Looked it up. Not as good as I thought, but not bad either. 35/111 = 31.5

 

[UcMiami]

The issue with 4 on 5 is not other perimeter players, but the ability to drop toward the lane and make entry passes and the interior offense harder, not the ability to double another player. This was the issue when a player like Griner moved out of the low post for Baylor - she was no longer a threat herself, and her ability to make things happen for her teammates was greatly reduced by the fact that her defender could remain in the low post area and disrupt the other Baylor players.
We have had other very fast suspect exterior offense players Dixon and Swanier for example and they can mitigate their exterior issues with their driving ability, and by setting screens and other off ball movement. If you don't guard MoJeff closely and she sets a screen for KML for example, then you are in no position to put defensive pressure on KML's shot coming off that screen.