VAMike23
The Virginian
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The Huskies will occasionally extend their defense to put pressure on the opponent - I think with the addition of Stewart and Jefferson, this could become a real popular option for 2012-2013. As long as Geno is coaching, man-to-man will of course be our real bread and butter, but the occaional extended, trapping zone looks real good with the following personnel:
.BStewart............KStokes
..KML......................................KFaris
BH/MJ
The extended zone harrasses the perimeter and creates trapping opportunities, steals, etc. - but is vulnerable to penetration or passes over the top than a standard 2-3. If you have long, athletic bigs who can cover a lot of ground fast and (bonus) can not only defend the rim but but can block and bother shots, then you're golden with the kind of players we have up front.
KML has shown herself to be quite a solid defender--especially 1-on-1 down low but also when double-teaming the ball out high. Quick feet *and* strong frame. The jury is out on MoJeff as she has yet to suit up at the D1 level but all indications are that she is lightning quick on the defensive end. Bria has gotten much better since she came to Storrs and is now a very solid perimeter defender, with 'tude and tuffness. Of course, KFaris needs no introduction in this regard.
The whole goal of this kind of D is of course to disrupt, discombobulate, trap, and generate steals and turnovers. For zones, it is usually set up as a 3-2 or as a 1-3-1. (I have it as a 3-2 above, but in a 1-3-1 I would put Stewart in the middle and Kiah in back.) Either way, one of the players in back is supposed to be the free safety and look for opportunities to make steals as the ball rotates and panicked opponents make poorly aimed passes out of the double-team, which can occur either out high or deeper along the sideline. BStewart, especially, was tailor-made for this role. And together with Kiah, both of them are capable of covering large swaths of territory behind the trapping perimeter should penetration occur, comprising a formidable backstop.
Once the D has done its job and a loose ball or steal occurs, you need to be able to convert. Who better to be breaking the other way than Bria Hartley? And MoJeff may, by later in the year, may be nearly as good in this area. We shall see. Importantly, both Kiah and Breanna are fast enough to be able to get up the floor quickly and trail effectively on the break. KML and KF are also wonderful in transition, and they make smart plays. So not only do we have the personnel to make the D work in the first place, this same group (not saying other Huskies couldn't succeed) would also be outstanding at then converting buckets in transition to make this D worth the risk.
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On those occasions when Stef is taking a breather and Geno wants to go with a *super* fast lineup, I think we may occasionally see an extended zone like this in the half court set, to get our transition game heated up and really frustrate our opponents. (Not to mention various full and 3/4 presses and traps after made baskets--I'm certain we will see LOTS of those, given our deep bench and incredible athleticism.)
