OT: Princeton vs Villanova: Who Do UConn Fans Root For?

[MD#12Fan]

You get the same effect by passing the ball into the post and then, if the post is doubled, kicking the ball out to the open shooter. Or by throwing the ball to the high post, who looks to find a cutter to the hoop, and if the cutter draws a defensive rotation, the high post player can kick it to the open shooter. Or the high post player can hand off the ball to a shooter who can take advantage of a ready-made screen.

All of these alternatives are speedier than putting the ball on the floor. So UConn guards typically don't drive to the basket unless they can see an open path to get all the way there. Otherwise, one of the above alternatives is preferred.

Having seen small guards like Ketia Swanier and Lorin Dixon drive into the paint, get surrounded by trees, and then say to themselves, "OK, now what do I do?", I think Geno decided that the alternatives are better. If nothing else, they put the passing decision in the hands of a post player who should have a better field of vision to see open shooters.

Super counter points!
As a player and a coach of players, I would argue vehemently, that the hardest thing to do on the basketball floor defensively is to guard a skilled, athletic ball-handler. Not covering a cutter. Not pressuring a high post player.
The only way IMO that you can be correct is if your team is skilled, precise, disciplined in SCREENING and players know how to use screens.
That's a 400-level course. Dribble drive-kick is entry-level 101. Go to any top-notch playground in America (or world now- watch 3 minutes of a Maverick game with Luka) and watch the players dribble drive. You can't come to UConn and not be able to bust somebody off the dribble. Did you see the clips of Azzi? If she ends up nothing but a spot-up shooter, I'm going to be disappointed. She can break ankles.

 

[boontonbomber]

Princeton's defense is what happened to them. Two years ago Princeton was the #1 team scoring defense (47 ppg) by a wide margin. Berube can coach. I watched this game and I don't think Villanova isn't a bad team at all. Princeton was just better.

I believe Princeton has the longest win streak in the country. Tonight's result makes 23 straight wins, spanning their canceled 20-21 season and dating back to an overtime loss at Iowa in November 2019.

Geno should have Berube in as a guest lecturer on team defense.