Switching on defense

[Palatine]

Against Marquette we changed our primary defense. We played a little man to man. But we switched most of the time. This is a huge departure for Hurley. I haven't seen it talked about much. But it was a major defensive switch (pun intended or not).

And it worked. Our defensive numbers against Marquette were well below the season average. Or maybe Marquette had a horrible shooting night. Or they were surprised. But for me, the eye test said we were guarding better.

With Samson in the game, he was often on smaller players away from the basket. Reed didn't switch as much, staying in the lane. But the rest of the guys were always switching. I'm not the most astute basketball student. I mostly watch the ball. But I believe what I see. And I think this is as good as we have looked on the defensive end. I think we will see it again. Whether it becomes our go to defense remains to be seen. But it is encouraging to know our coach is still trying things and not inflexible.

 

[husky429]

Against Marquette we changed our primary defense. We played a little man to man. But we switched most of the time. This is a huge departure for Hurley. I haven't seen it talked about much. But it was a major defensive switch (pun intended or not).

And it worked. Our defensive numbers against Marquette were well below the season average. Or maybe Marquette had a horrible shooting night. Or they were surprised. But for me, the eye test said we were guarding better.

With Samson in the game, he was often on smaller players away from the basket. Reed didn't switch as much, staying in the lane. But the rest of the guys were always switching. I'm not the most astute basketball student. I mostly watch the ball. But I believe what I see. And I think this is as good as we have looked on the defensive end. I think we will see it again. Whether it becomes our go to defense remains to be seen. But it is encouraging to know our coach is still trying things and not inflexible.

Switching is man-to-man defense.

 

[mauconnfan]

Against Marquette we changed our primary defense. We played a little man to man. But we switched most of the time. This is a huge departure for Hurley. I haven't seen it talked about much. But it was a major defensive switch (pun intended or not).

And it worked. Our defensive numbers against Marquette were well below the season average. Or maybe Marquette had a horrible shooting night. Or they were surprised. But for me, the eye test said we were guarding better.

With Samson in the game, he was often on smaller players away from the basket. Reed didn't switch as much, staying in the lane. But the rest of the guys were always switching. I'm not the most astute basketball student. I mostly watch the ball. But I believe what I see. And I think this is as good as we have looked on the defensive end. I think we will see it again. Whether it becomes our go to defense remains to be seen. But it is encouraging to know our coach is still trying things and not inflexible.

Came down to play a 1-3-1 late which was great for a change but can’t stand that zone it has way too many seams. But I agree seems maybe the switching could be a better answer but let’s see Friday.

 

[alphasigko]

Switching is man-to-man defense.

I agree, but the effectiveness of what they did on Sat evening was the best it has been all season.

 

[Stinger92860]

Switching is man-to-man defense.

but you don’t have to switch every time in man, you can go over or go under or switch. I saw that with Sam against Marquette they switched and dropped vs the normal high edge action.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

One thing to note is that it’s much easier to do that with Gold on the floor because he refuses to take advantage of a smaller guy switching on to him.