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Message: [QUOTE="OkaForPrez, post: 3815665, member: 997"] There appears to be a widespread lack of understanding on this board about the implications of SJU's offensive sets in the 2nd half yesterday and why our defense wasn't its "normal self" against them. UConn's defense is based on aggressive switching and hedging of ball screens initially, than rotating help secondarily and lastly recovering back to original assignments. Most offensive sets we've seen this year have tried to attack us in the way we are designed to defend. When SJU spread 5 wide outside the arc and didn't draw help defenders with ball screen action they forced our defenders to play 1 vs. 1 where we weren't quick enough to defend. Many are talking about putting in a "rim protector". When every defender is on the perimeter there is no such thing. Whaley was in the game and is a serviceable if not plus rim protector. He wasn't there because he had to stay outside. Some are calling for more minutes from Akok. I'd love for [USER=5842]@UConnStats[/USER] to pull his +/- since he's been back. I think every time he's hit the floor its been an 8-0 run for the other team. In fact, where he's struggled the most is guarding off the dribble which is exactly how SJU was attacking us. I've read some valid points: Offense/defense substitutions to get Adama in the game. Test Adama given we weren't getting stops anyway and see if he can be more effective offensively. I buy both of those, but neither is a "given" proposition and I don't view it as malpractice to not play him. For those in the bench Polley the moment his shot isn't falling camp, that's a great way to break a player with hot/cold confidence. He'll go into every game afraid to miss his first few and sit. As a Coach you need a long view mentality to let your shooters play through that. Here's the positives: RJ took a step towards finding his scoring. We'll need it. Adama looked fantastic. Let's hope he keeps it up and continues to earn more minutes. We have the opportunity to develop into a very balanced team with the ability to score from 5 positions. RJ, Bouk, Martin, Whaley, Sanogo could be a monster starting 5 in March. Soups not done yet guys, let it simmer. [/QUOTE]

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