Team Defense

[oldude]

Several BY’ers have mentioned this, but it is worth repeating. UConn’s ability to switch on defense is almost flawless. Every team runs pick and rolls, back screens and numerous other actions to get shooters open. Every team has breakdowns on defense that result in wide open jumpers or easy layups. For UConn, those breakdowns are very few and far between.

It starts with communication. UConn players are constantly talking and signaling to each other on defense. Then it’s all about awareness and reaction. A player has to make a split second decision whether to fight over a screen, go under a screen or switch, and their teammate has to know exactly what they are doing and react accordingly.

When and if there’s a switch, it is often the case that a mismatch is created: a big on a quicker guard or a small on a big who’s trying to post them up. That situation necessitates a secondary switch to get guards on guards and bigs on bigs. Once again UConn executes these secondary switches flawlessly through communication, awareness and reaction.

It takes many hours of practice and repetition to achieve the level of excellence that UConn has achieved on defense. UConn’s coaches have worked hard to ingrain this defensive mindset and the players have all bought in. The term that we’ve all heard is “Connected” and that is truly why UConn’s defense is the very best in WBB.

 

[Stagnant]

By the end of the season, this team was playing brilliant team defense and was just really connected. The on court communication was excellent. The ball pressure we put on opposition guards was phenomenal. And our defense led to great offense. We had a wonderful transition game.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

If you happen to see
a post repeatedly
Then you always just.....
Scroll By.
( sung to Petula Clarks..."Downtown").

You can put me on ignore I promise you....won't ruin my Day.... Peace✌️

I was joking with you ... nothing more! Please note the emoji.

 

[Dogstar]

I was joking with you ... nothing more! Please note the emoji.

No problem...I wasn't trying to be obtuse just having a little fun, it's the beginning of the CBB off season. Hahaha

 

[freshler40]

Great defense starts with the personality, it's like a lost art for many teams but imbedded in some players. It seems most UConn players have always had this imbedded instinct. After a steal or tie up, the involved players often wink to each other or is it to us? This knowing is an inside joke. A turnover is a thing of great joy to this team. What fun!

 

[Oldschoolbb]

Great team and individual defense and, very importantly (imo), a BIG uptick in toughness - both mentally and physically - were two key elements in this team's success. In both Final Four games, UConn was the tougher team physically. In the recent past, too many UConn teams lacked toughness and wilted when the opponent was physical. Not this team at the end of the season.

And we'll never get to see this team win a close game. But I'm okay with that.