Too much posting up

[Scrappy3]

I fully understand that posting up Reed was the only real success we were having BUT it clogged the lane and allowed St. John’s to overplay the 3 pt line. It was too obvious and mechanical. We could’ve positioned Reed at the top of the key and mixed in posting. We really have had trouble with spacing mechanical offense and off balanced shooting. No dribble drive no kicking few free throws— it’s just off

 

[kobebeanbryant]

I don’t think we have done any dribble drive and kicking out all season.

our offensive options have been:
1. work through the post
2. run perimeter offense to hunt 3 point shots

I personally would rather focus on #1

I think our biggest problem with 3 point shooting is that we are running sets solely for the sake of getting a 3, which defenses know and overplay, resulting in contested or rushed shots. as opposed to attacking the basket, forcing the defense to collapse, and getting open 3s as a secondary result.

We just don’t have the personnel to do that. It is really just Silas and even then he hasn’t been super effective once he gets to the rim.

 

[boog204]

I fully understand that posting up Reed was the only real success we were having BUT it clogged the lane and allowed St. John’s to overplay the 3 pt line. It was too obvious and mechanical. We could’ve positioned Reed at the top of the key and mixed in posting. We really have had trouble with spacing mechanical offense and off balanced shooting. No dribble drive no kicking few free throws— it’s just off

Agreed. Who on this team is taking someone off the dribble? There’s your problem.

 

[Scrappy3]

Agreed. Who on this team is taking someone off the dribble? There’s your problem.

It would help even limited driving if they had more space in the lane

 

[gsmooth]

I don’t think we have done any dribble drive and kicking out all season.

our offensive options have been:
1. work through the post
2. run perimeter offense to hunt 3 point shots

I personally would rather focus on #1

I think our biggest problem with 3 point shooting is that we are running sets solely for the sake of getting a 3, which defenses know and overplay, resulting in contested or rushed shots. as opposed to attacking the basket, forcing the defense to collapse, and getting open 3s as a secondary result.

We just don’t have the personnel to do that. It is really just Silas and even then he hasn’t been super effective once he gets to the rim.

I largely agree with your post, FWIW, but the reason why we have not seen the dribble penetration to the basket is because the players on this team can't... with the exception of Silas and a little bit from Malachi.

 

[Spaceman213J]

Another thing about the dribble drive is when a guy starts to turn the corner, past offenses and in a good offense, the other perimeter players need to keep moving. This team has a bad tendency of watching teammates when they have the ball and start an offensive move. The motion is fine otherwise, but stop moving when their teammates drive. I have to say Ross tends to move some.
When you don't move, it makes it easier for help defenders to drop a step and slap at the ball and for defenders to drop into help in general. Watched some video of the the 23 and 24 teams. Tristan wasn't a burner as a PG, but his teammates knew how to give him some and create space to get some opportunities in the paint or to pass out. Cam, Hawkins, Castle... etc all kept moving or, at least rotated back on defense, which still creates some space and cuts down on the imbalanced fast breaks.

 

[boog204]

It would help even limited driving if they had more space in the lane

Agreed. Again, who are you looking to do this? Silas can, but he tends to over penetrate and get lost. Smith, Solo, Mullins, Ross, and Ak are inconsistent at best when putting the ball on the floor.

Meanwhile I’m watching Arkansas and basically their entire starting five is taking the ball to the hoop with authority.

 

[SwingDog]

I fully understand that posting up Reed was the only real success we were having BUT it clogged the lane and allowed St. John’s to overplay the 3 pt line. It was too obvious and mechanical. We could’ve positioned Reed at the top of the key and mixed in posting. We really have had trouble with spacing mechanical offense and off balanced shooting. No dribble drive no kicking few free throws— it’s just off

What was most surprising and disappointing about this was the lack of in-game adjustments to counteract St. Johns' strategy to have Ejiofor go one-on-one with Tarris. This was an obvious major strategical move by Pitino, and it looked like Hurley didn't know how to respond. You're right; we could have done the things you suggested- especially when we were able to cut the deficit to 49-42. Instead they outscore us 23-10 the rest of the way and we didn't make a single field goal over the last 8 minutes.

 

[Flipside]

That was painful to watch, especially in the 2nd half; the same old post up, go to his left, get the ball stripped and or blocked, make it a few times and/or hopefully go to the line for 50% ... ugh

 

[Spaceman213J]

The team needs Reed to perform, but if Sanogo had trouble cracking an NBA roster, I don't see how Reed is ever going to get a minute in The League. Sanogo has better footwork, more offensive game and plays smarter.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Reed is a great player, but just like how the Sanogo post-ups got tedious, predictable, and sapped our momentum, we need to get him the ball on the move rather than statically.

 

[UconnU]

Reed is a great player, but just like how the Sanogo post-ups got tedious, predictable, and sapped our momentum, we need to get him the ball on the move rather than statically.

Seemed like the entire strategy was to get Zuby in foul trouble.

 

[Marat]

Reed is a great player, but just like how the Sanogo post-ups got tedious, predictable, and sapped our momentum, we need to get him the ball on the move rather than statically.

Sanogo was better with those post ups. But yes Reed is good with quick decisions and less drilling, and is good with the quick passes we saw Friday. Maybe take a dribble or two and look for cuts from AK or BM or anyone else.

 

[HooperScooper]

I read the title and I guess I missed the last word because I thought you were going to talk about RuffRuff. 🤣

 

[Kowalski]

The team needs Reed to perform, but if Sanogo had trouble cracking an NBA roster, I don't see how Reed is ever going to get a minute in The League. Sanogo has better footwork, more offensive game and plays smarter.

All true about Sanogo but one thing Reed might have over Sanogo at the next level is he’s taller and has a bigger frame.

 

[housekeys]

I think the issue is not too much of this or too much of that. UConn, as Dan Hurley has stated, is too predictable in what they want to do. Change it up. Instead of an inside-out type of game, try outside-in, iso Mullins in the mid game, pull TR out, throw a press or throw in a zone on D, etc.

 

[Palatine]

I fully understand that posting up Reed was the only real success we were having BUT it clogged the lane and allowed St. John’s to overplay the 3 pt line. It was too obvious and mechanical. We could’ve positioned Reed at the top of the key and mixed in posting. We really have had trouble with spacing mechanical offense and off balanced shooting. No dribble drive no kicking few free throws— it’s just off

Did you notice we were having a bad night from three?

 

[Palatine]

Seemed like the entire strategy was to get Zuby in foul trouble.

Considering the refs were letting Zub hit Reed with a tire iron, that wasn't going to work.

 

[Mr. French]

This is funny because all anyone talked about in the heart of the season was that we don't feed Reed enough and "why don't we just dump it into him and let him go to work?!?!" Now that it wasn't as simple as that, we have the total opposite post.

There's only a couple ways to "keep feeding" your big guy, and 1 guaranteed way is to feed him on a post up.

 

[NewBlood]

Agreed. Again, who are you looking to do this? Silas can, but he tends to over penetrate and get lost. Smith, Solo, Mullins, Ross, and Ak are inconsistent at best when putting the ball on the floor.

Meanwhile I’m watching Arkansas and basically their entire starting five is taking the ball to the hoop with authority.

Would be great to have had a a Meleek Thomas at #2 with Mullins or Solo at 3#, that's a more balanced lineup than 2 3 point shooters who can't get to the rim

 

[superjohn]

The team needs Reed to perform, but if Sanogo had trouble cracking an NBA roster, I don't see how Reed is ever going to get a minute in The League. Sanogo has better footwork, more offensive game and plays smarter.

Reed was the only guy on our team who performed last night. He wasn't great but he was way better than everyone else. The rest of the team scored 35 points.

 

[boog204]

Would be great to have had a a Meleek Thomas at #2 with Mullins or Solo at 3#, that's a more balanced lineup than 2 3 point shooters who can't get to the rim

There is quite a bit of overlap with our 2 and 3. If they are hitting shots, then it is very explosive. But if they are off, then you’re not getting much. Add in AK and it’s really a lot of long 3’s or watching Tarris back his man down. Bare minimum, it’s nice to have your two guard being able to help handle and create a little. That’s, unfortunately, not Solo’s game.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Meanwhile I’m watching Arkansas and basically their entire starting five is taking the ball to the hoop with authority.

John Calipari gets run out of Kentucky, shows up at Arkansas two seasons ago. He had no roster as of April of '24. No roster because portal. Two seasons later he wins the SEC tourney. He recruited athletes, guys who can make plays. Acuff Jr. is a great example. Don't know about their families, don't care. Are they able to beat opponents.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I read the title and I guess I missed the last word because I thought you were going to talk about RuffRuff. 🤣

It's never too late to hijack redirect a backward looking thread after it has exhausted its forward momentum.

 

[Husky Alien]

That was painful to watch, especially in the 2nd half; the same old post up, go to his left, get the ball stripped and or blocked, make it a few times and/or hopefully go to the line for 50% ... ugh

I have to agree. Reed looked like he was pressing a bit, maybe trying to match Zuby instead of just letting the game come to him. The last few games he’s been great at kicking it out and finding cutters, which really helps the flow. He still played hard and showed some nice moves, but knowing when to dial it back is important. That said, he wasn’t the reason we lost.