Us against the zone- Cobb

[superjohn]

I thought that was about the best we've looked against the zone in a long time. We drove into the teeth of it and kicked for open threes and shredded it several times but just didn't convert around the rim. Lost in his scoring and rebounding tonight is Cobb's passing. He was whipping the ball around whenever he caught it in the middle, really crisp passes and quick decisions, the ball never stuck with him. He is a really good passer for a big and should help us a lot when teams go zone.

 

[intlzncster]

I thought that was about the best we've looked against the zone in a long time. We drove into the teeth of it and kicked for open threes and shredded it several times but just didn't convert around the rim. Lost in his scoring and rebounding tonight is Cobb's passing. He was whipping the ball around whenever he caught it in the middle, really crisp passes and quick decisions, the ball never stuck with him. He is a really good passer for a big and should help us a lot when teams go zone.

Man, we've been dying for this for AGES. A big who can pass out of the zone. Man, it's been a loooong time. Daniels a bit, but KO usually didn't use him right.

This is how JC used to destroy the zone.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Iowa played a lot of zone last night because they didn't feel they could stay in front of Oregon. Will be interesting if they try and zone us.

 

[Pudge]

COBB

Think Enoch, Durham, Carlton even Shonn Miller. Last nights game played to a Eric Cobb strength. He is the top guy for the pass to the interior and correctly moving the ball back or understanding indefatigably the moment to take his man. He is good at this ... and he was exhibiting this early in his UConn career. The best part of last night was his fight to grab misses. His own and others.

He’s a weapon against Zone

 

[Stinger92860]

That may be our best zone offense ever.

 

[Stinger92860]

COBB

Think Enoch, Durham, Carlton even Shonn Miller. Last nights game played to a Eric Cobb strength. He is the top guy for the pass to the interior and correctly moving the ball back or understanding indefatigably the moment to take his man. He is good at this ... and he was exhibiting this early in his UConn career. The best part of last night was his fight to grab misses. His own and others.

He’s a weapon against Zone

Cobb allowed Polley more time on the wing. Great game plan.

 

[UConnRock]

Syracuse was not as active in the zone as their higher quality defensive teams. They were slow in collapsing and also were not as active on the wings. Some of this can be attributed to better spacing and ball movement by UConn, but I also feel that Battle, Brissett and others do not have the same aggressiveness as is common for Syracuse. This Syracuse team is just not as athletic as previous teams. UConn did not take the traditional foul line jumpers that are common against the Syracuse zone. When Cobb, or to a lesser extent Adams got the ball at the elbows they either distributed or drove. Cobb was a lot more effective than Adams in that role.

 

[UConn Esq]

I loved reading that Dan consulted his brother Bobby on how to attack the Syracuse zone after he studied it last year for ASU's NCAA tourney game vs SU. He gave Dan tips on what worked, what didn't work and what he wished he could have done with different players. It helps having a family in the biz.

 

[tzznandrew]

That may be our best zone offense ever.

Probably our best since JC left. But those mid-90s to late-00s teams that had Sheffer/Allen, KEA/Moore, Taliek/Gordon, Marcus Williams, AJP...I mean, we just crushed zones in that span. I mean, the only years we lost were the transition years.

 

[CTBasketball]

First set play we ran, had Jalen go backdoor and caught an alley-oop over the zone.

That kept the Cuse from reaching out and extending the zone, worked like a charm. We had open looks from deep all night.

 

[UConnStats]

Iowa played a lot of zone last night because they didn't feel they could stay in front of Oregon. Will be interesting if they try and zone us.

They should have less of a need for it tonight matchup wise. Bol Bol is a matchup nightmare.

 

[Palatine]

Yes, but.... Driving into the zone did keep them honest and open up the inside out game. However, many of our 20 (count 'em 20) turnovers were the result of losing the ball in the middle of the zone. There is still much to clean up.

 

[tzznandrew]

Yes, but.... Driving into the zone did keep them honest and open up the inside out game. However, many of our 20 (count 'em 20) turnovers were the result of losing the ball in the middle of the zone. There is still much to clean up.

Sure, but not many teams have the length and experience in a zone quite like Syracuse does.

It wasn't our best zone offense, but it was damn good given the opponent and our recent history.

 

[Pudge]

Part of the conversation is Chukwu. He’s just not much of a physical presence - as Boeheim states.

Yes. The alley oop to Adams was a factor in their play. Also Smith is great at the Baseline jumper ... then Polley. All helpful in opening the middle. Stretch stretch. Then the muddled middle becomes easier to drive