Video Preview: Marquette's Tyler Kolek & Olivier-Maxence Prosper

[McLovin]

Hey everyone!

It should be a very competitive game tonight as UConn travels to Milwaukee with a chance to earn their first Top 25 road win this season at Marquette.

Marquette is one of the best offensive teams in the country this year (6th in KenPom Adjusted Offensive Efficiency) and their offense revolves around 2 very skilled, and very different, offensive players.

I take a look at Tyler Kolek, who is 3rd in the NCAA in assists with 8 per game and break-down future NBA player Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

As always, hope you enjoy and thanks for watching. GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[auror]

Good insight on the OMax pump fake

• Newton has to use his length and height to disrupt Kolek's passing angles and vision.
• Hawkins has to use his size and athleticism advantage to attack Mitchell, perhaps also on the offensive glass.
• Jackson has to use his athleticism and recovery ability to take away both Jones' perimeter shot and also driving game.
• Karaban... good luck. We're going to need to help on the OMax drives without giving up open 3s and offensive rebounds. Have to be an amoeba. This might be the game we miss Samson the most (Hopkins power and Freemantle refinement would've given him trouble also, I think. This size+athleticism matchup would've been his ideal use case).
• Sanogo has to take Ighodaro to the woodshed.

They use a ton of zoom action with Ighadaro dribble handoffs and high post Princeton-style back cuts, which is why Ighodaro has a guard-like assist rate. This is going to suck our center away from the rim a bit, which might neutralize Clingan defensively a bit. We've gotta stay awake off ball and communicate on back screens. If Karaban is getting killed, we might want to try Jackson at the 4 and/or 2-bigs. Karaban does not have a good matchup elsewhere to try (Ighodaro is a lob threat, Kam Jones is small and quick and a great driver).

That being said, we should feast inside and on the boards. Our guards have to take advantage of the athleticism matchup they have 1-3. Whether it's passing over the press or getting out in transition or hitting the offensive boards. If OMax eats but we keep everyone else in check and just out possession and outscore them, could be a good formula on the road.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Good insight on the OMax pump fake

• Newton has to use his length and height to disrupt Kolek's passing angles and vision.
• Hawkins has to use his size and athleticism advantage to attack Mitchell, perhaps also on the offensive glass.
• Jackson has to use his athleticism and recovery ability to take away both Jones' perimeter shot and also driving game.
• Karaban... good luck. We're going to need to help on the OMax drives without giving up open 3s and offensive rebounds. Have to be an amoeba. This might be the game we miss Samson the most (Hopkins power and Freemantle refinement would've given him trouble also, I think. This size+athleticism matchup would've been his ideal use case).
• Sanogo has to take Ighodaro to the woodshed.

They use a ton of zoom action with Ighadaro dribble handoffs and high post Princeton-style back cuts, which is why Ighodaro has a guard-like assist rate. This is going to suck our center away from the rim a bit, which might neutralize Clingan defensively a bit. We've gotta stay awake off ball and communicate on back screens. If Karaban is getting killed, we might want to try Jackson at the 4 and/or 2-bigs. Karaban does not have a good matchup elsewhere to try (Ighodaro is a lob threat, Kam Jones is small and quick and a great driver).

That being said, we should feast inside and on the boards. Our guards have to take advantage of the athleticism matchup they have 1-3. Whether it's passing over the press or getting out in transition or hitting the offensive boards. If OMax eats but we keep everyone else in check and just out possession and outscore them, could be a good formula on the road.

You think Jackson would be the better matchup on OMP?

 

[auror]

You think Jackson would be the better matchup on OMP?

I haven't watched a TON of Marquette (just random stuff here or there), but I don't think OMax is much of a post-up threat. So yeah I think Jackson should be able to do a decent job on his drives. I think Diarra, Newton/(Calcaterra), Hawkins, Jackson, Sanogo/(Clingan) lineups should get a lot of minutes and be more optimal defensively today.

But on the other hand, if they're doubling Sanogo, it sure would be nice to have Karaban out there in the corner instead of both Jackson and Diarra. And while Clingan might have lessened impact on defense, he will absolutely feast on the offensive boards.

Might be one of those games where the teams don't quite have answers for each other (they are both top 10 offenses after all), so it'll be whomever's strength (prowess not physical) is stronger.

 

[Billy Jack]

You think Jackson would be the better matchup on OMP?

I don’t know about him, but I do. In fact that’s who I think will open the game on OMP. I also expect a lot of help defense.

 

[SeattleHoop]

Offense runs through Kolek. Possible that Hurley has Jackson hound him all game and makes him uncomfortable?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Marquette has 3 different guys who we need Andre to guard. Im nervous

 

[SeattleHoop]

I like Jackson guarding Jones too though given that he is their primary scorer

 

[SeattleHoop]

Few different ways we can approach this defensively. Going to be a tough game

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I like Jackson guarding Jones too though given that he is their primary scorer

I’d like him on Prosper as welll lol

 

[auror]

Offense runs through Kolek. Possible that Hurley has Jackson hound him all game and makes him uncomfortable?

I like Jackson guarding Jones too though given that he is their primary scorer

Yeah to elaborate on my thought process...Newton's length and Diarra's quickness+length should be able to at least somewhat bother Kolek. He's their engine, but he's not generating advantage himself. He's not overwhelming either of those ++ defenders at the point of attack. He's finding advantages created by others and cracks in the defense (smart cuts by others, mismatches created by PnR/dribble handoffs, openings from sags/help by defense for kickouts) and getting them the ball in positions to score. So I don't think the best strategy is to focus on him. I think it's better to seal the cracks (play super solid team D, which we almost always do), and force them into 1v1. Which is what our D usually does force. So I think Jackson on him is overkill when we'd rather use him to caulk over some of the cracks (either on a tougher 1v1 matchup or roving in passing lanes).

It's very likely we start Jackson on Jones and Karaban on OMax, largely because it gives us our best offensive lineup in the game with Karaban and because all our guys know their roles and places defensively with that lineup. It lets us play with the least structural holes. However, one of the reasons we lost against Providence and Xavier is because we couldn't win the 1v1 matchups often enough. We fouled too much in those scenarios, didn't play disciplined, and Karaban couldn't hold up. If OMax is going off against Karaban, we'll definitely need to try Jackson on him and hope our offense can keep up with 2 non-shooters.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Is this the game for some kind of gimmick zone thrown in here & there?

 

[McLovin]

Good insight on the OMax pump fake

• Newton has to use his length and height to disrupt Kolek's passing angles and vision.
• Hawkins has to use his size and athleticism advantage to attack Mitchell, perhaps also on the offensive glass.
• Jackson has to use his athleticism and recovery ability to take away both Jones' perimeter shot and also driving game.
• Karaban... good luck. We're going to need to help on the OMax drives without giving up open 3s and offensive rebounds. Have to be an amoeba. This might be the game we miss Samson the most (Hopkins power and Freemantle refinement would've given him trouble also, I think. This size+athleticism matchup would've been his ideal use case).
• Sanogo has to take Ighodaro to the woodshed.

They use a ton of zoom action with Ighadaro dribble handoffs and high post Princeton-style back cuts, which is why Ighodaro has a guard-like assist rate. This is going to suck our center away from the rim a bit, which might neutralize Clingan defensively a bit. We've gotta stay awake off ball and communicate on back screens. If Karaban is getting killed, we might want to try Jackson at the 4 and/or 2-bigs. Karaban does not have a good matchup elsewhere to try (Ighodaro is a lob threat, Kam Jones is small and quick and a great driver).

That being said, we should feast inside and on the boards. Our guards have to take advantage of the athleticism matchup they have 1-3. Whether it's passing over the press or getting out in transition or hitting the offensive boards. If OMax eats but we keep everyone else in check and just out possession and outscore them, could be a good formula on the road.

Appreciate your additional insight here!

It’s a pick your poison type scenario with who you have Jackson guard. OMP or Jones. Because he can’t shut down both, so one with get a favorable match-up.

Initially I thought maybe some 2 big looks, too, but the way OMP plays the 4 attacking the hoop rather than posting-up, I don’t think Sanogo has the foot speed to guard him from the perimeter without fouling.

 

[August_West]

We've gotta stay awake off ball and communicate on back screens.

When you say that I keep flashing to Sanogo yelling at California for a dunk against X

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I haven't watched a TON of Marquette (just random stuff here or there), but I don't think OMax is much of a post-up threat. So yeah I think Jackson should be able to do a decent job on his drives. I think Diarra, Newton/(Calcaterra), Hawkins, Jackson, Sanogo/(Clingan) lineups should get a lot of minutes and be more optimal defensively today.

But on the other hand, if they're doubling Sanogo, it sure would be nice to have Karaban out there in the corner instead of both Jackson and Diarra. And while Clingan might have lessened impact on defense, he will absolutely feast on the offensive boards.

Might be one of those games where the teams don't quite have answers for each other (they are both top 10 offenses after all), so it'll be whomever's strength (prowess not physical) is stronger.

Yeah I guess the best matchups are the ones the thread has outlined. Have AJ shut down Jones on the perimeter, and play help defense against OMP when necessary. Hopefully we do, because as others have said, we’ve left AK on an island a lot, and that not fair to him. Adama and Clingan should combine for 35+ though against their front line.

 

[Griffman]

Marquette has 3 different guys who we need Andre to guard. Im nervous

I think Andre should guard all 5 Marquette players....... at the same time.

 

[auror]

Appreciate your additional insight here!

It’s a pick your poison type scenario with who you have Jackson guard. OMP or Jones. Because he can’t shut down both, so one with get a favorable match-up.

Initially I thought maybe some 2 big looks, too, but the way OMP plays the 4 attacking the hoop rather than posting-up, I don’t think Sanogo has the foot speed to guard him from the perimeter without fouling.

Another way to put it, I like Hawkins on Jones much more than I like Karaban on OMax, which is why Jackson on OMax becomes optimal. That and it opens up for Diarra to get on the court against Kolek. But that's only one side of the ball. Obviously I like Karaban on the court and Jackson rebounding over Jones more than the Diarra+Jackson lineup (in the half court at least, but nice thing with Diarra and Jackson on the court is that we usually force turnovers and get out in transition more).

 

[August_West]

Another way to put it, I like Hawkins on Jones much more than I like Karaban on OMax, which is why Jackson on OMax becomes optimal. That and it opens up for Diarra to get on the court against Kolek. But that's only one side of the ball. Obviously I like Karaban on the court and Jackson rebounding over Jones more than the Diarra+Jackson lineup (in the half court at least, but nice thing with Diarra and Jackson on the court is that we usually force turnovers and get out in transition more).

Aj on Hopkins was optimal too. It didn’t happen. I,of course, defer to coach but sometimes he has different ideas. But he’s UConn’s coach and I’m a fat 55 year old with a 12 week old. I’ll trust it. Or try to.

 

[auror]

Aj on Hopkins was optimal too. It didn’t happen. I,of course, defer to coach but sometimes he has different ideas

Hopkins has a bit more lower body strength and power game than OMax, and AJ had the 2 quick fouls in the first half. So we went to double big instead until AJ went on him late.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

when was our last win on the road vs a ranked opponent?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Aj on Hopkins was optimal too. It didn’t happen. I,of course, defer to coach but sometimes he has different ideas. But he’s UConn’s coach and I’m a fat 55 year old with a 12 week old. I’ll trust it. Or try to.

I assume that was the plan but Jackson was in foul trouble all game so he went to plan b

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I like Jackson guarding Jones too though given that he is their primary scorer

We've got a lot more reasonable options for their guards than OMP though. Newton, Hawkins, and Diarra on either of them does not result in a big mismatch, though Jones and Kolek are obviously very good. Karaban is going to give up a ton of quickness to OMP.

 

[August_West]

Hopkins has a bit more lower body strength and power game than OMax, and AJ had the 2 quick fouls in the first half. So we went to double big instead until AJ went on him late.

All true. But Hurley opened the game with karaban on Hopkins before AJ 2 fouls. In my mind AJ should’ve been in Hopkins from minute 1.

 

[superjohn]

Hopkins has a bit more lower body strength and power game than OMax, and AJ had the 2 quick fouls in the first half. So we went to double big instead until AJ went on him late.

Would Hurley have made the switch to Jackson if he didn't get 2 fouls? It sure seemed like his plan was to have Karaban on Hopkins.

 

[August_West]

Would Hurley have made the switch to Jackson if he didn't get 2 fouls? It sure seemed like his plan was to have Karaban on Hopkins.

It was. I can’t get too mad that’s a Calhoun man up thing. He even prefaced it in the press conferences.

 

[Get a Job]

when was our last win on the road vs a ranked opponent?

@Memphis, January 2014 (unless I missed a more recent one)

 

[MJKI]

@Memphis, January 2014 (unless I missed a more recent one)

Almost 9 years, that is crazy. Although it's a bit misleading from the purgatory of the AAC where we would play a maximum of 2 ranked away games a year, sometimes none (18-19 season)

 

[gsmooth]

I’d like him on Prosper as welll lol

Offense runs through Kolek. Possible that Hurley has Jackson hound him all game and makes him uncomfortable?

I don't think so. I have not read through this entire thread so I don't know if anyone else said this, but Kolek is a facilitator and looks to run the offense more than looks to score, although he can score well if teams completely lay off of him (i.e. his game vs Providence).

AJax would be better off on OMax Prosper or Kam Jones, although I lean toward OMax because Hawkins needs to guard someone and I think he has a better chance of defending Kam Jones. Plus, if Kam, when playing defense, has to chase Hawkins a lot it could wear him out and diminish his offense.

The thought of Karaban on OMax Prosper doesn't appeal to me. He would be probably better guarding Stevie Mitchell even though Mitchell has been hot lately and can go by Karaban some at least Karaban has a significant size advantage. If Marquette doesn't switch their defensive assignments Karaban can shoot over Stevie Mitchell.

Mitchell and Kolek are their weakest defenders and if either of them get caught on Hawkins he can score by shooting over them with ease.

 

[Excalibur]

No to a zone tonight -- Kolek would kill it by dribbling into the seams and finding shooters and cutters.

However we start, I think we see plenty of Jackson on OMP over the course of the game. He should definitely be on him when Joplin is in for Jones -- Karaban can move to Joplin.

And a note on ball screen defense (the dreaded "high hedge" discussion). This is not a game to employ an aggressive hedge. Kolek's vision is too good and it will lead to easy dunks. Drop with the roller, fight through and make him beat you with jump shots.

 

[superjohn]

It was. I can’t get too mad that’s a Calhoun man up thing. He even prefaced it in the press conferences.

I didn't hear his postgame presser but I've seen several posters say Jackson would've been on him when it was pretty clear the decision was made to roll with Karaban on Hopkins from the start. I hated seeing it from the opening tip, Karaban isn't physically capable of guarding Hopkins at this stage in his career. Not a matter of toughness, he's just too hard a cover for him now and it felt like he was left out on an island to fail.