Many years ago I wrote occasional posts titled "The Other Side of the Hill" on the women's board. The purpose was to analyze what opposing teams might see relative to the strengths and weaknesses of UConn. This post will try to do something similar.
UConn wants/needs to play an uptempo game. Overall team quickness and speed is tough to match. They want to get the ball upcourt very quickly. They can create a number of steals which most often will lead to breaks finished with dunks. That isn't the biggest problem. When they get an easy defensive board; they push relentlessly. The guards will attempt to advance the ball with a quick long pass. This doesn't have to go for a quick dunk. The Huskies are adept at quick passes after the initial long pass. They move the ball to get a situation where a shooter gets the ball in the clear and can step into a three pointer. The problem for opposing teams trying to counter this strategy is that you can't tag one or two shooters in this situation. UConn will almost always have at least three and often four quality jumpshooters in the lineup at the same time.
The shooters will pull defenders away from the gut. If they aren't covered; they shoot dead open threes. If they are covered; the middle will be open and a delayed break can be lethal. Brimah is quicker than almost any big man he will play. He will beat the opposing bigs down the floor every time, and he can finish.
To stop the UConn uptempo offense; preventing the unhampered first pass is key. If a guard captures the board; you can't drop back. You must cover the guard. Since Boatright and Napier are small; most guards should be able to stop a free quick pass. If a big captures the board and the guard falls back; your big must cover the nearest guard. Most of the UConn bigs are not that experienced, and they will make a safe pass.
If your big is on the guard they pass to then his size will prevent the quick pass.
The guard will blow by your big, but by that time your defense will be more set. Typically once the UConn guards start dribbling if they don't see an immediate opening in the first say three dribbles; they will dribble the ball into the front court and set up a half court offense. Advantage defense.
Another thing you can try is trapping the ball handler, not necessarily trying for the steal, but to slow down the offense. Often times the nearest safe outlet will be a big. This will slow down things even more. If the guard tries for a long pass; it can often go awry.
Trap only on the sides. Don't trap the guard in the middle of the floor. The UConn guards are very quick, and with both sides open; they can set up an advantage situation quickly. Napier is extremely dangerous in the middle. He can drive and find an open shooter if the defense collapses. If the defense prevents quick penetration, his quickness will often set up a 15-17 footer in the key area which he drains regularly.
to be continued
UConn wants/needs to play an uptempo game. Overall team quickness and speed is tough to match. They want to get the ball upcourt very quickly. They can create a number of steals which most often will lead to breaks finished with dunks. That isn't the biggest problem. When they get an easy defensive board; they push relentlessly. The guards will attempt to advance the ball with a quick long pass. This doesn't have to go for a quick dunk. The Huskies are adept at quick passes after the initial long pass. They move the ball to get a situation where a shooter gets the ball in the clear and can step into a three pointer. The problem for opposing teams trying to counter this strategy is that you can't tag one or two shooters in this situation. UConn will almost always have at least three and often four quality jumpshooters in the lineup at the same time.
The shooters will pull defenders away from the gut. If they aren't covered; they shoot dead open threes. If they are covered; the middle will be open and a delayed break can be lethal. Brimah is quicker than almost any big man he will play. He will beat the opposing bigs down the floor every time, and he can finish.
To stop the UConn uptempo offense; preventing the unhampered first pass is key. If a guard captures the board; you can't drop back. You must cover the guard. Since Boatright and Napier are small; most guards should be able to stop a free quick pass. If a big captures the board and the guard falls back; your big must cover the nearest guard. Most of the UConn bigs are not that experienced, and they will make a safe pass.
If your big is on the guard they pass to then his size will prevent the quick pass.
The guard will blow by your big, but by that time your defense will be more set. Typically once the UConn guards start dribbling if they don't see an immediate opening in the first say three dribbles; they will dribble the ball into the front court and set up a half court offense. Advantage defense.
Another thing you can try is trapping the ball handler, not necessarily trying for the steal, but to slow down the offense. Often times the nearest safe outlet will be a big. This will slow down things even more. If the guard tries for a long pass; it can often go awry.
Trap only on the sides. Don't trap the guard in the middle of the floor. The UConn guards are very quick, and with both sides open; they can set up an advantage situation quickly. Napier is extremely dangerous in the middle. He can drive and find an open shooter if the defense collapses. If the defense prevents quick penetration, his quickness will often set up a 15-17 footer in the key area which he drains regularly.
to be continued
