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Ohio Basketball

Topic: Defensive Advantage

Topic: Defensive Advantage

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41
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Member Since: 1/10/2011
Post Count: 39

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Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 12:10:23 PM

We defended extremely well vs. South Florida - doubling the post entries and doubling the ball screen - our defensive rotation was really, really good.

Got me thinking...I wonder how many teams in the Big East defended them that way - Marquette, UC, WV have the horses to play one on one in the post - our posts aren't as big/bulky...So, we double the post and double the ball screens for USF point guard (man, he was quick), and take away their strengths.

So - I think our main advantage this weekend is that we'll probably guard UNC different than most of their opponents have done this year. Why? We have to - they are huge and if we let them pound it in with no double team - tough to beat them. We're as fast on the perimeter as anyone left in the tourney - we can recover after doubling.

I expect to see a definite defensive strategy from the start - set the tone and force them to do what they normally don't do. Do we press/trap more now that UNC Pg is maybe out?

I wonder how they guard us - What if they try to double the ball screen - Cooper could draw fouls on Henson and Zeller. I think they play us one on one in the post. We got some great looks with our guard cutting to the basket after delivering the entry pass (guard defender turns head to see the ball and we go). Would UNC zone us?...we'll see.

Gotta love the chess playing by coaches this time of year. I think our staff is excellent at preparing a defensive game plan.

Ohio Pilot
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Member Since: 9/5/2010
Post Count: 499

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 1:46:39 PM

Thats a great way of thinking. I wouldnt be surprised if us doubling in the post like you said and using our quickness might just give us a good chance to pull this thing off.

FearLeon
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 4,714

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 1:48:53 PM

Great points on the double-teams. It seemed like we were trying to double USF up top every time we could. Sometimes it leads to a bad foul 35 feet away from the basket, but boy has it been working.

Last Edited: 3/20/2012 1:49:36 PM by FearLeon

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT

Bobcatbob
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Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Coolville, OH
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 2:08:27 PM

Roy Williams knows he has to pound the ball down low to have his best chance to beat us. OUr key is going to be avoiding foul trouble trying to defend that. Every agrressive defender has a tendency to swipe at the ball. In this match-up we're playing UNC plus everyone's perception that we can't match up and I think that could lead to quick whistles from the zebras. We have to body up, move our feet and all those other things your middle school basketball coach tried to teach you.

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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Member Since: 12/1/2006
Location: Cincinnati
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 2:43:33 PM

41 wrote:

I wonder how they guard us - What if they try to double the ball screen - Cooper could draw fouls on Henson and Zeller.

UNC fouls less than almost every team in the country. They are actually #1 in the country in fewest ft's allowed, and fta/fga ratio. Their big guys are so long that they simply don't have to foul, they can just play off and block shots.

Tom Valentino
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Member Since: 3/13/2005
Location: Painesville, OH
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 2:44:48 PM

That double-team we've unleashed on the post has wreaked havoc on Buffalo, Akron and USF. Pretty much every team that's tried to iso a guy on the block with an entry pass coming from the wing has had multiple turnovers. For a team that is supposedly undersized in the post, we've done a hell of a job compensating for it.

Still gonna need guysto crash the glass hard and limit UNC's second-chance points. That became USF's only offense for a lot of the second half on Sunday night.

On Twitter: @1tomvalentino | TheNailPodcast.com

OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 2:48:49 PM

With the size issue and potential foul trouble issue in mind, do you suppose Ethan gets 7-10 mins?

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Member Since: 2/3/2005
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 2:51:49 PM

OU_Country wrote:

With the size issue and potential foul trouble issue in mind, do you suppose Ethan gets 7-10 mins?

Simply not fast enough. Toledo zipped around him at Savage in February. Imagine the Tar Heels.

OUVan
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Location: Bethesda, MD
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 4:06:54 PM

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead wrote:

41 wrote:

I wonder how they guard us - What if they try to double the ball screen - Cooper could draw fouls on Henson and Zeller.

Their one weak link on defense is Marshall so while they are hurt greatly on offense by his injury they actually might be better defensively because of it.

HeHateMiami
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Mason, OH
Post Count: 473

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 5:02:10 PM

OU_Country wrote:

With the size issue and potential foul trouble issue in mind, do you suppose Ethan gets 7-10 mins?

No, I do not suppose that someone who has barely played 7-10 minutes all season gets more court time than, say, guarding a fullcourt inbounds play in the biggest game on the biggest stage of the season.

PG73
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Member Since: 3/4/2007
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 6:22:59 PM

I would use him in the middle of a 2-3 zone just to change things up and give bigs a rest.

HeHateMiami
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Mason, OH
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 9:20:40 PM

PG73 wrote:

I would use him in the middle of a 2-3 zone just to change things up and give bigs a rest.

Is anyone else reading this thread? Are you guys joking? Did I just enter an alternate dimension?

UpSan Bobcat
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Member Since: 8/30/2005
Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 9:24:18 PM

HeHateMiami wrote:

PG73 wrote:

I would use him in the middle of a 2-3 zone just to change things up and give bigs a rest.

Is anyone else reading this thread? Are you guys joking? Did I just enter an alternate dimension?

I'm with you. I don't think the Bobcats are going to do anything too different than what got them there.

DublinCat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 236

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 9:31:03 PM

HeHateMiami wrote:

PG73 wrote:

I would use him in the middle of a 2-3 zone just to change things up and give bigs a rest.

Is anyone else reading this thread? Are you guys joking? Did I just enter an alternate dimension?

You can have a team full of McDonald's All Americans and still loose if you are missing the key leader of the team. Sometimes its a coach and sometimes its a player. Here is an example of a team of All Americans without a great floor leader: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfX1G6TLF4 ;

OU87

PG73
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Member Since: 3/4/2007
Post Count: 77

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/20/2012 10:45:29 PM

Easy, I'm not saying start him. If we happen to get in foul trouble, or get really gassed, in the middle of a 2-3 zone is a safe way to use him.

athena
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 710

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RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/21/2012 8:21:44 AM

Don't hold your breath.

41
General User

Member Since: 1/10/2011
Post Count: 39

Status: Offline

RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/21/2012 9:23:58 AM

98% man to man, that's what got us here and like Coach said, "our calling card all year" - I'd assume we'd double the post and double the back-up point guards who will now run the show

The caution here is that UNC has the playmakers to exploit the dbl, unlike USF.

Maybe a possession or two of 2-3 just like did vs. Mich and USF to change the tempo and make them adjust.

MAYBE 2-3 if we get in big time foul trouble and need to hide someone defensively.

I do not like the 2-3 for rebounding purposes - heck even Syracuse has a negative rebounding margin during the year. (they get outrebounded)

I do like the 2-3 when we trap the corners - all of our guards are good at covering gaps and anticipating the cross-court pass, which we leave open by design - then steal it....- but UNC is so freaking tall that their bigs may be able to pass over the top of the trap.

C Money
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Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420

Status: Offline

RE: Defensive Advantage

Posted: 3/21/2012 9:34:28 AM

Gentlemen, this is not a game that is going to be won with any particular defensive scheme or personnel package. It is a game that is going to be won between the ears. Our team is cerebral. Watch the MAC Championship game. Watch the Michigan game. See the other teams' players blowing up on the bench. We got inside their heads and frustrated them.

Go watch the Georgetown game in 2010. The smartest basketball play I have ever seen was Tommy taking those mid-court charges. Now look at OUVan's avatar. And look at the scoreboard.

Play smart. Make the other team play dumb. Force opportunities and take advantage of them. That is how we win.

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