Week until KY - What is your list?

slugboy

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Staff member
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Removing practice restrictions isn’t going to change our dribble in-kick out-low motion-infrequent screen offense. It might make our defense better. It might help us kick out the ball better.
Jose and Devoe are our two best ball handlers, and two of our best shooters. Devoe dribbling in to kick out takes our best shooter out of the play.
To be clear, what I’m talking about is what looks like our main offensive play:
  • Team moves in transition to set up in a 4 out formation
  • Ball handler is usually Jose or Devoe
  • Ball handler tries to penetrate, pulling multiple defenders in
    • If the ball handler is unguarded (rarely happens), just go for the basket
    • If the ball handler has an easy shot (rarely happens), take it
  • Ball handler kicks the ball out to an open shooter
Our offense keeps coming apart a the “kick the ball to an open shooter” step.

Here’s one reason why: Jose dribbling in has the following offensive options
  1. Clear path to the basket (did not happen against Mercer or State)
  2. Beats multiple defenders on the dribble (did not happen against Mercer or State—he got swarmed)
  3. Step back shot (did this a good bit—had lots of hands up between him and the basket—low percentage shot)
  4. Pass to an open shooter
    1. Devoe is the one high percentage outside shooter we have. The other team just has to make sure he’s guarded too. Two defenders can cover Jose, one can cover Devoe, and one can cover the rest (not as crazy as it sounds)
      1. Literally, the opposing coach can tell his defenders, even in a zone, to make sure that the nearest player makes sure Jose and Devoe stay guarded unless they completely take themselves out of the play
    2. Pass to the center, near the low post.
      1. If the center has cleared the area to leave room for Jose, then this isn’t an option
      2. The defenders are usually between Jose and the basket, on either side. They’re also between Jose and the center (usually Moses). This is usually a tough pass.
      3. Put the ball near the basket, and rebound (we haven’t been great at offensive rebounds)
    3. Pass to the 3 or 4 (Bubba/Usher/someone else).
      1. One or both of these players sometimes set up near the baseline or far enough down the arc that they’re hard to pass to
      2. They aren't high-percentage outside shooters
      3. This, and attempts to pass to Devoe, are one of the areas we’re seeing turnovers.
Devoe isn’t as talented a ball handler as Jose, and like I mentioned earlier, Devoe playing dribble and dish takes your best shooter out of the offense. If you have three other great shooters, that’s not a big deal, but we don’t have three other great shooters.

There are some things your center can do to occupy a defender or make space, but as things are happening now, we’re taking a bunch of defended mid-range shots.
 

YlJacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
3,260
Removing practice restrictions isn’t going to change our dribble in-kick out-low motion-infrequent screen offense. It might make our defense better. It might help us kick out the ball better.
Jose and Devoe are our two best ball handlers, and two of our best shooters. Devoe dribbling in to kick out takes our best shooter out of the play.
To be clear, what I’m talking about is what looks like our main offensive play:
  • Team moves in transition to set up in a 4 out formation
  • Ball handler is usually Jose or Devoe
  • Ball handler tries to penetrate, pulling multiple defenders in
    • If the ball handler is unguarded (rarely happens), just go for the basket
    • If the ball handler has an easy shot (rarely happens), take it
  • Ball handler kicks the ball out to an open shooter
Our offense keeps coming apart a the “kick the ball to an open shooter” step.

Here’s one reason why: Jose dribbling in has the following offensive options
  1. Clear path to the basket (did not happen against Mercer or State)
  2. Beats multiple defenders on the dribble (did not happen against Mercer or State—he got swarmed)
  3. Step back shot (did this a good bit—had lots of hands up between him and the basket—low percentage shot)
  4. Pass to an open shooter
    1. Devoe is the one high percentage outside shooter we have. The other team just has to make sure he’s guarded too. Two defenders can cover Jose, one can cover Devoe, and one can cover the rest (not as crazy as it sounds)
      1. Literally, the opposing coach can tell his defenders, even in a zone, to make sure that the nearest player makes sure Jose and Devoe stay guarded unless they completely take themselves out of the play
    2. Pass to the center, near the low post.
      1. If the center has cleared the area to leave room for Jose, then this isn’t an option
      2. The defenders are usually between Jose and the basket, on either side. They’re also between Jose and the center (usually Moses). This is usually a tough pass.
      3. Put the ball near the basket, and rebound (we haven’t been great at offensive rebounds)
    3. Pass to the 3 or 4 (Bubba/Usher/someone else).
      1. One or both of these players sometimes set up near the baseline or far enough down the arc that they’re hard to pass to
      2. They aren't high-percentage outside shooters
      3. This, and attempts to pass to Devoe, are one of the areas we’re seeing turnovers.
Devoe isn’t as talented a ball handler as Jose, and like I mentioned earlier, Devoe playing dribble and dish takes your best shooter out of the offense. If you have three other great shooters, that’s not a big deal, but we don’t have three other great shooters.

There are some things your center can do to occupy a defender or make space, but as things are happening now, we’re taking a bunch of defended mid-range shots.
Yep - it is hard to run a drive and kick offense when you only have one shooter to kick to. Usher, Moore and really Moses need some motion and structure to get cuts to the basket and driving lanes to fit their strengths. Dribble drive doesn't really fit the skills this group does have.
 

kg01

Get-Bak! Coach
Featured Member
Messages
15,167
Location
Atlanta
Well - you lost that as a tech hoops fan a long time ago...

/

clarity.gif
 

YlJacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
3,260
After watching KY/KS last night - if we run the 1 on 5 dribble drive offense KY may set an NCAA record for blocks. They are the embodiment of long and lean shotblockers. On the other side, if you move the ball like KS did you can get shots.

If we play defense beyond 18 feet from the basket, our coaches should be taken out at dawn and shot.

Although KS got away with playing a smaller lineup, I expect we are going to need to play the new bigs in order to rebound the ball. I don't see our guards getting double digit rebounds like the KS guards did. I hope they have fully installed the zone D as it is likely our best shot.

If we get back on D like we did against GSU, KY will fill their warehouse with poster dunks and highlight film.

Having said this though, we have a good chance to keep this close and then anything can happen. If we can pack a zone in and rebound the ball, KY has not shown they can make shots. Guards should dig down on the block and worry about the kick out as a way second priority. We also cannot afford live ball turnovers. We have to at least get shots up or out of bounds turnovers so the D can be set.

Whatever the under is - take it. If we get back on D it will be easy money.
 

YlJacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
3,260
Over/Under is 141 or 142 depending on site. If we pack it in, don't have major turnovers and don't try to run with them then it should be in the 60's. Turn the ball over and let them run and they will blow through this . I'll go positive and take the under.
 
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