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Message: [QUOTE="reedny, post: 1939941, member: 1423"] I'm a little more optimistic than you are about the potential for this team to play elite-level zone D. What we saw Tuesday was no indication: we played man (awfully); the other team was filled with mighty-mites; and it was the first game with a lot of newcomers to the system. Even the vets, as JB said, are "veterans in something else". Here's why I'm optimistic for this team to develop a killer zone: 1. [B]Size front to back[/B]. We have the tallest player ever at the 5, our forwards are 6'9 and 6'7/6'8. Up top, with Howard in the lineup and either White or Battle playing the 2, our backcourt is 6'5 - 6'6/6'7. This has to be, if not the tallest, at least one of the tallest zones in program history. 2. [B]Shotblocking[/B]. Chukwu and Lydon are the factors here. Lydon's +20 pounds this year and isn't going to get pushed around as easily as last year. In 2015-16, he had 67 blocks all year as a freshman (about equal to Jackson's 69 as a junior in 2010). However, because he matured over the course of the season, he had a phenomenal 20 blocks (4 pg) in the NCAA's. With that experience and more bulk, he's going to be a factor defensively either at forward or center. I'm not sure if he'll get to Jackson's senior numbers (86 blocks), but Chukwu may at 7'2" depending on his minutes. He'll be erasing and altering shots and I think we can expect big numbers from him. 3. [B]Athleticism[/B]: I'm not a fan of Howard's defense. Last year, he was in the doghouse many times. This year, we'll see. But I do like Gillon's defense. He has the quickness to stay in front of ACC guards, and if Howard makes some strides, the combination of his size and Gillon's quickness should keep us competitive defensively up top. Battle is a difference maker in the backcourt. He gives us an elite level defender at the 2, a position from which opposing teams will look to score. On the front line, aside from Lydon and Chukwu, our two wings - White and Roberson - I think both will solid on D. Neither is a shot-blocker. But at this point, Roberson knows his position in the zone, and I'm expecting his D to shine. With Chukwu backing him up, he can take more risks on close-outs. As far as White (at the other forward slot), his D is a WIP. What I am confident about is that he's strong and has a high BB IQ. To play effective zone, he doesn't have to play lightening quick M2M defense. He just has to know his role and use his feet -- if he does those things the zone is the perfect defense for him. 4. [B]Depth[/B]: This team goes 9-10 deep ,... all capable players. And since they can practice 5 on 5 scholarship guys, this is a big advantage to learning the zone and getting used to the slides/help rotations. Depth also gives players enough rest, so they're fresh down the stretch, not ragged like TC and MG were last year. [/QUOTE]

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