As far as 16 seeds go, UNC Ashville is

[Fjoinkay]

a competitive team. Beyond that, I must say that I totally disagree with JB's game plan for this game. JB is a HOF coach with an unbelievable record as a coach, so I hesitate to question the way he handles this team. He certainly knows a lot more than I do.

What I believe I understand is that SU is an average to below average 3-pt shooting team. The strength of this team is defense and depth, and when the defense is lulled to sleep it affects the rhythm of the offense. Using the press on defense is a good way to keep this team active. The offense can struggle and often does, but when it settles for throwing the ball around the perimeter and launching 3-pt shots the rhythm is wrong, the shots usually don't fall and they help the other team by running even more clock and failing to get to the free throw line. They put very little pressure on the opposing defense.

Against teams that slow it down to run clock and take care to avoid turnovers and allow SU points in transition (just about everyone since the loss at ND) I would press early and often. I would urge the zone to be hyper-active especially against teams that have never played against it. On offense I would avoid the lazy window washing with passes around the perimeter with a 3 pt shot attempt as the shot clock is about to expire. If Scoop does anything well it is penetrate. He can sometimes even kick it back out to open shooters. Make the opposing defense work rather than play into their hands.

 

[Orangezoo]

agreed.. at some point you have to gamble why not now? it gets the adrenaline going and puts pressure on the other team. kstate is not a good ball handling team if they go to stall ball we should press ... it is frustrating

 

[Fjoinkay]

It is a gamble, and so is what they did today. With this team I like my chances mixing up the tempo with the press. They rarely play well when they settle for outside shots all game. Use your strengths.

 

[Orangezoo]

agreed its a gamble either way.. but mixing it up keeps a team from getting too comfortable.. that said.. we have seen both rak and bmk get foul happy in the press when defending 1 on 2

 

[Shermthegeneral]

I sometimes feel that JB gets nervous and chokes during big games! The problem with the zone is it makes small mid majors who typically can shoot the 3 an equalizer. Combine that with a pour half court offense and teams hang around. I've always thought they need to change it up every 15-20 possessions

 

[Madbiker]

He always lets mid majors set the tempo and play in their comfort level. We do nothing to disrupt their game plan. I hate playing them.

 

[Fjoinkay]

Fatigue and foul trouble are a risk for sure. The loss of Fab factors into both of those possibilities. I would do it though because I think it fits the team. I would mix it up just to put a charge into the team especially if the opponent is playing a tight zone. I might even go small during the press.

 

[Fjoinkay]

He always lets mid majors set the tempo and play in their comfort level. We do nothing to disrupt their game plan. I hate playing them.

I agree. And yet I hesitate to question it because he has been so successful for so long. I just think that with this team he needs to mix it up or else he isn't putting this team in the best position to win.

 

[BlueCurtain]

JB is a HOF coach with an unbelievable record as a coach, so I hesitate to question the way he handles this team. He certainly knows a lot more than I do.

Why the need to put this disclaimer at the top of your posts?

 

[Fjoinkay]

Because it's true. I'm just an alum and a fan. I respect what JB has done, and I've never coached a game in my life. The last thing I want to do is to believe that I am somehow more knowledgeable than a HOF coach. Having said that I disagree with the way he is approaching the games, and I feel strongly about that right now.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

JB coaches tight in the NCAA. His players respond by playing tight. It's doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why he has substandard results in so many NCAA tourneys.

If JB coached in the postseason like he did in the pre-conference tourneys he would have won a few more NC's and gone to a few more final fours. He'd definitely have better success in the Sweet 16.

 

[Fairlylegal]

This thread is about to get attacked by the superfans.

 

[Fjoinkay]

I think JB was too conservative or tight today. That might be true of past tournaments too, but the only tournament and team I care about right now is in the present. This team in my opinion plays better when it runs more whether it's on offense or pressing on defense. I would think that today SU did exactly what the coach for UNC Asheville hoped they would do.

 

[bevosu]

JB has stated that the press is a gamble when you have less than Fab in the middle. He seems to think that our #1 and #2 centers will get into foul trouble.

Against a team like we played today I wouldn't have worried about that...JS and KJ would tower over all of their players and could have stepped in in an emergency.

That and not taking the ball to the basket on offense seemed less that brilliant.