Fab - Blocks or Charges?

[DPCuse]

It seemed as though Fab was a man possessed against Seton Hall and DePaul blocking shot after shot. Then against Providence he seemed to be trying to take charges more and again against Marquette. I seem to recall him making a comment (or maybe it was JB) about having Fab stand his ground more and take the charge. But it seems like it is making him less aggressive in blocking shots. Is this to keep him on his feet so he can grab more rebounds and/or to protect him from getting in foul trouble? It seems like it is causing him to get in more foul trouble and he has been less effective the past two games. Did anyone else notice this?

 

[stuckinbig11]

Each team and each game is different. He needs to take advantage of what they offer up to him--doing a pretty good job when the refs are half-way trying to do their job.

 

[armory]

When you're in foul trouble its safer to try to take charges than block shots.

 

[DPCuse]

Fab was trying to take charges right from the start against both teams. I think it was in JB's post game presser that he said he wanted him to take more charges. Not sure. It seems like a conscious decision to have him play this way. I liked the Fab I saw against Seton Hall and DePaul a lot better. Ideally he learns to do both.

 

[TinyManInside]

Maybe he's just reacting to the in-game situation? Marquette had guys barreling in the lane with their heads down and shoulders up, whereas Seton Hall was trying to shoot a lot of short and mid range jumpers that Fab was quick to react to and swat. I'm thinking this was also in the scouting report - Crowder and DJO like to go all the way through to the hoop, which will present opportunities to draw charges. Could have been a point of emphasis from the coaches during preparation for the game.

 

[moqui]

Fab has been noticeably better at taking charges all season long; I think Seton Hall and DePaul were outliers and, as others noted, a function of how they were trying to attack the defense.

 

[DPCuse]

Maybe he's just reacting to the in-game situation? Marquette had guys barreling in the lane with their heads down and shoulders up, whereas Seton Hall was trying to shoot a lot of short and mid range jumpers that Fab was quick to react to and swat. I'm thinking this was also in the scouting report - Crowder and DJO like to go all the way through to the hoop, which will present opportunities to draw charges. Could have been a point of emphasis from the coaches during preparation for the game.

Maybe it was game specific. We'll see going forward. From what I remember the comment being, it was something like "we are trying to get Fab to take more charges." He does rebound better when he doesn't go up for blocks all the time. But the blocks create energy and intimidate the other teams. It's just something I noticed while watching the past few games that I thought I'd mention.

 

[mark79]

One additional hypothesis. 5 of his 10 blocks in the 10 block game were against Herb Pope (I know for a fact because I counted them), meaning he was blocking put-back type shots where he has room to operate.

In the Marquette game guards were constantly driving right into him. The only reasonable thing to do is take a charge or he would commit a foul in all likelihood.

 

[ORANGEsPHK]

What I take away from this discussion is that Fab has pretty good BB IQ, i.e., he knows when he is in position to take a charge versus going for a block like freshmen jumping jacks

 

[orangefan13]

One additional hypothesis. 5 of his 10 blocks in the 10 block game were against Herb Pope (I know for a fact because I counted them), meaning he was blocking put-back type shots where he has room to operate.

In the Marquette game guards were constantly driving right into him. The only reasonable thing to do is take a charge or he would commit a foul in all likelihood.

I like this post. Can't wait to he starts timing those blocks near the free throw line better. Once KJO James Fair and Rak start weakside shot blocking along the baseline dishes better.

 

[mark79]

Yep. Now we need Rak to start getting more aggressive. The game is moving just a little too fast for him but I think like Fab, if he puts the work in he'll get there. I think he has the tools.