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Message: [QUOTE="Coach Orange, post: 2026783, member: 2260"] Nice discussion. The points about players fitting into roles, Lydon getting more shots, and our players feeding the post are related. We are running more set plays to get the ball to Lydon in the post. His ability to play in the post--his proper role for this team--and to execute "big man" fundamentals (footwork, drop-step and up-and-under moves, hook shots), along with Coleman's issues, have created such design. Lydon effectively creates post-up angles that provide passing lanes. Our high-low plays against Pitt show this. He worked his man up the lane to carve space for the over-the-top passes. Interestingly, Roberson didn't really make a good pass on one of them, and Lydon still made a play. These plays not only provide Lydon more shots than he would get hanging around the perimeter the entire game, but they also allow the inside-out offense that produces open three-pointers. Lydon is a willing passer, and his teammates have moved to open spaces well when he has the ball in the post the last two games. Gillon's emergence helps our newfound use of the post. He's clearly a point guard that looks to feed the post, and he uses his dribble nicely (for the most part--he over-dribbles from time to time) to create passing opportunities. Conversely, White looked to feed the post against Pitt and, instead of taking 1-2 dribbles toward the baseline to create a passing angle, he stayed flat-footed and passed the ball back to the top of the key. This was a missed opportunity to get the ball into Lydon and let the offense generate from him. I'm hoping Coach Autry showed him this play on film and coached up the proper read. Continuing to improve the offensive fundamentals and design is definitely a factor in whether or not this proves to be "real." However, sustaining the defensive resurgence may be the more vital element. Solid defense can carry the team on a night when the players execute the offense well and just miss shots. [/QUOTE]

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