Our O is what is keeping us as a bubble program. We are way too easy to defend and it allows mediocre teams like Clemson to survive 0-13 starts and win by double digits. The zone has issues but they get magnified with our turnovers, bad shots that create unsettled situations, etc. We aren't smart, tough, or athletic, but our inability to run an offense that creates open looks is why we are trending South. And if we could come up with another inbounds play that would be good too.
It's not the zone
- Thread starter Newhouser
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Sesquipedalia verba
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On offense, our game is perimeter shooting. But everyone knows in order for that to be effective, we have to be able to enter the ball inside. Our problem is, to whom? Marek is the only one who can handle an entry pass, and he's not a turn and face guy. So since we are obviously a perimeter team, that's where defenses dig in and get tough. And we play right into their hands, over and over. It is patently ridiculous to have Chewey set high screens, because everyone knows he's not going to get the ball. And if he does, he's neither going to shoot or drive.
One of the big problems for our defense is that it's just too predictable. So the team that has us next on the schedule only has to prepare for one defense, not two or three. Same thing at halftime. The other team knows we're not going to change, so it helps make it easier to see how to adjust.
And finally, playing the same defense every practice for half a year causes ennui, and interest and concentration suffer. I liked coaching the SU zone for a lot of reasons, but I also mixed it up with other things, like a 1-3-1 trap and some M2M.
All just IMHO
One of the big problems for our defense is that it's just too predictable. So the team that has us next on the schedule only has to prepare for one defense, not two or three. Same thing at halftime. The other team knows we're not going to change, so it helps make it easier to see how to adjust.
And finally, playing the same defense every practice for half a year causes ennui, and interest and concentration suffer. I liked coaching the SU zone for a lot of reasons, but I also mixed it up with other things, like a 1-3-1 trap and some M2M.
All just IMHO
CardiacCuse
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clemson sucks at shooting 3s - so for them the zone is a good play - syr really shouldve won this last game---
...but a team like uva or villanova etc -will eat the zone alive.
all that said, yes the offense is a huge problem as well...iso 1 on 1 play combined with 1-dimensional players makes for brutal offense...
ball movement and passing seems to have happened at times - but for whatever reason there are also times when that doesnt happen AT ALL...not sure why ...hopefully not by design...ball movement/passing needs to be the plan every time...the iso game is killing any chance to win, imo.
...but a team like uva or villanova etc -will eat the zone alive.
all that said, yes the offense is a huge problem as well...iso 1 on 1 play combined with 1-dimensional players makes for brutal offense...
ball movement and passing seems to have happened at times - but for whatever reason there are also times when that doesnt happen AT ALL...not sure why ...hopefully not by design...ball movement/passing needs to be the plan every time...the iso game is killing any chance to win, imo.
Jasoncuse
2022 Iggy Winner: NCAA Tourament
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Our offensive issues are a direct result of how we recruit exclusively for the zone. Taller guards without much handle or developed skills, no PG’s, long forwards that have to be 6’8”+ and centers that are expected to be 6’10”+ shot blockers with offense as an afterthought. Instead of recruiting a 6’8” kid with strong offensive skills to play C, we go after the tallest, longest guys we can get.
Since the offensive talent is so lacking as a result, JB’s iso offense just doesn’t work. Not enough skilled players. Been this way for a number of years now.
Since the offensive talent is so lacking as a result, JB’s iso offense just doesn’t work. Not enough skilled players. Been this way for a number of years now.
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Oh my God I’ve literally said close versions of this expanded thought a lot over the last couple years
STEVEHOLT
There are FIVE letters in the name BLAIN.
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you can win with 1 on 1 iso ball if you have the proper players running it (see Houston Rockets) however we run it and have nobody that can actually take a dude off the dribble without a screen. and our rollers are useless so all the screens do is make it two on one for the defense.
if we're going to run this offense, we need quicker players who can get by their man to some degree. but wait..those guys are usually smaller and thus wont fit the zone...so we are trapped
