Ceerqqq
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- Mar 16, 2018
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All this season I've been looking for clues to whether or not Boeheim would be able to teach this group of players how to play his defense the way he has always imagined it in his mind. There have been flashes, but it has not been encouraging for a long time. Has it just been the batch of talent he happens to have this time? Are they not able to get it? Has Jim Boeheim finally forgotten how to coach?
Now, with the last two victories over tough competition, we've seen the guys playing defense the way Jim's intends it. Just a few games ago, it seemed liked the guys were just sitting back to start off the first half, trying to remember where they're supposed to be as the ball moves around, but always being a half-step slow to make a play.
But especially today, the team looked like the guys finally 'get it.' Like they understand that if they can't make this defense their single biggest team weapon, they ain't gonna go anywhere. Indeed, they actually looked "tournament ready" in today's game, playing defense the way Jim's teams usually do when they've been able to get into the NCAAT and make a run.
I think this is what Jim tries to do every year, blending in the new talent, continually stopping practice to teach, running his key 7-8 players through the repetitions they need for it all to become instinctive. Today, it looked like his season-long efforts have finally born fruit. Seems they understand now: yer not playing this Zone right if the other team isn't feeling pressured when they face you in the half court.
What we saw today was the entire team pressuring the passing lanes, hands everywhere reaching to make steals, especially in the paint, that we just haven't seen most of the year. When they're all doing it, it's a thing of beauty, and Boeheim knows it. So all the credit in the world to Boeheim for his repeatedly demonstrated ability to coach a team of players into their best possible performances as a team in a relatively short season.
What I've seen the last two games gives me a huge amount of encouragement re: this team's potential to win a couple of games in the ACCT. They look like they're "there" now and that means we have good reason to hope for some very satisfying victories next week...
Now, with the last two victories over tough competition, we've seen the guys playing defense the way Jim's intends it. Just a few games ago, it seemed liked the guys were just sitting back to start off the first half, trying to remember where they're supposed to be as the ball moves around, but always being a half-step slow to make a play.
But especially today, the team looked like the guys finally 'get it.' Like they understand that if they can't make this defense their single biggest team weapon, they ain't gonna go anywhere. Indeed, they actually looked "tournament ready" in today's game, playing defense the way Jim's teams usually do when they've been able to get into the NCAAT and make a run.
I think this is what Jim tries to do every year, blending in the new talent, continually stopping practice to teach, running his key 7-8 players through the repetitions they need for it all to become instinctive. Today, it looked like his season-long efforts have finally born fruit. Seems they understand now: yer not playing this Zone right if the other team isn't feeling pressured when they face you in the half court.
What we saw today was the entire team pressuring the passing lanes, hands everywhere reaching to make steals, especially in the paint, that we just haven't seen most of the year. When they're all doing it, it's a thing of beauty, and Boeheim knows it. So all the credit in the world to Boeheim for his repeatedly demonstrated ability to coach a team of players into their best possible performances as a team in a relatively short season.
What I've seen the last two games gives me a huge amount of encouragement re: this team's potential to win a couple of games in the ACCT. They look like they're "there" now and that means we have good reason to hope for some very satisfying victories next week...
