Flacusian
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- Aug 26, 2011
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I think it's very safe to say that most of us did not foresee this team making a run in the tournament and even the most optimistic among us were saying that making it to the sweet 16 would constitute a good season for this group of kids and elite 8 talk was pretty much reserved for those who needed to have their medication adjusted.
That having been said, throughout the season we all are accustomed to the perennial voices that are forever making the argument that playing the zone exclusively and recruiting a prototypical type of players that are best suited to play the "JIM BOEHEIM ZONE" is outdated, ineffective, and has been figured out by a few select teams which we play on a regular basis. I do make a distinction of "THE JIM BOEHEIM ZONE" because nobody, repeat, nobody else plays a zone and is as committed to it's exclusive implementation as the core philosophy of the team like Syracuse, under the coaching acumen of HOF'er James Arthur Boeheim.
It's also a given that it can be extremely frustrating when we play teams that most think we should be able to beat but they seemingly have our number (see Pitt and Louisville ). When things aren't going well some chirp in that we should be recruiting some different type of players rather than ones who are selected on the basis of their suitability to play the Boeheim Zone. I get that but at the same time there are a few things that really need to be mentioned and recognized. And besides, if losing to Pitt 3 times is the price we pay for utilizing those 3 losses to hone and improve the manner in which we play the zone toward the end of being able to play better when IT REALLY COUNTS FOR SOMETHING (see NCAA dance) isn't it just more of an inconvenience rather than a big problem?
1. The fact that Syracuse utilizes the "Jim Boeheim Zone" sets us apart from the other 350+ division 1 programs in the nation. We are recognized for it and Syracuse Orange and Zone Defense have all but become synonymous.
2. The "Jim Boeheim Zone" while it is a 2-3 zone defense actually exhibits many characteristics that are UN-zone like. The zone is so active and the complexity of the assignments of each individual defensive position player can make the zone, when played aggressively and in the manner that Coach B intends for it to be played, so incredibly disruptive and effective in rendering opposing teams unable to execute their offense and get shots.
3. The JB ZONE is an especially dangerous and effective strategy when played against teams in a tournament setting or when the teams do not have prior experience playing against it. It can be particularly difficult in that in a tournament scenario teams often have very little time to prepare for their next opponent much less one with a defense that can seem like a constantly shifting amorphous Juggernaut comprised of long arms and legs moving about in a confusing blur while creating an impenetrable obstacle.
4. The JB ZONE can give some modicum of relief to a team which does not have a lot of depth in that it is easier to conserve energy playing zone rather than M2M and especially if you are pressing.
5. When all seems lost the JB ZONE prescribes, at the right moment, a "Trunk Monkey" like press which can be such a shock to the opposition that you can pretty much count on several turnovers, steals, and if nothing else, the look of complete panic in the eyes of the opposing team when after dealing with the JB ZONE for nearly the entire game they now have THIS!@%#$&@! to deal with. It can be very effective ( see Virginia Game)
6. And perhaps the most important point I'd like to make is this. Without the JB ZONE. this team never so much as even sniffs the most remote dream of making the final 4 this year. IT IS BECAUSE OF JB'S STUBBORN AND GENIUS UNYIELDING AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE ZONE THAT WE ARE IN THIS FINAL 4.
7. I won't be real surprised at this point if we pull off a win against NC. And after we have beaten them. Who ever we play in the championship game...they might as well forget about it because it's looking like this is a team of destiny and they are just rounding into top form playing "THE JIM BOEHEIM ZONE"
BTW... I love this team and I LOVE THE ZONE!~
That having been said, throughout the season we all are accustomed to the perennial voices that are forever making the argument that playing the zone exclusively and recruiting a prototypical type of players that are best suited to play the "JIM BOEHEIM ZONE" is outdated, ineffective, and has been figured out by a few select teams which we play on a regular basis. I do make a distinction of "THE JIM BOEHEIM ZONE" because nobody, repeat, nobody else plays a zone and is as committed to it's exclusive implementation as the core philosophy of the team like Syracuse, under the coaching acumen of HOF'er James Arthur Boeheim.
It's also a given that it can be extremely frustrating when we play teams that most think we should be able to beat but they seemingly have our number (see Pitt and Louisville ). When things aren't going well some chirp in that we should be recruiting some different type of players rather than ones who are selected on the basis of their suitability to play the Boeheim Zone. I get that but at the same time there are a few things that really need to be mentioned and recognized. And besides, if losing to Pitt 3 times is the price we pay for utilizing those 3 losses to hone and improve the manner in which we play the zone toward the end of being able to play better when IT REALLY COUNTS FOR SOMETHING (see NCAA dance) isn't it just more of an inconvenience rather than a big problem?
1. The fact that Syracuse utilizes the "Jim Boeheim Zone" sets us apart from the other 350+ division 1 programs in the nation. We are recognized for it and Syracuse Orange and Zone Defense have all but become synonymous.
2. The "Jim Boeheim Zone" while it is a 2-3 zone defense actually exhibits many characteristics that are UN-zone like. The zone is so active and the complexity of the assignments of each individual defensive position player can make the zone, when played aggressively and in the manner that Coach B intends for it to be played, so incredibly disruptive and effective in rendering opposing teams unable to execute their offense and get shots.
3. The JB ZONE is an especially dangerous and effective strategy when played against teams in a tournament setting or when the teams do not have prior experience playing against it. It can be particularly difficult in that in a tournament scenario teams often have very little time to prepare for their next opponent much less one with a defense that can seem like a constantly shifting amorphous Juggernaut comprised of long arms and legs moving about in a confusing blur while creating an impenetrable obstacle.
4. The JB ZONE can give some modicum of relief to a team which does not have a lot of depth in that it is easier to conserve energy playing zone rather than M2M and especially if you are pressing.
5. When all seems lost the JB ZONE prescribes, at the right moment, a "Trunk Monkey" like press which can be such a shock to the opposition that you can pretty much count on several turnovers, steals, and if nothing else, the look of complete panic in the eyes of the opposing team when after dealing with the JB ZONE for nearly the entire game they now have THIS!@%#$&@! to deal with. It can be very effective ( see Virginia Game)
6. And perhaps the most important point I'd like to make is this. Without the JB ZONE. this team never so much as even sniffs the most remote dream of making the final 4 this year. IT IS BECAUSE OF JB'S STUBBORN AND GENIUS UNYIELDING AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE ZONE THAT WE ARE IN THIS FINAL 4.
7. I won't be real surprised at this point if we pull off a win against NC. And after we have beaten them. Who ever we play in the championship game...they might as well forget about it because it's looking like this is a team of destiny and they are just rounding into top form playing "THE JIM BOEHEIM ZONE"
BTW... I love this team and I LOVE THE ZONE!~
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