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[QUOTE="Coach Orange, post: 1719702, member: 2260"]
If we're being honest, we were behind both Gonzaga (five points) with three minutes left and Virginia (double digits) with under eight minutes left in the game while playing zone. I wouldn't say our zone was the difference based on that. Our press changed both games. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say the ability to play a hybrid of zone and press helped us to our last two victories. The OP suggests that our press is effective because of our zone. I would argue our zone would be more effective if we pressed more. Our offense would, too.

I admire Coach Boeheim as much as anyone, and I like our zone. However, let's keep in mind that 11 of the last 12 national champions (Louisville might be the exception) have played some version of man-to-man as their main defense, and several of them employed pressure. Some utilized man, zone, and press.

Maybe playing zone exclusively (or any specific defensive scheme) isn't really the key to success. Good players that execute their responsibilities matter, too. Oh, and a little luck along the way doesn't hurt.
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