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Message: [QUOTE="Cowtown, post: 2016742, member: 2350"] The 2-3 has been around for a long time, but it was always thought of as a second D to have, to change the pace, protect players in foul trouble, or for small teams to play against taller lineups. You didn't need to practice against it much because most teams weren't any good at it. Then came SU. But good zone D requires belief and commitment, hustle and hard work. And it takes basketball IQ. Players must know where they're going based on what the offense does, and they have to respond quickly. If not, they're just chasing the ball and no one can outrun a pass. I've only seen the SC and Wisconsin games, and we're standing and watching, then chasing the ball. There's no belief, commitment or hustle on that end of the floor. The first guy I saw who was good at beating SU's 2-3 was Jim Calhoun. He did it by getting the ball into the short corner a lot, which opened up a lot of options for the offense. Since his time, many other coaches have learned from that. I think we should be able to move to M@M more readily if for no other reason than to get guys out of the stand-and-watch mode (see above). But that's just me. JB's commitment to zone D came, I believe, as a result of having to play against teams full of A & A+ athletes with a lineup that had a few B & B+ athletes in it. For a long time ago he realized he could not draw in the Mickey D all-star track teams that other powers were getting, and he had to find a way to compete. The time when we were able to be competitive by it may have passed, but it just may be that we need players who are willing to buy in and play better within the existing system. For JAB is not likely to have an epiphany at this stage. [/QUOTE]

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