The zone this year

[CuseFaninVT]

Is it the guards lack of mobility, is the forwards not knowing the system, is it the forwards feeling the need to provide even MORE assistance to Marek at center, or is it a combo of all of these making the zone seem less effective this year?

I'm not looking to debate the merits of the zone, that's been done more than enough times.

With Joe and Buddy at the guards, we know there is a height issue on one side, and a lack of traditional foot speed for both. Kadary, with his length, and inherent nose for steals, helps make up some of that.

I also think the guards are causing the forwards to have to react more than in the past. And I think the forwards are feeling the need to back up the center spot. At one point yesterday I saw Griff come from the left wing sprint all the way over to just outside the right side of the lane because Marek and Q were contesting a corner three. Which leaves the entire lane open for an easy rebound and put back.

Feels like all of these are true this year. And some will be fixed with learning the system (Griff and Woody), as well as Sid returning to play half the center minutes (not as great a need to help against bigger teams), and playing Richmond more.

 

[CardiacCuse]

the rotations have been really slow and out of sync a lot of the time...does seem to be tightening up a bit but barely making a difference bc no center is in there...hard to tell what is the root of it...hopefully it gets a lot better...it needs to...

at the moment...it is more of a liabilty than weapon...if the zone can clamp down a bit and the offense improves/stays the same...could be really good team.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Is it the guards lack of mobility, is the forwards not knowing the system, is it the forwards feeling the need to provide even MORE assistance to Marek at center, or is it a combo of all of these making the zone seem less effective this year?

I'm not looking to debate the merits of the zone, that's been done more than enough times.

With Joe and Buddy at the guards, we know there is a height issue on one side, and a lack of traditional foot speed for both. Kadary, with his length, and inherent nose for steals, helps make up some of that.

I also think the guards are causing the forwards to have to react more than in the past. And I think the forwards are feeling the need to back up the center spot. At one point yesterday I saw Griff come from the left wing sprint all the way over to just outside the right side of the lane because Marek and Q were contesting a corner three. Which leaves the entire lane open for an easy rebound and put back.

Feels like all of these are true this year. And some will be fixed with learning the system (Griff and Woody), as well as Sid returning to play half the center minutes (not as great a need to help against bigger teams), and playing Richmond more.

It seems like all of it is a problem... the big issue I see that our perimeter guys offer little to no resistance which lets the other teams guards free in the middle of the zone. We aw effectively inviting foxes into our henhouse and asking them if they want light or dark meat.

Also two of our guys don’t have the recovery speed/size to guard the skip passes teams have been using for years with limited success . A third guard is getting sucked in too much when the ball does go into the paint also
leading to wide open threes.

 

[miamicuse]

UCant used to beat the zone with lots of bounce passes.

 

[cusediehard]

I'm re-watching the Duke game at end of 13-14 season and impressed with how active our zone was back then. Ennis and Cooney made up for lack of length at the top with quickness (Ennis) and tenacity (both). Christmas in the middle for rim protection. Wings constantly moving, looking to trap and force turnovers. By comparison our current zone at this point in the season looks lifeless and unintimidating. Hoping for growth in this area if we refuse to play MTM which will never happen.

 

[oTTo113445]

Buffalo made a lot of tough shots early.