we didn't give Pitt open 3's, fighting screens

[CuseinNYC]

I thought this was the biggest difference between this game and the previous 15 or so. Pitt is never an amazing 3 pt shooting team, but one of their methods to attack the zone is to use a high ball screen to get a guard open for 3. If he misses the 3, they probably have a better than 50-50 chance to get the offensive board. And if he makes it (which eventually they always have), then it loosens up the zone. Pitino uses a similar strategy to loosen up the zone.

In this game, Scoop, BT, and Dion (in the 2nd half, anyway) fought over that initial ball screen, making it harder for Pitt to get open 3's. Even in the 2nd half when Pitt's offense was clicking, they were making 2's, not 3's.

People have made the point before, but I think the improved perimeter defense is a HUGE difference between this year's team and the teams of the past few years. The GMacs and Devos of the world couldn't get through that high screen, and that was that. Even Scoop and BT did not do so historically. But this year, it's making a huge difference. Great win!!

 

[Shermthegeneral]

I noticed that same thing but it's not just them fighting around the screen! I mentioned this earlier in the year and to the average basketball fan you might not pick up on the wrinkle they have put in this year to reduce the 3's. What they are doing is having the rear forward help until the top guard can rotate back to face the man with the ball. The problem with this is that the inside lane is more open and allows for the center and power forward to have a 2 on 1 situation which we saw last night. I think we would live with a few 8 foot jumpers and layups to people raining 3's.

 

[DezisOrange]

Nice points both of you and I agree whole heartedly with both posts. And they have been doing it all year. Fighting thru screens is one of the things on Jay Bilas's list of what makes someone or a team tough. The ability to keep bringing players on the floor of similar size range, skill level, and mental aptitude for the game makes it very hard to exploit a weakness for the opposing team...offensively and defensively. It is why Mookie CAN'T get more playing time than he does. The situation for him the other day was perfect. Up big, and on the floor with other starters/1st off the bench players. He gets to keep his pride, not asked to go in with 50 seconds left with the end of the walkon bench. But running with enough players to help cover his weaknesses. In this day and age nobody goes undefeated. My fear is when does it come. Please, either before the tourny or not til final four...if ever.

 

[reedny]

Not only fighting through screens... but fighting through constantly moving screens that got 1 call (in the first minute) and then went un-called all night.

If Fab even raises his eyelids on a high ball screen, he gets whistled.

 

[Shermthegeneral]

Not only fighting through screens... but fighting through constantly moving screens that got 1 call (in the first minute) and then went un-called all night.

If Fab even raises his eyelids on a high ball screen, he gets whistled.

I agree that there were a ton of moving screens but Melo, Keita, and Christmas do it ALL the time and don't get called. Every time I see one of our bigs go up to screen I cringe!

 

[reedny]

You're probably right, although I've seen Fab get whistled for a couple of those. How about that call in the Nova game, where his arm touched a nova guy as he was handing off the ball?