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[QUOTE="rpmfla, post: 3638344, member: 7950"]
I've been watching Syracuse basketball for many years and I think playing zone defense makes it harder to rebound, especially since the 3-pointer has become so much a part of the game. Playing man to man, you know when a shot goes up you need to turn and box out your man, but with the zone you're sort of boxing out an area so it is harder.

I watched the Big East Conference final from 1986...Orange vs. St. Johns...the other night. That was pre-3pt. implementation in NCAA basketball and it was amazing to watch how effective the zone was. They really packed it in the lane and dared Mark Jackson and others to shoot from outside. What looked strange after watching today's team's penchant for long bombs was the Orange zone was literally packed below the foul line and St. Johns rarely shot over the zone. They continued all game to try to get it inside. Absolutely, totally different game to what we have now. By the way, St. Johns trailed the whole game until they took their first lead on their last shot of the game to win by one point!

I question if the zone is still a viable defensive approach with the abundance of outside shooters we have in the game today. I also feel that this year's Orangemen would do well in man to man but I admit Jim B probably knows a little more about basketball than most of us fans.
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