Some quick notes leading into KU...

[gary-7]

...and I don't normally do this, but scanning some of the chatter it seems appropriate. Make of it what you will...

First and foremost, let's be real here --- winning at the Phog anytime (not to mention this early) is a herculean task (ask the rest of the Big 12) as it is arguaby the best homecourt advantage in basketball --- so if we're gonna pull it off or at least give it a good shot, here's what I would like to see in the wake of looking closely at our opener and exhibitions:

- I dunno if KU will look at the film and Zone us (which in itself flies in the face of normal), but IF they or anyone else does go Zone, our frontcourt trio should be Tyson, Powell and Wash operating in the attack "triangle" in our Zone Offense. The have the desired length and hands, and Powell looked the best operating out of the duck-in pivot. All three are offensive threats in any of the areas.

- JWash needs to be made a triggering part of the offense as opposed to a cleanup guy. Now, for clarity I don't mean back-in posting on the blocks like Kennedy Meeks --- I'm talking about getting him the rock in the scoring spots around the mid-post "triangle" 7-10 feet out, giving him options for either face-up action, turn-arounds or kick-outs. And supplement that with downscreen action for 3 pt looks. Bottom line is IF we make him an active participant Dickinson CANNOT guard him.

- The above approach affords the added benefit of a (missing) INSIDE-OUT game in half-court offense. As Dean taught us, so much of basketball is Applied Geometry, and you can only accomplish so much by moving the ball around a defense and looking for cutters.

- To the last point, the only thing that worked in Freelance was having a PG who can make somethng outta nothing. That should be a luxury as opposed to a necessity.

- Be creative on D and don't allow deep inside isos... and max-effort to REBOUND!!! It is key to transition.

 

[DSouthr]

...and I don't normally do this, but scanning some of the chatter it seems appropriate. Make of it what you will...

First and foremost, let's be real here --- winning at the Phog anytime (not to mention this early) is a herculean task (ask the rest of the Big 12) as it is arguaby the best homecourt advantage in basketball --- so if we're gonna pull it off or at least give it a good shot, here's what I would like to see in the wake of looking closely at our opener and exhibitions:

- I dunno if KU will look at the film and Zone us (which in itself flies in the face of normal), but IF they or anyone else does go Zone, our frontcourt trio should be Tyson, Powell and Wash operating in the attack "triangle" in our Zone Offense. The have the desired length and hands, and Powell looked the best operating out of the duck-in pivot. All three are offensive threats in any of the areas.

- JWash needs to be made a triggering part of the offense as opposed to a cleanup guy. Now, for clarity I don't mean back-in posting on the blocks like Kennedy Meeks --- I'm talking about getting him the rock in the scoring spots around the mid-post "triangle" 7-10 feet out, giving him options for either face-up action, turn-arounds or kick-outs. And supplement that with downscreen action for 3 pt looks. Bottom line is IF we make him an active participant Dickinson CANNOT guard him.

- The above approach affords the added benefit of a (missing) INSIDE-OUT game in half-court offense. As Dean taught us, so much of basketball is Applied Geometry, and you can only accomplish so much by moving the ball around a defense and looking for cutters.

- To the last point, the only thing that worked in Freelance was having a PG who can make somethng outta nothing. That should be a luxury as opposed to a necessity.

- Be creative on D and don't allow deep inside isos... and max-effort to REBOUND!!! It is key to transition.

You copy off my paper? LOL That is exactly, say it again, EXACTLY how JWash needs to play, aggressive look for that mid range jumper, force that big man out to contend which removes that back end shot blocker. That plays to everyone's strength!

As a random aside, a point to notice for everyone, BOTH Cappy and Drake not only have really long arms, their hands are very active and quick, defensively they are going to get their hands on a lot of balls, lot of tip aways which means a lot of steals. And what the freak, Cadeau has turned into a really pesky, quick handed ball hawking defender? Add all that together with for my money, the best back court defender in the country in Seth, maybe the very best defender full stop in the country, and a lot of our being a bit smallish in the front line concern is eased.

 

[HoopsCoach42]

...and I don't normally do this, but scanning some of the chatter it seems appropriate. Make of it what you will...

First and foremost, let's be real here --- winning at the Phog anytime (not to mention this early) is a herculean task (ask the rest of the Big 12) as it is arguaby the best homecourt advantage in basketball --- so if we're gonna pull it off or at least give it a good shot, here's what I would like to see in the wake of looking closely at our opener and exhibitions:

- I dunno if KU will look at the film and Zone us (which in itself flies in the face of normal), but IF they or anyone else does go Zone, our frontcourt trio should be Tyson, Powell and Wash operating in the attack "triangle" in our Zone Offense. The have the desired length and hands, and Powell looked the best operating out of the duck-in pivot. All three are offensive threats in any of the areas.

- JWash needs to be made a triggering part of the offense as opposed to a cleanup guy. Now, for clarity I don't mean back-in posting on the blocks like Kennedy Meeks --- I'm talking about getting him the rock in the scoring spots around the mid-post "triangle" 7-10 feet out, giving him options for either face-up action, turn-arounds or kick-outs. And supplement that with downscreen action for 3 pt looks. Bottom line is IF we make him an active participant Dickinson CANNOT guard him.

- The above approach affords the added benefit of a (missing) INSIDE-OUT game in half-court offense. As Dean taught us, so much of basketball is Applied Geometry, and you can only accomplish so much by moving the ball around a defense and looking for cutters.

- To the last point, the only thing that worked in Freelance was having a PG who can make somethng outta nothing. That should be a luxury as opposed to a necessity.

- Be creative on D and don't allow deep inside isos... and max-effort to REBOUND!!! It is key to transition.

My biggest thing with the Zone Offense was that we were essentially matched up with their defenders...almost like a Packline man. Zone Offense is always about being in and attacking gaps, making 2 defenders play 1 offensive player, etc. I think just a simple shift in our alignment will help immensely. Against even front zones, you want an odd front Offensive alignment, and vice versa with odd front zones. If we'll just move players into gaps, instead of being matched up, it will make passing lanes to attack the high post and short corners a lot more visible.

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Applied Geometry, be our friend! From Gary’s keyboard, to Hubert’s whiteboard. 🏀⛹🏾‍♂️

 

[gary-7]

My biggest thing with the Zone Offense was that we were essentially matched up with their defenders...almost like a Packline man. Zone Offense is always about being in and attacking gaps, making 2 defenders play 1 offensive player, etc. I think just a simple shift in our alignment will help immensely. Against even front zones, you want an odd front Offensive alignment, and vice versa with odd front zones. If we'll just move players into gaps, instead of being matched up, it will make passing lanes to attack the high post and short corners a lot more visible.

Elon tried to gum up our Zone attack by pushing up the bottom perimeter guys into a 2-2-1 look that faced the first wing pass with a 3-2 to the ball (which Boeheim would do at times). As you said you have to beat that by stressing the short corners which are left vulnerable, which is why you need decisive passes from the lane pivot guy. Once they fall back to cover that it allows us to outnumber them across the front.

 

[gary-7]

You copy off my paper? LOL That is exactly, say it again, EXACTLY how JWash needs to play, aggressive look for that mid range jumper, force that big man out to contend which removes that back end shot blocker. That plays to everyone's strength!

As a random aside, a point to notice for everyone, BOTH Cappy and Drake not only have really long arms, their hands are very active and quick, defensively they are going to get their hands on a lot of balls, lot of tip aways which means a lot of steals. And what the freak, Cadeau has turned into a really pesky, quick handed ball hawking defender? Add all that together with for my money, the best back court defender in the country in Seth, maybe the very best defender full stop in the country, and a lot of our being a bit smallish in the front line concern is eased.

It wouldn't surprise me to see KU switch Dickinson off of JWash and use a more mobile Forward. Whomever Dickinson guards needs to be an offensive threat. It also makes a small lineup an interesting counter.

 

[al would]

Just hope RJ don't do his hero ball thing out of the gate.

 

[DSouthr]

Elon tried to gum up our Zone attack by pushing up the bottom perimeter guys into a 2-2-1 look that faced the first wing pass with a 3-2 to he ball (which Boeheim would do at times). As you said you have to beat that by stressing the short corners which are left vulnerable, which is why you need decisive passes from the lane pivot guy. Once they fall back to cover that it allows us to outnumber them across the front.

The man in the middle, I specifically recall JWash and Drake against Elon, simple stuff, just watch Brice play against Syracuse his senior season, it was a master class. Pass goes in to the guy in the middle of that zone, he turns, 3 options, shoot it, pass it, drive it. That guy in the middle DOES NOT HAVE TO RUSH he simply has to be absolutely decisive, no second guessing. If the choice is to shoot, you are talking what, a 7-8ft jump shot with no one in your face? With the exception of maybe Desmond (bless his sheart) I don't think UNC has EVER had another big man that was not able to make a 7-8ft jump shot when no one is trying to block it? These guys are mentally sped up so they are passing rather than shooting. Note, the drive isn't a great option because it requires a big man to put the ball on the floor and that is just not a great idea. On the turn JWash should shoot it EVERY time he does not have a defender in his face with his length and butter smooth stroke. And when they begin to step to you then look at the short corner with JWit or Lubin. Man, I would rinse and repeat that for 40mins if they didn't figure out how to stop it!

 

[gary-7]

The man in the middle, I specifically recall JWash and Drake against Elon, simple stuff, just watch Brice play against Syracuse his senior season, it was a master class. Pass goes in to the guy in the middle of that zone, he turns, 3 options, shoot it, pass it, drive it. That guy in the middle DOES NOT HAVE TO RUSH he simply has to be absolutely decisive, no second guessing. If the choice is to shoot, you are talking what, a 7-8ft jump shot with no one in your face? With the exception of maybe Desmond (bless his sheart) I don't think UNC has EVER had another big man that was not able to make a 7-8ft jump shot when no one is trying to block it? These guys are mentally sped up so they are passing rather than shooting. Note, the drive isn't a great option because it requires a big man to put the ball on the floor and that is just not a great idea. On the turn JWash should shoot it EVERY time he does not have a defender in his face with his length and butter smooth stroke. And when they begin to step to you then look at the short corner with JWit or Lubin. Man, I would rinse and repeat that for 40mins if they didn't figure out how to stop it!

Yep. JWash is as close to automatic as you can get as long as he doesn't rush.

 

[DSouthr]

Just hope RJ don't do his hero ball thing out of the gate.

al, man, you hit on a concern that I have had for a while now, frankly since RJ announced he was coming back for this season. There is a fine line that RJ has to learn to walk between do what is needed when it is needed and trying to do to much. To often last season it became 4 guys watching RJ, that was not good for that team or this one. We saw how bad that can be when Caleb did it, we saw last season end when RJ couldn't pull it off. Very rarely should we see a situation this season where we do not have 5 capable scorers on the floor, the ball does not need to stick with RJ.

Pick your spots for sure but there was a reason the old saying was the only person that could hold Jordan under 20pts a game was Dean Smith, there was a reason Dean coached as he did, he knew 5 is greater than 1, he was a mathematician after all. 5 is still greater than 1 and it always will be.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Thanks for this Gary, and for your regular post-game summaries.

Not meaning to blow smoke up your rear, but your input/insight is one of the main reasons I still log in to this chat board…. I like to read Dave’s input too, but often need a couple of days to get through a post! 😁

Please keep it up and we can save the bed-crapping to others.

 

[Kool1234567]

Interesting to see how Drake and Ian play tonight…

 

[al would]

al, man, you hit on a concern that I have had for a while now, frankly since RJ announced he was coming back for this season.

Yeah D .. you, and anyone else that reads this forum, know that I wasn't a big fan of RJ coming back because of the sometimes pig headed coaching philosophy that veterans have "earned" time and because RJ has that hero mentality. And against KU his (lack of) size doesn't help our overall lack of size. I would also consider RJ a lesser defensive asset. I'd like to see Seth get more time with EC on the floor and RJ get more rest to help "save his legs" as he might be needed more as the year goes. I'd like to see some VAL/Jwit/Jwash/EC and Seth on the floor together tonight. Wit's been banging them tre's !! GO HEELS !!

 

[dtodd4475]

I think Adams will be a handful for us as well. Much more mobile, seasoned, athletic, big. Griffen gave us the buisness in the Bama loss last year. Harris is a solid, seasoned, pure point, with plus dee, a Jimmy Black type. Surprised with the zone talk, interesting, didn't/don't expect much of it from Kansas.

 

[dtodd4475]

I am also going to be eagerly watching how year 2 EC does with Harris. Get after it young fella. Show it's your time!

 

[ChrisMPA]

if captain jack makes his debut tonight. it could go better for than the phog expects. And if everything else goes right. and speaking of ifs time for a fifth. single barrel is my man

 

[dtodd4475]

With Adams and Bundinga I was fully immersed in during their high school days. Very different power fowrard/centers, but with Dickinson and those two we better shoot it tonight.