New Defensive Options

[carolinaspider]

Ok matchup zone, man v man, does not matter, overall we struggle. Coach Tarrant was a master
of matching defense with the other teams strength. I loved his trapping 3-2 defense where Scott Stapleton
would be at top of zone putting pressure on pg. If we used this sometime Lopez and AP with their length
could be a good option. Using something like this with our 3/4 court pressure could take more time off the clock.
Ultimately we need to try something different and after GW, it can’t hurt.

 

[MrTbone]

I would settle for a simple straight man defense, we just get killed on the switching. And yes I know switching happens but we seem to be extreme about it and we don’t seem great at switching back.

 

[Eight Legger]

Wild prediction here: We'll change nothing.

 

[Spider2020]

We switch like crazy, to the point that the defense often looks like the matchup zone of old. We also end up helping far too much because guys cannot stop dribble penetration. I’d bet over half the time we give up a wide open three, it is because someone on the other team drove to the lane and forced help from a perimeter defender, leaving his man wide open.

 

[vt4700]

I would settle for a simple straight man defense, we just get killed on the switching. And yes I know switching happens but we seem to be extreme about it and we don’t seem great at switching back.

We should switch with our small guards because we don't want them down low, but we really don't need to switch for other reasons. Whatever we do, I just hope we don't see another defensively game like GW. That was one of the worst defensively performances I have ever seen. From pretty much the opening tip and it never got better.

 

[vt4700]

We switch like crazy, to the point that the defense often looks like the matchup zone of old. We also end up helping far too much because guys cannot stop dribble penetration. I’d bet over half the time we give up a wide open three, it is because someone on the other team drove to the lane and forced help from a perimeter defender, leaving his man wide open.

Worst defense in basketball is when you help too late, which accomplishes nothing because the guy with the ball can still attack the basket and you leave a guy open for a 3. It is also bad when you help when you really don't have to, leaving a guy open for a 3. I would rather not help at all. This way, you can guard the 3 better, and if a guy is beating our guy often, I doubt he will score everytime, so worse case is you give up a lot of 2s but few 3s.

 

[PhillySpider]

Worst defense in basketball is when you help too late, which accomplishes nothing because the guy with the ball can still attack the basket and you leave a guy open for a 3. It is also bad when you help when you really don't have to, leaving a guy open for a 3. I would rather not help at all. This way, you can guard the 3 better, and if a guy is beating our guy often, I doubt he will score everytime, so worse case is you give up a lot of 2s but few 3s.

This is a great point. Help that is too late or comes from too low on the floor is terrible defense - - - and we do this far too much. You have to help from higher on the court (which will also be earlier). I also hate the way we are set up to help. Our off ball defenders tend to be up on the perimeter players, then they have to come from far away to help down and in to penetration (which leads to overhelp because you have to leave early if your help is to be effective but sometimes it will turn out you didn't need to help) and also leads to the need for two-way "help and recover" which is hard (and we stink at). I'd prefer if off the ball we'd play off perimeter players and in the driving lanes (and already positioned to help) and use the pass to close out to the perimeter- - thus a one way situation on help and a better contested three pointer even if you are late. The Pack line, for example, if built off these principles - - your position is your help - - you never should have to move far to help and you will always be early and high with your help. But you then have to be excellent at closing out! But that is still easier than help and recover close-outs.

And our issue with switching is that everyone knows we switch every screen. That makes it super easy for offenses to "orchestrate" the switches they want and end up with matchups they like - - whether that's a big against undersized guards or (the much more common in the modern game) getting our bad perimeter defenders on their best penetrators!

 

[Spiders4ever]

Ok matchup zone, man v man, does not matter, overall we struggle. Coach Tarrant was a master
of matching defense with the other teams strength. I loved his trapping 3-2 defense where Scott Stapleton
would be at top of zone putting pressure on pg. If we used this sometime Lopez and AP with their length
could be a good option. Using something like this with our 3/4 court pressure could take more time off the clock.
Ultimately we need to try something different and after GW, it can’t hurt.

It's never going to happen under the current regime.

 

[carolinaspider]

It's never going to happen under the current regime.

Wishful thinking, I guess!

 

[*23*]

I know coaching often seems easier from the living room, or stands. But both Philly and VT have very nuanced and detailed critiques of our defense, that seemingly could correct some things and make some improvements. I know Philly has made the point that implementing some of these things on defense is easier said than done, especially when guys have not been taught them from day one.

But it does seem that we have little input or correction or challenging from the assistants. I was excited about Boyden, and felt like he was making an impact on defense at first, now seems that has faded. Maybe a lot is just the defensive capabilities, but it does seem that the same shortcomings pop up year after year after year. Have a feeling that Peter and the other assistants just take what Mooney gives them and follow the company line.

I look at Hurley at Uconn, and a guy like Luke Murray. He is very much credited for their offensive sets and for constantly refreshing and implementing the newest schemes and plays. Hurley is such a type A, yet he understands that Murray is very good at this part and cedes that power to him.

 

[Spiderp31]

Wild prediction here: We'll change nothing.

Yep sounds about right

 

[RichmondNative]

Offense, the new defense.

 

[*23*]

In addition to other worldly PG play, some of Moon's best teams have had that very athletic and plus defender wing. Early on team had Martel and Kevin Smith (and Butler could play D), and recently had Dji and Bigs. This team doesn't have that. And as mentioned by Brownstone, no rim protection at all. Love watching Lopez and Daughtry play offense, but not very scary on defense.
This is where we need some defensive creativity, but we are not going to see that. So yes, we will have to outscored and have very good shooting nights to win.