looks like, according to TR, that TC was in fact ready for the 'junk' defenses-
'Crean thought his Golden Eagles (11-2, 1-1) were suitably prepared heading into Morgantown, including anticipating the possibility that West Virginia coach Bob Huggins would utilize triangle-and-two and 1-3-1 zone defenses in an effort to limit MU's ability to drive to the basket. But from the opening tip, the Golden Eagles just didn't execute.'
Sure didn't look like we were ready for the "triangle & 2" to me. We attacked the 1-3-1 zone OK-----attacking the seams and passing the ball well-----but against the "triangle & two" all we did is stand around or driblle east west-----in other words we were confused as to how to attack it.
Actually that defense is tailor made to work well against our penetration offense as no matter what you do the two guys who are guarded man to man and belly to belly (usually the 2 most productive players----in our case DJ & McNeal) will have limited production-----and unless the OTHER 3 GUYS can pick up the slack it will be "mission accomplished" for the defense.
IMO had WV used the triangle & two the whole game instead of mixing it with a 1-3-1 zone, we would not have scored 50 points (this after having scored 95 points a few days earlier)!
I think a big reason the triangle & 2 worked so well was that Lazar was out of the game. He makes cuts through the zone and is a threat when he catches the ball down low or at the FT line. Fitz just doesn't bring nearly the same game to the table. He mainly just hangs out at the three point line.
I agree with you though. That was the first time all season I've seen us revert to the stagnant east-west offense of years past. I hope we learn from this quickly.