Marquette tush push

[tower912]

MU has an innovative set that I do not recall seeing before.  It was used twice at Butler and at least once againt Xavier.  Kolek/Kam gives the ball to Oso just above the foul line and begins his motion action. K/K move into their defender, causing g the defender to get his hands up on K/K and back into the lane on the hip of Oso's defender.  As soon as Oso sees the angle, he attacks the basket.  His defender turns and encounters his teammate.   This creates enough space for a dunk.

I can see this being called a moving screen, except the MU offensive player never touches Oso's defender.

I haven't seen this before, but I appreciate the innovation.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

It's part of the read/option nature of this offense.  The guard is making almost the same cut for a DHO, but if the defense plays ball denial it sets up perfectly for a screen (and basically a double screen using the off ball defender). 

Having a 5 that handles the ball as well as Oso makes 5/1 or 5/2 ball screens very effective.

[MUMountin]

The announcers on Saturday discussed this--the inverted screen. 

As they discussed, this seems very hard to defend, partially because the guards defending Kam and Tyler aren't used to defending that side of the action (picking up Oso), especially when he has a head of steam moving downhill in the lane. 

That said, it does seem like it is often technically a moving screen the way they run it.  But, it seems harder for refs to pick up on it, since they also aren't used to seeing this type of action from a 5/1 or 5/2.  I also wonder if it is harder to call because the screen is usually in/near the lane, where it seems more like bodies getting jumbled together instead of an intended screen--most moving screens involve a big out on the perimeter sticking out a hip/shoulder/elbow, so this just looks different than what they are usually calling.   

Any rules experts that can weigh in?  Is it definitely a foul?  Even if it is, until they start calling it, I think it is a great play that they should use in key situations.  That said, I think it is something you may only be able to get away with once or twice a game before the refs/opposing coach starts catching on. 

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The big east defensive player of the year does it constantly.  Bigs get away with it all the time and it's only discussed in my opinion because they aren't used to a guard doing it and a big that can drive so effectively. 

[LloydsLegs]

The big east defensive player of the year does it constantly.  Bigs get away with it all the time and it's only discussed in my opinion because they aren't used to a guard doing it and a big that can drive so effectively.

this- ends with a "seal" but the first (moving) part isn't discussed enough.

[MUfan12]

If they have the arms out and are blocking the defender it should be called. But with how defense is played in the Big East, a lot of times the defender grabs the guard, and the guard allows it and keeps moving.

The play that got Oso the and-1 to ice the Butler game, TK was getting held and grabbed the dude's arm to keep him in position to block off his own defender.

[NickelDimer]

I saw Dame do this for Giannis yesterday too. Seems to be a trend