What the NC Game tells us

[Lennys Tap]

I don't think the UNC/UW game told us anything we don't already know. UW shot poorly and we're routed on the boards and at the free throw line - yet came within 3 on the road to the consensus preseason #1 team in the country. How? They controlled tempo and won the turnover battle handily (14-4). They'll be awfully hard to beat in Madison on Saturday.

[GOO]

I think the key to this game will be how well we perform in our half court offense, particularly against the zone.

I know that offense has never been a problem under Buzz, but it seems like the majority of our offense under Buzz has been generated by our quick transition game.  We always seem to struggle against a team that takes care of the ball well and forces us to run a structured offense. 

I'm a bit more optimistic this season than the past, as it seems like we're moving the ball fairly well and actually looking to get the ball in the post.  In fact this is the first year in a long while where it looks like we will have a post presence. 

UW won't play a zone.  I'd bank on it.  They will play their normal D:  try not to let you drive past them, try to stay in front even if they have to play off you a couple of feet, and most importantly, make you shoot over them.  No easy layups and force shots over a defender.  That is their D.  If we can get hot from 3 and force them to play tight, we can then drive past a defender who is forced to play tight.  But UW will probably not play real tight D on the outside.  Instead, they will just stay in front and force a longer shot over a defender.

[LON]

UW won't play a zone.  I'd bank on it.  They will play their normal D:  try not to let you drive past them, try to stay in front even if they have to play off you a couple of feet, and most importantly, make you shoot over them.  No easy layups and force shots over a defender.  That is their D.  If we can get hot from 3 and force them to play tight, we can then drive past a defender who is forced to play tight.  But UW will probably not play real tight D on the outside.  Instead, they will just stay in front and force a longer shot over a defender.

I swear I saw UW come out in a matchup 2-3 zone for at least one possession.  Evans was in the middle.

Anyone else catch that?  Can't remember what half it was.

[Dawson Rental]

we are doomed

Aw, come on 17% is actually about 10 or 12 percentage points better than doom.

[Dawson Rental]

That sounds like a winning recipe no matter who the opponent. 

That same thing thought was the first thing to hit me too.

[GOO]

That same thing thought was the first thing to hit me too.

Well then, let's tell Buzz that we found the perfect winning recipe.  This could be the big philosophical beak that Buzz has been looking for 

[Litehouse]

I could see us going small with Jamil at the 5 a lot.  It allows him to chase Berggren around the perimeter, and also causes a match-up problem for UW.  Berggren can't guard Jamil on the wing, he'll blow right past him.

[MUMac]

I swear I saw UW come out in a matchup 2-3 zone for at least one possession.  Evans was in the middle.

Anyone else catch that?  Can't remember what half it was.

If it is the same play as I recall, it was in the 2nd half, and it was not a matchup zone.  At first I thought the same.  It was a sagging, help defense.  UNC's spacing, which they did not move much on that play, created that appearance.

I expect UW to play a similar style on Saturday.  They have done it against us in the past.  Sag to the middle to prevent penetration until we start consistently hitting the outside shot.  Our midrange game will be important to beat that defense.

[StillAWarrior]

Well then, let's tell Buzz that we found the perfect winning recipe.  This could be the big philosophical beak that Buzz has been looking for 

You may be onto something.  Instead of playing a "winning" style, Buzz could focus on playing tough man-to-man defense; controlling the defensive boards; pushing the ball and driving to the basket to draw fouls; making foul shots; and keeping turnovers to a minimum.  It's just crazy enough to work.  But maybe the mods should delete this thread so that nobody else figures it out.  It was nice of UNC to reveal this strategy, but there's really no need to have it "out there" for others to copy.

[LON]

If it is the same play as I recall, it was in the 2nd half, and it was not a matchup zone.  At first I thought the same.  It was a sagging, help defense.  UNC's spacing, which they did not move much on that play, created that appearance.

I expect UW to play a similar style on Saturday.  They have done it against us in the past.  Sag to the middle to prevent penetration until we start consistently hitting the outside shot.  Our midrange game will be important to beat that defense.

Gotcha.  Thanks.

[wyzgy]

i hope buzz reads all of these.  then he can just throw out all his video, save some time for the family by reading all the "hot tips" right here on beating the badgers. what a resource.  if we just minimize our mistakes, don't turn the ball over, play smart basketball, take good shots, don't fall into their game tempo , don't let the crowd get to us...it's a no brainer-da warriors by 15...right?

[MarquetteDano]

If it is the same play as I recall, it was in the 2nd half, and it was not a matchup zone.  At first I thought the same.  It was a sagging, help defense.  UNC's spacing, which they did not move much on that play, created that appearance.

I expect UW to play a similar style on Saturday.  They have done it against us in the past.  Sag to the middle to prevent penetration until we start consistently hitting the outside shot.  Our midrange game will be important to beat that defense.

The bolded part!  I hope we don't get sucked into shooting threes over their sagging man-to-man.  Would be nice to see the Cadougans, Blues, and DJO's of the world hit a few 15 footers to make their man-to-man more tight.

[NersEllenson]

I could see us going small with Jamil at the 5 a lot.  It allows him to chase Berggren around the perimeter, and also causes a match-up problem for UW.  Berggren can't guard Jamil on the wing, he'll blow right past him.

Bingo - Think this is very astute analysis.  I was impressed with Berggren last night.  Otule could probably defend him ably - yet I think Jamil could be a very nice wildcard player for Buzz...on Berggren. 

I'd also like to see a lineup of Derrick Wilson, Todd Mayo, DJO, Jae, and Jamil/Otule get minutes.  I believe D Wilson would be our best defender on Taylor..Mayo can D Gasser, DJO Brust....I just like the Offense/floor stretching ability Mayo gives.  Bo will have his guys sag way off Vander...and make our offense more challenging in the half court.  Can't do that with Mayo.

[PaintTouches]

The bolded part!  I hope we don't get sucked into shooting threes over their sagging man-to-man.  Would be nice to see the Cadougans, Blues, and DJO's of the world hit a few 15 footers to make their man-to-man more tight.

That is the only are where MU has an advantage over UNC. Marshall was atrocious with his shooting last night from beyond the arc and never even attempted any jumpers inside the 3 point line. When he drove all the way to the hole UW did a good job of not only collapsing to prevent kick outs but of contesting shots without fouling.

Cadougan has shown signs of consistency with his mid range jumper, which could be a boon for Marquette and something completely absent (outside of Barnes) in last night's game.   

[texaswarrior74]

This game was in a tough slot for UNC. They play Kentucky at Rupp on Saturday and have been targeting that game since they lost to them in the Elite 8. They appeared to lack focus and intensity much of the game. When Barnes turned it on in the second half and Strickland neutralized Taylor they  began to  show glimpses of what most expected of them coming into the year but they never seemed to maintain the focus and intensity. The pace clearly frustrated them and it was quite obvious that Roy was unhappy about the way they allowed UW to set the pace.

UW is nowhere near as athletic top to bottom as either UNC or MU but they are extraordinarily disciplined and don't beat themselves. Bo's offense and pacing is a big contributor to their lack of TOs. Vander needs to play Taylor like Strickland did and we need to really defend the three...before last night 47% of their average total game shots were from the three.

Just like dook has shown , you can both live and die by the three.  We need to make sure that they die from the three.

Officiating will be critical...if the refs are calling every hand check and being nit picky we could be in trouble. If they let both teams play we need to do everything we can to run their legs off....half court game will favor them like it did last night.

[GOO]

Bo teaches his players to not reach and to stand with arms up and not really try to block the shot with arm movements... but what he also teaches is to use the body on the opponent... watch on the post ups how the UW player will be straight up but then body shot the offensive player on the shot.  Rarely gets called.  He will have his players put a body and grab when a player without the ball is cutting through the lane.  Rarely gets called.  I guess, if you can teach it, and get away with it.... 

  Yet, the refs will call hand checks and questionable reaches 30 feet from the basket.  That can be frustrating to watch.  I doubt we'll get a "let them play" crew, as we never seem to get calls in Madison.  UW will do the usual grab and body bump without a call and we'll get called on the handchecks out top.

[copious1218]

Are we seriously blaming the refs before the game is even played?  Wow.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

Are we seriously blaming the refs before the game is even played?  Wow.

+1

[lurch91]

Where's Chico's when you need him to tell us that the Tarheels actually lost the game since it was played in Chapelhill and only won by 3.

[Stretchdeltsig]

We can win this game.  We need to make our shots.  Play aggressive defense.  Push the ball up court and complete the baskets.  It's important that Marquette gets an early lead and builds on it.  Let Bucky chase us.