We did well against a 2-3; What was the difference?

[AZWarrior]

As the article from paint touches points out:

"The Golden Eagles split through the Panthers' 2-3 zone with ease, connecting on jumpers while also scoring 24 points in the paint."

And this was against Pitt, who is known for the quality of their defense.  So what was the difference?  Because we've struggled against zones previously.  And will we be "OK" against zones going forward?

[tower912]

Less standing around, quicker ball movement, more touches in the high post, hot shooting day. 

[DCWarriors04]

Hot shooting was key...but our ability to hit jumpers forced them to spread the d, which opened up driving lanes.

[Marqevans]

We made "threes"?

[lab_warrior]

Less standing around, quicker ball movement, more touches in the high post, hot shooting day. 

No. Way. 

[tower912]

Crazy, I know.   Who knew that the way MU had effectively attacked the zone in previous years, quick ball movement, getting the ball to the foul line, hitting the open 15 ft shot, would still work this year?   I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. 

[Newsdreams]

Our guards looked a lot faster than Pitt defenders of the dribble. Great quick passing (not just standing and dribbling), and of course good outside shooting.

[Nukem2]

Pitt is an athletic team, but not necessarily a very quick team especially defensively.  As such MU can solve Pitts zone better than say Louisville ( which is quick ) or G-Town which has quick guards and Otto Porter.

[MU82]

All the good stuff stated here, with extra emphasis on "we made shots."

When you shoot well, everything looks better. That's because everything is better!

[flash]

All the good stuff stated here, with extra emphasis on "we made shots."

When you shoot well, everything looks better. That's because everything is better!

Couldn't have said it better, hot shooting makes a world of difference, especially against the zone. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buzz made some great adjustments sending cutters through the zone.  Jamil was flashing to his spots, not at the key like Jae would.  DG was getting the ball in the wide post and as their D collapsed, Buzz sent cutters and dribblers through.  Key was the off the ball movement, but the adjustments with Jamil in particular opened things up for the shooters as well.  Thought Lockett was outstanding...everyone did a great job on the boards as well.  Great coaching to create spacing behind the zone with off ball movement instead of just relying on dribble drive penetration. 

[MU82]

Buzz made some great adjustments sending cutters through the zone.  Jamil was flashing to his spots, not at the key like Jae would.  DG was getting the ball in the wide post and as their D collapsed, Buzz sent cutters and dribblers through.  Key was the off the ball movement, but the adjustments with Jamil in particular opened things up for the shooters as well.  Thought Lockett was outstanding...everyone did a great job on the boards as well.  Great coaching to create spacing behind the zone with off ball movement instead of just relying on dribble drive penetration. 

I agree with every word here, Doc. And yet we would have struggled to win, or maybe even would have lost, had we shot 40%, as we have in some games, rather than today's 56.5%. If we shot like this against Florida in last year's NCAAs, we'd have won that game fairly easily.

[CTWarrior]

I agree with every word here, Doc. And yet we would have struggled to win, or maybe even would have lost, had we shot 40%, as we have in some games, rather than today's 56.5%. If we shot like this against Florida in last year's NCAAs, we'd have won that game fairly easily.

A big part of the good shooting today was that we were taking good shots in rhythm off of penetration.  Text book zone offense today.  Quick ball reversals with penetration before defense could slide, nice high-low work with Gardner/Taylor in the high post, and yes, making a good percentage of the resulting open shots.