UCONN Attacking Strategies

[MuggsyB]

What's the 5 point plan offensively?  I'll defer to the Scoop experts. I mentioned I think we can turn them over a bit, and eliminate Spencer,  but they really don't kick it away much.  On the offensive end how would you surgically proceed vs their set D?  Ty. 

[bilsu]

Pray they miss all of their threes.

[Uncle Rico]

Make baskets

[PGsHeroes32]

Darkness

[The Sultan]

Just do what you do. Marquette can play with anyone.

[Pepe Sylvia]

i think they can turn uconn over just fine. Butler has been second best in conference play in protecting the ball, and we turned them over fairly well. Uconn has been 9th at turnover rate in conference play. Hit your shots, stay respectable on the boards and we should have a real shot at it.

[Scoop Snoop]

I'm going with whatever plan Shaka comes up with. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.

[wisblue]

The thing that concerns me most about UConn from the games I've seen is their suffocating defense. They have very long, athletic players to cover the perimeter with Clingan protecting the basket.

MU is going to have to make some outside shots to open things up or it's going to be a long, difficult day. UConn completely shut down the Creighton offense, and I don't want to think much about what they did to Xavier.

[gmhfordham1015]

If i remember correctly, in the games against UConn last year, the offense performed very well with Gold at center in meeting #2 and Joplin as the big in the BET. Pulled Clingan away from the basket. Not betting on Shaka going to that unless Oso is in foul trouble but wouldnt be surprised either.

[willie warrior]

Two keys to winning this game. Rebounding, especially not getting crushed with UConn getting many offensive rebounds. The other is stopping Newton. UConn is very good but if MU brings its A game, they can win. The win would be close.

[TallTitan34]

MU is going to have to make some outside shots to open things up or it's going to be a long, difficult day.

I think this is our key to every game. 

[PGsHeroes32]

The thing that concerns me most about UConn from the games I've seen is their suffocating defense. They have very long, athletic players to cover the perimeter with Clingan protecting the basket.

MU is going to have to make some outside shots to open things up or it's going to be a long, difficult day. UConn completely shut down the Creighton offense, and I don't want to think much about what they did to Xavier.

Actually if there is a weakness to UConn or way to exploit them. It's their perimeter D.

And when Jop sits we should be looking to go at Karaban frequently

[Tyler COLEk]

This game reminds me of a couple moments last year when MU was on a nice streak and it felt they could afford a "tough loss." It seemed in those moments they conjured some of their best play of the season. Hoping that's the case on Saturday.

[BallBoy]

Defensive rebounding will be key as well as limiting fouls on Oso.

I think UConn won't help as much as other teams we have seen. With Clingan in the middle he is going to alter or erase shot opportunities which will allow UConn's guards to stay further out on the perimeter.

MU needs to live 5-10 ft from the basket.    If we do, I think it forces clingan to come out a little bit opening up some drop off passes and some fouls because he isn't as swift of foot.

On defense, I think you need to stop Newton. He is leading the team in every category (he is .1 of a point behind Spencer in scoring). He is their leading rebounder and assist man so he creates a lot of shots for others. I think you put Mitchell on him but expect to see a lot of switching with him and Oso. Put Kolek on Spencer.  Over half of the FGA and half his makes are from 3.  I would consider playing Ross more to cover him but I think that would limit Kolek which is a detriment to our offense. 

I expect UConn to get the ball to Clingan deep in the post. I would treat him like Edey though he is a better outside shooter.  I think Gold could clean up on threes and get past him on drives. Though I expect Clingan to switch on screens and just protect the hoop allowing the other defender to stop the pick and pop which is why I would live in the 5-10ft range and not try to get all the way to the hoop.

Key will be limiting our scoreless streaks.  Both Jop and Kam need to show up.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

This game reminds me of a couple moments last year when MU was on a nice streak and it felt they could afford a "tough loss." It seemed in those moments they conjured some of their best play of the season. Hoping that's the case on Saturday.

Would be nice to replicate the performance at Creighton last year.

Also would be nice to not replicate the performance at Hartford last year....dont get down early...

[jesmu84]

I'd like to discuss focus strategies. So if you could create a thread on that topic, I'd happily participate

[Its DJOver]

It'll be interesting to see what the line opens up at.  Should we pull it off it would probably be the best win that anyone in the country has, and while I don't have the data to back it up, if often seems like if the committee is splitting hairs between teams/seed lines, the team with the "best" win gets the nod.

[PGsHeroes32]

It'll be interesting to see what the line opens up at.  Should we pull it off it would probably be the best win that anyone in the country has, and while I don't have the data to back it up, if often seems like if the committee is splitting hairs between teams/seed lines, the team with the "best" win gets the nod.

It would easily be the best win.

Someone beating Purdue at Mackey(hasn't happened) would be the only thing that could compete with it

[Its DJOver]

It would easily be the best win.

Someone beating Purdue at Mackey(hasn't happened) would be the only thing that could compete with it

I phased it poorly, it would no doubt be the best win to date, only one that would be in the conversation would be Purdue over Zona, but that was on a neutral court.  There would still be 3-ish weeks for Purdue or Houston to potentially trip up at home.

[We R Final Four]

Comes down to Jop.....if continues to get exposed on opponent's first step, misses or turnovers over on his drives to the paint, and doesn't shine from deep.....not good.

If Jop plays adequate enough D, rebounds, no fouls for and ones on their off rebs, hits a few in the lane and gets hot from outside.....real nice!

[MuggsyB]

Defensive rebounding will be key as well as limiting fouls on Oso.

I think UConn won't help as much as other teams we have seen. With Clingan in the  is going to alter or erase shot opportunities which will allow UConn's guards to stay further out on the perimeter.

MU needs to live 5-10 ft from the basket.    If we do, I think it forces clingan to come out a little bit opening up some drop off passes and some fouls because he isn't as swift of foot.

On defense, I think you need to stop Newton. He is leading the team in every category (he is .1 of a point behind Spencer in scoring). He is their leading rebounder and assist man so he creates a lot of shots for others. I think you put Mitchell on him but expect to see a lot of switching with him and Oso. Put Kolek on Spencer.  Over half of the FGA and half his makes are from 3.  I would consider playing Ross more to cover him but I think that would limit Kolek which is a detriment to our offense. 

I expect UConn to get the ball to Clingan deep in the post. I would treat him like Edey though he is a better outside shooter.  I think Gold could clean up on threes and get past him on drives. Though I expect Clingan to switch on screens and just protect the hoop allowing the other defender to stop the pick and pop which is why I would live in the 5-10ft range and not try to get all the way to the hoop.

Key will be limiting our scoreless streaks.  Both Jop and Kam need to show up.

Excellent points BB.  In particular that 5-10 foot shot which is there for us any time we want.  Stevie had a beautiful floater yesterday, he's been working on that shot.  Kolek has made those too at critical moments and Oso hits his push shot in the paint.  But the guy I really want to see take that shot a few times a game is Kam.  It's absolutely there for him (even though he's banged up) and against Clingan it's a smart play when it's wide open.

Now, two other things I'd like to point out that may sound like nitpicking but I think against a team of UCONN's caliber is important.  We have to stop biting so much on the shot fake from the perimeter.  At times it absolutely kills us and we look like we're on skates.  Lastly, and some may think I'm crazy, but at least 2-5 times we simply do not catch the ball.  It drives me up the fking wall and it manifests itself both on rebounds and when we have clear steals.  It reminds me of when a wide receiver is not focused on catching the football and instead is looking up the field.  Be stronger usurping rebounds and for the love of God catch the freaking ball.  These little things mean a lot against the elite teams imo. 

[BLWarrior91]

Depends on how the game is officiated.  If we get last night's crew, we won't be able to attack the paint as much.

Clingan only averages 20 minutes a game and is a 50% FT shooter.  Might be time to use Al and his five fouls if need be.

[Newsdreams]

What's the 5 point plan offensively?  I'll defer to the Scoop experts. I mentioned I think we can turn them over a bit, and eliminate Spencer,  but they really don't kick it away much.  On the offensive end how would you surgically proceed vs their set D?  Ty.

Ask Shaka

[HowardsWorld]

Oso is the key to this game imo and he cannot miss bunnies or that push floater from 4 feet like he did last night.

[Scoop Snoop]

Ask Shaka

I'm going with whatever plan Shaka comes up with. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.