MU vs Zone

[MuggsyB]

Obviously we had a poor shooting night but should we expect to see more zones.  And if we do how would you attack?  Ty. 

[wadesworld]

Make the same good looks we missed tonight.

[MuggsyB]

Make the same good looks we missed tonight.

Can we use Ben at the FT line?

[DoctorV]

It's a bit down the line Muggs, but Damarius at the FT line will be the answer at some point

[MountainCreekHouse]

I feel like MU shoots three's better against man-to-man because that's how they practice. Sometimes it seems when we get wide open three's against the zone, it messes with their heads due to their mental muscle-memory.

Due to the law of averages, I'm not worried about future zone defenses affecting our shooting in the long term. I'm extraordinarily happy we won so handily tonight while having an off-shooting game.

Bring on more zones IMO. Help us build that muscle before March.

[MuggsyB]

It's a bit down the line Muggs, but Damarius at the FT line will be the answer at some point

Fair point. 

I thought we were out of sync tonight but showed a lot of tenacity on the glass. 

[DoctorV]

I feel like MU shoots three's better against man-to-man because that's how they practice. Sometimes it seems when we get wide open three's against the zone, it messes with their heads due to their mental muscle-memory.

Due to the law of averages, I'm not worried about future zone defenses affecting our shooting in the long term. I'm extraordinarily happy we won so handily tonight while having an off-shooting game.

Bring on more zones IMO. Help us build that muscle before March.

This is a good point.

Sound observation.

Post more mountain creek crib.

[DoctorV]

Fair point. 

I thought we were out of sync tonight but showed a lot of tenacity on the glass. 

Yes.

I enjoyed the game but I'm not sure why. Probably because I love seeing Marquette on the O glass, it's so rare

[MuggsyB]

Yes.

I enjoyed the game but I'm not sure why. Probably because I love seeing Marquette on the O glass, it's so rare

Agreed.  But I really wish Jop understood control and balance.

[jesmu84]

Agreed.  But I really wish Jop understood control and balance.

Has he ever shown that?

[DoctorV]

Yea Muggsy that not Jops thing.

Otherwise he could break a zone by getting the ball at the ft line

[MuggsyB]

Has he ever shown that?

He struggles with it and overall consistency. 

[MuggsyB]

Yea Muggsy that not Jops thing.

Otherwise he could break a zone by getting the ball at the ft line

We still need Jop Dr.V.  He's gotta find a way and regain his confidence. 

[MountainCreekHouse]

This is a good point.

Sound observation.

Post more mountain creek crib.

Thank you Doc! I will. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

Another note I'll add - did ya'll see the last dunk Chase Ross had? He took off well outside the paint from the baseline completely SIDEWAYS and two-handed it with authority. Chase, an elite athlete, is a very good defender and shooter. I think if we can unlock him more offensively over the remainder of this season, our odds as a Final Four team go up exponentially.

MU's biggest weakness is height on the defensive end, but nevertheless we have a good defensive team. I don't think we have much room to improve in that category. However, if we can develop Chase into a 1b offensively next to Kam, we can make a deep run.

IMO

[DoctorV]

Unlocking Chase offensively as the season goes on will only help next season too, since he steps into the Alpha role that Shaka always has.

Defensively he's already pushing Tevie for best on the team and in the BE, and that's awesome.
He's one of the most athletic guys to ever lace it up for Marquette, that dunk was awesome.

It's hard for me to decide where Shaka goes with unlocking more of Chase on the O end.
I can see it next season, because it'll be a necessity.
This year it's hard for him and Stevie to carve out more shots with Kam, Jop, Ben/Parham chucking so much.

Maybe get him more involved in the post? I can see Chase being successful getting the ball on the block on a clear out and turning, blowing by the defender and slamming it or passing out if someone collapses.
Essentially what Jop does without all the excess dribbling and the passing out part haha.

Thank you for the holiday wishes.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well

[MountainCreekHouse]

Unlocking Chase offensively as the season goes on will only help next season too, since he steps into the Alpha role that Shaka always has.

Defensively he's already pushing Tevie for best on the team and in the BE, and that's awesome.
He's one of the most athletic guys to ever lace it up for Marquette, that dunk was awesome.

It's hard for me to decide where Shaka goes with unlocking more of Chase on the O end.
I can see it next season, because it'll be a necessity.
This year it's hard for him and Stevie to carve out more shots with Kam, Jop, Ben/Parham chucking so much.

Maybe get him more involved in the post? I can see Chase being successful getting the ball on the block on a clear out and turning, blowing by the defender and slamming it or passing out if someone collapses.
Essentially what Jop does without all the excess dribbling and the passing out part haha.

Thank you for the holiday wishes.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well

Yeah, that's the difficult question: if you give more offensive opportunities to another player (like Chase), will that reduce Kam's incredible impact thus far?

My overall point is I see the most potential with Chase over anyone else. We should keep our eye on his development. Would love Kam to be a lottery pick this year in the draft to motivate Chase to pursue the same goal as the alpha on MU next year.

One point I'll disagree with you on though Doc - I don't see using Chase more in the post as being beneficial. I think he has a skillset more in-tune with a traditional 2 guard. What do I know though, I play tennis.

[MuggsyB]

Unlocking Chase offensively as the season goes on will only help next season too, since he steps into the Alpha role that Shaka always has.

Defensively he's already pushing Tevie for best on the team and in the BE, and that's awesome.
He's one of the most athletic guys to ever lace it up for Marquette, that dunk was awesome.

It's hard for me to decide where Shaka goes with unlocking more of Chase on the O end.
I can see it next season, because it'll be a necessity.
This year it's hard for him and Stevie to carve out more shots with Kam, Jop, Ben/Parham chucking so much.

Maybe get him more involved in the post? I can see Chase being successful getting the ball on the block on a clear out and turning, blowing by the defender and slamming it or passing out if someone collapses.
Essentially what Jop does without all the excess dribbling and the passing out part haha.

Thank you for the holiday wishes.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well

Absolutely.  Our guards have a lot of strength Dr.V.  Chase and Stevie can be effective here and there getting the rock closer to the paint. 

Out h-c offense has to be better.  We're inconsistent and often times impatient.  Use all 5 players on the floor, cut, create, drive and kick, attack after reversing the ball, use the big kiwi, etc, etc, etc.

[tower912]

Zone has become almost automatic when Kam goes out.

Last night, MU was identifying the zone quickly, which is good.  They were flashing players to the foul line.  Last night it was noticeable when Tre did it.   If they zone the starters, I think Stevie is the logical candidate to go to the foul line.  He makes good decisions and will turn and attack the rim.   MU was also picking  the top two defenders, creating a corner to turn for Kam and Chase.
   Going forward, I love it when a team puts a big down on the short corner to catch a dump off after a drive.  Perhaps, Caedin or Parham will develop that way.

[StillWarriors]

Unlocking Chase offensively as the season goes on will only help next season too, since he steps into the Alpha role that Shaka always has.

Defensively he's already pushing Tevie for best on the team and in the BE, and that's awesome.
He's one of the most athletic guys to ever lace it up for Marquette, that dunk was awesome.

It's hard for me to decide where Shaka goes with unlocking more of Chase on the O end.
I can see it next season, because it'll be a necessity.
This year it's hard for him and Stevie to carve out more shots with Kam, Jop, Ben/Parham chucking so much.

Maybe get him more involved in the post? I can see Chase being successful getting the ball on the block on a clear out and turning, blowing by the defender and slamming it or passing out if someone collapses.
Essentially what Jop does without all the excess dribbling and the passing out part haha.

Thank you for the holiday wishes.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well

Parham really needs to rein in the shoot first, second and third mentality. Like the assertiveness generally, but obviously needs to become more aware that possessions are valuable. I'm not sure he is the level of shooter right now that should be looking to jack it up every chance he can. I do think he has a bright future though and will become a reliable scorer in time.

[CTWarrior]

I feel like MU shoots three's better against man-to-man because that's how they practice. Sometimes it seems when we get wide open three's against the zone, it messes with their heads due to their mental muscle-memory.

Due to the law of averages, I'm not worried about future zone defenses affecting our shooting in the long term. I'm extraordinarily happy we won so handily tonight while having an off-shooting game.

Bring on more zones IMO. Help us build that muscle before March.

That's not a thing.

I don't think it was a matter of us missing great looks tonight.  I don't think the looks were all that great.  We need to get inside the zone and kick to three point shooters to get more step into the shot looks from three.  We need to probe the defense, drive and not just take the first three we get.

And when the threes aren't falling, we need to attack the lane more and get to the line.

[Newsdreams]

Frankly, Shaka needs to follow Scoop guidance.

[Elonsmusk]

Parham really needs to rein in the shoot first, second and third mentality. Like the assertiveness generally, but obviously needs to become more aware that possessions are valuable. I'm not sure he is the level of shooter right now that should be looking to jack it up every chance he can. I do think he has a bright future though and will become a reliable scorer in time.

The results haven't quite been there yet, but in my opinion the worst thing Shaka could do would be to discourage Royce from being aggressive offensively.  One of Shaka's greatest attributes as a coach is his long leash and unwavering confidence in his guys.  Huge asset as a player when you know your coach has your back, believes in you, and you don't need to worry about being yanked/discouraged.

Shaka knows Royce is a talented scorer - he's said Royce and DO are probably as talented as anybody on the team offensively.  The confidence he shows in Royce and DO on the offensive end will pay off.  A player can live with getting benched due to defensive lapses, or inexperience - but getting benched for missing shots/being aggressive offensiely as a talented offensive player?  Worst thing a coach can do.

The offensive development of Royce and DO will be huge down the stretch and come March. 

[Its DJOver]

Eh, there's a balance, like in everything.  I remember Sophomore Kam taking a few moon-shots down in Fort Myers and Shaka was asked about them and said something along the lines of Kams gotta reign it in, and he did. I wouldn't focus on the number of shots, but more on the quality of shots.  Royce has had a few quick three's. No problem with him taking them, but taking them with 20 seconds on the shot clock is not preferred.  All that said, this is how they learn, I have zero doubt that Shaka will get them playing the way he wants.

[MUfan12]

Gotta cut more in general. Zone or man. They adjusted by attacking baseline more which helped, but too much standing in the corners last night.

[Billy Hoyle]

while a zone forces MU to chuck away from three it also has defenders out of position to rebound, which last night allowed us to own the offensive board. It's a pick your poison choice for opposing coaches with how aggressively MU crashes the offensive boards.