basketballjones

Earlier gap positioning and just let post guys go 1 on 1, quit doubling. The gap defense's backbone is early positioning. If you are hugging your guy, and see your teammate start to get beat off the dribble, and you lunge/show/help on the drive - you're going to be late with your weight going against the grain of the pass when it happens, and it's going to create a kick-out 3 or a bad close-out. But if you are early, and are in the gaps/within the pack-line, and you can stop/slow-down/dissuade the drive, it puts you in control to force the pass, and then close-out properly to your opponent. My second suggestion would be to play the percentages. If you're getting killed on 3's because you're doubling and forcing your defense to rotate. Stop doubling. Be willing to get beat by a back-to-the-basket post player. If you don't foul, they can only get two points per attempt. If you can teach competent post defense, hopefully you're able to hold the opposing player to <50%, without giving up And-1's. Force the big to beat you with back-to-the-basket moves. Obviously though, that implies you have to limit offensive rebounds and easy put-backs.

2-2-1 Presses = in my opinion, are designed to slow you down - not necessarily to get turnovers. However, they end up providing a lot of "silent-turnovers" as they force you into early, "fools gold" shots. Have you tried overloading a side? I've had a ton of success running the in-bounder on a "flag route" where he goes from inbounding it to the sideline, above the guy he in-bounded it to - then having your ball side wing flash up. I will try to draw something up for you. If you PM me I might be able to email you something. If you are having trouble with a 2-2-1 press because it's causing turnovers - then it sounds like you're having more trouble with fundamentals/skills (getting out of traps, throwing skip passes, decision making, etc...). Because a 2-2-1, if they are trapping, just physically cannot cover both the middle and the sideline - and a skip pass. Diamond Presses = if you're the less talented team, good-f-in-luck, haha. But seriously - guys have to make a read. In-bounder and an opposite wing need to make a read on what the "interceptor" in the diamond does. This, again, is why I like the "flag route" for your in-bounder. It forces the interceptor in the diamond to make a decision, often voiding an area that you can bring someone else in to flash into. I'll have to draw this up somehow if you aren't following. f Let me know what you do and maybe I can give my thoughts. But I've always looked for different ways to attack this stuff - but simply put, the answer is skills and fundamentals. If a dude can make one hard ball fake, snap a pass to the other side of the court, and your guys flash to the ball - no press can stop that. I've always had more trouble getting my guys to relax and get some good offense going after a press. Love to hear your thoughts on that.

Anyone have a subject or something they'd like me to cover? Guess it doesn't even have to be X's and O's - maybe even just general coaching decisions or philosophies that you've always been interested in. I just enjoy doing these, but if there's no interest, it aint no thang

Why are you guys trying to actively jinx us? First @TimSmiles, now you.

Wouldn't his admission that he's only seen them once and looked at two box scores be exactly the reason why he'd take the two dudes he knows everything about over two he doesn't?

Imma let you finish, Jacob, but first - Yes, Palmer has the size and strength to cause Khyri some issues. HOWEVER, it's important to remember that KT is one of the best defenders in the country - everyone has problems with him. So I won't consider it a huge advantage gained by CU if Khyri was able to hold him below his averages (or whatever), because that's expected.

You better go find some wood to knock on, real quick. Don't jinx us.

Alright, I'm gonna be honest - that was pretty hilarious.

This x10

The only reason I would ever redshirt is if I knew I was going to stay and play as long as I could, and continue with a grad program during my redshirt senior year.

Either way, he left after his sophomore year of school. He could have done 95% of what he did in his redshirt year and played a few minutes here and there. As coaches, you can talk privately about what you feel the players role is, and adjust accordingly.

I think redshirting in college basketball is silly. You play him when you can, you communicate to him where he is at, develop a strong relationship with him, and sell the future to him.

Do whatever you need to do to make the kid think he's in control, happy, and doesn't transfer.

IMO, if that kid played out west for Sandhills-Thedford, and we just watched that video - most of you would say "thanks but no thanks." No ill-will intended. Just my observation. Obviously only a junior, with limited video there. Hope he improves and we found a gem.

Sure? Either way, I think MS is bad. If that was a regular season game and we didn't do much subbing, I bet we win that by 25.

We looked terrible in the 2nd half, to me, that's why Miss State looked "good." Lost our flow. But it's an exhibition game - if we were operating at peak "flow" right now I'd be concerned.

Found it. Watched some of it. We play pretty hard and do some good stuff. Copeland and Palmer look very talented. Watson looks like he’s having some fun out there with those guys. Jordy improved a bit. Good for him. Mississippi State looks so bad. And they run one of the most boring half court sets to start most of their possessions. What a lame choice for college b-ball in 2017. Im optimistic on this year. I’m buying right now.

Do we have any highlights or video from the game?

Full disclosure - as a lifelong UNC fan - I'm very happy about this. Pat Forde tried to make me feel guilty and claim that these "academic scandals" heavily taint the '05 and '09 Championships.... Dear Pat, they don't. Signed, basketballjones

What do you mean by "you people"?!?!?!?!?!

8-man rotation doesn't mean only 8 guys play. Just means regular subbing rotation in a perfect world. As soon as fouls, match-ups, and whatnot come into play you end up playing more guys.

I really hope that Copeland is a B1G match-up nightmare.

Great point, Norm. Didn't think about it that way (Shavon/White --> Webster).

The obvious reason for optimism is there, simply because we have options. The answers to a lot of our questions could be "NO," but if a couple are "YES," then we're good to go with our added depth with our bigs.

From my observation - bigs/athleticism keeps you in games and gives you the best chance to be successful. But guards WIN games. So hopefully they're at least as good as last year, because I think our bigs and athleticism is better this year. Glynn should be a stud. Someone out of the Palmer/Taylor/Gill/Allen group hopefully is sufficient.