1) Neutralize the OFFENSIVE boards (when we our miss our shots) We probably aren't going to out rebound them, especially on the opposite end Defensive glass... they are going to get some easy put backs on their glass just because of their length. However on our end we can box out, and keep our chances alive if we aren't hitting from outside. If we get to the rim we have to finish, or at least draw some fouls rebounding and get to the line.
We cannot let them easily get out into transition. They run the floor really well, and we do not cut off trailers very well. If we can score on the Offensive end, we can set up our press and keep them from gunning down the floor to score easily. This is how they will probably attack us--they will come right at us after attacking the defensive glass, crashing the boards, and trying to run their uptempo transition game if we are off at the rim.
2) On the press...pressure the second passer! They will probably try to draw us towards the inbound receiver, who will look to quickly pass over the top to a trailer or to the middle to advance the ball over the top. They will try to use their length to force us to try and trap the inbound receiver. I say let them get the ball to him (probably one of the Harrison twins) but set up to trap and/or pressure the second passer. When he gets the ball--cover his angles--flood the passing lanes and try to make them pivot or rotate opposite of where they are setting up to make a run into half court. Kentucky tries to intimidate you. They like to come straight at you. However, they are not very skilled ball handlers--and because they are so long they tend to take long strides both passing and advancing the ball.
So we should play the angles---leverage our quickness against their length and make them put the ball on the floor. Prevent them from throwing over the top of our press, and once they put the ball onto the floor make them pick up their dribble. If we force their long guys to stoop low, and constantly reach to advance the ball we can get them tired & force them into some bad passes that takes them out of attack mode and makes them play more in half court which they do not want to do as much as run-n-gun.
3) In the half court-- keep them from making easy penetration in the paint by forcing the ball to their wings. They can shoot, but their true game is power inside. They like to attack the seams of a Defense, and dish to the wings so they can attack the basket. To counter this, we should employ a trapping zone. Once the ball goes into the seams--block the outlets...make them pivot instead of dish. Keep the lanes tight to make them cut harder towards the ball. This way, they can't go over the top to try and dunk on us, or power us into the lane to turn and shoot over us.
The key on Defense is to get to the right positions on the floor before they do. Out hustle 'em. Anticipate where they will go with the ball to try and take advantage of their length and height--but their guys are not used to working that hard to get open. They like to run and jump & shoot, they don't like to run and catch & pass! We can wear them down, and force them into turnovers if we play the angles right, and keep them from penetrating inside on us for easy scores or dunks in close.
4) Finally we simply have to make them respect our outside threat. We are not going to overpower them in the paint, but we can attack them, playing inside out. Make them commit to defending the interior where they will try to protect the rim--then pass outside to the perimeter so Paige, Dax, and yes even Nate or Chase can hit some mid range jumpers. If we get those looks for them, as I said in #1 crash the boards and draw fouls, or rebound and go straight back up against them. If we can score, we can set up the press and employ #2. But our press will be useless if we let them pack their zone in on us--forcing us to be only a perimeter shooting team. If we do that, we'll play right into their hands, they will get their transition game going and probably hurt us bad with easy paths to the basket on the opposite end if they rebound our misses and are able to quickly get out into their transition game.
All that changes if we can hit more from outside, and play even with them on the Offensive boards.(Something we do very well)
If we can pull off all four--we will shock the world.
This post was edited on 3/24 6:57 PM by atlkvb
We cannot let them easily get out into transition. They run the floor really well, and we do not cut off trailers very well. If we can score on the Offensive end, we can set up our press and keep them from gunning down the floor to score easily. This is how they will probably attack us--they will come right at us after attacking the defensive glass, crashing the boards, and trying to run their uptempo transition game if we are off at the rim.
2) On the press...pressure the second passer! They will probably try to draw us towards the inbound receiver, who will look to quickly pass over the top to a trailer or to the middle to advance the ball over the top. They will try to use their length to force us to try and trap the inbound receiver. I say let them get the ball to him (probably one of the Harrison twins) but set up to trap and/or pressure the second passer. When he gets the ball--cover his angles--flood the passing lanes and try to make them pivot or rotate opposite of where they are setting up to make a run into half court. Kentucky tries to intimidate you. They like to come straight at you. However, they are not very skilled ball handlers--and because they are so long they tend to take long strides both passing and advancing the ball.
So we should play the angles---leverage our quickness against their length and make them put the ball on the floor. Prevent them from throwing over the top of our press, and once they put the ball onto the floor make them pick up their dribble. If we force their long guys to stoop low, and constantly reach to advance the ball we can get them tired & force them into some bad passes that takes them out of attack mode and makes them play more in half court which they do not want to do as much as run-n-gun.
3) In the half court-- keep them from making easy penetration in the paint by forcing the ball to their wings. They can shoot, but their true game is power inside. They like to attack the seams of a Defense, and dish to the wings so they can attack the basket. To counter this, we should employ a trapping zone. Once the ball goes into the seams--block the outlets...make them pivot instead of dish. Keep the lanes tight to make them cut harder towards the ball. This way, they can't go over the top to try and dunk on us, or power us into the lane to turn and shoot over us.
The key on Defense is to get to the right positions on the floor before they do. Out hustle 'em. Anticipate where they will go with the ball to try and take advantage of their length and height--but their guys are not used to working that hard to get open. They like to run and jump & shoot, they don't like to run and catch & pass! We can wear them down, and force them into turnovers if we play the angles right, and keep them from penetrating inside on us for easy scores or dunks in close.
4) Finally we simply have to make them respect our outside threat. We are not going to overpower them in the paint, but we can attack them, playing inside out. Make them commit to defending the interior where they will try to protect the rim--then pass outside to the perimeter so Paige, Dax, and yes even Nate or Chase can hit some mid range jumpers. If we get those looks for them, as I said in #1 crash the boards and draw fouls, or rebound and go straight back up against them. If we can score, we can set up the press and employ #2. But our press will be useless if we let them pack their zone in on us--forcing us to be only a perimeter shooting team. If we do that, we'll play right into their hands, they will get their transition game going and probably hurt us bad with easy paths to the basket on the opposite end if they rebound our misses and are able to quickly get out into their transition game.
All that changes if we can hit more from outside, and play even with them on the Offensive boards.(Something we do very well)
If we can pull off all four--we will shock the world.
This post was edited on 3/24 6:57 PM by atlkvb
