Its not that we don't have a half court offense. It's that we generally run the same motions and don't deviate that much from that. Our game plan seems to to try to get open court opportunities and if we can't do that, then we revert to two or three motion based actions. I don't know about anyone else, but I believe that you have to have a couple of plays that you can go to in close and late situations that the team has practiced so much that they could do it with their eyes closed and can anticipate what the defense will do.Beast of the East post=462611 said:
(BET) (PRE-GAME) Villanova, Thur., Mar. 10, 7p, FS-1
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Make Dixon guard us at the rim. If he gets in foul trouble we can dictate the game. If he can play 35 minutes then they matchup with us just fine. Samuels is tough as hell but he really shouldn’t be able to guard Soriano in the post. And if he’s guarding Soriano then one or Champ or Wheeler should be able to get some good looks.
QueensBall
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Good analysis on this thread. My Villanova take is almost always the same. You don’t beat them unless you defend the 3 point line because they will hit open 3’s and you need to make your own FT’s because they’re going to make theirs. Can’t give them those advantages on top of their talent & the frustrating but earned whistles they’ll get from the refs.
Also think this game (as our season has) will depend mostly on Champagnie & Posh. Posh needs to be the Gillespie stopper on D without picking up fouls and drive the ball and distribute on offense. He needs to be engaged offensively because he’s the only guy who really makes stuff happen for others on the offensive end. Can’t move him off the ball to let Wusu play point for large chunks. Gotta bet on Posh all game (and Pinzon when he needs a blow let Wusu do what he does best)
Champagnie had that look last night. Hopefully he’s on a mission and it carries over but if not and it’s bad Julian, he has to stay aggressive and keep shooting. Can’t shrink. If he shoots 2-19 and we’d lose I’d rather lose with aggressive Champ than the guy who starts 1-9 and then disappears until garbage time.
Also think this game (as our season has) will depend mostly on Champagnie & Posh. Posh needs to be the Gillespie stopper on D without picking up fouls and drive the ball and distribute on offense. He needs to be engaged offensively because he’s the only guy who really makes stuff happen for others on the offensive end. Can’t move him off the ball to let Wusu play point for large chunks. Gotta bet on Posh all game (and Pinzon when he needs a blow let Wusu do what he does best)
Champagnie had that look last night. Hopefully he’s on a mission and it carries over but if not and it’s bad Julian, he has to stay aggressive and keep shooting. Can’t shrink. If he shoots 2-19 and we’d lose I’d rather lose with aggressive Champ than the guy who starts 1-9 and then disappears until garbage time.
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beast of the east
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I'm not a trained eye, but I don't think it's as simplistic as you say. It's certainly not as rigid and structure as a Jarvis offense, where he called every single play with those idiot cards. I would say that any half court offense is predicated on knocking down your open looks from the outside with consistency. This is where Coburn, Smith, Wheeler, and JC come in. Posh is most effective 18 feet and in, so I wouldn't count him. If you work hard to get an open 20 foot look, you must make at least half of the good looks (and allow for some bad choices). That is really the key to having an inside game. On that note, Soriano has improved leaps and bounds in the low post. He also stays out of the way, and typically if he has the ball in the post, the cuts are all weak side, and he is an excellent passer there.weathermannyc post=462683 said:
QueensBall post=462690 said:
Great post but for the life of me I can’t figure out how guys are still pushing Pinzon over Wusu for back up pg minutes.
Hopefully Posh's ankle is ok. We're going to need him to constantly harass Gillespie like last year. Nova is so patient on offense and move the ball so well in the half court. They really make you scramble on defense.
Will have a good chance if we can disrupt the half court possessions, get them out of sync a bit and hit the glass hard. Oh, and of course we need to have some guys step up again and make some shots.
Will have a good chance if we can disrupt the half court possessions, get them out of sync a bit and hit the glass hard. Oh, and of course we need to have some guys step up again and make some shots.
we are sju
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Paultzman post=462695 said:
QueensBall
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Fair enough. I like Wusu and I think he has a knack for hitting the open man and is an above average passer (except when inbounding for some reason) but I think he’s a truly bad ball handler. I get anxious when he brings the ball up. Bad handle, picks up obvious offensive fouls, gets flustered when pressured… just bad at dribbling and the longer he has the ball in his hands the worse the chance of a successful possession gets. He’s had moments of competence and even success running point this season but in my opinion the struggles far outweigh the good.Amaseinyourface post=462694 said:
agree on Paultzman’s point about Pinzon’s D but I really think the offense is way more dynamic when he’s moving with the ball over Wusu. No doubt that Wusu brings more positives and experience to the table at this point overall but for the (hopefully few minutes) Posh needs to sit, I’ll take Pinzon running the offense over Wusu all day. Obviously fair to disagree with all this of course.
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we are sju post=462702 said:
LOL spit out my coffee on that one. There's good Wusu and not-good Wusu and there is sometimes a fine line between those two. Like last night when he did that thing where he dribbles into 3 guys at the free throw line with no idea of what comes next. It was almost a turnover (which is usually what happens when he does that) but this time when he (barely) didnt lose the ball he found Nyiwe in the post for a dunk.
Think the margin for error with him will be a lot narrower against Nova than it was against DePaul, but he has shown that he can be an extremely valuable contributor, and like Posh he gives you complete effort. And as frustrating as the mistakes can be, they are all the result of trying to make a play, or trying too hard, and I can live with that.
QueensBall
Member
That’s more well said & specific than my Wusu take and I generally agree. I think Wusu is extremely valuable and a key contributor who is a net positive. I’m really hoping he’s a 4 year guy for us. I just find it maddening when he’s the primary ball handler.lawmanfan post=462707 said:
I’m in total agreement with Anderson about how important he is and how much playing time he deserves but one of my personal criticisms of Anderson this season is how he’s used Wusu. I know Coach doesn’t have the most options in the world after Posh I just can’t understand how you watch this guy handle the ball as much as we have and still think that’s the best bet (respectfully to those who disagree)
Coach trusts Wusu and has worked really hard on trying to develop him into a ball-handler but it's like trying to jam a square peg into a round hole. It was to some extent out of necessity with Pinzon out and Smith apparently not having the staff's trust for that job.
You'd think that next year with King and Pinzon then Wusu won't need to try to fill that role, but for tonight I agree with Paultz that like the staff I trust Wusu over Pinzon. Love Pinzon's upside, but I'll take my chances with Dylan tonight and hope I get Good Wusu. He's played well the last few games after the previous rough patch, so there's that also.
You'd think that next year with King and Pinzon then Wusu won't need to try to fill that role, but for tonight I agree with Paultz that like the staff I trust Wusu over Pinzon. Love Pinzon's upside, but I'll take my chances with Dylan tonight and hope I get Good Wusu. He's played well the last few games after the previous rough patch, so there's that also.
Even before tonight’s tip off Wright will be working the officials trying to get that edge. Once the game starts he will be trying to get the refs to protect the Nova talented back court.
I know this is not Anderson’s style but tonight’s game could hinge on how it is officiated and he better let the officials know he is protecting his players.
I know this is not Anderson’s style but tonight’s game could hinge on how it is officiated and he better let the officials know he is protecting his players.
beast of the east
Active member
Wusu essentially can play 1-4. Even though he is 235, the 4 challenges him, even though he has great court vision and a decent handle, he isn't a 1. At the 2 or 3, he is a much better player, but I really appreciate him being able to bring the ball up, or cover a big on a switch. Without a doubt our most versatile playeraustour post=462720 said:
Every half court offense will look good if you make shots. I like the motions and they typically generate a lot of opportunities throughout the game. (I would argue that we rely on semi-contested threes and step back jumpers too much, but a lot of teams seem to do this these days) My main issue is with end of game situations when the defense tightens and the refs swallow the whistle a bit allowing more physicality. You need to have something there that you are comfortable with and can execute that the defense may not have seen. There have been too many times when we have been unable to even generate a low quality look. Many times we have had a turnover or a 25+ foot highly contested prayer heaved toward the basket. That doesn't give you a real chance and is a big reason why we have lost so many close games.Beast of the East post=462693 said:
QueensBall post=462715 said:
Fwiw I’m partial to passers and if not wusu then Pinzon would be my next choice. Wusu definitely doesn’t handle it like a pg but he certainly shares it like one and I think the TOs are slightly overblown. His A:to rates very high in the BE and that’s with high usage and fast tempo. Pinzon might me a more natural ball handler but the passing still TBD and with his current inexperience I go Wusu.
When Pinzon was out, who would you have turned to first? Smith seems like only choice and if you were to ask me I’d say he’s much less the facilitator (252 assists, 203 TO in 5 years) and asking him to play point would take him away from what he does best which is score the ball. Of course same argument has been said against DW so to each their own. Smith does have a tighter handle. I would also say a backcourt of Wusu and Pinzon works well together regardless of who’s who. Good size and both capable in multiple areas.
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