cslewis;1010873; said:
It seems to me that their zone defense is working fairly well in the half court. UNC scored far fewer points than their average. The only time it has had problems was in the 2nd half of the TAM game (when TAM got a lot of confidence and made everything). The downside of employing a zone is defensive rebounding (i.e., it's difficult to block out your man if you don't have one).
They have also had good success in preventing fast break points. I think the reason for this is partly due to the zone defense, but mainly because practically every time a shot goes up, the entire team (including the shooter) immediately heads for the defensive end to setup the zone. This was particularly evident in last night's game (probably because the coaches were very much afraid of UNC's running game). Of course, the downside of this strategy is lack of offensive rebounding (& the lost potential of easy putbacks (which, by the way, makes shooting percentage look much better)).
I don't have the specific numbers, but I suspect that we've held most teams well below their scoring averages with these strategies (with the exception of TAM's second half).
The overall coaching strategy of employing the zone defense and getting back into it quickly to avoid breakouts is working well defensively, but is
killing us with repect to both defensive and offensive rebounding. So, I think that the general lack of rebounding has much more to do with planning than execution.
So why the strict adherence to a zone?
- lack of athleticism?
- to protect certain players (Butler's stamina, Koufus, Diebler)?
I don't know the answer. But, I think the general strategy also hurts the offense by allowing for few second chance points, and putting a great deal of pressure on each shot (knowing that if it does'nt go in, that's it for that possession).
Just some thoughts.
Some valid points here...
I was going to hit on this a little, but at a different angle...I really do believe we have done well with the zone, but I wouldnt mind a switch or two at times to man, to let Lighty and Butler use pressure to try and create some to's and get out in transistion...Maybe a switch up on the defensive end might help us on the offensive end at times, since most of these guys are worrying aobut defense, rightfully so...But with a switch to man, I think it would let them play more freely without thinking so much...
I think that is the problem somewhat is all the young guys are thinking way too much about trying to perfect their game...They need to just let it all flow on both ends of the court...
As far as Butler taking too many shots, I am on the fence on that one...I can see both angles, but Butler was getting to the hole, which is something that we are going to need out of him all season, but as Wad says sometimes he needs to look to pass out of drive instead of forcing a shot over the trees, but other times it is good for him to take a shot off the dribble because like I have said he is better off the bounce...
I really think everyone is new to their roles this year and all are trying to force things and be the hero, not just Butler...I think Butler is the guy that if we have someone forcing shots, it needs to be him...Granted you don't want anyone forcing shots, but at times, for whatever reasons, it seems what ever you do you can't get good looks, and you gotta find anyway to get the ball in the net...
Another thing is Lighty is forcing when he gets into the lane, more looking for fouls, and when they arent coming he is forcing the shot...Needs to stay a little more undercontrol and stay within himself and he will be fine...
Let's hope we get some much more purposeful Top 10 plays in the future! 
