NorthernExposure
Newbie
I'm a UVA grad who now lives in Canada from where I'm driving down with my 12-year-old son for our first visit to Ohio State and to go to the Virginia game Tuesday. Really looking forward for seeing the campus and Coulumbus; I worked for a year in northern Ohio (Norwalk) so long ago Belichick was still coaching the Browns (and some Cleveland fans wanted to drive him out of town).
So I thought I'd offer y'all a breakdown of Virginia from a fan who has followed the program for 30-plus years and who is a prolific poster on the main UVA sports message board - http://chat.virginia.sportswar.com/message_board/basketball/
On UVA's defense:
We play what is called a pack-line defense whose goal is to prevent penetration and passes into the paint while still contesting outside shots. To do that, four players are inside an imaginary line about midway from the paint to the arc, clogging the middle, while a 5th plays the ball on the perimeter. As the opponent moves the ball around the perimeter, the player closest to the recipient of the ball charges out while the player who had been guarding the passer drops back behind the "pack line".
When opponent's bigs set picks on the perimeter, our bigs hedge hard, guarding the smaller player with the ball, then quickly drop back to the paint as the smaller player who was screened rotates back out.
When opponent's get the ball to the low post to an scoring-threat big man, we double that man quickly.
The goal is not to force turnovers. The goal is too force low-percentage, contested shots, than give up no second chances, as the pack line lends itself well to defensive rebounding.
The past two years, we has arguably the best defense in the coutry and without question one of the best. This season, our defense has been less effective so far, not bad, by any stretch, but not as consistently stifling as years past. We lost our best interior defenders in each of the past two years and one of our better all-around defenders last year too. Also, we are playing some guys with limited game experience and it takes time to learn to play the pack line well.
On UVA's offense:
We play a mover/blocker motion offense in which blockers are expected to be constantly setting screens to free movers. The scheme is more effective when we have 3-point threats as that spreads the defense, we lost our most effective 3-point shooter after last year, but we have a few players stepping up in recent games. Contrary to popular belief, UVA doesn't deaden the ball on offense but it's also true we don't generally rush shots and players are unselfish. So far this year out offense has been extremely efficient (points per possession) but generally against lesser teams. We have shown more of a tendency to run when we have the chance as we have the personnel to do it, with some very athletic wings, guards with a good handle and vision and even bigs who will run the floor.
On players:
Macolm Brogdon is our all-American, a 5th-year senior nicknamed Humble Moses. One of the best defensive guards in the country even though he has below-average quickness. Uses his length (6'5"), strength and smarts to limit guards and I imagine he will be lined up often against your big freshman point guard. Also strong rebounder for a guard. Does a bit of everything on offense: Can hit the 3, has a good mid range game and drives hard to the hole, again, using his size and smarts rather than quickness. Also a plus-handle and distributor. Asserting himself more. Usually one of the country's best free throw shooters too though that has been oddly off so far.
London Perrantes: Third-year starter as point guard, always ran the team flawlessly with very few turnovers compared to assists. Calm under pressure. This year asserting himself more as a scorer. Has a strong 3-point shot when he can catch and shoot, something he is doing more. Also solid penetrator though more with deception than speed. Solid defender but can be beat by quicker guards.
Anthony Gill: Our second player on the pre-season Wooden watch, a 6'8" forward is a great scorer and solid defender. Quick in the paint with very-developed moves. Has good touch around the basket and is strong enough to absorb contact and get off a good shot. Has good hops too. Draws a lot fouls and his free throw form looks much improves, as have the results. Will get on rolls where he is very hard to stop. Good offensive rebounder. Struggling with the changes in rules on what constitutes a foul and has had some foul trouble this year.
Marial Shayok: Second-year wing with NBA strength, a wide assortment of skills whose play has varied so far. Some will describe him as quick, and his hands are quick, but really he combines good but not great quickness with tremendous length -- he's about 6'5" with a wingspan of a 7-footer. On offense, he will hit open 3's, get into the lane though not necessarily to the basket, handles it well enough to sometimes play some point, but he is at his best in transition, where he will glide to the basket with power and some finesse. On defense, can guard multiple positions and make the big steal or strip but not yet as consistent as we expect he will be.
Mike Tobey: 7-footer center who can play very well offensively for stretches with good touch from both hands, decent agility and moves and some surprising range. Also a good offensive rebounder. His defense and fouling have limited his minutes but he looks to me to be improving the D in recent games.
Devon Hall: 6'5" wing who was recruited as a PG but is better from the 2. Has sweetest stroke form the arc when he is open and sets his feet. Had been lacking in playing time and confidence before this year but is getting more of both so far this year. Also quick and explosive to the basket. Like Tobey, held back at times by his defense but that has shown signs of improvement.
Isaiah Wilkins: 6'8" forward. Quickest defender in the paint though more from smarts than raw quickness. On offense, especially good from the high post: Has good range to 15" and very adept passer to the blocks. More a complimentary player on offense so far. Strong for his size too. He's Dominique's step son. Plays with compure.
Darius Thompson: 6'4" guard who started much of the time as a freshman at Tennessee and then sat out last year as a transfer. Best in transition -- great leaper, great anticipation. Was a pg at Tennessee and has a strong handle. Good defending off the ball but still adjusting to the packline. Outside shooting is iffy.
Jack Salt: 6'11" New Zealander who red-shirted last year. A physical specimen who looks like Rocky's nemesis Drag. Probably already our best post defender against real centers, using his strength, length and agility to deny entry passes. His blocks so far are of the highlight variety because he spikes them -- he was a star volleyball player before he took up hoops. No range on shot but can use strength and agility close to the basket to score. Very physical guy who will get in foul trouble but really put a beating on opposing bigs.
Not likely to see others players unless UVA wins big and empties the bench. Freshman Jarred Reuter is very strong at 6'7" with well-developed moves and nice touch and good passing but there haven't been a lot of minutes for him the last couple with Salt playing more as the 4th big.
In any case, I'm excited to see the game (got tickets in 207, which look decent enough), the school and Columbus.
Best of luck to you and your team!
So I thought I'd offer y'all a breakdown of Virginia from a fan who has followed the program for 30-plus years and who is a prolific poster on the main UVA sports message board - http://chat.virginia.sportswar.com/message_board/basketball/
On UVA's defense:
We play what is called a pack-line defense whose goal is to prevent penetration and passes into the paint while still contesting outside shots. To do that, four players are inside an imaginary line about midway from the paint to the arc, clogging the middle, while a 5th plays the ball on the perimeter. As the opponent moves the ball around the perimeter, the player closest to the recipient of the ball charges out while the player who had been guarding the passer drops back behind the "pack line".
When opponent's bigs set picks on the perimeter, our bigs hedge hard, guarding the smaller player with the ball, then quickly drop back to the paint as the smaller player who was screened rotates back out.
When opponent's get the ball to the low post to an scoring-threat big man, we double that man quickly.
The goal is not to force turnovers. The goal is too force low-percentage, contested shots, than give up no second chances, as the pack line lends itself well to defensive rebounding.
The past two years, we has arguably the best defense in the coutry and without question one of the best. This season, our defense has been less effective so far, not bad, by any stretch, but not as consistently stifling as years past. We lost our best interior defenders in each of the past two years and one of our better all-around defenders last year too. Also, we are playing some guys with limited game experience and it takes time to learn to play the pack line well.
On UVA's offense:
We play a mover/blocker motion offense in which blockers are expected to be constantly setting screens to free movers. The scheme is more effective when we have 3-point threats as that spreads the defense, we lost our most effective 3-point shooter after last year, but we have a few players stepping up in recent games. Contrary to popular belief, UVA doesn't deaden the ball on offense but it's also true we don't generally rush shots and players are unselfish. So far this year out offense has been extremely efficient (points per possession) but generally against lesser teams. We have shown more of a tendency to run when we have the chance as we have the personnel to do it, with some very athletic wings, guards with a good handle and vision and even bigs who will run the floor.
On players:
Macolm Brogdon is our all-American, a 5th-year senior nicknamed Humble Moses. One of the best defensive guards in the country even though he has below-average quickness. Uses his length (6'5"), strength and smarts to limit guards and I imagine he will be lined up often against your big freshman point guard. Also strong rebounder for a guard. Does a bit of everything on offense: Can hit the 3, has a good mid range game and drives hard to the hole, again, using his size and smarts rather than quickness. Also a plus-handle and distributor. Asserting himself more. Usually one of the country's best free throw shooters too though that has been oddly off so far.
London Perrantes: Third-year starter as point guard, always ran the team flawlessly with very few turnovers compared to assists. Calm under pressure. This year asserting himself more as a scorer. Has a strong 3-point shot when he can catch and shoot, something he is doing more. Also solid penetrator though more with deception than speed. Solid defender but can be beat by quicker guards.
Anthony Gill: Our second player on the pre-season Wooden watch, a 6'8" forward is a great scorer and solid defender. Quick in the paint with very-developed moves. Has good touch around the basket and is strong enough to absorb contact and get off a good shot. Has good hops too. Draws a lot fouls and his free throw form looks much improves, as have the results. Will get on rolls where he is very hard to stop. Good offensive rebounder. Struggling with the changes in rules on what constitutes a foul and has had some foul trouble this year.
Marial Shayok: Second-year wing with NBA strength, a wide assortment of skills whose play has varied so far. Some will describe him as quick, and his hands are quick, but really he combines good but not great quickness with tremendous length -- he's about 6'5" with a wingspan of a 7-footer. On offense, he will hit open 3's, get into the lane though not necessarily to the basket, handles it well enough to sometimes play some point, but he is at his best in transition, where he will glide to the basket with power and some finesse. On defense, can guard multiple positions and make the big steal or strip but not yet as consistent as we expect he will be.
Mike Tobey: 7-footer center who can play very well offensively for stretches with good touch from both hands, decent agility and moves and some surprising range. Also a good offensive rebounder. His defense and fouling have limited his minutes but he looks to me to be improving the D in recent games.
Devon Hall: 6'5" wing who was recruited as a PG but is better from the 2. Has sweetest stroke form the arc when he is open and sets his feet. Had been lacking in playing time and confidence before this year but is getting more of both so far this year. Also quick and explosive to the basket. Like Tobey, held back at times by his defense but that has shown signs of improvement.
Isaiah Wilkins: 6'8" forward. Quickest defender in the paint though more from smarts than raw quickness. On offense, especially good from the high post: Has good range to 15" and very adept passer to the blocks. More a complimentary player on offense so far. Strong for his size too. He's Dominique's step son. Plays with compure.
Darius Thompson: 6'4" guard who started much of the time as a freshman at Tennessee and then sat out last year as a transfer. Best in transition -- great leaper, great anticipation. Was a pg at Tennessee and has a strong handle. Good defending off the ball but still adjusting to the packline. Outside shooting is iffy.
Jack Salt: 6'11" New Zealander who red-shirted last year. A physical specimen who looks like Rocky's nemesis Drag. Probably already our best post defender against real centers, using his strength, length and agility to deny entry passes. His blocks so far are of the highlight variety because he spikes them -- he was a star volleyball player before he took up hoops. No range on shot but can use strength and agility close to the basket to score. Very physical guy who will get in foul trouble but really put a beating on opposing bigs.
Not likely to see others players unless UVA wins big and empties the bench. Freshman Jarred Reuter is very strong at 6'7" with well-developed moves and nice touch and good passing but there haven't been a lot of minutes for him the last couple with Salt playing more as the 4th big.
In any case, I'm excited to see the game (got tickets in 207, which look decent enough), the school and Columbus.
Best of luck to you and your team!
. I was wondering who was your big rival in the ACC when it comes to sports. If you join the Big Ten, Virginia and Maryland that have had it in all the sports. I do not know what the ACC give you guys that the Big Ten could not offer. Except probably for Nebraska, overall academically we are probably a better conference. I almost forgot that you talk so highly about ACC basketball but the Big Ten does not suck when it comes to that game either. I know that you have Dookie
and UNC but that is about it when it comes to Final Four appearances. If you are interested in seeing what other people have been posting about Big Ten expansion, there is a thread over underneath College football which might interest you.
. There will be a game thread for the Ohio State vs. Virginia game and I encourage you to post in it when you get home (do not drive and text). I hope you enjoy your visit and I also hope that we can keep it entertaining for a little bit.