zone offense

[mchenry34 107]

much improved in this first half. Of course it is just exhibition, but the weak side movement and cutting to the middle shows improvement and movement not used in past years by IU under crean. Ball movement has also been great in half court vs. zone (needs to be better in man to man).

[Hoosiers96 912]

I loved seeing Yogi flash to the middle and make that quick dish to Blackmon in the corner for 3. Made it look effortless

[JSHoosier 20,787]

I loved seeing Yogi flash to the middle and make that quick dish to Blackmon in the corner for 3. Made it look effortless

That's how we should attack a zone.  Not pass hold pass hold pass hold.

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

That's how we should attack a zone. Not pass hold pass hold pass hold.

Ball movement looks much better this game.

Apparently if we don't have a big man we're not worried about forcing it inside.

[mchenry34 107]

When it is man to man defense though we have really struggled to move the ball because there is no off the ball movement to open up the natural reversal pass. The only ball movement comes from breaking our man down off the dribble and forcing help. That can be effective for us, but teams with more length will just stay home on our shooters and never help, just banking on their length to make it hard for us to finish at the rim even if we can get by. Just like when Lebron guards a point guard, or like when Christian used to guard quick point guards who had trouble shooting.

 

We will need at least a weak side interchange to open up some ball reversal...something as simple as an away screen can make a big difference for us...or like Crean likes to do, first guy back cuts, second guy fills and creates ball movement. So far, none of that is happening though Hoetzel did have a back cut in the second half.

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

There was a period of time late in the first half that was beautiful---great ball movement.

 

I continue to be optimistic---once all the players are back---we'll have a better idea how we look up front too.