12-03-2017, 02:27 PM
I hate to say it this baldly, but I don't think Sniezek can be the starter going forward. Especially not if we need Johnson for rebounding and defense. That's just too many touches on the floor without a threat that the defense must honor.
That's the issue with playing against a zone, for me - it's NOT ball movement that gets a zone out of position - it's the FEAR of ball movement, the fear of giving up an open shot or driving lane, that leads an off-ball player to leave their zone and rotate to help. If (1) the primary ball handler inspires not the least hesitancy in dropping off the ball and helping against Smith inside or clogging up the passing lane, and/or (2) Johnson is only a "threat" within 2 feet of the basket, there is no reason for a defender to ever leave her zone.
I watched today as Johnson faced up the ball at the elbow, and her defender dropped 8 feet off her into the lane, giving her a simple 12 foot jump shot, and she pulled it down and passed to a well-covered perimeter player. You have to either drive or shoot there.
The other big issue is that our lack of a strong post presence is killing us. All of our recruits are good, but none of them is particularly powerful. They were just getting shoved around by Baylor's posts today. Part of that was the continuing saga of Johnson and Smith committing silly fouls early, but the offensive rebounding is both a direct and indirect result.
I think this year we may just have to play the kids. I do love that Coffee got an extended run today; an outside threat 5 may open things up a bit for Smith, as long as the defenders have to worry about other outside shooters and drivers as well.
VG
That's the issue with playing against a zone, for me - it's NOT ball movement that gets a zone out of position - it's the FEAR of ball movement, the fear of giving up an open shot or driving lane, that leads an off-ball player to leave their zone and rotate to help. If (1) the primary ball handler inspires not the least hesitancy in dropping off the ball and helping against Smith inside or clogging up the passing lane, and/or (2) Johnson is only a "threat" within 2 feet of the basket, there is no reason for a defender to ever leave her zone.
I watched today as Johnson faced up the ball at the elbow, and her defender dropped 8 feet off her into the lane, giving her a simple 12 foot jump shot, and she pulled it down and passed to a well-covered perimeter player. You have to either drive or shoot there.
The other big issue is that our lack of a strong post presence is killing us. All of our recruits are good, but none of them is particularly powerful. They were just getting shoved around by Baylor's posts today. Part of that was the continuing saga of Johnson and Smith committing silly fouls early, but the offensive rebounding is both a direct and indirect result.
I think this year we may just have to play the kids. I do love that Coffee got an extended run today; an outside threat 5 may open things up a bit for Smith, as long as the defenders have to worry about other outside shooters and drivers as well.
VG