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NightKnight

All-Conference
Jul 21, 2008
3,221
1,634
68
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
 
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B

Big boy stan

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2017
950
1,286
93
I agree with OP. I get that these are young players (no pun intended) and have good success on defense doing the same thing over and over but I wonder why we don't adjust our D depending on the opponent. For example, when playing against average 3 point shooting point guards, we should provide a much softer hedge and recover quicker to the paint.
 
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R

RutgHoops

Heisman
Aug 14, 2008
9,239
12,411
102
Good-Knight said:
...

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

...
Click to expand...

I think the post in its entirety was pretty fair, but I'll focus on this. Thru our first 20 or so games our defense on the pick and roll was elite. Then Zavier Simpson happened. And Coach Collins clearly watched the UM tape because Northwestern slipped that pick and roll pretty effectively as well.

I am not certain how you "retrain" a team's fundamental defensive principles in the midst of a terrific run, but I am watching how we defend the high screen and roll closely. It is quite possible, as @Good-Knight astutely points out, that our defense of the high screen has begun to become less effective than it was.
 
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B

Big boy stan

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2017
950
1,286
93
Caliknight said:
Name any offense or any defense and I will tell you how to beat it. In theory.
Click to expand...

I think you are making my point for me. All the more reason to "mix" it up a little bit. Why show your opponent the same defense every game and every play. NW came in to the RAC knowing exactly where all our players would be if they ran a high pick and roll.
 
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B

brad1218

Senior
May 4, 2003
8,765
823
0
Big boy stan said:
I think you are making my point for me. All the more reason to "mix" it up a little bit. Why show your opponent the same defense every game and every play. NW came in to the RAC knowing exactly where all our players would be if they ran a high pick and roll.
Click to expand...
I didn’t think the high pick and roll was a problem. Our problem IMO is our guards are getting beat off the dribble requiring our wings to help which leaves open the corner three.
 
RUHouston

RUHouston

All-American
Jul 24, 2009
5,180
5,134
58
Some fair points but what isn't said:

Overcommit on Geo because he's always going to do the step-back jump shot...which means he's probably blow by you. Hard to defend. Double him and he'll pass to the open man.

Take away our offensive rebounding. That's hard to do because you'd have to fundamentally break our team's spirit and that might be hard since it's ingrained into our team's DNA.

Every team has flaws in their defense and their offense. The one thing we can't control, like with Northwestern, is when they're nailing everything they throw up there. Except when we make adjustments and clamp down on them.

We really haven't been blown out all year, or embarrassed so I think Coach has it covered.
 
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R

rudad02

All-American
Nov 7, 2010
8,853
5,773
0
Good-Knight said:
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
Click to expand...
Agree about mixing it up a bit on D.
 
B

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
One thing about those corner threes.

I remember in an interview before the season started, Pike made a comment to the affect that the new 3-point arc left little room in the corners to get off a trey without stepping out of bounds or stepping on the 3-point line itself.

So I wonder if that plays into his thinking about defending that area, i.e., leaving it more open than other areas beyond the arc.
 
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I

IL Lusciato

Heisman
Oct 31, 2011
10,685
13,303
0
RUHouston said:
Some fair points but what isn't said:

Overcommit on Geo because he's always going to do the step-back jump shot...which means he's probably blow by you. Hard to defend. Double him and he'll pass to the open man.

Take away our offensive rebounding. That's hard to do because you'd have to fundamentally break our team's spirit and that might be hard since it's ingrained into our team's DNA.

Every team has flaws in their defense and their offense. The one thing we can't control, like with Northwestern, is when they're nailing everything they throw up there. Except when we make adjustments and clamp down on them.

We really haven't been blown out all year, or embarrassed so I think Coach has it covered.
Click to expand...

Good point. I think in theory, OP has some merit, but execution is different than theory...Any team that has had us on the ropes, beaten us closely, or in the case of NW, really been giving us a pounding, has been shooting lights-out from 3. Its hard to maintain that for an entire game, as NW found out.
 
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G

goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
6,432
7,711
113
Good-Knight said:
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
Click to expand...
Good point on the corner 3, as that is more a function of being trained to not let the opposition penetrate , but you also have to be smart and not over commit so that you can get back to recover to defend the corner 3. Our guards , Geo, and Caleb and Tez, cheat too much , so they have to be closer to their man and let Myles or Ron take on the driver and let the chips fall where they may.

With the exception of Michigan, Myles pick and roll defense, and our rotations to get back on defense have been outstanding. Hardly ever beat by the bigs on the roll. However, I agree we have to continue to tighten it up and if that means Myles fakes the hard hedge once in a while to keep them off guard , that is desirable as welll
 
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R

RutgersChow

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2008
2,945
2,459
0
Good-Knight said:
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing and adjustments they need to make.
 
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S

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Appreciate some who chimed in with their thoughts on the topic but it's starting to get scary on the boards. If anyone says anything other than this team is amazing in every way shape and form and perfect in everything they they do that people start attacking the poster. Really hope we dont get super cultish on here and can actually discuss basketball

This was a thoughtful post on observations the OP has seen. Agree or disagree but these posts blindly attacking anyone with an opinion is starting to get terrible
 
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Y

Yeah Baby

All-American
Aug 14, 2001
19,261
6,466
0
Enjoy all the wins buddy. You come off as a know it all who knows nothing. We have more of those on this board than Dem nominees.
 
R

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Good-Knight said:
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
Click to expand...

Good points. One thing I did notice in the NW game was that over the last 10 minutes of regulation and the OT, we were playing more straight man (with Myles jumping out less), not letting any of their shooters get easy looks from three (and they only made 2 during that time). And one would assume Pike knows our tendencies as well as the other coaches and will be adding a bit more variety down the stretch, although fundamental changes are unlikely, as we are what we are for the most part - a long, aggressive defensive/rebounding team that doesn't shoot particularly well.
 
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M

mikebal9

All-Conference
Oct 15, 2005
5,737
4,974
113
It's really unfortunate that RU is the only college basketball in America that has tendencies and plays to its strengths and away from its weaknesses.
If only our coaching staff could have this same type of brilliant intel on our opponents as well.
 
B

BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap

All-American
Dec 4, 2010
5,866
5,256
0
There's no great revelation in the OP. Every team has their strengths and weaknesses. It comes down to execution. We've failed to execute on the road during a few key possessions.
 
Y

Yeah Baby

All-American
Aug 14, 2001
19,261
6,466
0
mikebal9 said:
It's really unfortunate that RU is the only college basketball in America that has tendencies and plays to its strengths and away from its weaknesses.
If only our coaching staff could have this same type of brilliant intel on our opponents as well.
Click to expand...
My HS coach wasn’t even that good but yeah we knew what the opponents were going to do and I’m sure they knew what we were good at. Basketball 101.
 
D

DHajekRC84

Heisman
Aug 9, 2001
30,709
19,818
0
Good-Knight said:
Rutgers will let your guards shoot from the corners on a kick out pass. Rutgers guards chase the ball on the inside and cannot recover on a pass for the corner three.

Myles Johnson will switch off a pick an track your guard out to mid court. Your guard can then clear him and find the your big man or anyone slashing into the greatly reduced interior defense.

Paul Mulcahy is not going to shoot so don't pay any attention to his initial fake.

RU will not shoot the three early in the shot clock so pack the paint and play defense from there.

RU needs transition baskets so ball control is more important than ever.

RU emphasizes team rebounding over guards getting back on D so the deep pass off missed shots is open for guards that release early.

This style of play has got us this far but I think we need switch it up occasionally ...especially when we face teams for a second time. Northwestern clearly knew the corner would be open and they stopped after they missed a few open shots. We didn't take it away from them. We need to be able to extend occasionally on the corner. We need to occasionally call out and fight through picks rather than have Johnson switch every time. Harper, Geo, Tes need to occasionally jack up the three when they get an early open look. Beleive me, the %'s will improve over late defended attempts (except that may be Geo's strong suit). Paul need to occassionally take the open shot. That's not selfish. Selfish is allowing your defender to shade your teammates because your not shooting. It's funny that Young is really good for this team in that he doesn't play according to the script and he plays dogged man-to-man D. We don't need to change our identity - just to mix it up a bit.
Click to expand...
don't let the attacks get you down. IMO your observations are fair to make. Whether folks want to admit that people who have watched, played, or even understand the game can have points even when they are not D1 coaches or making a million a year.
 
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P

Pancho1939_rivals

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2012
1,887
2,907
113
This applies to Rutgers and every other team in the country this late in the season. Every team has their weaknesses the question is can you make the plays. Some teams do on some nights some dont
 
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R

read option

All-Conference
Nov 12, 2013
2,835
3,236
0
We’re so easy to figure out that we’ve won 17 and lost 7. Maybe not that easy to figure out???...
 
S

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
RUPete said:
This thread is more about constructive criticism and strategy to bring this thing home to an NCAA bid than a slam on this team. Everyone loves this team.
Click to expand...
Teams know each others strengths and weaknesses at this point but there is still strategy involved. If your strength is the other teams strength do you try to impose your will or do you try to attack their weakness even if it isnt your strength. Seasons are long. Coaches can make adjustments or just stick to their philosophy. Do you spend more time trying to clean up your weaknesses or perfect your strengths? There is only so much practice time and trying to make too many changes can hurt, but at the same time you don't want to never address a weakness or be too predictable.

Why can't we discuss these things without everyone thinking it means your a negative Pike/team hater?
 
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F

FAT MOON

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2006
4,346
4,618
113
Dabo Swinney said it best.

You can prepare for what we do, but you can't prepare for US.

So far no one has been able to prepare for us at home. And we've damn sure come close to beating three of the top teams in the B1G on the road.
 
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BigRnj

BigRnj

All-American
Nov 20, 2012
4,993
6,750
63
Grab a few beers and kooky kyk then stalk Pike until he listens to your advice.
 
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