Is Our Length Being Overplayed?

[KyCatFan1]

That is all we hear about is the length of this team. I honestly don't know if all that length really is translating to good basketball being played. The rebounding so far has been disappointing. No one seems quick enough to stay in front of their man. Cal doesn't want to try a zone that may have a huge benefit with the length we do have, even though the one time we tried it we completely turned the game around. Just a few possessions to stop penetration would be helpful. Especially when the other team is struggling with their outside shot. The best thing I've seen so far is the shot blocking benefits from the long arms.

With the roster currently available, I think we would be better off playing smaller. Use Knox as a stretch 4. How about playing SGA at the 3 some in a Liggins type of role? Tell him his job is to defend and bring energy. The only problem would be a shortage of guards. If we had Baker it might be more feasible. I'm just not a fan of 6'9 guys guarding perimeter players. I wish Cal would dump the positionless system and go back to recruiting a more traditional lineup.

I'd like to see something like this with the players we currently have.

PG Green
SG Diallo
SF SGA
PF Knox/Washington/Gabriel
C SKJ/Richards/Wynyard

That gives you a primary ball handler, a couple of decent shooters, some good transition players, a good wing defender, and it would help pull the defense out of the paint with a stretch 4 to give the 5 more room to operate. Maybe when/if Baker comes back we might be able to try something like that, but of course Cal likely wouldn't do it. He has to run what he thinks is best for the players' future in the NBA.

 

[theGspot_rivals384545]

Our length is what was giving KU problems and kept us in the game. Graham even commented on it after the game when he was being interviewed. I don't disagree with trying some of what you suggested to get the offense rolling, but our length is a huge asset defensively. Our issue is just learning to stay in front of defenders and stop sagging off of good shooters. Fix that and we will be a very good defensive team.

 

[KyCatFan1]

Our length is what was giving KU problems and kept us in the game. Graham even commented on it after the game when he was being interviewed. I don't disagree with trying some of what you suggested to get the offense rolling, but our length is a huge asset defensively. Our issue is just learning to stay in front of defenders and stop sagging off of good shooters. Fix that and we will be a very good defensive team.

I'm afraid the players think (or are being taught that) because they have length they can sag off of shooters. It seems like it happens every year under Cal. We always collapse toward the paint and have guys lunging out to try and defend the shooters. I wouldn't care if we are right in their face with hands up and they make tough shots, but being 10' away and lunging at wide open shooters all the time is disconcerting.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

You could have stopped at 'so far' and spared us a thousand or so words. November 14. Five freshmen. Playing a team ranked in the top five. With a chance to win in the last couple minutes.

 

[blubo]

Our length kept us in the game. i made the same comment on another thread.
We had several turnovers and blocked shots because of our length.
If cal can mold that length into basketball skill this team will be very good.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

was going to start a thread similar to this , stating my distaste for the term " positionless " basketball... I pray its more Cal coachspeak than an honest approach . I pray he's laughing at the media and some folks for buying it .. but if he really believes he's going to change or revolutionize the game his ego is getting the best of him. Or maybe I need educated , IF .... IF Cal means we throw 5 6'6" athletes out there and think it will all just work out then he's nuts . I hate the term so bad I kinda quit listening when media or coach start talking " positionless " basketball .. thats absurd .

 

[KyCatFan1]

You could have stopped at 'so far' and spared us a thousand or so words. November 14. Five freshmen. Playing a team ranked in the top five. With a chance to win in the last couple minutes.

If you don't like the topic then don't post in it.

We see a lot of the same issues every year when playing with the taller players. They struggle to stay in front of their man. They switch everything causing mismatches in the other team's favor. We always struggle to get out on shooters. It isn't like this is a new issue. We are trying to incorporate an NBA style of play in one year to a bunch of college kids. Some of the issues get better, but some also remain a problem throughout the year.

 

[theGspot_rivals384545]

I'm afraid the players think (or are being taught that) because they have length they can sag off of shooters. It seems like it happens every year under Cal. We always collapse toward the paint and have guys lunging out to try and defend the shooters. I wouldn't care if we are right in their face with hands up and they make tough shots, but being 10' away and lunging at wide open shooters all the time is disconcerting.

That's just youth. It's what some were taught and others got away with in HS. Green was doing it as bad as anyone and he's not exactly long. They do it partially to avoid being beat off the dribble. Slower players will give the space to allow themselves the chance to stay with players who have a quick first step off the dribble. They know if they hug up on the defender they will get blown by. The issues with this is that good shooters like KU had will make you pay with an inch of space. Green and others just need to learn to move their feet quicker and have trust that the defense can protect the rim if they do get beat.

 

[cgreen423]

Our length is what was giving KU problems and kept us in the game. Graham even commented on it after the game when he was being interviewed. I don't disagree with trying some of what you suggested to get the offense rolling, but our length is a huge asset defensively. Our issue is just learning to stay in front of defenders and stop sagging off of good shooters. Fix that and we will be a very good defensive team.

Exactly. Your teams length gave us fits all night. Its why we shot so poorly. UK will be a good defensive team this year. It just comes down to effort on rebounding and Cal will get them going. The second half should show you guys that.

I check out your board daily and I am not hear to brag about the win. You guys played us tough with a very young team. That game could have gone either way.

Good luck this year in what should be a very competitive SEC. Hope to see you in March as KU vs UK is always fun. Just hope we wont have to meet until the Final Four.

Good game.

 

[anon1763419335]

10 blocks, 7 steals, and held a team of shooters in check at 35%. and this is with 5-6 freshman who dont know what they are doing.

uk fans just get in their own way sometimes.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

Exactly. Your teams length gave us fits all night. Its why we shot so poorly. UK will be a good defensive team this year. It just comes down to effort on rebounding and Cal will get them going. The second half should show you guys that.

I check out your board daily and I am not hear to brag about the win. You guys played us tough with a very young team. That game could have gone either way.

Good luck this year in what should be a very competitive SEC. Hope to see you in March as KU vs UK is always fun. Just hope we wont have to meet until the Final Four.

Good game.

Would you have came here had you lost ?

 

[KYFOSSIL]

If you don't like the topic then don't post in it.

We see a lot of the same issues every year when playing with the taller players. They struggle to stay in front of their man. They switch everything causing mismatches in the other team's favor. We always struggle to get out on shooters. It isn't like this is a new issue. We are trying to incorporate an NBA style of play in one year to a bunch of college kids. Some of the issues get better, but some also remain a problem throughout the year.

Remember your remarks with next year’s shorter squad.

 

[nealau76]

That is all we hear about is the length of this team. I honestly don't know if all that length really is translating to good basketball being played. The rebounding so far has been disappointing. No one seems quick enough to stay in front of their man. Cal doesn't want to try a zone that may have a huge benefit with the length we do have, even though the one time we tried it we completely turned the game around. Just a few possessions to stop penetration would be helpful. Especially when the other team is struggling with their outside shot. The best thing I've seen so far is the shot blocking benefits from the long arms.

With the roster currently available, I think we would be better off playing smaller. Use Knox as a stretch 4. How about playing SGA at the 3 some in a Liggins type of role? Tell him his job is to defend and bring energy. The only problem would be a shortage of guards. If we had Baker it might be more feasible. I'm just not a fan of 6'9 guys guarding perimeter players. I wish Cal would dump the positionless system and go back to recruiting a more traditional lineup.

I'd like to see something like this with the players we currently have.

PG Green
SG Diallo
SF SGA
PF Knox/Washington/Gabriel
C SKJ/Richards/Wynyard

That gives you a primary ball handler, a couple of decent shooters, some good transition players, a good wing defender, and it would help pull the defense out of the paint with a stretch 4 to give the 5 more room to operate. Maybe when/if Baker comes back we might be able to try something like that, but of course Cal likely wouldn't do it. He has to run what he thinks is best for the players' future in the NBA.

It is when you are soft and absolutely refuse to get a rebound or loose ball.

 

[Calsthebomb]

Our length kept us in the game

 

[K_TIME]

KU scored 65 points, 35%FG and 28%3PT...Rebounds ended up dead even at 39 a piece and Kansas shot 16 FTs (to our 18)...so not a ton of fouls.

How would anyone argue our defense was the problem, should have played zone, etc..?

 

[akaukswoosh]

You could have stopped at 'so far' and spared us a thousand or so words. November 14. Five freshmen. Playing a team ranked in the top five. With a chance to win in the last couple minutes.

This. It's as though we've never gone through this before. (smh)

 

[KyCatFan1]

As good as the stats look we still left them open for a ton of shots. Fortunately they missed a bunch of them. Unfortunately they still made enough wide open 3's to beat us. They have to be able to play up on their man to stop the 3's, but also not get driven by like so many keep doing. The question is can we improve enough to succeed and will we?

Even Cal knows there are major issues with this team. He has downplayed them since he first started practicing. I don't see anything wrong with the fans having similar worries.

 

[KyCatFan1]

This. It's as though we've never gone through this before. (smh)

Actually we haven't. We've never been this young since Cal has been here.

 

[ucancallmecoach]

That is all we hear about is the length of this team. I honestly don't know if all that length really is translating to good basketball being played.

Length MAY, in fact, be overplayed. I've received numerous compliments pertaining to girth, as well.

 

[EliteBlue]

Our length is what was giving KU problems and kept us in the game. Graham even commented on it after the game when he was being interviewed. I don't disagree with trying some of what you suggested to get the offense rolling, but our length is a huge asset defensively. Our issue is just learning to stay in front of defenders and stop sagging off of good shooters. Fix that and we will be a very good defensive team.

Didn't see Grahams comment. Do you have the quote handy so I don't have to google search and treasure hunt through articles and post game interviews? Thanks

 

[theGspot_rivals384545]

"Their length really bothered us" Dorian Graham

 

[ColumbiaCayuts]

Imagine how good the defense can be if they learn how to and when to rotate. Camp Cal should do wonders for this bunch.

 

[cgreen423]

Would you have came here had you lost ?

Yes sir and you can hold me to it if we play again and lose.

 

[Neue Regel]

You play to your strengths. If UK’s length can cause offensive disruption to the opponent they’d be crazy not to utilize it.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

Yes sir and you can hold me to it if we play again and lose.

I would not go to the Kansas board after a Ky win. The loss is enough, no need to salt our wounds . Ignore for you, and thanks for playing trolls r us .

 

[ScrewDuke1]

No.

 

[Kyfan37]

I would not go to the Kansas board after a Ky win. The loss is enough, no need to salt our wounds . Ignore for you, and thanks for playing trolls r us .

Jesus, he/she said NOTHING in their post to insinuate that they were here to brag after a win. It was a respectful post.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

Why else come here then ? I see what you are doing keeping your friends close but your enemies closer .

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

was going to start a thread similar to this , stating my distaste for the term " positionless " basketball... I pray its more Cal coachspeak than an honest approach . I pray he's laughing at the media and some folks for buying it .. but if he really believes he's going to change or revolutionize the game his ego is getting the best of him. Or maybe I need educated , IF .... IF Cal means we throw 5 6'6" athletes out there and think it will all just work out then he's nuts . I hate the term so bad I kinda quit listening when media or coach start talking " positionless " basketball .. thats absurd .

Actually, Coach K promotes it just as much as Cal. You may wanna rethink your position unless you're calling Coach K a bad coach:

"Our game doesn't have a position," Krzyzewski said

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/article/positionless-basketball-taking-hold-college

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

I think Coach K is mimicking Cal .. And Cal is prob Laughing his *** off. And I don't think AT ALL Cal or K is a " bad". coach . even the greatest people at the top of their professions say crazy things , to me position less basketball is nothing more than silly idle chatter .