Why do we insist on holding the ball

[SteinPizza]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Creighton was playing a match-up zone and without the ability to create shots off the dribble...an offense is going to have to pas the ball around a bit to get an open shot.

From courtside, you could see that UNI was looking to get a shot up, there just was not an opening.

2317, you seem pretty knowledgable about hoops. Question per above...why not adjust and get Reed more PT per your statement above? The way I see it, we have three players with the athletic ability to drive and create: Reed, JJ, and Koch. Reed doesn't play, JJ seems like he might be handcuffed by the scheme that Jake runs as PG, and Koch has played inconsistently but has showed me he could be a force the next two years once the "light" comes on.

I'm not trying to start another anti-Jake rant, but the above seems to be all on the scheme and players he's recruited. I get sick and tired of coaches being so wedded to schemes they can't adjust out of to fit the players on the floor. Best example of that was this year's Bears and Lovie's fascination with the 2 Tampa defense. Different sports, but an example of a coach who refuses to adjust his thinking given changing circumstances.

2317, I'd be curious to read your thoughts on the above. I'm not trying to be either too positive or too negative with the above, just realistic.

[jman2004]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Question per above...why not adjust and get Reed more PT per your statement above? The way I see it, we have three players with the athletic ability to drive and create: Reed, JJ, and Koch.

I know I'm not 2317, but I'd like to weigh in on this.

Right now, Reed isn't showing that he can do what you've asked him to do. His confidence is lacking because he's been cold from the field.

That's not to say he doesn't have the ability. He does. But he needs to knock down some open shots before we start asking him to be a "zone buster". Isn't he like 1-20 from the field this season?

And I'd like to add a name to your list that others may disagree with me on. Travis Brown. He can penetrate as well and he can do it well. It's just that often he settles for a three point shot instead. I'd love to see him drive more and pull up and take a short jumper. That'll break a zone.

[jman2004]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Definitely agree with you about the coaching scheme though Stein. Sooner or later Jacobsen has to realize that his "defense-first" mentality and "offense-maybe" mentality isn't quite working the way he'd like it to. I like the recruitment of a player like Montgomery (who looks to be a good future talent) but not if he's just going to get stuck in our "scheme" and piddle away.

I think the reason we don't see guards step up and become a penetrating scoring force, is because that's not the way they're taught on this team, plain and simple. This offense doesn't ask for that and if anything, handcuffs players that are like that, Benny J and Crawford were the exception.

That's why I'd love it if Jared or Travis would say "screw the scheme", I'm going to score no matter how I need to, especially if I see an opening.

[clenz]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Best way to break a zone, and a press for that matter IMO, dribble penetration with kick out leading to another drive. 2317 said that more or less. The more you attack it and the more you make them move the harder it is for them to play zone. We have players who could attack the zone, but I honestly don't feel like they are being allowed too.

[dustin86]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Best way to break a zone, and a press for that matter IMO, dribble penetration with kick out leading to another drive. 2317 said that more or less. The more you attack it and the more you make them move the harder it is for them to play zone. We have players who could attack the zone, but I honestly don't feel like they are being allowed too.

You also need to move the ball in the zone and keep moving it so that zone has to move and not only will that spread them out that will give the gaurds places to drive and kick it out and will also make the defense tired. That was one on the problems with the offense tuesday night

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Why do we insist on holding the ball

Travis Brown definitely has the ability to drive the ball. And, with his slower release jump shot, many teams fly at him trying to block it. He had an awesome drive to the hoop last night that left him with a bunny that he short armed, but it was a great play. It seemed that he was dejected by missing the shot, though, and didn't penetrate again until late in the game. If you can, watch the game tape and how well Creighton penetrated the seams of our zone and then dished off. It got our defense totally out of position and created a lot of offense for them. That is good coaching, confidence and a true point guard. I truly believe our team has the ability, it is just finding a way to bring it out of them.