Zone defense......

[hoopjunkie]

I think after a few games its pretty obvious our bench is non-existent, and in order for us to win games, we need our "Core 4" to play 30-35 min a game. I LOVE our man-to-man defense. We do a real good job in it. You can tell Carm is passionate about it, BUT we really need to implement another defense for several reasons:

1) Changing defenses on your opponent is always a good thing. Makes them think. Makes them execute differently and might force them to substitute in a manner that arent used to. Like getting a strong shooter in the game for a player whos strength may be creating off the dribble.

2) It protects players in foul trouble. This "debate" came up this year already where we had our best player sit for 13 minutes of a game (Harvard) most of us felt we should have won. Its def harder to get fouls called on you while playing zone as compared to straight man-to-man.

3) It requires less energy. This way we can get our star players to that 30+ min mark with some gas left in their tanks. This takes counting on a bench that, at the moment for sure, isnt ready to contribute on a consistent level.

I think a combination of both defenses will help this team as it moves into conference play. Maybe play man 2/3 of the game and zone 1/3? All depending on different variables like foul trouble, injuries, opponents strengths/weaknesses etc.....

Giving teams different looks throughout the game is always beneficial to your team. It'd be like a MLB pitcher only throwing fastballs all the time. Change things up. Make them adjust, and use the zone to our advantage.

[Deleted]

If another player or 2 steps up on offense, this post won't matter much.
The D is decent as is.  It's the offense that needs help.  

Most MAAC offenses blow.  There are only 3 MAAC offenses ranked better than 254 not named Siena...Rider, Iona, and Quinny.  

The rest of the teams, we'll probably have both a better offense AND a better defense.  Every team Siena has played so far has a better offense than those other 7 MAAC teams.

[jong10]

What concerns me in MAAC play is not so the quality of the majority of our opponents, it's the quick turnaround on a number of Fri/Sun games.

Depending on how Burns's knee holds up through several of those stretches, the need for "something" beyond our standard approach increases (whether that's implementing the occasional zone to conserve energy or getting some kind of production from the bench, etc.).

[Deleted]

Dec 5, 2019 18:41:56 GMT -5 jong10 said:

What concerns me in MAAC play is not so the quality of the majority of our opponents, it's the quick turnaround on a number of Fri/Sun games.

Depending on how Burns's knee holds up through several of those stretches, the need for "something" beyond our standard approach increases (whether that's implementing the occasional zone to conserve energy or getting some kind of production from the bench, etc.).

That’s a fair point.  

It it all comes down to the bench though.  Some guys step up and we’re fine.  They don’t and we’re not.

[jong10]

Dec 5, 2019 18:51:27 GMT -5 @saintkk said:

Dec 5, 2019 18:41:56 GMT -5 jong10 said:

What concerns me in MAAC play is not so the quality of the majority of our opponents, it's the quick turnaround on a number of Fri/Sun games.

Depending on how Burns's knee holds up through several of those stretches, the need for "something" beyond our standard approach increases (whether that's implementing the occasional zone to conserve energy or getting some kind of production from the bench, etc.).

That’s a fair point.  

It it all comes down to the bench though.  Some guys step up and we’re fine.  They don’t and we’re not.

Agreed ... can't play a whole season with basically four contributors, regardless of whether Burns' knee holds up.

If King can start hitting a few outside shots and Friday or Young can give Elijah 15 minutes of rest a game, we'll be good.

[greengold4ever]

Dec 5, 2019 17:03:23 GMT -5 hoopjunkie said:

I think after a few games its pretty obvious our bench is non-existent, and in order for us to win games, we need our "Core 4" to play 30-35 min a game. I LOVE our man-to-man defense. We do a real good job in it. You can tell Carm is passionate about it, BUT we really need to implement another defense for several reasons:

1) Changing defenses on your opponent is always a good thing. Makes them think. Makes them execute differently and might force them to substitute in a manner that arent used to. Like getting a strong shooter in the game for a player whos strength may be creating off the dribble.

2) It protects players in foul trouble. This "debate" came up this year already where we had our best player sit for 13 minutes of a game (Harvard) most of us felt we should have won. Its def harder to get fouls called on you while playing zone as compared to straight man-to-man.

3) It requires less energy. This way we can get our star players to that 30+ min mark with some gas left in their tanks. This takes counting on a bench that, at the moment for sure, isnt ready to contribute on a consistent level.

I think a combination of both defenses will help this team as it moves into conference play. Maybe play man 2/3 of the game and zone 1/3? All depending on different variables like foul trouble, injuries, opponents strengths/weaknesses etc.....

Giving teams different looks throughout the game is always beneficial to your team. It'd be like a MLB pitcher only throwing fastballs all the time. Change things up. Make them adjust, and use the zone to our advantage.

absofreakinglutely............without question, every coach/team needs to have other types of defenses in their bag of tricks............they might not use it alot but for certain teams & game plans, the zone can be an effective defensive weapon, not to mention just general in-game adjustment to throw off the other team............the worst thing to be as a coach/team is predictable, even when you end up doing something really well or successful at, the scouting done against you becomes much easier to plan..............and the way the schedule has been lately, with many long stretches before games, it is the perfect time to work on different offensive/defensive sets.............

[hoopjunkie]

Exactly. We re too easy to prepare for. Make the opponent burn up practice time on zone offense, press offense etc....

[goldsaint17]

It’s a delicate balance... zone potentially gives away some of our edge on the glass and our ability to get out and run. We for the most part have stayed out of foul trouble and are good at taking away drives as it is.

I think having some more wrinkles makes a ton of sense, just have to pick your spots. Everything has benefits and minuses. Press and you wear down quickly, but maybe get easy buckets? Zone up and give up some of the edges I just noted. I think 1-3-1 could be really interesting for us since we have so much versatility 1-5.

But these are the pains you live with when you have 3 coaches in 3 years. It’s just so damn hard to maintain a roster that has talent, fits what a coach wants to do, and has enough time to actually implement the things that you want to try to put in.

[$cott]

Certainly something worth working on to have as an option. To win the MAAC Tourney with 120 minutes of man defense is going to be very exhausting. Would love to get to the point where we could play mostly zone in the first round and still win. Then mix it up in the semis go all man in the finals if necessary.

[Tony]

absolutely- team should have a zone defense in tool bag. Important to gives opponents a different look from time to time- with the length we have in back court with Jalen and Don- zone could be very effective-- not to mention other obvious benefits ( rest players a bit and protect the core 4 from foul trouble

[IndianSaint]

Dec 5, 2019 18:41:56 GMT -5 jong10 said:

What concerns me in MAAC play is not so the quality of the majority of our opponents, it's the quick turnaround on a number of Fri/Sun games.

Depending on how Burns's knee holds up through several of those stretches, the need for "something" beyond our standard approach increases (whether that's implementing the occasional zone to conserve energy or getting some kind of production from the bench, etc.).

Friday & Young and possible Luke if needed could do ok on any Burns rest in those short turn around games (that or we may not use Burns as much with lesser competition on that 1st game).

[IndianSaint]

Dec 5, 2019 22:20:24 GMT -5 $cott said:

Certainly something worth working on to have as an option. To win the MAAC Tourney with 120 minutes of man defense is going to be very exhausting. Would love to get to the point where we could play mostly zone in the first round and still win. Then mix it up in the semis go all man in the finals if necessary.

Maybe by the MAAC Tournament Carm will play some more zone so it’ll be harder for teams to prep Siena. Show them one thing during the season then switch it up for tourney.