Cincinnati isn't Trustworthy... Yet

[cincrulz11]

Waite, if they're doubling him every time he gets the ball down low then that means we're opening up our guards for shots from the perimeter. There's nothing wrong with playing the inside-out game and we were doing that earlier in the year. JJ is a good enough passer that he can burn the defense when they double him. Let him burn a team a couple of times during the game and then he won't get doubled. If they're doubling JJ then they can't double SK too!!!!

I'm not trying to say the sky is falling, just pointing out something I've noticed recently that is bothering me. Something I think contributes to our poor offense. We need to have a 2nd scoring option and JJ has proven he can be that guy. We're not giving him a chance when we're moving him outside of the paint.

JJ has tried to force up the shot through the double and triple team though. And he's obviously been catching the ball in the post for these double and triple teams to occur.


JJ just has to play better. He's been a bit too hyped to start each of the last 2 games and it got him in trouble. Things will be OK.

 

[GuyfromNKY]

I disagree. I've seen every game we've played this year and we didn't regularly start our offense in this set until recently. This is something we've adjusted to for some reason and I can't figure out what that reason is.

It absolutely does prevent JJ from playing in the post with his back to the basket. Really watch the offense next game, count how many times JJ winds up catching the ball in the post after he starts the offensive set beyond the 3 point line.

I think it started during the first Louisville game. During the second half of that game after the U of L run to put them up three Cronin went to it as a way to slow the pace down and to get the ball in SK's hands without turning it over because every time we seemed to pass it, it was a turnover. A fatastic coaching move actually and the reason we won that game.
It works well as a pick and roll for JJ and has the potential to free SK up coming off of the screen/hand off. Personally I think it works well in crunch time and should be used often in the last 10 minutes of games because is a great way to get the ball to SK, when other teams are denying him the ball but it's not useful in every situation and I agree it doesn't use JJ to his full potential.

 

[UCBearcats]

I think it started during the first Louisville game. During the second half of that game after the U of L run to put them up three Cronin went to it as a way to slow the pace down and to get the ball in SK's hands without turning it over because every time we seemed to pass it, it was a turnover. A fatastic coaching move actually and the reason we won that game.
It works well as a pick and roll for JJ and has the potential to free SK up coming off of the screen/hand off. Personally I think it works well in crunch time and should be used often in the last 10 minutes of games because is a great way to get the ball to SK, when other teams are denying him the ball but it's not useful in every situation and I agree it doesn't use JJ to his full potential.

There's certainly a time and place for it but it seems like it has become our offense 80% of the time in the half court setting. It also is helping to contribute to JJ's foul troubles. How many times recently have we seen JJ get called for an illegal screen on offense?

I have a simple basketball mind and I'm sure there's a reason why Mick has made this adjustment but I'd love to hear him address it and get an idea as to why we've made this change recently.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Waite, if they're doubling him every time he gets the ball down low then that means we're opening up our guards for shots from the perimeter. There's nothing wrong with playing the inside-out game and we were doing that earlier in the year. JJ is a good enough passer that he can burn the defense when they double him. Let him burn a team a couple of times during the game and then he won't get doubled. If they're doubling JJ then they can't double SK too!!!!

I'm not trying to say the sky is falling, just pointing out something I've noticed recently that is bothering me. Something I think contributes to our poor offense. We need to have a 2nd scoring option and JJ has proven he can be that guy. We're not giving him a chance when we're moving him outside of the paint.

They sure can double both players!!!! UCONN did it the whole game. Teams want to make us beat them from the outside. As soon as JJ got the ball in the post they doubled him hard. All they did was wait for the ball to go to him and they ran another defender at him. JJ can be that guy your right. That is why people are doubling him down low. Go back and watch the UCONN game and you'll see what I'm talking about. JJ never got the ball in the post without two guys on him.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Guys are two most effective weapons offesively this year have been JJ in the post and SK driving and shooting FT's. Its been pointed out many times SK's shooting percentage from the field isn't top notch. Where he has been most effective is driving and drawing fouls. Where he is shooting almost 90%. JJ is limited as well. If you guard him man to man down low he can beat you. What are coaches doing? Waiting for him to get the ball and running another defender at him. Even if he passes it out to a open teammate they have to knockdown a three. They are defending SK trying to make him give the ball up or not let him get it in the first place. Yes others will be open on occasion but they have to prove they can consistently hit shots and no one has done that. Heck it is hard to get them to even take a shot at times. Until such time teams will not let these two beat them.

 

[Scheids21]

They sure can double both players!!!! UCONN did it the whole game. Teams want to make us beat them from the outside. As soon as JJ got the ball in the post they doubled him hard. All they did was wait for the ball to go to him and they ran another defender at him. JJ can be that guy your right. That is why people are doubling him down low. Go back and watch the UCONN game and you'll see what I'm talking about. JJ never got the ball in the post without two guys on him.

I think he was saying they can't double them at the same time, but you're right, they were throwing two at both of them. The bottomline is the ball must keep moving and the role players can not defer to SK to the extent they have been.