Not that this is really germane to this specific discussion but there's a movement in coaching circles - especially at high level basketball (NBA) to stop closing out on 3 point shooters but to instead jump and contest because for high level 3 point shooters, a "contest" doesn't really mean much anyways. You can't "contest" against Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, etc. etc. anyways AND if they take the now open driving lane, you've done your job of getting them off the 3 point line. But the theory is that you don't leap all out, you leap, but land and are ready to leap again to contest the second shot on the side step or step back.
Guys like BBall Breakdown have been pushing this.
(Fox probably hasn't changed how he coaches defense so, again, not relevant)
great analysis Nick. when I'm watch a game I'm too into the game and mostly follow the ball. I get a general impression of what the problems are, or why things are happening, but unless I watch the game afterwards, it's really hard to analyze it.
Your breakdown is outstanding (and I'm sure took a lot of time/effort), and your conclusions really wrap it up... that Colorado has an elite PG and a bucket full of shooters, including stretch 4s (while Utah does not)
But Cal has the worst 3 point defense in the conference (WSU best, and under performing UW and ASU the 10th and 11th worst)
My overall view is that our perimeter players aren't very good one-on-one defenders (except Brown) and we don't have shot blockers (like WSU) so we can't keep wings out of the paint. We therefore have to over help, which opens up 3 point shooters. If a team is a good 3 point shooting team like Colorado then we lose. If the team is a poor 3 point shooting team like Utah we win.
We also don't have a lot of length on the perimeter, which Fox apparently is trying to remedy with his recruiting
And as you pointed out, this team just doesn't have a high defensive IQ, as players are out of position and too often make the wrong decisions.
great work, as usual, Nick. As an aside, I think I heard an announcer earlier this year say that Grant wanted to change the pronunciation of his last name, so that might be some of the confusion. What was preferred for the last three years, is not the correct pronunciation this year.
Not that this is really germane to this specific discussion but there's a movement in coaching circles - especially at high level basketball (NBA) to stop closing out on 3 point shooters but to instead jump and contest because for high level 3 point shooters, a "contest" doesn't really mean much anyways. You can't "contest" against Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, etc. etc. anyways AND if they take the now open driving lane, you've done your job of getting them off the 3 point line. But the theory is that you don't leap all out, you leap, but land and are ready to leap again to contest the second shot on the side step or step back.
Guys like BBall Breakdown have been pushing this.
(Fox probably hasn't changed how he coaches defense so, again, not relevant)
great analysis Nick. when I'm watch a game I'm too into the game and mostly follow the ball. I get a general impression of what the problems are, or why things are happening, but unless I watch the game afterwards, it's really hard to analyze it.
Your breakdown is outstanding (and I'm sure took a lot of time/effort), and your conclusions really wrap it up... that Colorado has an elite PG and a bucket full of shooters, including stretch 4s (while Utah does not)
But Cal has the worst 3 point defense in the conference (WSU best, and under performing UW and ASU the 10th and 11th worst)
https://www.barttorvik.com/trank.php?sort=19&begin=20201101&end=20210501&conlimit=All&year=2021&top=0&hteam=&quad=5&rpi=#
My overall view is that our perimeter players aren't very good one-on-one defenders (except Brown) and we don't have shot blockers (like WSU) so we can't keep wings out of the paint. We therefore have to over help, which opens up 3 point shooters. If a team is a good 3 point shooting team like Colorado then we lose. If the team is a poor 3 point shooting team like Utah we win.
We also don't have a lot of length on the perimeter, which Fox apparently is trying to remedy with his recruiting
And as you pointed out, this team just doesn't have a high defensive IQ, as players are out of position and too often make the wrong decisions.
It's a pick your poison kinda thing
great work, as usual, Nick. As an aside, I think I heard an announcer earlier this year say that Grant wanted to change the pronunciation of his last name, so that might be some of the confusion. What was preferred for the last three years, is not the correct pronunciation this year.
Nice analysis of behind the arc shooting. Thanks.