Saying exactly what I’ve been thinking. Basically that because Pope runs a real offense (unlike Cal), it becomes much less important to have that “go make a play” guy.
He said he still wants a guy like that, but it would be more of a luxury now and not a necessity.
CMP's offense is based on moving the ball with passing (not dribbling) and running cutters off 1 and/or 2 screens, not 1 on 1 play. If defense sags to defend cutters, you have 1 or 2 outside the 3 point line looking for a pass. Unlike COW's "offense" there is no "go make a play" being your main offense. BYU liked to get an early shot off a break if available, then run the cutter/screen action if not. I watched 5 games and rarely saw a player having to create his own shot or the clock shot run out.
With the screening, the opponent's defense has to determine to either sag and play the cutter, giving up the 3 point shot, or play tight on the cutter which allows a pass to be made to the cutter coming of the screen for a layup. There is little help side defense as the defensive player does not want to come off their man as it opens up the cutter passing the ball outside for a 3 point shot. Kelvin Sampson when asked how to defend BYU just shook his head and said it was the most difficult team to prepare for defensively.
I also noticed CMP used his bench often. Don't know the minutes per player breakdown but he had fresh legs to run this offense on the floor at all times. Whereas Pitino pressured the opponent with defense, CMP seems to pressure the opponent with his offense. It is tiring having to play defense anyway and the constant movement of CMP's offense makes it even more so. For this reason, I think he will play 9, 10, or 11 players in a game.
The talent that is on board at present is enough to be successful and compete. The main weakness will be that none have ever played together and this cohesiveness can only be attained with game action. Also, I don't understand how long it might take for next year's team to master this offense. It will be foreign to every incoming player so the early season games will truly be a test for "our new team." Fortunately, we will have a very veteran team with mostly 5th year players, instead of mostly 5* freshmen that Ellen's roommate preferred.
I think there will be some early losses before SEC play begins but feel that CMP and staff will bring these guys along and have a tough team to deal with later in the SEC regular season.
