Guys moving without the ball as well. Good stuff.
Basketball movement was excellent last night
- Thread starter Baller Cal
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Looks like the lights going off for everyone now. They are passing the ball instead of driving into no mans land all the time. Using the pass to cover ground works wonders.
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Agree. We had several possessions where guys passed up good shots in order to get their teammates a great shot. Very unselfish, and with the athletes on our team, it makes the game very difficult for the defense when we move the ball like that.
Very encouraging.
Very encouraging.
I thought the spacing was even better, last night. Let's hope it continues
I was just about to post something similar -- watching the replay I was really impressed by how many times in the half-court offense the ball touched the hands of Hagans, Maxey and Quickley before a shot was taken, each one deferring for a better look from someone else.
That is exactly the ideal I was imagining earlier in the year when I said the team with the best set of three guards would be very tough to beat.
That is exactly the ideal I was imagining earlier in the year when I said the team with the best set of three guards would be very tough to beat.
1. I agree...UK moved the ball well especially to start the game. UK anticipated the next pass and guys knew where to be for open spaces.
2. But part of why we were able to look so good is Texas Am started the game trying to press us a bit and UK's guards went right thru that pressure like a hot knife thru butter. Also, throughout the game they tried to ball pressure Hagans so way outside the 3pt line and our guards just dribbled right thru all of that for easy penetrations and kick outs to wide open shooters. Finally, the decision by Buzz to hard double on Nick in the post led to tons of easy passes out of double team.
UK was really sharp for sure but I was less than impressed with Buzz's defensive gameplan vs. UK. If I'm coaching against UK, I'm backing off of Hagans and Maxey, never leaving Quickley to help off of him and take my chances Nick and EJ can't score a ton vs. a single defender. All of which were the opposite of what the great Buzz Williams did.
2. But part of why we were able to look so good is Texas Am started the game trying to press us a bit and UK's guards went right thru that pressure like a hot knife thru butter. Also, throughout the game they tried to ball pressure Hagans so way outside the 3pt line and our guards just dribbled right thru all of that for easy penetrations and kick outs to wide open shooters. Finally, the decision by Buzz to hard double on Nick in the post led to tons of easy passes out of double team.
UK was really sharp for sure but I was less than impressed with Buzz's defensive gameplan vs. UK. If I'm coaching against UK, I'm backing off of Hagans and Maxey, never leaving Quickley to help off of him and take my chances Nick and EJ can't score a ton vs. a single defender. All of which were the opposite of what the great Buzz Williams did.
This. Was exceptional.
UK was really sharp for sure but I was less than impressed with Buzz's defensive gameplan vs. UK. If I'm coaching against UK, I'm backing off of Hagans and Maxey, never leaving Quickley to help off of him and take my chances Nick and EJ can't score a ton vs. a single defender. All of which were the opposite of what the great Buzz Williams did.[/QUOTE]
I 100% agree. If I'm coaching against Kentucky, I'm wanting Nick and EJ to shoot the ball 20 times a piece. I wouldn't even guard Hagans and Maxey outside the paint and switch everything on Quickley. It has been perplexing at some of the strategies I have seen lately. I would also consider a packed in zone, shading Quickley to avoid fouling and keeping us off the foul line.
I 100% agree. If I'm coaching against Kentucky, I'm wanting Nick and EJ to shoot the ball 20 times a piece. I wouldn't even guard Hagans and Maxey outside the paint and switch everything on Quickley. It has been perplexing at some of the strategies I have seen lately. I would also consider a packed in zone, shading Quickley to avoid fouling and keeping us off the foul line.
Totally agree, great ball movement was freshening to see
UK moved the ball well because of A&M's defense. They're plan was to shut Nick down and make UK beat them from outside.
Every team that plays them has excellent ball movement.
A&M is 14-13... they are terrible... with a ton of really bad losses and no good wins... they play terrible defense and their offense is even worse. Tough to take much away (good or bad) regarding our play from that game.
A&M is 14-13... they are terrible... with a ton of really bad losses and no good wins... they play terrible defense and their offense is even worse. Tough to take much away (good or bad) regarding our play from that game.
Uconn ain't my team by any means but they did show us in the past that great guards can take you to the championship game and win it.
Soooo ... I also thought the ball movement was very good last night.
Oh Ok. Mods, please delete the original post. I forgot we can’t give the team credit for anything, ever, here. We aren’t allowed to enjoy anything but a title here , either. TIA
There were a couple possessions that were just a thing of beauty last night, with the ball moving to the open man. Our offense has evolved a lot the past couple months, getting primed for March.
The team really seems to be coming together as a cohesive unit and playing their best ball. To those of you who complain about those of us who complain early in the season; we said it then: The team will be better in Feb and March for sure. Most of us (reasonable ones...yes there is the 1% who do nothing but bitch no matter what win or lose, yall have to learn to differentiate) the play early in the season was absolutely worth criticizing. But now, its worth praising them. This has turned into one of the mlre enjoyable Cal teams to watch grow and develop. Seeing what Nick and IQ have turned into really puts a smile on my face. Good for those dudes. Hard work pays off. I really like our chances in the tournament. I really do.
As good as Maxey is I think he is the problem with us not having the killer instinct. When the game is close and we need him he comes through most of the time and has unbelievable talent.
However, give us a ten point lead and he just flat does low percentage stupid stuff. If he will quit that we will go on an incredible run blowing teams out by 20 or more as we cut down the nets for # 9.
However, give us a ten point lead and he just flat does low percentage stupid stuff. If he will quit that we will go on an incredible run blowing teams out by 20 or more as we cut down the nets for # 9.
He's clearly a South Dakota State Jackrabbit fan.
I do too. I just hope our hot 3 point shooting on the road translates to the neutral site NCAA games. Also, hope our FT shooting does as well. Just need to clean up the silly TOs.
On top of the floor spacing and ball movement, I was happy to see Nick and EJ make smart decisions when they were double teamed on the block and pass out to the open shooters. We got a lot of good looks late in the game off of playing inside out, which was a staple in the offense of several of Cal's earlier squads at UK.
Yeah...how about EJ of late. I dunno who did what to light a fire under his ass, but put some more wood on there hoss!
Every team the last month has tried to take away Richards by packing in the D and double and triple teams. Buzz did the same but to a further extent and it did shut down Richards but left Quick and Maxey open for 3's they nailed . Richards has basically made it possible for Quick to be SEC POY as he is always open now due to focus on Richards and stopping us driving .
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