Cal versatality to be tested next season

[swflCAT]

I guess I see it different than some but, I think Cal shows his versatility most every year. To me he is a great coach, he don't rely on a gimmick or having a particular set of players to run a particular scheme to succeed. He adjusts every year - he uses what tools are on hand to try and get the job done. Cal is wonderful at adjusting and manipulating what he has to get it done, all the while dealing with the media and us nuts. Then you can throw in some haters for good luck.

Thats Cal, leaving all but the haters and morons with a big smile.

 

[CatTough]

Do you think a team (usually a young team) can become very good at man to man and zone defenses. I don't thats why keep it man to man.

 

[BostonCat2001]

Not complaining just brainsrorming how we will play....this will be exciting team to watch...may break ncaa record for fewest turnovers ever

you have to use your brain to brainstorm. the "big" team you are concerned about does not exist.

 

[W2R]

Lee has all the tools. He almost averaged a triple double in HS. He led the country in blocks and rebounds If he just focuses on those two areas and improves his FT shooting his minutes are valuable. What's crazy is lee
And dakari had good games against Wisconsin the year before. We all know what lee CAN do if given the opportunity.

And for the zone part smh. Go back and look at Cals teams and their defense and rankings all the way back to Memphis. Defense is something we
Shouldn't worry with Cal. I know one thing. With the guards we have our guys will see a lot less zone for once

 

[C1180]

A few thoughts. I think there will be more pressing over all in college basketball because of the rule changes. I think in particular you will see more trapping full court defenses. I also think making a team waste time bringing the ball up court is a good idea since they now have less time tor run their offenses. If you can force near 10 seconds getting the ball up court that only leaves 15 to 17 seconds to attack the defense. There is also going to be more 10 second calls with the rule where you do not get extra seconds by calling a time outs.

IMO we will see more pressing and zone defenses because of the rule changes.

I also think you might see more defenses that are a combination man and zone like the match up and the old Tubby ball line defense.

I think you might see some trapping presses by UK but do not think it is likely they play much zone in the half court.

 

[Rockford]

Just posted this, but it applies here as well.....

I think the fascination with the press is a leftover relic from Pitino's zone press when he was here.
Today nobody zones presses like that because the game has adjusted and now the 3 and 4 can handle the ball much better, leaving the zone press in the past. (and, no, Pitino does not zone press and trap all the time. Just occasionally. It's mostly a hip checking, grabbing, hack as you cross mid court MTM press)

Now using a man-to-man delay press to take a few seconds off a now shortened shot clock..... I think you will see this by a ton of teams to start this season.

Some will fall back into a zone after that. Kentucky will not be one of those teams.

To Cal, zone is a sign of weakness and gives the players a reason to cop out not to go hard in MTM. Plus, he has superior athletes, and only nine months to work with the team. Time enough to learn only 1 really good, tough championship level defense.

 

[W2R]

Long story short cal hates zone. Cal is preparing his kids with the defensive skills to succeed and be able to Hurd their man and multiple positions. This is gonna benefit the team and the player going forward. With the game being sped up and multiple guards I look for Cal to speed the game up offensively. I bet there is not as much zone played in cb as much as recent past

 

[Aike]

Interesting topic.

Two thoughts.

First - Zone? Really. That's not going to happen except under some really extreme conditions. I hope we never see a zone. Maybe some token pressure. Calipari is one of the most defensively focused coaches I know. For this team to be successful under him, man to man defense will be the centerpiece.

Second - I think this is actually a bit more classic Calipari = less versatility on his part. They'll be capable of really good ball movement. I'll be surprised to see a high scoring team unless the defense causes a lot of turnovers.

I expect to really enjoy the team as I love to watch a quick aggressive defense. Those of us that like to see games in the 80's and 90's will be disappointed against equal competition. High 60's low 70s will be more common. If the team faces a challenge, I think it will come from one of the young guys till they come to grips with 'defense = playing time'. When that relationship sinks in, watch out.

For the record, Memphis averaged 79 ppg in '07 and 80 ppg in '08.

 

[kybassfan]

For the record, Memphis averaged 79 ppg in '07 and 80 ppg in '08.

Not playing in the SEC they didn't. Our OOC was likely a bit tougher, though I've not compared them.

 

[mebeblue2]

when is the last time a team that plays primarily zone has won the championship?

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Why worry about either end of the floor? You don't honestly believe we will struggle to put the ball in the basket, do you?

Not at all.

Its just with the title of the thread, i expected OPs concern to be on the offensive side since Cal has shown in the past how stubborn & uncreative he is when it comes to lineup combinations.

Cal usually is on point with the defensive side.

 

[Aike]

Not at all.

Its just with the title of the thread, i expected OPs concern to be on the offensive side since Cal has shown in the past how stubborn & uncreative he is when it comes to lineup combinations.

Cal usually is on point with the defensive side.

Gotcha.

 

[ulismyman]

Im not asking for zone the majority of the time...just a different look now and then and if other teams hits a 3 dont abandon it so quickly....stay in a few trips and if opponnent is adjusting...switch to man or something else

 

[brianpoe]

Im not asking for zone the majority of the time...just a different look now and then and if other teams hits a 3 dont abandon it so quickly....stay in a few trips and if opponnent is adjusting...switch to man or something else

As mentioned prior it is not that easy.

This isn't church league. To understand how to shift, cover, and provide proper backside help takes a lot of practice and multiple years in the system.

A junior pro 2-3 doesn't work at this level. I get the point you are making and it is not off base as to why it would be good.

But I believe these issues will cause it not to work:

No experience with zones.

Not enough time time to learn and be effective.

Takes away our best on ball defender out front in Ulis.

Negates Poy's ability to man up on just about any 3,4 or 5.

Hurts defensive rebounding.

 

[ulismyman]

Keep this in mind..most highschool teams play zone...superstars dont play defense in highschool so actually zone i what they are used to

 

[brianpoe]

Keep this in mind..most highschool teams play zone...superstars dont play defense in highschool so actually zone i what they are used to

Not a bad point, however in high school you play defense to shutdown 1-2 potential scores or a big man. In college all 5 guys can make a bucket. It is a whole new level but I get what you are saying.