The dribble drive philosophy...

[CUT-NETS]

Will win you a lot of games when you have superior athletes. Its a playground style of ball that allows great athletes to create and make something happen at the rim. But when you have an opposing team that realizes this is your game plan and packs the lane daring you to beat them from the perimeter it becomes a problem.
This is what Cal and UK have run into and this is what they will see the rest of the year.

Those old enough will remember that Joe Hall had a similar philosophy about getting the ball inside whenever possible. He recruited size and demanded that his guards get the ball inside to that size. Joe B. had guards that could shoot, but often times he wasn't satisfied with a 12 foot jump shot as his philosophy was to get the ball inside. Fans old enough to remember will talk about how it drove them crazy.

Cal has a similar fixation on getting the ball to the rim and neglecting the ability to score from the perimeter. Its a baffling weakness of his. Its evident in his team's inability to make perimeter shots. Many posters on here will say "he has good shooters though." Well if he does, then why aren't they making shots?

 

[CatPhight]

Yep, the dribble drive is only effective when you can stretch the court.

The quickest way to get a team out of that packed possum defense is to bury
their asses from the perimeter and throw over the top of it.

We did neither last night, though I believe if Lee hadn't left 4 minutes in, we
at least keep this manageable with a chance to pull it out.

 

[CUT-NETS]

Joe B. used to have his guards terrified to shoot the ball out of fear of being taken out of the game. This would lead to some poor shooting nights for those players. Cal places such emphasis on getting to the rim and either scoring, getting fouled, or both that players don't feel comfortable to pull the trigger on a perimeter shot.

 

[BlueBomb]

Joe B. used to have his guards terrified to shoot the ball out of fear of being taken out of the game. This would lead to some poor shooting nights for those players. Cal places such emphasis on getting to the rim and either scoring, getting fouled, or both that players don't feel comfortable to pull the trigger on a perimeter shot.

This.

 

[crestcat]

You need good offensive rebounders for dribble drive

 

[Smashcat]

that players don't feel comfortable to pull the trigger on a perimeter shot

Apparently Poythress and Matthews aren't that uncomfortable yet.