Zoom Action Thought - Very Exciting

[B.B.H.]

We see that Pope’s offense is predicated on having five players that can pass, dribble and shoot. Can you imagine how unstoppable one of these top of the shelf offensive players would be in this kind of offense? At some point, we will have players that are truly dynamic in the broadest sense of the word and it could be a grim future for the rest of college basketball.
Reason I say that, is each of our guys is kind of limited right now.

Butler - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, very good passing, excellent dribbling

Oweh - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, good passing, good dribbling

Robinson - Very good perimeter scoring, good medium range, not good slasher, good passing, okay dribbling

Carr - Very limited perimeter scoring, good post skills, okay passing, not good dribbling

Williams - No perimeter scoring, okay post skills, very good passing, not good dribbling

Garrison - Very limited perimeter scoring, not good post skills, good passing, not good dribbling

Brea - Excellent perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Kriisa - (Potentially) Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, excellent passing, good dribbling

Almonor - Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Soon, I expect you won’t see so many specialized players, so I think about the zoom action where dribble hand off incorporates a ball handler with good speed, shooting, dribbling and passing with the screening player also dynamic. The defense would have to truly pick their poison. I’m getting very excited considering this.

 

[BlueBomb]

Hmmm.

You're picky.

 

[B.B.H.]

Hmmm.

You're picky.

What cha mean?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I certainly think this isn't the most ideal roster in Pope's mind. A lot of these moves came together very late and a lot of other guys were spoken for.

Really like how this team fights, and that's something we shouldn't take for granted. But, I suspect our future rosters will be a little more talented.

 

[TucsonCat]

Yeah, I can't believe we have to put up with Williams.

All we got to do is find one of those centers that can shot from 3, drive the ball, score in the post, pass to cutters, rebound, block shots, and body big men. A combo Victor Wembanyama and Shaquille Oneal. They grow on trees.

 

[truckbrandon]

To OP's point, could you imagine a player like Karl Towns in this offense? It would be awesome to watch!

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

Got to have some pretty good defensive players. We have about 3 that excel in that category. Have to have a good mix.

 

[megablue]

1 “excellent” and 2 “good” dribblers … and I would probably place Kriisa as “okay” … to my view, ball-handling under tight man pressure might be our team’s biggest weakness.

 

[AshWilliams]

What cha mean?

I think he means that I would rather have high IQ basketball players that might be slightly flawed rather than a bunch of elite athletes that don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. But chances of getting five elite basketball players with high IQs to all come and play for the same team is close to zero.

 

[Wonky]

One of the interesting things about college basketball is that, despite all the changes which have occurred in the 30 years since Mark Pope played, the actual formula for winning national championships hasn’t really changed at all.

Pope is going to recruit a mix of elite talent and high-IQ, under-the-radar guys. Would Cal have ever recruited a guy like Allen Edwards? He wasn’t even a Parade All-American in high school, yet he was an integral part of 2 (and almost 3) UK titles. Oh wait… Cal DID recruit a guy like that. His name was Charles Matthews, and Cal had no clue how to use him. So all he did was go lead Michigan to the title game while being named Big Ten player of the year.

Pope is going to take 4-star players and mold them into killing machines. And I’m not talking about “imma get mine” kids like Tyler Herro who bolt after a year. I’m talking team guys who develop over time. It’s what Pitino did here, too. Perry and Noah are two of those guys… wait and see. People acting like they are just more Jon Hoods are goofy.

 

[cardkilla]

Most UK fans have overwhelmingly rejected the rotating 1 and done model that Cal subscribed to here. Seems like OP is advocating for this again. I don't care if we ever win another meaningless #1 recruiting class title. I hope we find the right pieces, a mix of elite talent and multi-year stars. Our talent is top 10 worthy, think this team has proven it can play with anyone. And execute Pope's offense at a high level too.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

I think Oweh is an elite slasher

 

[stenchymouse]

I certainly think this isn't the most ideal roster in Pope's mind. A lot of these moves came together very late and a lot of other guys were spoken for.

Really like how this team fights, and that's something we shouldn't take for granted. But, I suspect our future rosters will be a little more talented.

This is already one of my all time favorite teams!

Every kid is thrilled to be here and they play their asses off!!

That's all I ask for!!

 

[Digger-Cat]

I think he means that I would rather have high IQ basketball players that might be slightly flawed rather than a bunch of elite athletes that don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. But chances of getting five elite basketball players with high IQs to all come and play for the same team is close to zero.

See, you don't have to get them all in the same class though.
We're so used to Calipari that we still have this PTSD where we think we only have everyone for 1 year.
Pope is going to have to develop these guys. If he gets Almonor and Oweh back, they are going to be better players next year than they are right now.
Also, hopefully Pope finds a couple sophomores and Juniors in the transfer portal that have the goods to play in this system and thrive. If he does that, he gets those guys for 2-3 years and mixes in Caleb Wilson type freshmen. That's when this program really takes off.

 

[Digger-Cat]

One of the interesting things about college basketball is that, despite all the changes which have occurred in the 30 years since Mark Pope played, the actual formula for winning national championships hasn’t really changed at all.

Pope is going to recruit a mix of elite talent and high-IQ, under-the-radar guys. Would Cal have ever recruited a guy like Allen Edwards? He wasn’t even a Parade All-American in high school, yet he was an integral part of 2 (and almost 3) UK titles. Oh wait… Cal DID recruit a guy like that. His name was Charles Matthews, and Cal had no clue how to use him. So all he did was go lead Michigan to the title game while being named Big Ten player of the year.

Pope is going to take 4-star players and mold them into killing machines. And I’m not talking about “imma get mine” kids like Tyler Herro who bolt after a year. I’m talking team guys who develop over time. It’s what Pitino did here, too. Perry and Noah are two of those guys… wait and see. People acting like they are just more Jon Hoods are goofy.

IDK, Cal did take Wheeler, Devin Askew, Lance Ware, Brooks and Ryan Harrow.
I'll never understand his love affair with Wheeler.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

IDK, Cal did take Wheeler, Devin Askew, Lance Ware, Brooks and Ryan Harrow.
I'll never understand his love affair with Wheeler.

Wheeler: Brandon Stockton's game w/out the home-state ties...disastrous

 

[WallMashKyBall]

In this offense, even the best players only get 8 or 9 shots a game. I really do love our offense but I believe Pope bought into it when he was at a mid major and didn't have the athletes to overpower anyone, but had shooters, so he ran the zoom and brought it BYU and had better athletes, and now he's got pretty good athletes at every position. But this is not an offense suited for Michael Jordan.

 

[Slowwalker]

We may have one or two elite players, but for the most part, every player is going to have one or two portions of their game that needs improvement or isn’t elite.

 

[megablue]

In this offense, even the best players only get 8 or 9 shots a game. I really do love our offense but I believe Pope bought into it when he was at a mid major and didn't have the athletes to overpower anyone, but had shooters, so he ran the zoom and brought it BYU and had better athletes, and now he's got pretty good athletes at every position. But this is not an offense suited for Michael Jordan.

I do not see how analytics suggest shooting 35+ threes a game provides the best winning strategy, unless you do not have the talent to score more conventionally. It seems to me, on average, the best overall basketball players (with high ball skills) you have, you can score easily and more predictably inside the arc than outside of it. To me, around twenty-four (24) threes a game, maybe twelve (12) a half might be the max to shoot. Shooting inordinate amounts of threes makes you one-dimensional and more subject to the ravages that poor shooting nights provide, unless you have an absolutely stellar defensive team.

Here are some stats from the TOP 25 teams in 3-point attempts from last season. As you can see, the list is not brimming with well-known, high-level teams. UCONN and KY included at the bottom, fyi.

							OFF	DEF	MGN
	ATT	3PT%	FTA	ORB	DRB	REBS	PTS	PTS	PTS	W	L
NORTH FLORIDA	33.2	36.03%	16.9	8.88	24.75	33.63	78.0	75.8	2.2	16	16
BYU	32.0	34.77%	16.1	11.91	27.59	39.50	81.4	69.9	11.5	23	11
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON	30.6	34.33%	17.9	13.06	26.71	39.77	80.9	73.6	7.3	27	8
ALABAMA	29.9	37.27%	22.8	12.76	26.89	39.65	90.1	81.2	8.9	25	12
FURMAN	29.9	32.39%	20.0	11.24	26.55	37.79	79.5	75.9	3.6	17	16
CORNELL	29.7	34.75%	16.7	9.57	25.87	35.44	82.1	74.7	7.4	22	8
PRINCETON	29.4	35.60%	16.1	8.41	24.90	33.31	77.1	66.6	10.5	24	5
CHATTANOOGA	29.4	35.94%	18.2	9.24	27.30	36.54	78.2	71.6	6.6	21	12
CREIGHTON	29.1	36.84%	14.8	8.40	29.71	38.11	80.4	69.9	10.5	25	10
ARKANSAS - PINE BLUFF	29.0	37.53%	22.0	8.42	26.19	34.61	80.1	81.8	-1.7	13	18
UTSA	28.8	33.73%	21.9	13.09	27.19	40.28	77.6	81.0	-3.4	11	21
INDIANA STATE	28.7	38.16%	19.3	7.15	28.31	35.46	84.8	73.2	11.6	32	7
KENNESAW STATE	28.6	32.88%	22.0	12.26	26.58	38.84	82.8	80.8	2.0	15	16
SAINT JOSEPH'S	28.5	35.24%	17.1	10.09	25.71	35.80	75.5	70.5	5.0	21	14
WILLIAM & MARY	27.8	32.31%	18.8	10.33	24.85	35.18	69.8	72.1	-2.3	10	23
LIBERTY	27.5	36.82%	14.8	8.72	25.25	33.97	73.8	65.5	8.3	18	14
VILLANOVA	27.4	33.76%	15.3	8.47	26.35	34.82	70.2	65.6	4.6	18	16
NEW HAMPSHIRE	27.4	32.43%	18.2	9.19	28.23	37.42	74.1	74.1	0.0	16	15
YOUNGSTOWN STATE	27.2	32.34%	18.4	12.78	27.19	39.97	81.2	70.9	10.3	22	10
HOFSTRA	27.0	37.08%	12.5	7.70	25.06	32.76	74.2	68.5	5.7	20	13
PITTSBURGH	26.9	35.74%	18.5	11.39	25.67	37.06	75.6	67.6	8.0	22	11
ARKANSAS STATE	26.8	34.41%	20.6	13.22	25.14	38.36	78.8	77.0	1.8	20	17
WOFFORD	26.6	35.92%	16.6	10.53	26.66	37.19	74.5	73.8	0.7	17	15
GEORGIA SOUTHERN	26.6	35.19%	17.3	10.52	23.73	34.25	73.3	79.2	-5.9	9	24
UC - RIVERSIDE	26.6	31.75%	17.8	12.35	24.59	36.94	70.7	72.0	-1.3	16	18
AVERAGE	28.6	34.93%	18.0	10.39	26.28	36.67	77.8	73.3	4.5	19	14
UCONN	23.8	35.75%	18.9	11.72	27.10	38.82	81.4	63.4	18.0	37	3
KENTUCKY	24.2	40.88%	19.7	10.06	27.55	37.61	89.0	79.7	9.3	23	10

 

[Catzman]

I'll simplify the OP.

If this is what Pope can do with 0 recruiting class and a portal full of mostly left overs, what can he do with a few successful recruiting classes under his belt and his pick of the litter from the portal? Dangerous.

 

[megablue]

I'll simplify the OP.

If this is what Pope can do with 0 recruiting class and a portal full of mostly left overs, what can he do with a few successful recruiting classes under his belt and his pick of the litter from the portal? Dangerous.

Your point is well-taken and Pope can really hit home runs here, if he can recruit at a high-level on both ends of the spectrum in this new recruiting landscape. It seems clear to me that a blended approach is definitely the best way to go. It will be interesting to see if recruiting high-level high-schoolers and trying to get the best from the portal are not an either/or, mutually-exclusive, type of thing, with one preventing the other, so to speak. Both recruits and portal transfers are all jockeying for minutes and history has well taught us that heavy freshmen minutes does not appear to be the way to success in March.
We'll see what happens ... GO CATS !!

 

[B.B.H.]

Most UK fans have overwhelmingly rejected the rotating 1 and done model that Cal subscribed to here. Seems like OP is advocating for this again. I don't care if we ever win another meaningless #1 recruiting class title. I hope we find the right pieces, a mix of elite talent and multi-year stars. Our talent is top 10 worthy, think this team has proven it can play with anyone. And execute Pope's offense at a high level too.

Not at all. I’m just saying dynamic players. RJ Davis is an example of a college player who is dynamic, being just as effective on the bounce as with the shot. I’m not talking about OADs at all.

 

[B.B.H.]

I'll simplify the OP.

If this is what Pope can do with 0 recruiting class and a portal full of mostly left overs, what can he do with a few successful recruiting classes under his belt and his pick of the litter from the portal? Dangerous.

I’m not good with words. This is exactly the point

 

[G-PIP]

We see that Pope’s offense is predicated on having five players that can pass, dribble and shoot. Can you imagine how unstoppable one of these top of the shelf offensive players would be in this kind of offense? At some point, we will have players that are truly dynamic in the broadest sense of the word and it could be a grim future for the rest of college basketball.
Reason I say that, is each of our guys is kind of limited right now.

Butler - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, very good passing, excellent dribbling

Oweh - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, good passing, good dribbling

Robinson - Very good perimeter scoring, good medium range, not good slasher, good passing, okay dribbling

Carr - Very limited perimeter scoring, good post skills, okay passing, not good dribbling

Williams - No perimeter scoring, okay post skills, very good passing, not good dribbling

Garrison - Very limited perimeter scoring, not good post skills, good passing, not good dribbling

Brea - Excellent perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Kriisa - (Potentially) Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, excellent passing, good dribbling

Almonor - Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Soon, I expect you won’t see so many specialized players, so I think about the zoom action where dribble hand off incorporates a ball handler with good speed, shooting, dribbling and passing with the screening player also dynamic. The defense would have to truly pick their poison. I’m getting very excited considering this.

Carr - very limited perimeter scoring? You don't think Carr is a good spot up 3pt. shooter? I know he needs some time and space, but I think that's true of most good stretch 4s. I would rather my team's PF be prudent with his 3pt. shot in situations where he is not comfortable/set, and I think Carr is that.

 

[YardCat]

To OP's point, could you imagine a player like Karl Towns in this offense? It would be awesome to watch!

Or Cooper Flagg!!!!

 

[B.B.H.]

Carr - very limited perimeter scoring? You don't think Carr is a good spot up 3pt. shooter? I know he needs some time and space, but I think that's true of most good stretch 4s. I would rather my team's PF be prudent with his 3pt. shot in situations where he is not comfortable/set, and I think Carr is that.

His shot is very slow, so slow that he can only get it off with serious amount of daylight. It’s not a knock on any of these kids. I’m just honestly evaluating. If you have Carr in a DHO, the defense has sufficient time to focus the other player before retreating to Carr. You can go under on him due to his inability to shoot on the move and slow shot. He’s a very capable shooter

 

[G-PIP]

Not at all. I’m just saying dynamic players. RJ Davis is an example of a college player who is dynamic, being just as effective on the bounce as with the shot. I’m not talking about OADs at all.

I wonder how RJ Davis, Mark Sears or Wade Davis would look with this UK team. As you say, very dynamic players that can play in any system. But also ball-dominant players with quick triggers maybe bordering on somewhat selfish. Still, I'd take my chances with any of those three I think.

 

[westerncat]

And here we are at 8-1 Pope is doing wonders with the players we have today. I really believe he will do great with the players he is recruiting for next year.

 

[megablue]

And here we are at 8-1 Pope is doing wonders with the players we have today. I really believe he will do great with the players he is recruiting for next year.

I like and am excited about recruits next year, but our team will be certainly much younger than we are right now.
Whether we'll be better than this year's team ... I don't know. Returnees and the portal will need to be determined, of course.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT ... replacing Chandler, Perry and Noah with the three (3) high-school recruits coming in (adjusting for their improvement from their high-school Senior Year to Freshman at KY) ... how much would they be playing with these veterans and who of the nine (9) would be receiving less minutes ?? It's an interesting question, that once again, pits veteran experience over talked youth ...

Would Acaden Lewis be taking minutes from Butler and Kriisa ??
Would Jaspher Johnson be taking minutes from Robinson, Oweh and Brea ??
Would Malachi Moreno be taking minutes from Williams, Garrison, Carr and Almonor ??
Would we be better, worse, or about the same as we are right now ??
I do not pretend to know ... but the question of experience over talented youth is certainly interesting to think about ...

 

[Digger-Cat]

I do not see how analytics suggest shooting 35+ threes a game provides the best winning strategy, unless you do not have the talent to score more conventionally. It seems to me, on average, the best overall basketball players (with high ball skills) you have, you can score easily and more predictably inside the arc than outside of it. To me, around twenty-four (24) threes a game, maybe twelve (12) a half might be the max to shoot. Shooting inordinate amounts of threes makes you one-dimensional and more subject to the ravages that poor shooting nights provide, unless you have an absolutely stellar defensive team.

Here are some stats from the TOP 25 teams in 3-point attempts from last season. As you can see, the list is not brimming with well-known, high-level teams. UCONN and KY included at the bottom, fyi.

							OFF	DEF	MGN
	ATT	3PT%	FTA	ORB	DRB	REBS	PTS	PTS	PTS	W	L
NORTH FLORIDA	33.2	36.03%	16.9	8.88	24.75	33.63	78.0	75.8	2.2	16	16
BYU	32.0	34.77%	16.1	11.91	27.59	39.50	81.4	69.9	11.5	23	11
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON	30.6	34.33%	17.9	13.06	26.71	39.77	80.9	73.6	7.3	27	8
ALABAMA	29.9	37.27%	22.8	12.76	26.89	39.65	90.1	81.2	8.9	25	12
FURMAN	29.9	32.39%	20.0	11.24	26.55	37.79	79.5	75.9	3.6	17	16
CORNELL	29.7	34.75%	16.7	9.57	25.87	35.44	82.1	74.7	7.4	22	8
PRINCETON	29.4	35.60%	16.1	8.41	24.90	33.31	77.1	66.6	10.5	24	5
CHATTANOOGA	29.4	35.94%	18.2	9.24	27.30	36.54	78.2	71.6	6.6	21	12
CREIGHTON	29.1	36.84%	14.8	8.40	29.71	38.11	80.4	69.9	10.5	25	10
ARKANSAS - PINE BLUFF	29.0	37.53%	22.0	8.42	26.19	34.61	80.1	81.8	-1.7	13	18
UTSA	28.8	33.73%	21.9	13.09	27.19	40.28	77.6	81.0	-3.4	11	21
INDIANA STATE	28.7	38.16%	19.3	7.15	28.31	35.46	84.8	73.2	11.6	32	7
KENNESAW STATE	28.6	32.88%	22.0	12.26	26.58	38.84	82.8	80.8	2.0	15	16
SAINT JOSEPH'S	28.5	35.24%	17.1	10.09	25.71	35.80	75.5	70.5	5.0	21	14
WILLIAM & MARY	27.8	32.31%	18.8	10.33	24.85	35.18	69.8	72.1	-2.3	10	23
LIBERTY	27.5	36.82%	14.8	8.72	25.25	33.97	73.8	65.5	8.3	18	14
VILLANOVA	27.4	33.76%	15.3	8.47	26.35	34.82	70.2	65.6	4.6	18	16
NEW HAMPSHIRE	27.4	32.43%	18.2	9.19	28.23	37.42	74.1	74.1	0.0	16	15
YOUNGSTOWN STATE	27.2	32.34%	18.4	12.78	27.19	39.97	81.2	70.9	10.3	22	10
HOFSTRA	27.0	37.08%	12.5	7.70	25.06	32.76	74.2	68.5	5.7	20	13
PITTSBURGH	26.9	35.74%	18.5	11.39	25.67	37.06	75.6	67.6	8.0	22	11
ARKANSAS STATE	26.8	34.41%	20.6	13.22	25.14	38.36	78.8	77.0	1.8	20	17
WOFFORD	26.6	35.92%	16.6	10.53	26.66	37.19	74.5	73.8	0.7	17	15
GEORGIA SOUTHERN	26.6	35.19%	17.3	10.52	23.73	34.25	73.3	79.2	-5.9	9	24
UC - RIVERSIDE	26.6	31.75%	17.8	12.35	24.59	36.94	70.7	72.0	-1.3	16	18
AVERAGE	28.6	34.93%	18.0	10.39	26.28	36.67	77.8	73.3	4.5	19	14
UCONN	23.8	35.75%	18.9	11.72	27.10	38.82	81.4	63.4	18.0	37	3
KENTUCKY	24.2	40.88%	19.7	10.06	27.55	37.61	89.0	79.7	9.3	23	10

But if your good shooters are open and they're making them, they should shoot 40 of them, of shoot until they defend it, or we start missing.

It's definitely foolish to keep shooting threes when they aren't going down. 2010 Wva comes to mind.

 

[B.B.H.]

But if your good shooters are open and they're making them, they should shoot 40 of them, of shoot until they defend it, or we start missing.

It's definitely foolish to keep shooting threes when they aren't going down. 2010 Wva comes to mind.

Really isn’t that simple though. You only need to make 33% to equal a 50% two point shot. The missed threes have a significantly higher offensive rebound probability. Taking the threes also forces the defense out and creates easier driving lines and even less lane congestion by the defense, allowing even more offensive rebounds. Comparing to 2010 WVA game isn’t a good comparison because the defense was able to play a lot of our guys loose already.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

His shot is very slow, so slow that he can only get it off with serious amount of daylight. It’s not a knock on any of these kids. I’m just honestly evaluating. If you have Carr in a DHO, the defense has sufficient time to focus the other player before retreating to Carr. You can go under on him due to his inability to shoot on the move and slow shot. He’s a very capable shooter

I'm more concerned with Oweh's shot release time and form than Carr.

 

[B.B.H.]

I'm more concerned with Oweh's shot release time and form than Carr.

I don’t disagree. Note that I had Oweh listed as limited perimeter scoring as well. He shoots a good percentage but I agree with you, he has no fluidity to his Jumpshot and it has to be set and it is very slow. You’re actually seeing what I’m pointing out. This is year one with Pope. Eventually we will have even more dynamic players, which is scary

 

[MrHotDice]

Most UK fans have overwhelmingly rejected the rotating 1 and done model that Cal subscribed to here. Seems like OP is advocating for this again. I don't care if we ever win another meaningless #1 recruiting class title. I hope we find the right pieces, a mix of elite talent and multi-year stars. Our talent is top 10 worthy, think this team has proven it can play with anyone. And execute Pope's offense at a high level too.

I think everyone knew if we can get #1 recruiting we have a fighters chance against teams we play but that went away when we all found out the NBA was the coach’s main direction

 

[B.B.H.]

I think everyone knew if we can get #1 recruiting we have a fighters chance against teams we play but that went away when we all found out the NBA was the coach’s main direction

“Succeed and Proceed” was one thing but a whole lotta Cats started collecting the $200 and didn’t even pass Go.

 

[cardkilla]

I do not see how analytics suggest shooting 35+ threes a game provides the best winning strategy, unless you do not have the talent to score more conventionally. It seems to me, on average, the best overall basketball players (with high ball skills) you have, you can score easily and more predictably inside the arc than outside of it. To me, around twenty-four (24) threes a game, maybe twelve (12) a half might be the max to shoot. Shooting inordinate amounts of threes makes you one-dimensional and more subject to the ravages that poor shooting nights provide, unless you have an absolutely stellar defensive team.

Here are some stats from the TOP 25 teams in 3-point attempts from last season. As you can see, the list is not brimming with well-known, high-level teams. UCONN and KY included at the bottom, fyi.

							OFF	DEF	MGN
	ATT	3PT%	FTA	ORB	DRB	REBS	PTS	PTS	PTS	W	L
NORTH FLORIDA	33.2	36.03%	16.9	8.88	24.75	33.63	78.0	75.8	2.2	16	16
BYU	32.0	34.77%	16.1	11.91	27.59	39.50	81.4	69.9	11.5	23	11
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON	30.6	34.33%	17.9	13.06	26.71	39.77	80.9	73.6	7.3	27	8
ALABAMA	29.9	37.27%	22.8	12.76	26.89	39.65	90.1	81.2	8.9	25	12
FURMAN	29.9	32.39%	20.0	11.24	26.55	37.79	79.5	75.9	3.6	17	16
CORNELL	29.7	34.75%	16.7	9.57	25.87	35.44	82.1	74.7	7.4	22	8
PRINCETON	29.4	35.60%	16.1	8.41	24.90	33.31	77.1	66.6	10.5	24	5
CHATTANOOGA	29.4	35.94%	18.2	9.24	27.30	36.54	78.2	71.6	6.6	21	12
CREIGHTON	29.1	36.84%	14.8	8.40	29.71	38.11	80.4	69.9	10.5	25	10
ARKANSAS - PINE BLUFF	29.0	37.53%	22.0	8.42	26.19	34.61	80.1	81.8	-1.7	13	18
UTSA	28.8	33.73%	21.9	13.09	27.19	40.28	77.6	81.0	-3.4	11	21
INDIANA STATE	28.7	38.16%	19.3	7.15	28.31	35.46	84.8	73.2	11.6	32	7
KENNESAW STATE	28.6	32.88%	22.0	12.26	26.58	38.84	82.8	80.8	2.0	15	16
SAINT JOSEPH'S	28.5	35.24%	17.1	10.09	25.71	35.80	75.5	70.5	5.0	21	14
WILLIAM & MARY	27.8	32.31%	18.8	10.33	24.85	35.18	69.8	72.1	-2.3	10	23
LIBERTY	27.5	36.82%	14.8	8.72	25.25	33.97	73.8	65.5	8.3	18	14
VILLANOVA	27.4	33.76%	15.3	8.47	26.35	34.82	70.2	65.6	4.6	18	16
NEW HAMPSHIRE	27.4	32.43%	18.2	9.19	28.23	37.42	74.1	74.1	0.0	16	15
YOUNGSTOWN STATE	27.2	32.34%	18.4	12.78	27.19	39.97	81.2	70.9	10.3	22	10
HOFSTRA	27.0	37.08%	12.5	7.70	25.06	32.76	74.2	68.5	5.7	20	13
PITTSBURGH	26.9	35.74%	18.5	11.39	25.67	37.06	75.6	67.6	8.0	22	11
ARKANSAS STATE	26.8	34.41%	20.6	13.22	25.14	38.36	78.8	77.0	1.8	20	17
WOFFORD	26.6	35.92%	16.6	10.53	26.66	37.19	74.5	73.8	0.7	17	15
GEORGIA SOUTHERN	26.6	35.19%	17.3	10.52	23.73	34.25	73.3	79.2	-5.9	9	24
UC - RIVERSIDE	26.6	31.75%	17.8	12.35	24.59	36.94	70.7	72.0	-1.3	16	18
AVERAGE	28.6	34.93%	18.0	10.39	26.28	36.67	77.8	73.3	4.5	19	14
UCONN	23.8	35.75%	18.9	11.72	27.10	38.82	81.4	63.4	18.0	37	3
KENTUCKY	24.2	40.88%	19.7	10.06	27.55	37.61	89.0	79.7	9.3	23	10

As we've seen time and time again, the 3pt shot is the great equalizer when there is a disparity in talent. How many times have we seen this play out in the tournament?

I don't think these stats really mean anything. Pope's offense is an outlier kinda like Pitino's was in the 90s. Sure other teams are/have run similar offenses but none are doing it quite as well or with the talent Pope/Pitino have/had.

What I do get excited about is Pope's willingness to change up strategy if he sees something isn't working. That defensive change in the 2nd half was brilliant in hindsight. If Pope and this UK program was a token i'm buying full clips max bags. Boolish on Pope, he's the perfect guy for this moment in UK history. The stars have aligned where Pope and the UK job were in the perfect spot for both. I mean we lost a hall of fame championship coach and haven't skipped a beat. Inconceivable!!

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

We see that Pope’s offense is predicated on having five players that can pass, dribble and shoot. Can you imagine how unstoppable one of these top of the shelf offensive players would be in this kind of offense? At some point, we will have players that are truly dynamic in the broadest sense of the word and it could be a grim future for the rest of college basketball.
Reason I say that, is each of our guys is kind of limited right now.

Butler - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, very good passing, excellent dribbling

Oweh - Limited perimeter scoring, very good but not elite slasher, good passing, good dribbling

Robinson - Very good perimeter scoring, good medium range, not good slasher, good passing, okay dribbling

Carr - Very limited perimeter scoring, good post skills, okay passing, not good dribbling

Williams - No perimeter scoring, okay post skills, very good passing, not good dribbling

Garrison - Very limited perimeter scoring, not good post skills, good passing, not good dribbling

Brea - Excellent perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Kriisa - (Potentially) Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, excellent passing, good dribbling

Almonor - Good perimeter scoring, not good slasher, okay passing, not good dribbling

Soon, I expect you won’t see so many specialized players, so I think about the zoom action where dribble hand off incorporates a ball handler with good speed, shooting, dribbling and passing with the screening player also dynamic. The defense would have to truly pick their poison. I’m getting very excited considering this.

Calipari runs zoom action...

 

[B.B.H.]

Calipari runs zoom action...

I’m not familiar with Calipari running zoom. Cal runs a lot of dribble drive and some floppy when he has three point specialists. The 2011 team ran alot of dribble hand offs but not zoom so I’m not sure what you’re referring to. By and large many college teams run zoom plays and sequences but we run it as a base offense