Louisiana State (12/22/11)

[CMJ]

We are WAY too athletic to run zone.

I wasn't really a fan of our zone either, but have you ever seen Syracuse's athletes? I think they get their share.

[Andrew]

My main question is where was NIKO!?!?!

[NT03]

My main question is where was NIKO!?!?!

I really thought we would see him given LSU's size. I hope JJ can find a way to start working him into the rotation. He really wants to be out there on the floor.

[Andrew]

I really thought we would see him given LSU's size. I hope JJ can find a way to start working him into the rotation. He really wants to be out there on the floor.

Yea I do not want to see him get frustrated with his minutes... I thought he played limited minutes against grambling because JJ though we would match up better against number 41 tonight. I honestly thought we would see him guard him tonight

[MeanGreenDan]

Yea I do not want to see him get frustrated with his minutes... I thought he played limited minutes against grambling because JJ though we would match up better against number 41 tonight. I honestly thought we would see him guard him tonight

He shot over us at will. Was frustrating.

[cl_1_2008]

I love Niko but he can't guard anyone. That's why he didn't play.

[foutsrouts]

Had a good time at the game, but J. Williams in particular really needs to get under control when he puts the ball on the floor. He'll be special eventually, but I'd very much like to see JJ reel him in a little until he totally gets that he's dealing with an entirely new level of competition. A bit of the same goes to Walton.

On a positive note, CJ is already special, and TM will get it together sooner rather than later. Hogans played his butt off considering the height that he was dealing with. Certainly a disappointing loss, but far from being a devastating loss. Just another lesson for the young guys.

[Green P1]

Hogans played his butt off considering the height that he was dealing with.

Only for very short spurts. He didn't blockout for a single rebound all night.

[cl_1_2008]

IMO, Tony just looked completely gassed. 3 games in 5 nights will do that if you're not in basketball shape. If you saw him Sunday, and saw him tonight, you could tell he was just exhausted. His rebounding numbers have decreased each game. Fatigue was all it is.

[Roadruner]

The zone also caused many of our rebounding issues tonight.

That is because our players our standing there watching the ball in flight instead of looking at their man and getting in position to BLOCK OUT - the Zone works - it would be nice if we tried a 1-3-1 and did some trapping on the wing and create some turnovers of our own.

[FirefightnRick]

Finally got to introduce TheTastyGreek to one of our all time great 3 point bomber specialists, George "The Archer" King tonight. Always wanted to get you two rapping some basketball some time down the road.

Really had a great time tonight, especially when we were winning. The LSU fans were pretty nervous till the end.

And speaking of their fans. Met a father and his two sons tonight who live in Corinth. He grew up in Baton Rouge, went to LSU now works abroad for an oil and gas company. Both his sons, looked to be about 13 and 9, had LSU hats on. But he said because they live close by, whenever he is in town they try and come to the basketball games and have enjoyed the football games too. After the game I asked the 13 year old if he was thinking about wanting to go to college some day and he said without hesitation, "Yes, I want to go to North Texas because it seems like a really good school".

There are countless folks like these people all over Denton County who are transplants looking to support a second team. Its my hope we can continue to tap into this source of fans and grow our base of support from there.

Rick

Edited December 23, 2011 by FirefightnRick

[calvin]

So hey what did you think of the 2-3 zone....? 0-3 from three and forced a couple turnovers when they were forced to throw it across the court... It also protects Tony from foul trouble... but ya know I was so dumb for thinking it would....

I really think we are going to go to it more and more. If tony plays in the center he will always have some help side D to keep him out of trouble and with Alzee and Jordans length a lot of turnovers should occur like tonight when we ran it.

Just curious on what game you were watching ? I hated that we went to a zone. They had open 3 after open 3 but thankfully they were not hitting. And most of their offensive boards came from missed shots in the zone. Its harder to block out when you are in a zone.

[Andrew]

Just curious on what game you were watching ? I hated that we went to a zone. They had open 3 after open 3 but thankfully they were not hitting. And most of their offensive boards came from missed shots in the zone. Its harder to block out when you are in a zone.

My goodness... its like people have not watched basketball in 10 years!!! the 2-3 zone is what you utilize to shut down the three. If we put a body on number 41 we would have boarded better... We did not give up an open 3 in the 2-3 zone and forced 2 turnover! Number 41 did rebound when we went zone but if he can board over 3 men in the paint what do you expect against one man!?!?

[cl_1_2008]

The 2-3 zone is what you use to shut down the 3? Lol you new to the game of basketball? You run a zone to FORCE teams to shoot, not vice versa. And when you're in a zone, it's harder to block out, because you don't have a designated man.

[Andrew]

I have no problem going man... but with our length 2-3 zone is a great option. Can you not see us forcing the ball in the corner and having the long bodies to force a cross court pass? Because that is exactly what happened tonight when we went zone, I re watched the game when I got home and saw no problem with the zone.

[cl_1_2008]

Thus the term "shooting someone out of a zone." You get open looks from 3 when the defense is in a zone.

[Andrew]

The 2-3 zone is what you use to shut down the 3? Lol you new to the game of basketball? You run a zone to FORCE teams to shoot, not vice versa. And when you're in a zone, it's harder to block out, because you don't have a designated man.

Is it harder to block out, yes... and no I am the biggest basketball fan you can find so no I am not "new" to the game. I have talked to multiple coaches and all will tell you that the 2-3 zone shuts down the three.. maybe you are thinking of the 3-2 zone....? That is awful against the outside shot! I would bet my money if you asked JJ if the 2-3 zone is good against a perimeter shot he would agree. But true its harder to block out but you should still be able to rebound...

[Andrew]

Thus the term "shooting someone out of a zone." You get open looks from 3 when the defense is in a zone.

jez louise... I have had this argument before... but I guess people from this area just assume there is one type of zone so it is really not worth arguing anymore. I know I am right and whats more important is that we played a decent game tonight and it should be on cruise control from here on out!

[cl_1_2008]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2–3_zone_defense

Scroll down to weaknesses of a 2-3 zone. The number one weakness is perimeter shooting. Rebounding is also on the list.

[Andrew]

That is how you run a 2-3 defense

[Andrew]

If you are refering to an open three from outside pro range then yes.. I would happily give any opponent that all night

[cl_1_2008]

There isn't a good basketball coach in the world that thinks a 2-3 zone shuts down the outside shot. Now you're just making stuff up.

[Andrew]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2–3_zone_defense

Scroll down to weaknesses of a 2-3 zone. The number one weakness is perimeter shooting. Rebounding is also on the list.

but again I would happily give up a deep three... that is the point, it forces the opponent to shoot from deep and that is also its strength. You website you use also lists it as a strength for a reason. You want your opponent to take deep shots, you just do not want them to take open reasonable threes. Brandon Walton is a great example. Of course they are not going to cover him from out there

[Andrew]

There isn't a good basketball coach in the world that thinks a 2-3 zone shuts down the outside shot. Now you're just making stuff up.

Syracuse would disagree... I am not saying run it all day ever day. But it serves its purpose. I watched the game on dvr. I watched us run the zone about 6 times maybe. They were 0-3 from deep during those possessions and only one of those three misses was put back by 41 and at that point he had 3 mean draped over his back. The other 2 or 3 possessions they did score but we also forced turn overs on two long cross court passes. We are long enough and quick enough to cover the corner and adjust when the ball is passed across court. And again it also protects our 5 from foul trouble; at least on the opening shot.

[Roadruner]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2–3_zone_defense

Scroll down to weaknesses of a 2-3 zone. The number one weakness is perimeter shooting. Rebounding is also on the list.

That is because our players our standing there watching the ball in flight instead of looking at their man and getting in position to BLOCK OUT

- the Zone works - it would be nice if we tried a 1-3-1 and did some trapping on the wing and create some turnovers of our own.