Against the press

[Sec.112]

I can't decide if they handled it well tonight or not.

On the positive side, they didn't get stuck in the backcourt too often, so that's an improvement.

However, Penn State's run was generally a result of the time their press took off the clock. I think they generally accomplished their goal by getting the ball in Olah's hands.

I was surprised things went so well after Olah's exit. I thought Pardon was going to end up with the ball across half court, and confusion would reign.

Anyhow, nice win.

 

[TheC]

I can't decide if they handled it well tonight or not.

On the positive side, they didn't get stuck in the backcourt too often, so that's an improvement.

However, Penn State's run was generally a result of the time their press took off the clock. I think they generally accomplished their goal by getting the ball in Olah's hands.

I was surprised things went so well after Olah's exit. I thought Pardon was going to end up with the ball across half court, and confusion would reign.

Anyhow, nice win.

I know we were nursing a lead, but I would like to see them be more aggressive with that press break. Make teams pay for trying to press you. They had 3-2 situations every single time once they got the ball to Olah and not once did they even think about going to the basket.

 

[spartcat]

We did pretty well against that press, and the key was having an open man in the middle to get the ball to. That was Olah. Should he have pivoted and looked toward the basket? Yes. Did he ever not get the ball to the more open guard coming up behind him? Not really. Good job. The fact we got cold for a while isn't on him.

 

[pawildcat]

I can't decide if they handled it well tonight or not.

On the positive side, they didn't get stuck in the backcourt too often, so that's an improvement.

However, Penn State's run was generally a result of the time their press took off the clock. I think they generally accomplished their goal by getting the ball in Olah's hands.

I was surprised things went so well after Olah's exit. I thought Pardon was going to end up with the ball across half court, and confusion would reign.

Anyhow, nice win.

If I were a coach who had the personnel to do it, I'd be pressing quite a bit under today's rules. As you noted, it takes time off the clock even when you don't get a steal. If a team is just getting into its offense with 17-18 seconds left on the shot clock, it's not a recipe for half-court success.

 

[Sec.112]

... I would like to see them be more aggressive with that press break ...

I would too, but I think that's the problem with their overall press strategy. You can see the concepts are there, but they just don't have the ball handlers or horses to be aggressive. After the ball gets out of BMac's hands, who can you depend on to drive the ball? Pull-the-ball-out Demps?

After that, what scorer can you depend on IF the ball gets out of Demps or Olah's hands?

Press problems go way beyond ball-handling and aggressiveness. Hopefully we'll see it evolve in the coming years.

 

[hdhntr1]

We did pretty well against that press, and the key was having an open man in the middle to get the ball to. That was Olah. Should he have pivoted and looked toward the basket? Yes. Did he ever not get the ball to the more open guard coming up behind him? Not really. Good job. The fact we got cold for a while isn't on him.

There was a period where we were falling in love with the perimeter.