After getting blown out by the Illini in early January, the coaches and players corrected the glaring problems apparent in that game and bounced back with a double digit win at home over MSU and a road win at PSU. That week, in my mind, was the most important so far this year.
It has been 8 days since Berry’s season ending injury, and after the next two games, the Cats could have pretty much locked up a solid NCAA bid (10-5 conference), slid back to the bubble (8-7) or stayed the same (9-6).
I’m hopeful the coaching staff has made the adjustments to game planning that it can. Berry was both a strong defender and the best outlet option for Buie when opponents ran double teams at him as he moved through high screens. I have to think they will put the ball in Barnhizer’s hands more and run sets that open Buie as a shooter, and also emphasize getting the ball to Martinelli mid range. I would also expect them to try to really take the air out of the ball during the stretches where starters are subbed out.
On defense, I would expect a little more hedging at the perimeter the next 2 games, allowing Rutgers and IU to try to win at the 3 point line. In some ways, the loss of Berry’s defensive skill is a bigger loss than his shooting.
What is clear is that they have to adjust. Martinelli’s strengths are different than Berry’s, and the sets that are run and defensive assignments need to reflect that.
I think the staff has done an excellent job in getting the most from the roster this year. I’m actually optimistic that the next four days could be the ones people look back to as decisive (in a good way) for evaluating the overall success of the year. I am actually looking forward to Monday’s comments.
It has been 8 days since Berry’s season ending injury, and after the next two games, the Cats could have pretty much locked up a solid NCAA bid (10-5 conference), slid back to the bubble (8-7) or stayed the same (9-6).
I’m hopeful the coaching staff has made the adjustments to game planning that it can. Berry was both a strong defender and the best outlet option for Buie when opponents ran double teams at him as he moved through high screens. I have to think they will put the ball in Barnhizer’s hands more and run sets that open Buie as a shooter, and also emphasize getting the ball to Martinelli mid range. I would also expect them to try to really take the air out of the ball during the stretches where starters are subbed out.
On defense, I would expect a little more hedging at the perimeter the next 2 games, allowing Rutgers and IU to try to win at the 3 point line. In some ways, the loss of Berry’s defensive skill is a bigger loss than his shooting.
What is clear is that they have to adjust. Martinelli’s strengths are different than Berry’s, and the sets that are run and defensive assignments need to reflect that.
I think the staff has done an excellent job in getting the most from the roster this year. I’m actually optimistic that the next four days could be the ones people look back to as decisive (in a good way) for evaluating the overall success of the year. I am actually looking forward to Monday’s comments.
