Passing / Offensive Sets

[BUBraves2006]

Here's a strange observation that I don't believe has been discussed much. I brought it up in the chat room this evening.

What has happened to our passing? The game that sticks out for me was last year's game against Wright State. We massacred them because of amazing passing, in and out, and most of our shots were uncontested.

With this year's team, I simply don't see that same propensity to making the extra pass for an even better look. Sure, I've seen it at times (like every team does) ... Sam M. passed on a three at Loyola that turned into a great possession, for example.

I see it as a couple of possible problems:

1.) Opponents have figured us out. We run the same few offensive sets and with such little stress on the interior game, people just ignore the paint (since we do, too).

2.) We simply don't have as good of passers/screeners this year. Maybe they're more selfish (unlikely) or just not as talented. But, it doesn't seem like we get half as many open looks as last year. I remember we'd run double (and sometimes even TRIPLE) screens to get Jeremy Crouch open looks. It's no secret that teams are trying to shut him down and when he doesn't get nearly enough open shots a game, it really hurts the team.

I feel like the offensive is just not run as well as last year. The worrisome part is that it appears the team has been regressing, not progressing. I hope this gets better, but overall the players we've gotten to replace who we had last year simply aren't up to snuff (yet, at least).

David Collins isn't Zach Andrews. Cole-Scott isn't Franklin. Nobody can seem to replace JJ. I wish there was someone who played like he was 6'8 even though he's only 6'4, like JJ did.

Whether or not the team has success going into conference play will come down to desire and execution. The talent is there. TCS looks great getting to the hoop, but he's gotta start finishing. Collins can be a force, but he gets in foul trouble instantly (lately).

Show us all how badly you want it, Braves. We all know it's possible. We saw the first 30 minutes of the Michigan State game. We saw the second half against Vanderbilt.

Cheer up, have a great holidays and start anew with this conference schedule!

[Scouter]

2.) We simply don't have as good of passers/screeners this year. Maybe they're more selfish (unlikely) or just not as talented. But, it doesn't seem like we get half as many open looks as last year. I remember we'd run double (and sometimes even TRIPLE) screens to get Jeremy Crouch open looks. It's no secret that teams are trying to shut him down and when he doesn't get nearly enough open shots a game, it really hurts the team.

Absolutely agree with No. 2. I've been saying that for the last few games. Crouch just seems to float along the perimeter waiting for something to open up for him. I'd love to see him running around and getting screens from others a la Neitzel and A.J. Graves. Not sure why Les seems to have strayed away from that this year.

My explanation for the enormous difference in passing: Last year, we had three guys (Ruffin, Franklin and Tauai) on the floor who were great at driving and kicking to the open guy for 3. This year, we're down to one -- and who knows when he'll be back. The ability for last year's team to slash to the hoop and create off the dribble opened up everything on the outside. Outside of Ruffin, I don't see that in anyone on this roster who's exceptional at that.

[Big Mike]

Is there a reason the Braves quit running the weave? DR seems like the only player on the court who is an above average dribbler! And I question.........who are the leaders on this team....none of the seniors are vocal.......so who is the on court leader.....and I mean not by example! IMO.......JL really misses CB on the bench for a voice of reason.....I just do not see the in game adjustments that took place during a game over the last 2 seasons! Also the only way the Bigs get the ball is after a pick and roll......every team we play is aware of that now......how about a little inside out game for an open shot......how about when a Big posts up we try getting them the ball once......the Bigs are there for more than just setting picks or screens......JC is not getting open and he is not atheletic enough to get by the opposing teams top athelete off the dribble......and when he does it gets blocked! Nice effort by TW and AW tonight.......most of the subs seemed to have stopped looking for a shot except for TCS who is out of control when he gets there! Some of tonights loss has to go on the coach's IMO.......just using the excuse of DR isn't good enough......DR hasn't practiced for over a week now so shouldn't the team be more ready to play with him on the bench than they are? Nice effort by SM who had zero t/o's tonight and 2 assts.......hard to get assts when no-one can put the ball in the hole! Change up the offense now to adjust to the personel on the court....get something established in the paint....I mean we really never look to get the ball inside unles its off a pick and roll? Let's hope DR's injury is not as serious as we think it is......or it could be a very long season!

[abesimpson]

Here's a strange observation that I don't believe has been discussed much. I brought it up in the chat room this evening.

What has happened to our passing? The game that sticks out for me was last year's game against Wright State. We massacred them because of amazing passing, in and out, and most of our shots were uncontested.

With this year's team, I simply don't see that same propensity to making the extra pass for an even better look. Sure, I've seen it at times (like every team does) ... Sam M. passed on a three at Loyola that turned into a great possession, for example.

I see it as a couple of possible problems:

1.) Opponents have figured us out. We run the same few offensive sets and with such little stress on the interior game, people just ignore the paint (since we do, too).

2.) We simply don't have as good of passers/screeners this year. Maybe they're more selfish (unlikely) or just not as talented. But, it doesn't seem like we get half as many open looks as last year. I remember we'd run double (and sometimes even TRIPLE) screens to get Jeremy Crouch open looks. It's no secret that teams are trying to shut him down and when he doesn't get nearly enough open shots a game, it really hurts the team.

I feel like the offensive is just not run as well as last year. The worrisome part is that it appears the team has been regressing, not progressing. I hope this gets better, but overall the players we've gotten to replace who we had last year simply aren't up to snuff (yet, at least).

David Collins isn't Zach Andrews. Cole-Scott isn't Franklin. Nobody can seem to replace JJ. I wish there was someone who played like he was 6'8 even though he's only 6'4, like JJ did.

Whether or not the team has success going into conference play will come down to desire and execution. The talent is there. TCS looks great getting to the hoop, but he's gotta start finishing. Collins can be a force, but he gets in foul trouble instantly (lately).

Show us all how badly you want it, Braves. We all know it's possible. We saw the first 30 minutes of the Michigan State game. We saw the second half against Vanderbilt.

Cheer up, have a great holidays and start anew with this conference schedule!

1. I think we ignore the paint because Sam S, DC, Salley, or Will has not shown with any consistency that they can post up and score. Usually when one of those guys score in the paint, it's because some one drove and dished it off for an easy layup or dunk. Plus, Les is guard-orientated.

2. Crouch seems like he has been lost on the arc the last few games. Those others mentioned seem like they work more to get open for a three. Crouch has been trying to create some space by driving, and making the other team respect him with the ball on the floor, but Crouch doesn't drive well, so they continue to focus on him on the arc. We need to go back to ball screening to get him open or looking for passes into the post then quickly back out.

Also, I've been thinking this for a while, Les isn't that great with X's and O's. I think he relies and individual talent to create a mismatch somewhere instead of coming up with play-sets. In 2005-06 we had a deep, athletic team that could create a mismatch with some one in just about every game, and we would pick on that. Last season, we started 4 pretty good guards, and usually the other team could only respond with 3 good guards to defend.

This year, we can't overwhelm with guards and we don't have enough size and athleticism as in the past. We have to play teams "straight-up," meaning Les needs to create more plays to get guys open and especially work on team-defense, because no one besides Ruffin is that good at stopping the ball, and the help-side is usually late or not there at all.

[Beninator]

Also the only way the Bigs get the ball is after a pick and roll......every team we play is aware of that now......how about a little inside out game for an open shot......how about when a Big posts up we try getting them the ball once......the Bigs are there for more than just setting picks or screens......

I would like to see us post up our bigs more as well. Last night when the bigs posted up we were either reluctant to pass the ball to them or when we did pass the ball to a big posting up, the pass was at our centers ankles.

[MacabreMob]

I would like to see us post up our bigs more as well. Last night when the bigs posted up we were either reluctant to pass the ball to them or when we did pass the ball to a big posting up, the pass was at our centers ankles.

Agreed.

Having ZERO plays posting up our bigs lets defenses focus on our perimeter shooters.

The coaching staff has some work to do, IMO... can't Merf give us something for our inside game?

[jasonpeoria911]

Actually we have a post game if DC could stay in the game lol. I already have 3 guest houses built by Singh, Salley and Cole-Scott. DC doesn't have the foundation laid yet for a guest house. He rarely misses more than 2 shots a game if he gets 10+ minutes.

Jason