UConn Game Thread

[Chicagojayfan]

Listened to MadDog on Sirius today. He had some good insight. UConn beat CU hard, CU is a good team, UConn has offensive issues, but has great D. The Big East is tough. UConn could repeat. All solid takes.

I see this as the other way around. UConn's had a great offense this year (one of the best in the country), but their Defense has lagged in part because of Clingen missing

[KenoshaJay]

Here's what I wrote immediately after the game without rewatching (made many of the same points on the pod with Matt).

https://hurrdatsports.com/creighton-men ... turnovers/

After rewatching it, a few additional thoughts.

First, the offensive rebounding. I rewatched and charted each on of them. Here's how I categorized them. Do with it what you will.
— Forced help, leaving rebounder open: 5 (couple of them no communication where two guys went to contest shooter)
— Bad box-outs: 5
— Rebound right back to shooter: 3
— Out-muscled (should have been a foul): 3
— Ball through rebounder's hands: 3
— Lost foot race to ball: 2

Second, I thought a big difference in the game was the respective screen setting and navigation on offense for both sides. UConn's actions were much more threatening and successful than what Creighton tried to do. UConn set better screens and more of them, and the guy getting screened for put much more pressure on the defense with how he came off the screen.

Third, they need a heck of a lot more out of 23. His approach to using screens and attacking the basket (looping drives, avoiding contact, refusing to go/finish left) and his lack of threatening movement off the ball is a big part of what led to their offense going nowhere so often. The offense was much quicker and more dynamic playing through Ashworth.

The narrative that Kalkbrenner doesn't score well in the post just isn't close to accurate, no matter how many times it's repeated. He's not Al Jefferson with a wide array of back-to-the-basket moves, but he's one of the most effective post scorers in the country even if it doesn't always look pretty (including seals, deep catches, backing his man down, etc.). It's his most-common play type at just under a third of his scoring possessions. He has 39 makes, 21 misses, 11 fouls drawn and 4 turnovers on post-up plays according to Synergy. The guards have to get him the ball. They just miss him way too often then call for him to come set a screen that they don't use properly anyway.

He's a willing passer too, and Synergy has spot-up shooters at 6-13 from 3 on his post kick-outs (plus 1-2 on 2s attacking closeouts). However, the Mason Miller and-one against St. John's is the only cut on his post touches Synergy has logged all season. They should probably try that more often.

Excellent review. Thanks!

[3ontheway]

Would love to see more high low sets with 2 and 3 spread wide on wings with Kalk trying to seal weak side block and get him ball from top of key where he gets it without back to basket and can just go straight to rim.

[cujaysfan]

I doubt this stat exists...but regarding Miller.

I'd guess his ball touches to scoring are very high. Some are concerned he's regressed. I don't think he's getting hardly any touches per game. Particularly if he's in a scoring position.

But he also has a tendency to set himself in the corner.

Maybe it's reflective of our underwhelming ball movement this season. I really thought without Kaluma we'd really see a LOT of the ball popping around, finding a ridiculously open man, and THREE!

Seems we've seen much less if that this season than in a long time.

[ILikeStuff]

Since the effectiveness of UConn's screens have been mentioned a couple of times - a generic rules question.

Most (if not every) time UConn set a screen, the screener would let the UConn player past and then hip thrust/hip check our guy - often while kicking the screened leg out wider. Johnson got called for one illegal screen because he also added a forearm check to this motion. It was extremely effective - but often created a ton of contact. Is this not considered an illegal pick?

Example (watch #35):

[3ontheway]

A lot of standing around waiting for Trey to try to get separation and get to rim or create his own mid range shot, and, as mentioned, he doesn't seem to be the guy that we can rely on getting 6-8 buckets a game in that fashion as other teams D scheme is primarily drawn up to take that away. The other team's best defender is on him and getting help and Trey has had a real hard time finishing at the hoop, or even getting to the FT line. Mac will make adjustments.

[WyoJays]

Since the effectiveness of UConn's screens have been mentioned a couple of times - a generic rules question.

Most (if not every) time UConn set a screen, the screener would let the UConn player past and then hip thrust/hip check our guy - often while kicking the screened leg out wider. Johnson got called for one illegal screen because he also added a forearm check to this motion. It was extremely effective - but often created a ton of contact. Is this not considered an illegal pick?

Example (watch #35):

By rule, this is an illegal screen. This is up there with Golden State's screening ability to get Steph Curry open.

I've noticed that Men's Basketball is getting closer and closer to the NBA in terms of screens and travel. It's terrible for the game. Plays like this are going to continue to be uncalled because it appears that MBB wants fewer whistles in the game to let players be players.

[HaRdWoOd]

Since the effectiveness of UConn's screens have been mentioned a couple of times - a generic rules question.

Most (if not every) time UConn set a screen, the screener would let the UConn player past and then hip thrust/hip check our guy - often while kicking the screened leg out wider. Johnson got called for one illegal screen because he also added a forearm check to this motion. It was extremely effective - but often created a ton of contact. Is this not considered an illegal pick?

Thats bad, really bad. It is textbook illegal. Not only does the screener have his feet set too wide, he's two stepping to make sure he makes contact with Miller. Ref standing right there. If they arent going to call it, then well done by UConn adjusting to the way the game is called.

[#RollJays]

Since the effectiveness of UConn's screens have been mentioned a couple of times - a generic rules question.

Most (if not every) time UConn set a screen, the screener would let the UConn player past and then hip thrust/hip check our guy - often while kicking the screened leg out wider. Johnson got called for one illegal screen because he also added a forearm check to this motion. It was extremely effective - but often created a ton of contact. Is this not considered an illegal pick?

Thats bad, really bad. It is textbook illegal. Not only does the screener have his feet set too wide, he's two stepping to make sure he makes contact with Miller. Ref standing right there. If they arent going to call it, then well done by UConn adjusting to the way the game is called.

For some reason when you play drop coverage they hardly call illegal screens.

[cujaysfan]

maybe it's that drop in some ways (and zone as well) - is less aggressive.

and officials are conditioned to reward the aggressive teams.