Posted by ScooterDevil on March 26, 08 at 10:59:24:
In Reply to: If we played man-to-man defense ... posted by Dude on March 26, 08 at 00:17:50:
Then you bring in Polk and Antwi and play a little man-to-man. Have you watched Washington State? They have guys that are just as slow as our guys and they get in your face in the man-to-man. Our matchup zone has guys playing man to man within their zone responsibilities anyway. The problem remains that ASU gives you one look defensively to prepare for. When you have a few days to prepare you can disect it and figure out the best way to attack it. Florida had obviously done that. We need to be more diverse defensively. That's simply a fact and anyone that disputes it knows nothing about sports let alone basketball. My guess is that Herb knows it as well and will adjust next year.
: ... we would get crucified. There is no way that Glasser or Kuksiks can stay with anyone on the perimeter. They would either foul their man on the drive or the other team's guards would easily get into the lane and finish or dish for more open shots than you saw tonight.
: You may think it is a copout to say that ASU is not athletic enough to play man-to-man defense but the fact that you think it is a copout does not make it untrue. ASU would get murdered if we played man-to-man. There is a reason ASU constantly plays zone, because it is the best defense for them. In fact, why do you think zone has been outlawed in the NBA? Because it slows down the game big time and guess what, ASU plays a slowed down game.
: Our biggest problem this year was defending the three point shot. Whether we play man-to-man or zone that three point is going to be open because we lack athleticism and height at the guard position and on the wing.
: While we're on the topic, our biggest problem on offense this year is the inability of our PGs to get into the land and create. You'll notice that whenever Glasser gets into the lane no one collapses which makes it very difficult for him to kick it out for open three-pointers. If we had a PG (in addition to Harden) who could get into the lane and score, our offense would be deadly ... especially with Abbott and Kuksiks finding their shot as the season wore on.