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Defensive Approach

Started by BRHogfan, December 05, 2014, 08:41:00 am

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BRHogfan

The Arkansas defense is very different than last season. 

If you watched Arkansas Ball in the 2013-2014 season, they switched on every screen.  This isn't an ideal way to play defense, because even though Bobby Portis is fast and nimble for 6' 11" he doesn't have the speed to keep up with some of the faster guards in college basketball. 

So last season, if Portis' man came up to set a screen on Madden, Portis would then stick on the guard Madden was covering and Madden would now be on the big man that Portis was defending.  This was simple.  Took little to no brain power, and while it allowed for mismatches, it didn't allow for easy cuts to the basket or as many open jumpers.

This season Arkansas is trying to be more disciplined on defense and operate the same way you see the best defensive teams approaching screens.  If Madden gets screened, he has to decide to go under the screen or over the screen.  If it's a particularly good jump shooter, Madden has to go over to try and contest the shot, if it's someone who is more likely to drive the lane, then Madden must go under the screen and be ready to challenge the driver.  If Portis man is doing the screen in this case, he has a responsibility.  As Madden gets screened, Portis has to be ready to contest the jumper or occupy the driving lane to prevent an open drive to the bucket.  After Madden recovers, Portis must get back to his man as he rotates through the offense.

This is the approach every team in the NBA uses and the best college teams use. 

The problem for Arkansas last night was the ball movement and spacing of Iowa State.

First, you have Niang bringing the ball up the court for ISU and Portis covering him.  Then you have a screen being set by Monte Morris.  So now you're in the reverse situation most big men and guards are used to.  Now it's Madden who must hold his ground to stop a drive by Niang.  Once, Portis gets through the screen and can defend Niang again, Morris has gotten plenty of distance away from his man and there isn't time for Madden to make up the distance.  So then you have Qualls coming over and playing the help defender, but leaving Bryce Dejean-Jones open for a three in the corner.

This problem hasn't been as severe in the cases where pick and roll defense has been performed the usual way, but when your pick and roll defense is operating in reverse due to a ball handling big man like Niang, and you're playing against faster stronger players than you've seen all season, you get some of the breakdowns we saw on Thursday night.

ISU offensive players were also able to break down Arkansas defenders one on one, and they kept great spacing.  Many Arkansas defenders were left on their heels not sure when they should come with the help defense.  Meanwhile the man on the ball is expecting some help defense, but it's never coming and when it did come it was a late hack to try and alter the shot which was almost always called as a foul against the Hogs. 

Arkansas is relearning how to play defense compared to last season and they are learning when and where to be.  It's still going to be a learning process. 

PonderinHog