Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2015 11:50:46 GMT -5
I think some would get a kick out of reading this article about Nova’s recent NCAA struggles. Nova is always very guard heavy, they press, usually have a pretty free flowing offense, things many posters have screamed for in recent years yet their results have been poor similar to ours…
My purpose is not to have a discussion on the merits of that argument. (I think most of us agree we would like to see more of those things) just wanted to point out a different perspective and thought it was an interesting read. (Spoiler) it’s like a 180 from what we think we need to do...
www.crossingbroad.com/2015/03/this-is-why-villanova-keeps-getting-upset.html
So Villanova, a now perennial top 10 team, hasn’t made the second weekend of the tournament since before the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee for the first time. What’s the problem?
I love Jay Wright and the style his teams play– it’s been wildly successful, it’s always entertaining, and it’s led to a 141-61 record since making the Final Four. And yet, no Sweet 16 appearances since. The issue, I think, is the same thing that typically makes Nova so damn good: their freewheeling style of play.
Jay’s teams run a motion offense, which relies more on spacing, talent, guidelines, and, well, motion than it does set plays. Instead of a scripted series of passes and cuts, the motion offense it designed to give players – particularly guards – options to shoot, pass or drive at virtually any moment. Big men and swing players set screens while guards scatter around the perimeter looking to shooting or drive. This is the reason Jay’s teams are always guard-heavy and why the four-guard offense worked so well in 2005-2006– their stellar guards were given the freedom to create.
But that sort of thing is also very predictable and one-dimensional and susceptible to turning sour against athletic teams that clog the lane, if the threes aren’t falling. It’s why Villanova looked awful against Florida in the 2005 [UPDATE: 2006] Elite Eight. It’s why they’ve shot under their season average from three in each of their tournament losses since 2010. It’s why they keep getting upset in March.
The article continues………..
My purpose is not to have a discussion on the merits of that argument. (I think most of us agree we would like to see more of those things) just wanted to point out a different perspective and thought it was an interesting read. (Spoiler) it’s like a 180 from what we think we need to do...
www.crossingbroad.com/2015/03/this-is-why-villanova-keeps-getting-upset.html
So Villanova, a now perennial top 10 team, hasn’t made the second weekend of the tournament since before the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee for the first time. What’s the problem?
I love Jay Wright and the style his teams play– it’s been wildly successful, it’s always entertaining, and it’s led to a 141-61 record since making the Final Four. And yet, no Sweet 16 appearances since. The issue, I think, is the same thing that typically makes Nova so damn good: their freewheeling style of play.
Jay’s teams run a motion offense, which relies more on spacing, talent, guidelines, and, well, motion than it does set plays. Instead of a scripted series of passes and cuts, the motion offense it designed to give players – particularly guards – options to shoot, pass or drive at virtually any moment. Big men and swing players set screens while guards scatter around the perimeter looking to shooting or drive. This is the reason Jay’s teams are always guard-heavy and why the four-guard offense worked so well in 2005-2006– their stellar guards were given the freedom to create.
But that sort of thing is also very predictable and one-dimensional and susceptible to turning sour against athletic teams that clog the lane, if the threes aren’t falling. It’s why Villanova looked awful against Florida in the 2005 [UPDATE: 2006] Elite Eight. It’s why they’ve shot under their season average from three in each of their tournament losses since 2010. It’s why they keep getting upset in March.
The article continues………..