Greg's Gameplan

[heitclone]

Without knowing too much about Creighton's personnel, here is what I think Greg will try to do on Sunday:

-He'll make DG make shots. I'm not yet completely sold on DG's 3-point shooting ability and I'd be willing to bet that GMac is in that same category. I don't think he'll get the Doug Gottlieb treatment with a defender sagging off 12 feet, but he will be invited to shoot, especially early. If he's not hitting the plan will continue...if he's making them Creighton will step up to contest more.

-Defending JVB on the pick-and-pop: I suspect that Mac will have his on ball defenders go under (hoop side instead of player side) all ball screens by JVB with JVB's defender bodying him up to stay close and prevent the pick-and-pop 3's. This would leave some openings for our guards to shoot 3's. If DG isn't hitting this could be run with SC and Creighton would have to make a decision. Another option would be for the defender to shade the ball handler away from the screen so that the screen can't be utilized.

-Scotty will be heavily defended on the catch. My bet is he won't be allowed to shoot and will be guarded very closely in order to force him to penetrate. He is pretty decent from 8-10 feet once he pulls up to shoot or throws his floater up there, but he can turn it over before getting to that point.

-We have given up our fair share of offensive rebounds but we are also good in transition. I think GMac will send Lawson and Doug to the offenseive glass but will always have 3 guards retreat when a shot is up to minimize the transition game. He may only send one to the offensive glass.

-He will work to get Lawson isolated on the block with JVB. In spots where it is difficult to double from the other post or where doubling from the other post would make it a decision with leaving a Creighton shooter from outside. So far, CU has struggled from 3-point land so I would imagine we'll double down or double from the post and make them make some 3's to beat us.

-I can't really envision Doug hurting us with the ball in his hands with Ejim guarding him. Melvin is stronger and more athletic even if he gives up a few inches in height. On the perimeter Doug will have an advantage and be able to get some 3's off. Where I really worry about Doug is on the offensive glass and the discipline of our young defenders to box him out. Doug is a smart kid with a nose for the ball.

In the end, I think we'll win a close game (hope so anyway, or a blowout for that matter) but that is how I think Greg will try to operate.

This should be everyones strategy against us. DG is going to get open looks, if he were even a mediocre 3pt shooter he could pry score 20+ every night. He had a solid night againt Drake and shot awful from behind the arc. I can us being very competitive with most teams on our schedule if DG is making shots.

[Cyclonestate78]

Greg's gameplan? Probably along the lines of these keys to the game for Creighton..

1. Don't let GMAC call any plays.
2. Don't let GMAC pick the starting lineup or subs.
3. Don't try to run GMAC's high school girls tempo half court offense.
4. Do whatever you have to do to make sure GMAC doesn't do anything related to Creighton basketball during the time from the opening tip to the final second running off the clock.
5. IF possible leave GMAC in Omaha.

[brokenloginagain]

Somewhat ironically, the only player on Creighton I'm "worried" about is Doug McDermott. He's crafty around the basket, is a decent rebounder, can hit the open three, and he makes his free throws. Ejim has gotten in foul trouble early - he needs to avoid that....

[khaal53]

This should be everyones strategy against us. DG is going to get open looks, if he were even a mediocre 3pt shooter he could pry score 20+ every night. He had a solid night againt Drake and shot awful from behind the arc. I can us being very competitive with most teams on our schedule if DG is making shots.

Contrary to popular belief, I think DG is better than a mediocre 3 point shooter. Last year he shot 35%. I huge jump up from the 22% his first two years. We'll see if last year was an anomaly or the new DG.

[KMAC_ATTACK]

I disagree with all of you....

HOW WOULD GMAC KNOW HOW TO DEFEND THE SAME PLAYERS HE DIDNT KNOW HOW TO USE?????

Seriously though, you can teach all you want, but, bottom line is this team is performing better in the true areas of basketball then they ever did under GMAC...

HEART AND EFFORT!!!!

ISU forwards get Creighton in foul trouble and we win going away....i see this as EJIMS breakout game...

ISU 81-68.

[Tedcyclone]

Doug may have a good day, dad won't.

1. neither will have a good day.
2. the only way we are trouble is if we have a hard time transitioning away from
Hilton.
3. ISU will win by double figures. Creighton is a avgerage, young team.
4. ISU is again playing like a Big 12 school. That doesnt mean we are awesome it means we will continue to dominate average mid major teams. GMAC could not at ISU because he coached like he was at a Mid Major school. Which would be fine if you had a Gordon Hayword sp? but they dont.

[heitclone]

Contrary to popular belief, I think DG is better than a mediocre 3 point shooter. Last year he shot 35%. I huge jump up from the 22% his first two years. We'll see if last year was an anomaly or the new DG.

Shooting 22% is going to get you lots of open looks. I'd hope his percentage would go up, I'm not trying to be overly critical of DG. Thats just IMO the best way to guard against this backcourt. I do think he was kind of a rough spot last year with the lack of offensive production he was forced to do things offensively that probably weren't his strong suit.

[isujeep]

You'd have to think that TJ and the players that played under GMAC might have a good idea of what to look for in CU's offense and hopefully how to defend since they defended it in practice the last few years. Even if the game is slowed more to CU's standards and we struggle on offense (hopefully not the case) perhaps ISU can still control the game on the defensive end. There's been a lot of talk about how GMAC knows many of our players, but ISU has lot of personal that will have a good idea of what GMAC wants to do as well.

[ca4cy]

You'd have to think that TJ and the players that played under GMAC might have a good idea of what to look for in CU's offense and hopefully how to defend since they defended it in practice the last few years. Even if the game is slowed more to CU's standards and we struggle on offense (hopefully not the case) perhaps ISU can still control the game on the defensive end. There's been a lot of talk about how GMAC knows many of our players, but ISU has lot of personal that will have a good idea of what GMAC wants to do as well.

I'm not sure anybody had an idea what McDermott was trying to do.

[Prone2Clone]

You'd have to think that TJ and the players that played under GMAC might have a good idea of what to look for in CU's offense and hopefully how to defend since they defended it in practice the last few years.

But I'm sure he's added another 75 to 100 options to his already giant menu of set plays. You just can't prepare for a GMac-coached team in mere days or a week. You just have to hope they miss shots because you can't defend what you can't possibly expect in your wildest dreams.

[bosco]

You'd have to think that TJ and the players that played under GMAC might have a good idea of what to look for in CU's offense and hopefully how to defend since they defended it in practice the last few years. Even if the game is slowed more to CU's standards and we struggle on offense (hopefully not the case) perhaps ISU can still control the game on the defensive end. There's been a lot of talk about how GMAC knows many of our players, but ISU has lot of personal that will have a good idea of what GMAC wants to do as well.

Good point. We have the advantage of an insiders view of what GM likes to run while CU's staff has to go off what they have seen in three games from us.

[jay moe]

Creighton will dribble around on the perimeter for most of the shot clock and chuck up a forced shot, will never get an offensive rebound because they will send all 5 guys back on defense to prevent ISU from running, will pack in their vaunted man-to man-defense and give up uncontested 3 pt shots, will hang close for a half and then come out completely unprepared to start the 2nd half and frantically come back at the end only to lose by a small margin.

[Frak]

...will hang close for a half and then come out completely unprepared to start the 2nd half and frantically come back at the end only to lose by a small margin.

Awesome! Mcweplayedemcloseforahalf!

[KMAC_ATTACK]

Creighton will dribble around on the perimeter for most of the shot clock and chuck up a forced shot, will never get an offensive rebound because they will send all 5 guys back on defense to prevent ISU from running, will pack in their vaunted man-to man-defense and give up uncontested 3 pt shots, will hang close for a half and then come out completely unprepared to start the 2nd half and frantically come back at the end only to lose by a small margin.

THAT WAS SOME FUNY STUFF.....

[delt4cy]

Contrary to popular belief, I think DG is better than a mediocre 3 point shooter. Last year he shot 35%. I huge jump up from the 22% his first two years. We'll see if last year was an anomaly or the new DG.

I'm only passing judgement based on the box score since I haven't been able to watch a game yet, but I'm still a bit unsure. Against Drake he was 0-6 from 3land unless I'm mistaken. I'm hoping it was just an off night.

Also, something that may skew that 35% stat is I bet that 80-90% of those shots were wide open gimmes, instead of basic hand in face defense. If my bet is true, that % should be at least in the 40-50% range for an average D1 guard. (* for gimme 3's that is)

Still, it doesn't change the huge improvement from years 1/2 to 3. I'm hoping DG 3point accuracy takes another big leap in year 4. That stat could be key to this team.