How do you defend this team?

**Doc** · 10-12-2011, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but come on. These guys have never played a game together. Let's have this discussion in January.

I don't really think anybody is really getting too crazy with speculation about the team in this thread. I think most of us know that come Big 12 season we're still going to have to scratch and claw for every point we can get.

**mikem** · 10-12-2011, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tedcyclone

i believe this team will contend for the Big 12 title, no question. Team is talented, and we will have one of the biggest mis matches in the league with white. I also think its a huge benefit that a lot our team this year is older which usually equals stronger, and smarter.

we will have 4-5 options beyond the arc every single night... ejim will finally be free to play where he is comfortable.. we are deep and good.

Wow...I agree with Brian, we need to slow down a little. The one thing I hope, is that all of the folks that are talking this team up, are not the first ones to complain when we lose some games.

I do think there are more good players on this roster than I can ever remember an Iowa State team having.

In the end, though, it is pretty simple. This team will go as far as they can defend and rebound. Of course, you can say that about almost any team in the country.

**peteypie** · 10-12-2011, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by mikem

Wow...I agree with Brian, we need to slow down a little. The one thing I hope, is that all of the folks that are talking this team up, are not the first ones to complain when we lose some games.

I do think there are more good players on this roster than I can ever remember an Iowa State team having.

In the end, though, it is pretty simple. This team will go as far as they can defend and rebound. Of course, you can say that about almost any team in the country.

Nope, I know Ted. And just like me, he will support this team no matter what. But some people need to let loose. GMac can't hurt you anymore. We do have talent. We will compete with any team the Big 12 can throw at us. We won't win them all, but I'm not jumping ship as soon as we lose 1 or 5 or even 10 games. GO STATE!

**mikem** · 10-13-2011, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by peteypie

Nope, I know Ted. And just like me, he will support this team no matter what. But some people need to let loose. GMac can't hurt you anymore. We do have talent. We will compete with any team the Big 12 can throw at us. We won't win them all, but I'm not jumping ship as soon as we lose 1 or 5 or even 10 games. GO STATE!

See, I hope that is true.

The problem is, when you read this board, people get all hyped about a team, or a player. They start putting the cart waaaayyyy ahead of the horse.

Then when adversity hits, which it always does for Iowa State, the same people go to the opposite extreme. They are invariably the first ones to proclaim doom.

This is still a new experiment with Freddie. It is important to understand that he will still have some growing pains to go through.

It's perspective, sir. We don't know what this team will do yet. Making pronouncements based upon hype with no factual evidence leads to the epic meltdown. Just like there is a moment when you should see enough of the same thing happening over and over to know that it isn't a coincidence anymore, see chewy and mac the mediocre.

**IHavNoCyCash** · 10-13-2011, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by GoSTATE71

Its an honest question. I think this year we have a lot of weapons that we can use. Scotty and Babb are both great shooters, White is a great ball handler, shooter, passer and sounds like a absolute beast at 6-7 270...If you were another team preparing to play us how would you guard us? I think the best bet to beat us this year is to pressure our PG, even though I think chris allen has the potential to be one of the better guards in the conference, it seems to be the only area lacking in experience.

if i was an opposing coach i would sag a crap load of the point guard and make him beat you.

I would play man-to-man with double help on White and switch on all cutters...guessing Hoiberg will run double picks for SC and Allen to get open for threes...if they're covered then there's White...don't let WHite touch the ball or it'll be a long game..make Booker, Gibson, or Railey beat you also... hopefully one of the 3 posts will be up for it or I could see some games that might get ugly because some teams in the Big 12 play excellent help defense and will have a guy that can match up with White physically (kansas and kansas st)

**IHavNoCyCash** · 10-13-2011, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by Tedcyclone

i believe this team will contend for the Big 12 title, no question. Team is talented, and we will have one of the biggest mis matches in the league with white. I also think its a huge benefit that a lot our team this year is older which usually equals stronger, and smarter.

we will have 4-5 options beyond the arc every single night... ejim will finally be free to play where he is comfortable.. we are deep and good.

very good point here...Ejim at the 4 minimizes alot of his strengths as a player...he's a good rebound and somewhat strong but he's a very good driver which we haven't seen him to a tremendous ammount of yet..think Ejim will be the 2nd best player for us this year behind White...gonna be a more skilled version of Rashon Clark

**Rural** · 10-13-2011, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by IHavNoCyCash

if i was an opposing coach i would sag a crap load of the point guard and make him beat you.

I would play man-to-man with double help on White and switch on all cutters...guessing Hoiberg will run double picks for SC and Allen to get open for threes...if they're covered then there's White...don't let WHite touch the ball or it'll be a long game..make Booker, Gibson, or Railey beat you also... hopefully one of the 3 posts will be up for it or I could see some games that might get ugly because some teams in the Big 12 play excellent help defense and will have a guy that can match up with White physically (kansas and kansas st)

Not quite that simple. You sag off Allen and McGee and they'll light you up.
I take it that it's our ball handling/passing that's in question at the point guard spot.

**Rickybaby** · 10-13-2011, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by Rural

Not quite that simple. You sag off Allen and McGee and they'll light you up.
I take it that it's our ball handling/passing that's in question at the point guard spot.

Point guard ! You're questioning our point guard ! Are you serious, everybody knows that Chris Allen is a point guard and is a ball handling wizard !

**erikbj** · 10-13-2011, 07:55 AM

3-2 zone.

**packthejack23** · 10-13-2011, 09:45 AM

without Royce, this team wouldn't be anything. He is our low post precense and opens up for our shooters

**cysocool** · 10-13-2011, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by BRoss

You cant defend this Team, ISU is going to Rip up the Big XII or is it the Big Ten ? Lets just say they have a great shot to winning this Conferance

Is this the real BRoss?

**ce1** · 10-13-2011, 10:38 AM

Until we see them play, it's pretty hypothetical. Based purely on hype, Capital City League, and last year's play, here is how i'd defend against ISU:

1. Pressure the Point Guard - Is there a consistent, solid ball handler on the court? Full-length of court pressure on whomever is handling the ball. Get in their face, make them change directions, limit their passing angles, harass and press. Make ISU prove they can manage the ball without turning it over.

2. Aggresively defend the arc - ISU has a lot of weapons for 3-pt shooting, so 3-pt defense will be key to beating ISU. Get three defenders out on the perimeter shooters. Limit their looks at the basket. Deny passes to the 3-pt shooters. Work hard to beat single and double screens. Make it tough for ISU to get open looks on the perimeter.

3. Crash the boards defensively - with so many 3-pt shooters, ISU won't have the rebounding presence. Rather than look for fast break opportunities, crash all five defenders and try to win the rebound battle. Royce will get his share of rebounds, but stop the other players from getting theirs.

4. Slow the game down - press. drop an extra defender back after every offensive shot. Make it difficult for ISU to run.

**ce1** · 10-13-2011, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by erikbj

3-2 zone.

I think we'll see this a lot, until we prove we can beat it. 3-2 is tough to rebound out of, defensively, getting Ejim and White active (touches, screens) will be important to prove this isn't how you can play us.

**Goldfinger** · 10-13-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by ce1

Until we see them play, it's pretty hypothetical. Based purely on hype, Capital City League, and last year's play, here is how i'd defend against ISU:

1. Pressure the Point Guard - Is there a consistent, solid ball handler on the court? Full-length of court pressure on whomever is handling the ball. Get in their face, make them change directions, limit their passing angles, harass and press. Make ISU prove they can manage the ball without turning it over.

2. Aggresively defend the arc - ISU has a lot of weapons for 3-pt shooting, so 3-pt defense will be key to beating ISU. Get three defenders out on the perimeter shooters. Limit their looks at the basket. Deny passes to the 3-pt shooters. Work hard to beat single and double screens. Make it tough for ISU to get open looks on the perimeter.

3. Crash the boards defensively - with so many 3-pt shooters, ISU won't have the rebounding presence. Rather than look for fast break opportunities, crash all five defenders and try to win the rebound battle. Royce will get his share of rebounds, but stop the other players from getting theirs.

4. Slow the game down - press. drop an extra defender back after every offensive shot. Make it difficult for ISU to run.

I agree with that, we have alot of shooters, but can any of these guys really put it on the floor and take his man off the dribble? That is a real question mark, IMO. You like to think Sledge can, but the rest?

The rest of the league coaches obviously aren't worried as they picked us towards the bottom of the league.

**madcityCY** · 10-13-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by ce1

Until we see them play, it's pretty hypothetical. Based purely on hype, Capital City League, and last year's play, here is how i'd defend against ISU:

1. Pressure the Point Guard - Is there a consistent, solid ball handler on the court? Full-length of court pressure on whomever is handling the ball. Get in their face, make them change directions, limit their passing angles, harass and press. Make ISU prove they can manage the ball without turning it over.

2. Aggresively defend the arc - ISU has a lot of weapons for 3-pt shooting, so 3-pt defense will be key to beating ISU. Get three defenders out on the perimeter shooters. Limit their looks at the basket. Deny passes to the 3-pt shooters. Work hard to beat single and double screens. Make it tough for ISU to get open looks on the perimeter.

3. Crash the boards defensively - with so many 3-pt shooters, ISU won't have the rebounding presence. Rather than look for fast break opportunities, crash all five defenders and try to win the rebound battle. Royce will get his share of rebounds, but stop the other players from getting theirs.

4. Slow the game down - press. drop an extra defender back after every offensive shot. Make it difficult for ISU to run.

This seems to me a pretty solid gameplan, and has me thinking we'll be mortal.

Regarding the PG pressure, we'll have to be a good passing team, in the fullcourt and half court. I don't see (at this point) a player who is going to dribble out of SOLID defensive pressure.