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North Dakota and Weber State

W

Webergrad02

Active member
So I watched the North Dakota game yesterday. There were so many similarities to Weber it wasn't even funny. At half time UND had 3 assists. Huff mostly just looks to create his own shot. They were pathetic on the boards. They also really struggle against the zone. The sad part is that you can tell they have lots of talent and athleticism.

The big difference is that they have the worst coach in the Big Sky and we have one of the best. Both schools have great fans and deserve more effort from their teams. The race for a 16 seed is on!
 
Good post. I haven't watched any of Weber since we played you guys last season but I have watched every UND game and everything you said was spot on. I used to think that Jones wasn't a terrible coach but once teams started running the zone on us everything changed. When teams run it against us, our team just looks lost and confused like they have never seen this before. Anyways I am excited for conference play to start and can't wait to see you guys in Grand Forks.
 
It's difficult for me to comprehend how players and/or coaches at this level can struggle with a press and/zone, at least for long periods. Weber has struggled for several years now with both, although, they seem to be handling a press much better now, finally! A zone sure can still cause them problems though. If a team doesn't shoot particularly well I get how a zone can be effective against them, but when teams look paralyzed by it, it's beyond disappointing. I can't imagine high school and comp. teams not seeing plenty of both types of defence and having significant experience with it. Further, I don't seeing how college coaches can continue to struggle with it. For parts of a game or even against certain teams-- I get it, but not when it's an on-going, chronic problem...???
 
When N New Mex ran a 1-3-1 zone on Saturday, the Cats responded with shots from the baseline, where the defense could not cover.
 
I thought our zone attack was much better late in the first half and throughout the second half. Although I am happy that we are doing a better job of breaking a press, I am still dissatisfied that we are not attacking the press and making the other team pay for employing it. There were times when they had 4 players pressing in the backcourt, we got the ball over the line with a three on one going, and then just held the ball while everyone got back, presumably so we could run our offence. The least we could do is force them to foul us. If we attack, we get a layup or a three point play. I don't think we do much for ourselves by being passive against those tactics. We have the speed and ball handlers to at least draw fouls as they attempt to trap on the line.

Another area I would like to see improvement is our baseline out of bounds plays. Too often, we seem to be happy to just get it in bounds and are not really looking to score off of it. I really miss the Ron A. era, when we used to score on 70% of our baseline out of bounds plays. Back then, we also scored on a high percentage of our sideline plays.

Until we prove that zones and presses are useless against us, we will continue to see more of the same. :coffee:
 
True, it sure does seem like they have the athletes to be able attack a press, and it was very apperant when they had th advantage, they didn't try to take advantage.
 
oldrunner said:
I thought our zone attack was much better late in the first half and throughout the second half. Although I am happy that we are doing a better job of breaking a press, I am still dissatisfied that we are not attacking the press and making the other team pay for employing it. There were times when they had 4 players pressing in the backcourt, we got the ball over the line with a three on one going, and then just held the ball while everyone got back, presumably so we could run our offence. The least we could do is force them to foul us. If we attack, we get a layup or a three point play. I don't think we do much for ourselves by being passive against those tactics. We have the speed and ball handlers to at least draw fouls as they attempt to trap on the line.

Another area I would like to see improvement is our baseline out of bounds plays. Too often, we seem to be happy to just get it in bounds and are not really looking to score off of it. I really miss the Ron A. era, when we used to score on 70% of our baseline out of bounds plays. Back then, we also scored on a high percentage of our sideline plays.

Until we prove that zones and presses are useless against us, we will continue to see more of the same. :coffee:
Click to expand...
:+1: Wonder sometimes how the having to read the que (?) cards on called plays affects this? I know it's a Stew thing, but haven't been a fan of it. Not really used by most coaches is it? Not that it matters to stubborn Randy or Eric, but what's the opinions on using the "que cards"? Does it slow down fast, reactive offensive play? :twocents:
 
You can tell the youngsters are being heavily coached to play within the offense and not just create for themselves. I wondered about why we were setting up the offense when we had a 3 on 1 as well. Senglin looks especially like he doesn't want to make any mistakes by not setting up the offense.
 
AlumniWSU said:
:+1: Wonder sometimes how the having to read the cue cards on called plays affects this? I know it's a Stew thing, but haven't been a fan of it. Not really used by most coaches is it? Not that it matters to stubborn Randy or Eric, but what's the opinions on using the "que cards"? Does it slow down fast, reactive offensive play? :twocents:
Click to expand...

I was wondering that exact thing this last game, especially in the first half as I kept noticing their heads turning back to the bench as they very cautiously set the offense. I was also wondering if these players might struggle with such a deliberate, slow offense vs a more up-tempo, run-n-gun style. I'm not saying they should, I don't even like the one-on-one, run-n-gun type of play, I'm just wondering if these athletes are comfortable with the style of play they're a part of. I imagine it could be difficult if you're over-thinking every move on the floor instead of just playing.
 
Holy cow guys, this makes a lot of sense regarding our slow starts at home. I really think this has been compounding some of the young guys struggles in the first half psrticularly. Good posts it is making a little bit of sense now.
 
In the two weeks since starting this thread, Weber seems to have turned a corner. We are getting good ball movement and hitting more outside shots. North Dakota is still struggling and it makes me really wonder if it is their coach. They play small ball but they just don't seem to be putting the pieces together. Jim Hayford mentioned that North Dakota has the most talent of any team in the Big Sky. That says a lot considering they barely squeaked out a win against SUU at home. I think UND will be a win for us, but it may depend on how we play at Northern Colorado. Could it be a trap or let down game?
 
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