Why aren't we pressing more?

#1
iKrager

iKrager

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#1
Despite clueless efforts by Cuonzo Martin and multiple questionable decisions by the man, I'm curious to know why we don't press teams early on? Every time we do a tight full court press, it seems to do pretty well. Just curious as to why we don't do a full court man-to-man back to a basic zone or man-to-man? We could actually create opportunities from the defense, instead of hoping the other team misses.

Our press has looked good when we've used it, and the only times we've used it has been we were desperate for a possession. We've got a good personnel to press with, and I haven't heard any talk of it.


I'm looking for legit reasons as to why a press would work or wouldn't work or situations that press makes the most sense. Comments like "cause gonezo can't coach" or anything alike are not welcome and will be removed. If he couldn't coach at all we wouldn't be 3-2 against Donovan and we wouldn't have crushed Virigina (who was rated #2 in defense efficiency when we played them). This thread isn't about the Cuonzo's decision making. Just pure defensive talk.
 
#2
#2
lol (uh oh, comment may be "removed")

All jokes aside, if our coach was telling the players to press, they would press. Surely you can't think the players are making all the defensive decisions on their own?

This is why most of us blame the defensive failures on the coach. The boys rely on him to make the appropriate call - which isn't happening.
 
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#5
#5
I remember when fans would call VolCalls and ask Kevin O'Neill the same thing back in the day. I think his response probably is apropos here...I'm paraphrasing, but he said something to the extent of: "We can't play half-court defense correctly...why in the hell would we try to play full-court defense?"
 
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#6
#6
Just a thought, but when you press it speeds the game up. I don't think CCM wants to run.
 
#7
#7
iKrager said:
Despite clueless efforts by Cuonzo Martin and multiple questionable decisions by the man, I'm curious to know why we don't press teams early on?
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you answered your own question

Let me ask you. If we implemented a 1-2-2/2-2-1/1-3-1 full court press and dropped back into a 1-3-1 with DT up top, Stokes in the middle, jrich and mcrae on the wings and Moore running the baseline, do you think we would be on the bubble? Barton subs for pg or wing. Reese subs for Moore. Maymon for Stokes. Edwards, Davis and Chievous could buy some minutes and help turn up the pressure for a little bit. Maybe tire a team out with constant pressure and depth.
Plus, you play that way, and your offense doesn't struggle to get 59 pts against the team 130th in rpi and lose twice to them while scoring under 60 to keep you out of the tourny
 
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#8
#8
Spartacavolus said:
you answered your own question

Let me ask you. If we implemented a 1-2-2/2-2-1/1-3-1 full court press and dropped back into a 1-3-1 with DT up top, Stokes in the middle, jrich and mcrae on the wings and Moore running the baseline, do you think we would be on the bubble? Barton subs for pg or wing. Reese subs for Moore. Maymon for Stokes. Edwards, Davis and Chievous could buy some minutes and help turn up the pressure for a little bit. Maybe tire a team out with constant pressure and depth.
Plus, you play that way, and your offense doesn't struggle to get 59 pts against the team 130th in rpi and lose twice to them while scoring under 60 to keep you out of the tourny
Click to expand...


This guy..



He gets it.
 
#9
#9
iKrager said:
Despite clueless efforts by Cuonzo Martin and multiple questionable decisions by the man, I'm curious to know why we don't press teams early on? Every time we do a tight full court press, it seems to do pretty well. Just curious as to why we don't do a full court man-to-man back to a basic zone or man-to-man? We could actually create opportunities from the defense, instead of hoping the other team misses.

Our press has looked good when we've used it, and the only times we've used it has been we were desperate for a possession. We've got a good personnel to press with, and I haven't heard any talk of it.


I'm looking for legit reasons as to why a press would work or wouldn't work or situations that press makes the most sense. Comments like "cause gonezo can't coach" or anything alike are not welcome and will be removed. If he couldn't coach at all we wouldn't be 3-2 against Donovan and we wouldn't have crushed Virigina (who was rated #2 in defense efficiency when we played them). This thread isn't about the Cuonzo's decision making. Just pure defensive talk.
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Hell, forget the press and just try to get some steals off inbounds occasionally. Remember how many times we would steal the ball under Pearl out of a timeout when the opposing team had to inbound the ball? Sometimes it made the difference in the game. See the Fla game in his first year and against LSU in the SEC title year when JaJuan stole the ball. Those are plays that most teams don't even care about. Pearl put emphasis on those because they could be the deciding factor in winning or losing a close game.

I don't think Martin presses because I don't think he honestly knows how to press. Name one thing a Martin coached team really knows how to do? Anyone? Rebound? Hell, that's more about effort and hustle than anything and we have two of the widest bodies in the SEC blocking out.
 
#10
#10
OrangeBalls said:
Hell, forget the press and just try to get some steals off inbounds occasionally. Remember how many times we would steal the ball under Pearl out of a timeout when the opposing team had to inbound the ball? Sometimes it made the difference in the game. See the Fla game in his first year and against LSU in the SEC title year when JaJuan stole the ball. Those are plays that most teams don't even care about. Pearl put emphasis on those because they could be the deciding factor in winning or losing a close game.

I don't think Martin presses because I don't think he honestly knows how to press. Name one thing a Martin coached team really knows how to do? Anyone? Rebound? Hell, that's more about effort and hustle than anything and we have two of the widest bodies in the SEC blocking out.
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We're 'Tough and aggressive' and we 'shoot the ball with pride!'? :)
 
#11
#11
lostsheep said:
I remember when fans would call VolCalls and ask Kevin O'Neill the same thing back in the day. I think his response probably is apropos here...I'm paraphrasing, but he said something to the extent of: "We can't play half-court defense correctly...why in the hell would we try to play full-court defense?"
Click to expand...

O'Neil didn't have enough athletes to press.
 
#12
#12
I seem to remember this topic being brought up in one of the telecasts. I think the announcers said something to the effect of, if they press, they haven't yet learned how to continue to defend once the press gets broken. Maybe something about loosing backside contain. I can't remember exactly but I think it was something to that effect.

The key in this scenario, if true, is they haven't yet learned. That is obviously completely on the coaching staff. I know Martin preaches man defense, but every educator (read coach) should know that if what you are teaching isn't working, you have to try something else. You can't just keep beating your head against a wall.
 
#14
#14
terrypedigo said:
The players were never coached how to press.
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Except, they looked pretty darn good doing it the final 1:46 of the TAMU game. That's how they came back from 8 down to win it, except for that unfortunate time out and missed free throw. Start pressing with 5 minutes left and they may win by 10!
 
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#17
#17
Imagine what Pearl could have done from game 1 with this length pressing. At least he would have gotten a few technical fouls along the way.
 
#19
#19
germanicus said:
Except, they looked pretty darn good doing it the final 1:46 of the TAMU game. That's how they came back from 8 down to win it, except for that unfortunate time out and missed free throw. Start pressing with 5 minutes left and they may win by 10!
Click to expand...
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