Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Looking Back at Marist

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 10:49 AM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

In our continuing effort to get a good understanding of what good and bad is going on in game situations with the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, we'll look at an example of poor defense that Marist executed against the Wildcats several times during the first half.

The play we are going to look at today was a simple pick and roll play, something that Kentucky is running with regularity. Only this time, we'll be looking at the defense of a pick and roll, and where Kentucky broke down and allowed the play to end successfully with a basket.

This particular play happened fairly early in the first half when Marist was repeatedly answering Kentucky baskets on the offensive end.

Pick and roll defense vs. Marist

1) D1 is Doron Lamb, D2 Darius Miller, D3 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, D4 Terrence Jones, and D5 Eloy Vargas.

Marist executes a weave handoff on the left wing. O2 and O1 exchange positions. Miller goes with his man, and Lamb goes with his. Note the good spacing by the Marist offense.

2) O2 now has the ball, Darius Miller defending him. O5 moves out to around the free throw line. This is similar to a Dribble Drive Motion setup, only the 5 is not on the block, but he is on the weak side.

3) O5 comes over and sets a high pick for O2. Vagas comes with him to the left side of Miller (D2). When that happens, two problems crop up -- 1) you have to know whether you are switching pick and rolls, or fighting over them, and 2) you have to understand your own man can make the pick more effective, which it did, in this case.

4) O2 accepts the pick and drives left. Miller goes under the screen and Vargas takes O2, but unfortunately, Miller does not switch to Vargas' man.

This is the point at which the error was made. By watching earlier plays, it seemed clear that Cal was not switching his pick and rolls, prefering to have defenders fight over the screen. If that's the case, Miller's mistake was going under the pick .

What happened here is that we got caught not knowing what to do. Either Miller should have taken O5, or Vargas should have. As it turns out, for a moment, both Miller and Vargas were guarding, but not trapping O2. That freed a path to the basket for O5

O5 rolls to the basket unimpeded. Lamb is closest, but he stays with the 3-point shooter, a veteran play. Jones is the logical help defender, but he is out of position, too far away from the basket. He should be halfway in between, and the play had plenty of time to develop for him to know what was happening.

5) O5 is now wide open under the basket, and receives the pass from O2 Vargas finally rotates back to his man, but way too late. Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist rush toward the basket to help and rebound, leaving two open shooters.

Jones was okay doing what he did, but Kidd-Gilchrist came in too far. He should not have lost touch with his man in case of an offensive rebound and kickout. He should have stayed just around the foul line for the long rebound or to rotate back on defense. We had 3 other guys under the basket.

6) Notice the crowd around the painted area. Lamb is the only player still covering his man.

This play was a failure in a number of ways. #1, we didn't seem to know for sure whether we were switching on P&R, or not. Vargas switched, and Miller didn't. If you have that confusion on pick and roll plays, you'll get scored on almost every time.

Second, our defensive spacing was wrong. Weak side defenders should hedge toward the basket so they can help in case of a breakdown, but in this case, Jones was playing lazy and reacted very slowly to the obvious play. Must have been that late night he had.

Another thing Vargas could have done was jam the pick, and let Miller go over or under. That's where communication comes in. What you do when you jam the pick is that Vargas would have set up right against the pick. Miller could have gone over or under, but the roll would have been impeded by Vargas. Help would have had to come from Jones if the dribbler had attacked the rim, because Vargas would not have been able to recover in time.

You have to call out a pick and roll defense, though, so your teammate knows what to do if the coach hasn't called a blanket P&R defense like a switch. For my money, I think we should switch all pick and rolls because we have such good size and athleticism.

Finally, you can't leave open three-point shooters and charge the basket with abandon like this. Kidd-Gilchrist forgot all about the other players to charge in and help where none was needed -- UK already had 3 guys around the basket, and he made recovery to an open shooter impossible if 05 had fumbled the pass and was forced to pass. Lamb played his man correctly, and Jones did rotate, which left MKG as the last line of defense against a kickout.

From all this, we can see that UK has a ways to go defensively, and that's a point that coach cal will be making to them over and over again in the coming weeks. If we play the pick and roll like this against Kansas, we'll be in trouble.

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More good stuff

Glenn, thanks for the play diagram and the description. I enjoy reading about the various plays. I don’t understand players’ reluctance to talk (scream “PICK”), but for some reason that seems to be an endemic problem in college basketball these days. In my high school days, talking was a given.

by jdogblue on Nov 13, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions

Absolutely.

Not only do you call out the pick, but if you are not in a “presumptive” defense, you have to call out what you’ll be doing, i.e. “under”, “jam,” “step out” or “switch.”

Communication is the key to great defense.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

A little confusing to start with who is on offense vs. defense

You say our guys are O1, O2, etc – but then switch to Marist players as those guys. Our guys are actually the defenders (triangles).

But really good artical and analysis. Thanks.

Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living

by GriffinRC on Nov 13, 2011 11:39 AM EST reply actions

I goofed.

I’ll fix that.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

There.

All better. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished for an editor. It’s hard to edit your own stuff. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

No prob.

But you have at least 50 editors – if not more. You just have to publish first before we can pick your work apart!

Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living

by GriffinRC on Nov 13, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Ahhh!

Good point. Thanks for the heads up. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

All, or most, of the problems come from the intial flub as you say.

You suggest that Jones was playing lazy in diagram 4 by not getting down to help defend. There are several possible resluts if he does get down there – one is a foul, another is a kick-out to the wide open 3 in the corner. He could also get a block or steal, of course. Or the center could just score over him. But the help defense is a deparation mode play at that point. Also, there needs to be a strategy when the ball does go up – who goes to the glass and rebounds and who stays home and defends the open 3. If MKG does not crash the glass at the end it becomes a little easier for Marist to grab Offensive rebounds. He may have been doing what he was told to do. And that can change game-to-game or even within a game (shooter cools off or heats up). And even at that he cannot defend bith his player and Jones player on the perimeter – one is still wide open for a 3. But all of the negative stuff is negated by solid defense at the point of attack by Miller and Vargas. Good stuff. It ain’t easy.

Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living

by GriffinRC on Nov 13, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions

I need my own editor -

I can spell “results” “desparation” “both” etc if I work at it.

Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living

by GriffinRC on Nov 13, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

we no longer need to use the word "desperation" unless we are discussing our opponents frustration......lol

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 13, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Another really nice job.....I am starting to get addicted to this.....

We need to have KH show this stuff to Cal…..he thought we were nuts before, wait til he sees we are diagramming his offensive and defensive sets…….

You just know this is the same thing those coaches are showing those kids every day…….love this stuff Glenn…….

God, it is good to talk about basketball……..

A little more hustle for those kids in their spots and the breakdowns will disappear.

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 13, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions

Some of those breakdowns did disappear in the second half.

Not all, but enough to add 30+ points to the winning margin and hold Marist to 17% shooting in the second half. I do believe they are not that far away. Better at this point than last year. Can the defense be better at the end of the season than it was last year? It’s hard to fathom, but if they improve on a similar curve it will be a truly amazing defense by year end. We shall see. This was Marist, who is not expected to to even be close to making the Tournament. Kansas on Tuesday will be interesting.

Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living

by GriffinRC on Nov 13, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

oh yeah

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 13, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Can someone go ahead and give initial thoughts on the KU game Tuesday? I don't

know anything about their team this season.

by bluegrassgal on Nov 13, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

well, they will not have their complete team available from what I understand....

talented, untested, well coached and young……

Sound familiar??

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 13, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

UK early 9 point favorite over KU

by UK1972 on Nov 13, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

I Think UK W By Double Digits

Give the 9 to KU and bet the Cats!

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 13, 2011 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

bluegrassgal

KU has one significant post player, Thomas Robinson, a highly talented 6-9 player who CBSS named a first-team All American. They return Tyshawn Taylor as a starting guard, Most of the other players were back-ups to very talented teammates last year. KU had three freshmen who did not qualify to play this season. They should be thin, but Self is a good coach who will have them ready to compete at a high level.

by jdogblue on Nov 13, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

PG Will Be Key

UK has only one while KU has 3, including a senior Tyshawn Taylorzz, a redshirt junior Elijah Johnson, and a freshman who KU fans say may be the best, Naadir Thorpe. Generally speaking, UK has more talent, KU more experience, but, then, isn’t that usually the case with most games?

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell

by Wild Weasel on Nov 13, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

UK's One (PG) Is Better Than KU's Three (Put Together)

Teague is better and Lamb can play PG too.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 13, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks, Glenn...

As Greg says, this type of analysis is addictive. I’m just hopeful we can prevail on you to continue doing it from here on out!

Part of the defensive breakdown issues are youth but a large part is Cal just not installing his defense until late – this is not a criticism, btw, I much prefer Cal’s early emphasis on offense. But, with instruction, I’ve faith these guys will be able to cut down on those type mistakes dramatically, as suggested by the distinct improvement in the second half.

Having brought up the issue of youth, I’m less understanding of Miller’s mistake. At this point, it should have been second nature for Darius to fight over the screen or call out the switch to an equally experienced Vargas. Just shows the size of the task Cal overcomes every season meshing upper classmen and freshmen.

Btw, growing up in Missouri, I hate Kansas with a white hot heat. This seems a terrific time to deliver a vengeance beat down for the 95-150 pasting of 1989 when they, ranked 2nd nationally, ran up the score on a Kentucky team reeling from probation troubles. My fall back is to cut off the 3 game dominance they have enjoyed. But, however unlikely, my clear preference is to treat them just like Morehouse and rip their heart out!

by TeamWeaver on Nov 13, 2011 3:58 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I'll be doing it all year.

It makes easy post-fodder if I really don’t have a lot to say, and when you beat a team by 50 points, you really have to pick nits.

As Griffin said above, a lot of these errors were corrected in the second half. I just wanted to point out one specific and common breakdown on pick and roll defense. Next time we see that set, we’ll be saying, “Aha! That was a breakdown!” whether the execution scores a basket or not. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

Btw, I find it interesting ...

that the Kentucky Kernel (Click Here) is doing much the same type of critique using screen shots rather than diagrams. I much prefer your knowledgeable diagramming, conveys much more information in a clear concise manner. Thanks again!

by TeamWeaver on Nov 13, 2011 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you for reading!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Terrific

MKG is so active that he gets himself involved in the defense all over the floor. That’s a great asset for such a great player, but it can get him into trouble as you outlined. Still, I think that’s what coaches call an “error of commission” rather than an “error of omission” and it should be relatively easy to fix with experience.

1/x doesn't die, it just fades away.

by JLeverenz on Nov 13, 2011 4:22 PM EST reply actions

Exactly right.

9 times out of ten, that slight error doesn’t cost a thing, and as you say, coaches will take that 100% of the time versus inaction.

But we do strive for perfection. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Defending the 3 has been a problem so far.

We simply can’t leave the best 3-point shooters to help in the paint.

Kansas has only one returning starter. The Morris twins are gone, as are Selby and Morningstar. Those are big losses. Thomas Robinson (Jr. F, 6’10", 237) returns, as does Tyshawn Taylor (Sr. G, 6’3", 185), Elijah Johnson (Jr. G, 6’4", 195) and Kevin Young (Jr. F, 6’8", 185).

Also returning are four redshirts, including Travis Releford (Jr. G, 6’6", 207), Connor Teahan (Jr. G, 6’6", 207) and Jeff Withey (Jr. C, 7’0", 235).

Recruits include Ben McLemore (6’5", 185), ESPN’s 15th ranked SF (4*). Also Naadir Tharpe (6’0", 170), the 17th ranked PG (4*).

Against Towson on Friday, the most minutes were logged by Johnson (29, 8 pts), Robinson (25, 18 pts), Releford (25, 14 pts), Taylor (24, 12 pts), Teahan (22, 11 pts), Tharpe (19, 6 pts) and Withey (18, 10 pts). Young played 14 minutes and scored 13 points.

by Wheatgerm on Nov 13, 2011 4:56 PM EST reply actions

Tharpe Was Leaning To Minnesota Until KU Offered

The top shel schools (Kansas and UK among them) can take away recruits at the very end.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 13, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Self on UK:

"I think the biggest thing is, transition defense has to be great," KU coach Bill Self said. "We have to handle pressure. (The Wildcats) are going to press. We have to attack pressure and score behind their pressure. We have to rebound the ball. We have to go after it like men. We’ll spend our entire next three days emphasizing that. I think we’ll play better as far as the intangible things." (LJWorld.com)

by Wheatgerm on Nov 13, 2011 5:01 PM EST reply actions

I just watched the second half ...

… and I saw Marist run the same play. Wiltjer was playing the 5, and Lamb was guarding the ball. This time, Wiltjer jamed the screener and did not switch.

Miller, who was playing where MKG was on the play I diagrammed, saw the play coming and positioned himself perfectly to guard the driver off the pick, even after Lamb got hung up, and had plenty of time to rotate back to his man on the kick out.

So they did fix that at half time.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 13, 2011 5:12 PM EST reply actions

There you go!

Just shows Cal has so much talent he just rolls the balls out (dws).

by TeamWeaver on Nov 13, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions

That should be a simple thing to take care of

We all know the answer. COMMUNICATION and a basic philosophy. If your base philosophy is to fight through a pick then you fight through it, if you want a switch you must communicate the switch.

Pick and roll, give-n-go, very well executed can be a serious problem, see Stockton/Malone for proof. However, they are common and their defense is common. It’s real simple, do it better than they do. Execute better.

by sweasyf on Nov 13, 2011 9:05 PM EST reply actions