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Carino: New Offensive strategy?

YES! The best our offense looked was in the first two games when there were 74 and 76 possessions. We're only averaging 67.5 per game, and against Maine we were at 59 -- much of that is on Maine as they play at a glacial pace, but the point stands. We've been playing more slowly lately.

Obviously Maryland's defense will provide more resistance going up and down than FDU and Drexel did, but I'm hoping the change gets implemented. My theory was that they were worried about wearing Baker out so it would make sense to bring this in as McConnell gets more minutes.
 
I will bet if you look at tempo numbers and 3 point attempts percentage (3PA/FGA) there is a strong correlation with teams playing faster tempos and the frequency their shots are 3 pointers. I know Pikiell has said that he doesn't want us taking a lot of 3s, but i can't see how you don't take more 3s if the tempo needle is moved.

I'll bet there is also strong correlation in tempo (low) and defensive efficiency. I'll bet part of our slower tempo is due to our pretty good defense.
 
I will bet if you look at tempo numbers and 3 point attempts percentage (3PA/FGA) there is a strong correlation with teams playing faster tempos and the frequency their shots are 3 pointers. I know Pikiell has said that he doesn't want us taking a lot of 3s, but i can't see how you don't take more 3s if the tempo needle is moved.

I'll bet there is also strong correlation in tempo (low) and defensive efficiency. I'll bet part of our slower tempo is due to our pretty good defense.
You can also get better three point looks if the ball is upcourt before the defense is set.

Our team is deep this year. There’s no reason not to push the ball and rotate in fresh legs.
 
yikes...just figured out part of why our defensive efficiency has been good. We are leading the nation in opponents FT%. That won't travel with us!
 
I will bet if you look at tempo numbers and 3 point attempts percentage (3PA/FGA) there is a strong correlation with teams playing faster tempos and the frequency their shots are 3 pointers. I know Pikiell has said that he doesn't want us taking a lot of 3s, but i can't see how you don't take more 3s if the tempo needle is moved.

I'll bet there is also strong correlation in tempo (low) and defensive efficiency. I'll bet part of our slower tempo is due to our pretty good defense.

It was pretty obvious to me that Pikiell decided to emphasize defense, because the offense totally changed after those first couple games. Will be interesting to see the strategy vs MD
 
I figured about 2.5 more points per game would be scored against if opponent shot average from line. That would be .03 points per possession more and move us from 20th to 50th defensively according to Bart
 
Commented during the Maine game that we don’t look to run at all. Push the ball and look for easy points.

Unfortunately we really don’t have the Guards who can get up and down with some of the speed and athleticism seen in today’s game. Need to recruit better players.
 
Commented during the Maine game that we don’t look to run at all. Push the ball and look for easy points.

Unfortunately we really don’t have the Guards who can get up and down with some of the speed and athleticism seen in today’s game. Need to recruit better players.

Mathis, Harper and Johnson can run with anyone and from the guards it’s as much mindset as athleticism. Magic Johnson wasn’t that quick but he pushed the ball up court as fast as anyone to the more athletic guys like Worthy & Scott
 
It's OK to push the ball at a faster pace, but it has to produce some easy baskets and/or draw fouls. Not sure our big guys can finish even when we have the advantage. Our guards will have to drive more instead of just taking the open three unless they're falling. Hopefully, somebody will get back on D.
It's probably worth a shot considering our offensive scoring issues.
 
Yes!

I mentioned way back when going into the Mich St game I thought the key for our offense was a faster pace. Baker, kiss, thiam, the freshman have trouble producing their own shots. As someone who used to be able to shoot but was slow and and couldn’t really create my own shot I was much more comfortable in a more open style offense

Now if the shots don’t fall that obviously create problems quickly but better than what we are doing now
 
You can also get better three point looks if the ball is upcourt before the defense is set.

Our team is deep this year. There’s no reason not to push the ball and rotate in fresh legs.

I don't think we need better three point looks. We already have them. We just can't make very many. Our 3 point shooting pct is 31% and that's 290th in D1 and a lot of these are open looks. By the way, our FT% is 63% (333rd of 351 D1 teams).
 
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My HS coach used to brag he was the best defensive coach in the county. Thing is we had a methodical offense and took a long time to work for shots. Opponent can’t score if they don’t have the ball.

The shot clock prevents a lot of that but doesn’t eliminate it. I say this because part of the story behind a good defensive team could be bad offense. We need to find scorers and it’s going to be tough with the remaining schedule.
 
Pushing starts with the defensive rebound. Big guys have to turn and look for outlet rather than covering up. I’m guessing Pike has worked on that. If a guard rebounds, push at smart pace and everyone get up court.
 
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Mathis would likely flourish in a more uptempo game but I tend to agree with others that we lack speed and quickness to run and gun. Just look at how several of our guys struggle playing man to man defense.

Now I think we should look for transition opportunities, but we need to make shots whether in the first 10 or last 10 of the shot clock.
 
The issue I’m seeing is shot selection. I think when Pikiell said we want to get the ball inside and not take as many threes, not only did our team try to do that, but our opponents listened to the strategy as well and just played a zone that collapsed the middle of the court so when the shot clock was running down and we couldn’t get the bell inside, we ended up taking a three point shot anyway and it was a worse shot than we probably had earlier in the possession.

I don’t know if it makes sense to reveal your offensive strategy to anyone but your team. And you have to mix it up. We have guys who can load up the 3 ball and if it’s wide open and your feet are moving towards the basket, take the shot. We have to set picks for our guards to open up the floor by driving to the hoop and looking for an open cutter. That’s what’s missing in our offense. I realize that Geo may not be the complete point guard but he has the ability to make a move and so does McConnell. I think Mathis and Harper can only do the same. The rest of the team has to be in motion so there’s always someone open and if it’s an open Thiam or Kiss or whoever, shoot the ball the ball with confidence if it’s open. Our bigs need to always be hitting the glass for scraps.
 
You guys should let Pikiell know about the game plan issue and how slow you think our guys are. I am sure he's bereft of insight regarding his team.
 
The team should be focusing on driving since they are not getting to the line. Harper Jr should be in the post, or driving from three for either a finish or dish.

Mathis should be driving. Same as above.

Wayy too many 3 pt shots for a team that is not making them. Harper is a far better drive than a shooter right now.
 
I’m in the camp that says if you have an open three you’ve got to take it. Right now—based both upon what coach said about improved shooting early in the season and what he is saying now about reduced three-point attempts along with what we’ve seen—we have scared shooters which is making them bad shooters.

You obviously need a balance, but passing up a clean three in today’s game . . . I don’t know. I thought we found a good balance in the second half v Maine. Let’s see if we can do it v Maryland.
 
Pushing starts with the defensive rebound. Big guys have to turn and look for outlet rather than covering up. I’m guessing Pike has worked on that. If a guard rebounds, push at smart pace and everyone get up court.
The way Maryland plays defense Rutgers could advance the ball across the timeline in 3 seconds AFTER a made Maryland basket.

Under Turgeon the Terps apply zero ball pressure in the back court despite the excellent length and athleticism his teams typically have.

So cue up your secondary break.
 
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I’m in the camp that says if you have an open three you’ve got to take it. Right now—based both upon what coach said about improved shooting early in the season and what he is saying now about reduced three-point attempts along with what we’ve seen—we have scared shooters which is making them bad shooters.

You obviously need a balance, but passing up a clean three in today’s game . . . I don’t know. I thought we found a good balance in the second half v Maine. Let’s see if we can do it v Maryland.

I believe this too. If you don't take it, the defense will just clog the lane up and make the other options very difficult. As you've said, the offense needs balance and it doesn't mean we have to take the first 3 pointer available or that our worst shooters should be taking them.

One of the reasons that I dislike this offense is that we often have Doorson coming up to the foul line catching the ball facing the opponents basket. He rarely sets a successful screen and It doesn't really create the expected spacing because the defender is not stupid. He knows Doorson is not a threat from there and drops into help-defense in the lane anyway, as he should.
 
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Would really love to see us press. We have the length, depth, and athleticism.

If we can’t go toe to toe in half court sets we need to find another advantage. Would love to see us try.
 
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Would really love to see us press. We have the length, depth, and athleticism.

If we can’t go toe to toe in half court sets we need to find another advantage. Would love to see us try.
Play zone from time to time. Maryland won't be prepared for it. If RU plays zone & makes shots they could go on a 12-0 run before Maryland takes a timeout and adjusts.
 
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Personally, I think pressing with our talent against superior teams could be suicide. We would have to have very specific players on the court to even try it (and a couple that could never be on the court while pressing), which negates our depth.
 
The way Maryland plays defense Rutgers could advance the ball across the timeline in 3 seconds AFTER a made Maryland basket.

Under Turgeon the Terps apply zero ball pressure in the back court despite the excellent length and athleticism his teams typically have.

So cue up your secondary break.
On it, coach.
 
I’m in the camp that says if you have an open three you’ve got to take it. Right now—based both upon what coach said about improved shooting early in the season and what he is saying now about reduced three-point attempts along with what we’ve seen—we have scared shooters which is making them bad shooters.

You obviously need a balance, but passing up a clean three in today’s game . . . I don’t know. I thought we found a good balance in the second half v Maine. Let’s see if we can do it v Maryland.
If you’re not feeling it you shouldn’t keep chucking imo. A ball fake or two and penetrating and getting to the line can get you in rythymn to begin making those threes.
 
Russ doesnt appear to be a Turgeon fan
Actually I like him. Good guy, down to earth, would love it if he and his family lived next door to me. I'm just being honest about his coaching style. Maryland has only applied back court pressure 4.1% of the time this season. Against zone defenses Maryland is scoring just .899 points per possession.

One stat I look at that is a a reflection of coaching and experience is ATO (after time outs). Opponents shoot 43 percent against Maryland ATO. Maryland only scores 38 percent of the time and turns it over 21.2 percent of the time ATO.
 
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I love stats more than the next guy, but keep in mind sample size is real small with your numbers.

I liked what Turgeon did on that last possession using the 5th defender to double. I did think when he called the last timeout to see how Nebraska was going to set up he was going to switch up and put a defender on the ball.
 
I love stats more than the next guy, but keep in mind sample size is real small with your numbers.

I liked what Turgeon did on that last possession using the 5th defender to double. I did think when he called the last timeout to see how Nebraska was going to set up he was going to switch up and put a defender on the ball.
Maryland had an 18 percent turnover rate ATO last season.
 
Pushing starts with the defensive rebound. Big guys have to turn and look for outlet rather than covering up. I’m guessing Pike has worked on that. If a guard rebounds, push at smart pace and everyone get up court.

I haven’t seen any evidence to believe Pike has worked on that. I don’t think he knows what he’s doing offensively. The sets we run really don’t ever suit our players skill sets and often times he implements a style that actually hinders it. He hasn’t had much to work with but as we get closer to 2.5 to 3 seasons to judge from it gets harder to give him the benefit of the doubt.
 
My HS coach used to brag he was the best defensive coach in the county. Thing is we had a methodical offense and took a long time to work for shots. Opponent can’t score if they don’t have the ball.

The shot clock prevents a lot of that but doesn’t eliminate it. I say this because part of the story behind a good defensive team could be bad offense. We need to find scorers and it’s going to be tough with the remaining schedule.


In 8th grade I was the 13th player of 13 on the team.
Our coach told us no free rides....if he beats and is trying to shoot: you "Hack the Bastard" so he doesn't score.

MO
 
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