Could we get an intelligent fan to call in to Huggins' show?

[Dan Rydell]

FAN?  Rusty?  sys?  One of you guys wanna call in?

So far tonight, we've gotten:

Fan #1:  "Even if Bill Walker hadn't gotten injured, since he started so late in the season, would he get an extra year of eligibility?"
Huggs:  "Once you play one game, you've used a year of eligibility."  Not to mention the NBA...

Fan #2:  "Why do you have Bennett play up so high on defense when his man pops to the top of the key?  Why not just leave him under the basket?"
Huggs:  "There's this thing called a ball screen..."

 

[michigancat]

I would like to discuss the value of the three point shot with him, and if this year's success with "long" guards on defense might adjust his recruiting philosophy (he hasn't signed a guard over 6-2 since he arrived).

[fatty fat fat]

FAN?  Rusty?  sys?  One of you guys wanna call in?

They are too scared.

[fatty fat fat]

Red is a total tool.

[ECN]

if i was near a phone i'd call and ask whose scholarship he was yanking next year.

[cireksu]

I'd ask what cut of steak he eats every gameday.  And how his potatoes and the steak are prepared

[kougar24]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

[Super PurpleCat]

I'd call and ask him to pick me up something from Carlos O'Kellys.

[pissclams]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

[ds43fan]

i'd ask him if he'd offer a half star for the recruiting class of '11

[kougar24]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

Way to blow that way out of proportion. First, I never said I thought his strategy was bad, did I? I wasn't even bitching about it for God's sake. I was just curious as to what made him decide to teach pushing the screener out as opposed to hedging.

Go pop some X or something, jeezus.

[Super PurpleCat]

Also ask him if he plans on bringing his A game against ku.

[michigancat]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

He was just trying to sound intelligent by using one of the only basketball terms he retained from his crappy Salina HS basketball coach.

[kougar24]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

He was just trying to sound intelligent by using one of the only basketball terms he retained from his crappy Salina HS basketball coach.

You were only correct on the last part. My question about hedging, however, is a valid one. Most coaches teach hedging. I'd be interested to hear why Hugs does not.

[fatty fat fat]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

He was just trying to sound intelligent by using one of the only basketball terms he retained from his crappy Salina HS basketball coach.

You were only correct on the last part. My question about hedging, however, is a valid one. Most coaches teach hedging. I'd be interested to hear why Hugs does not.

 

Reminds me when I try to act like a tennis "expert"

[kougar24]

Why don't you douchebags actually argue against my point, then?

I'll be up.

[fatty fat fat]

Why don't you douchebags actually argue against my point, then?

I'll be up.

 

[kougar24]

That's what I thought.

[ksu_FAN]

koug, it is a valid question.  I think they just enjoy messing with you.  

My guess would be that 1st, it takes away the roll.  If the screener is getting bodied, then he's not going to get off for a clear path to the basket.  2nd, you can still get the ballhandler to change his path enough to not come off clean for a shot.  3rd, bigs are used to bodying up on defense so they're more apt to get away with a little more contact on the screens.  4th, it fits his ball pressure style, hedging and coming under screens allows for more gaps and space for shooters.  5th, in his mind, help should be there if the bump and isn't clean and the defender comes off trailing.  

Huggs also teaches pressuring the ball and taking away the middle of the floor to the point of giving up baseline at times, which to many basketball folk is a sin.  The movement of your defense can set you up for charges or forcing quick shots or bad passes off of it, but you've got to be trained well to rotate and help.  Bob Knight uses this technique with his man D as well FWIW.

[kougar24]

Ah, I knew I could count on you FAN. A real answer to a real question. How novel!

Anyway, I imagine that's exactly what Hugs would say. I have noticed, though, that we've been called for a few cheap fouls pushing the screener up top. Not enough to warrant changing the system, mind you, but enough to think about.

I think the main advantage, as you said, would be taking away the roll by the screener. There are several teams in this league that kill with the pick 'n' roll, and they likely will get below-average output with it against us.

Giving up the baseline is only a big deal if your help D is vacant or late. There is no collateral traffic the ballhandler will run into on the baseline like he would driving down the heart of the lane. However, I've seen Hugs bench people numerous times now for nothing more than missing a help D assignment, so I think the guys are getting the message that help D is rather important in this system.

[ksu_FAN]

Yeah, I was going to mention one big negative is you can give up a cheap foul now and then, but with the physical nature of the game today, especially on screens, its probably worth the risk.

And on help defense and giving up the baseline, I totally agree, but a lot of old school basketball philosophy was to channel to the middle, but it seems there is a switch to funneling baseline by more coaches today b/c of the athleticism and ability to help.  Plus, not a lot of guys are pull-up midrange jumpshooters.  They are going to shoot from 3 or go to the rim, and funneling baseline plays right into that.

[kougar24]

a lot of old school basketball philosophy was to channel to the middle

Believe me, I know. The aforementioned "crappy Salina South HS coach" would stop practice and put us on the line if we let anyone beat us baseline. When help doesn't arrive on the baseline, your D looks silly because it's a layup/dunk for the opposition, but when a trap does get set in the short corner, it's the offense that suddenly looks silly more often than not.

[pissclams]

I'd ask why he doesn't teach players to hedge ball screens at the top of the key.

A+ for questioning this team's defensive strategy. Proving that some people can, in fact, bitch about anything.

Way to blow that way out of proportion. First, I never said I thought his strategy was bad, did I? I wasn't even bitching about it for God's sake. I was just curious as to what made him decide to teach pushing the screener out as opposed to hedging.

Go pop some X or something, jeezus.

HAHA 
LOL