MBB Q&A

[tylerlindsey2111]

Figured I’d start this thread and see if anyone has questions about the X&O’s aspect of what we’re watching with Texas, or in basketball as a whole. I know there are a bunch of basketball fans out there, so wanted to give a space for conversation and see if I can help anyone gain a better understanding for what we’re seeing (or not seeing). Hook’em!!

[NothinButDaHorns34]

I am a basketball casual, But why does it seem our offense is so much isolation? One guy gets the ball, everybody stands around and hopes he can break his man down. 

[tylerlindsey2111]

12 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I am a basketball casual, But why does it seem our offense is so much isolation? One guy gets the ball, everybody stands around and hopes he can break his man down. 

Great question! So a lot of it is a philosophical approach made by RT this year, as is most clearly evidenced by the types of players he filled the roster with. For example, go look at the shot profiles and usage rates of Mark(at Arkansas), Pope, and Kaluma prior to coming to Texas. All three are iso, ball dominant scorers. Add in another of those types of guys, Tre, who is even better at it than they are and you paint yourself into a corner with what, in theory, gives you the best chance at success. 
 

Second, from a strategical standpoint, the standing is somewhat beneficial to the downhill drivers in the ISO situations. By holding the corner, for example, you allow the driver to be able to clearly see where the help side defender is rotating from and be able to “spray” the ball out to the right spot and keep the possession moving. Texas big issue offensively is the stagnation occurs at times when false motion or actions to create advantages for the guy with the ball would be very beneficial, which results in a lot of neutral/non penetrating dribbles and passes. 

Edited January 23 by tylerlindsey2111

[HookemTexas]

What's been frustrating to watch is the after math of the 1v1 moves.  Before the season, Gerry said that the team was full of people that could shoot the ball.  I played casually and watch casually, but what I see lacking is someone driving and pulling defenders and dishing out to the open guy.  Seems like every single drive ends up with a shot, even if it's a triple teamed contested shot.

[tylerlindsey2111]

18 minutes ago, HookemTexas said:

What's been frustrating to watch is the after math of the 1v1 moves.  Before the season, Gerry said that the team was full of people that could shoot the ball.  I played casually and watch casually, but what I see lacking is someone driving and pulling defenders and dishing out to the open guy.  Seems like every single drive ends up with a shot, even if it's a triple teamed contested shot.

It’s actually a very good three point shooting team, so Gerry was spot on with that. What it is not, is a great team at creating the best three point shot (inside out catch and shoot). Part of it is playing styles of the guys that primarily have the ball, but also because these guys take a ton of off the dribble threes. Kaluma and Tre passing out of their mid-post ISO’s when defense declares where the double is coming from has been a welcome revelation lately, and should lead to more effective catch and shoot/driving of close out opportunities. 

[DiggsTX]

1 hour ago, tylerlindsey2111 said:

Great question! So a lot of it is a philosophical approach made by RT this year, as is most clearly evidenced by the types of players he filled the roster with. For example, go look at the shot profiles and usage rates of Mark(at Arkansas), Pope, and Kaluma prior to coming to Texas. All three are iso, ball dominant scorers. Add in another of those types of guys, Tre, who is even better at it than they are and you paint yourself into a corner with what, in theory, gives you the best chance at success. 
 

Second, from a strategical standpoint, the standing is somewhat beneficial to the downhill drivers in the ISO situations. By holding the corner, for example, you allow the driver to be able to clearly see where the help side defender is rotating from and be able to “spray” the ball out to the right spot and keep the possession moving. Texas big issue offensively is the stagnation occurs at times when false motion or actions to create advantages for the guy with the ball would be very beneficial, which results in a lot of neutral/non penetrating dribbles and passes. 

great response, and really helpful in understanding what's going on out there (sincerely, another basketball casual)

[JStew]

Any idea why Rodney went with this approach of stacking a bunch iso players? Seems like he is zigging while most others are zagging. Obviously Rodney knows better than I do but an offense with ball movement and driving seems so much more consistent and successful than what we have currently. Also thanks for starting this thread, it’s awesome! 

[tylerlindsey2111]

1 hour ago, JStew said:

Any idea why Rodney went with this approach of stacking a bunch iso players? Seems like he is zigging while most others are zagging. Obviously Rodney knows better than I do but an offense with ball movement and driving seems so much more consistent and successful than what we have currently. Also thanks for starting this thread, it’s awesome! 

Another good question! Obviously, I don’t know RT or his thinking on it but from a guy who’s passion is offense, I can see the thought process being they struggled in clutch moments getting a basket last year because their primary POA guy was 5’10 and not a finisher. So, in theory, going out and getting a group of 1v1 shot creators makes sense. The problem they have is two fold now, though: 1) inefficient dribbles and possessions cause frustration which leads to the ball sticking and getting into “your turn, my turn” which is no good; 2) they rely to heavily on the POA player to create EVERYTHING on their own. If you’re a football guy, think of a coach giving a QB an access route or a check down they know they have whenever. It’s almost a cheat code! That is what iso manipulation and creation can be with good ISO guys in basketball, but the way UT is currently doing it, it is making the game look and feel a lot tougher than it actually needs to with the level of individual talent they have. 

[JStew]

30 minutes ago, tylerlindsey2111 said:

Another good question! Obviously, I don’t know RT or his thinking on it but from a guy who’s passion is offense, I can see the thought process being they struggled in clutch moments getting a basket last year because their primary POA guy was 5’10 and not a finisher. So, in theory, going out and getting a group of 1v1 shot creators makes sense. The problem they have is two fold now, though: 1) inefficient dribbles and possessions cause frustration which leads to the ball sticking and getting into “your turn, my turn” which is no good; 2) they rely to heavily on the POA player to create EVERYTHING on their own. If you’re a football guy, think of a coach giving a QB an access route or a check down they know they have whenever. It’s almost a cheat code! That is what iso manipulation and creation can be with good ISO guys in basketball, but the way UT is currently doing it, it is making the game look and feel a lot tougher than it actually needs to with the level of individual talent they have. 

You make a lot of good points and the inefficient dribbling is maddening to watch. How do you feel about the chances of this team resolving some of those issues and winning a couple tournament games? 

[tylerlindsey2111]

15 minutes ago, JStew said:

You make a lot of good points and the inefficient dribbling is maddening to watch. How do you feel about the chances of this team resolving some of those issues and winning a couple tournament games? 

Honestly? I do not have a ton of confidence in that. Could it happen? Sure.  But would require some wholesale changes and those seem less likely with each passing day. Talent wise, they can compete with the best which always gives them a chance. They can definitely get in, Tre get hot and win them a game or two. Would I phrase that as likely? No, more like 10-20%. More likely, is them continuing to be maddening and either being an NIT or First Four team with an exit to a team way less talented.