I think it is assumed we will employ the UCF tactic of sagging way off Tre Jones to help with penetration and post-ups, but how will we do that and will we employ any wrinkles? One issue I am sure coaches are thinking about is how we usually switch on ball screens could allow Duke to set up situations where KJ switches onto Zion/Reddish/Barrett and then they focus on driving at KJ to get him in foul trouble.

(1) Play our usual man defense with heavy switching and rotation, cycle Med/Ty/Horne on Zion, keep KJ on DeLaurier/Bolden (or Goldwire if they decide to play smaller) to help KJ avoid foul trouble. Instructions to KJ to sag way off if he switches onto ball-handler and stay away from contact on penetration to extent he can. Have 5 guard Jones and try to anticipate passing lanes and places to pick up charges to stop penetration;

(2) Usual man D and same as (1), but play NAW on Jones in order to use his length in help defense (downside is 5 would likely have to check 6-7 Barrett or 6-8 Reddish);

(3) Usual man D, but put KJ on Zion so we have best post defender on Zion, with instructions for guys to help quickly on perimeter to stop penetration;

(4) Usual man D, but put KJ on Jones and tell him to sag way off and basically never leave the paint. Force Jones to shoot. Would require 5 to match up on a bigger guy, but would mean that if Zion drove the lane and KJ was there to help, Bolden/DeLaurier/another-one-of-their-bigs wouldn't be left open for a dish

(5) Employ a packed-in zone defense after VT misses and then our usual man, say option (1), after VT makes (this could confuse them a little, help get our transition going b/c it would have 5 and NAW out on perimeter defensively more regularly, but could add to defensive rebounding issues)

I think you start in option (1), but prepare option (4) as a possible wrinkle.




[Post edited by CampLawHokie at 03/28/2019 11:15AM]