[81alum]

Before the game, Kate answered a question about the zone defenses we have faced.  The question was something like "In the past the way to kill zones has been with three point shooting, but we don't seem to be able to do that this year.  Why?"

And the answer was something like:  "You need strong post play to force the zone to collapse inwards, otherwise the zone extends out and blankets the three point shooters.  Earlier on we were not getting strong enough inside play to force the zone to collapse."

In other words, modern zone defense can do just as good a job at covering three point shots as it can at covering points in the paint--but it can't do both simultaneously.  The inside threat just has to be great enough to pull the perimeter of the zone inside.

I'm not sure if that was actually what we did to beat the zone last night, though.  I think the mid-range jumpers somehow messed with it.  I'll have to review the game and keep an eye on when OSU switched in and out.

[81alum]

Before the game, Kate answered a question about the zone defenses we have faced.  The question was something like "In the past the way to kill zones has been with three point shooting, but we don't seem to be able to do that this year.  Why?"

And the answer was something like:  "You need strong post play to force the zone to collapse inwards, otherwise the zone extends out and blankets the three point shooters.  Earlier on we were not getting strong enough inside play to force the zone to collapse."

In other words, modern zone defense can do just as good a job at covering three point shots as it can at covering points in the paint--but it can't do both simultaneously.  The inside threat just has to be great enough to pull the perimeter of the zone inside.

I'm not sure if that was actually what we did to beat the zone last night, though.  I think the mid-range jumpers somehow messed with it.  I'll have to review the game and keep an eye on when OSU switched in and out.