New Mexico visited and defeated SMU 84-63 back on November 15th; probably doesn't hurt to have that intel and tape as part of the scouting report. Hope to see the Gaels defend their hearts out. This Iona team appears to have quality depth. Go Gaels!
Smu guards are awful, they only care about getting theirs. Our guards should eat them alive.
New Mexico visited and defeated SMU 84-63 back on November 15th; probably doesn't hurt to have that intel and tape as part of the scouting report. Hope to see the Gaels defend their hearts out. This Iona team appears to have quality depth. Go Gaels!
I just ran some quick numbers. In our seven wins this season, we're holding opponents to 57 points per game. That's fantastic. In five of those victories, the opponent failed to surpass 60 points, and the most any foe scored was 64 (that being Princeton). In the three losses, the opposing teams have averaged 83.6 points per contest.
In regard to Iona's three 80-point ventures, two were versus former RP assistants, and two were true road games. I didn't see the Hofstra game, although by most accounts that I've read online, it appeared to feature some poor perimeter defense by the Gaels. I've read on this board that the Santa Clara matchup was somewhat flukey, traveling across three-time zones and playing a late night game (that isn't to take away from Santa Clara or serve as a total excuse for Iona). We discussed the UNM game in that thread.
So through 10 games, there is precedent: you have to score 80-plus to beat the Gaels ;-) Personally, I generally don't like seeing the opposing team score in the 80s in a college game unless the team I'm rooting for is scoring about 120-plus--then I'll give it a pass, lol. I'm looking forward to the Gaels turning up the heat defensively in this tournament, with all of the good things such as back-tips, deflections, active hands, steals, forcing turnovers, communicating, blocking shots, altering shots, getting back in transition, and keeping teams off of the offensive glass. This team has played some really good defense this season, and I expect that to keep improving.
I just ran some quick numbers. In our seven wins this season, we're holding opponents to 57 points per game. That's fantastic. In five of those victories, the opponent failed to surpass 60 points, and the most any foe scored was 64 (that being Princeton). In the three losses, the opposing teams have averaged 83.6 points per contest.
In regard to Iona's three 80-point ventures, two were versus former RP assistants, and two were true road games. I didn't see the Hofstra game, although by most accounts that I've read online, it appeared to feature some poor perimeter defense by the Gaels. I've read on this board that the Santa Clara matchup was somewhat flukey, traveling across three-time zones and playing a late night game (that isn't to take away from Santa Clara or serve as a total excuse for Iona). We discussed the UNM game in that thread.
So through 10 games, there is precedent: you have to score 80-plus to beat the Gaels ;-) Personally, I generally don't like seeing the opposing team score in the 80s in a college game unless the team I'm rooting for is scoring about 120-plus--then I'll give it a pass, lol. I'm looking forward to the Gaels turning up the heat defensively in this tournament, with all of the good things such as back-tips, deflections, active hands, steals, forcing turnovers, communicating, blocking shots, altering shots, getting back in transition, and keeping teams off of the offensive glass. This team has played some really good defense this season, and I expect that to keep improving.
This is all true. And for those who wondered why we went zone so much, Pitino addressed this in the presser--he didn't think we were going to be able to guard them in man. Notice, too, that the zone was quite extended--it was a way to take away the 3, as NM hit a bunch early. NM's 3-point shooting deteriorated after that, and Pitino was willing to trade the high rate of 2s for the 3s so that we'd stay in the game (especially since we weren't making 3s ourselves).
Utah St is excellent from 3--one of the top teams in the country. If we get by SMU and face the Aggies, don't be shocked to see extended zone there too.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
I just ran some quick numbers. In our seven wins this season, we're holding opponents to 57 points per game. That's fantastic. In five of those victories, the opponent failed to surpass 60 points, and the most any foe scored was 64 (that being Princeton). In the three losses, the opposing teams have averaged 83.6 points per contest.
In regard to Iona's three 80-point ventures, two were versus former RP assistants, and two were true road games. I didn't see the Hofstra game, although by most accounts that I've read online, it appeared to feature some poor perimeter defense by the Gaels. I've read on this board that the Santa Clara matchup was somewhat flukey, traveling across three-time zones and playing a late night game (that isn't to take away from Santa Clara or serve as a total excuse for Iona). We discussed the UNM game in that thread.
So through 10 games, there is precedent: you have to score 80-plus to beat the Gaels ;-) Personally, I generally don't like seeing the opposing team score in the 80s in a college game unless the team I'm rooting for is scoring about 120-plus--then I'll give it a pass, lol. I'm looking forward to the Gaels turning up the heat defensively in this tournament, with all of the good things such as back-tips, deflections, active hands, steals, forcing turnovers, communicating, blocking shots, altering shots, getting back in transition, and keeping teams off of the offensive glass. This team has played some really good defense this season, and I expect that to keep improving.
This is all true. And for those who wondered why we went zone so much, Pitino addressed this in the presser--he didn't think we were going to be able to guard them in man. Notice, too, that the zone was quite extended--it was a way to take away the 3, as NM hit a bunch early. NM's 3-point shooting deteriorated after that, and Pitino was willing to trade the high rate of 2s for the 3s so that we'd stay in the game (especially since we weren't making 3s ourselves).
Utah St is excellent from 3--one of the top teams in the country. If we get by SMU and face the Aggies, don't be shocked to see extended zone there too.
Thanks for the update about the zone. I saw that zone shutdown teams from scoring at his previous college stop, and it knocked teams out from behind the arc then too; it definitely gave UNM fits and helped us back into the game. It was a very unique zone when he used to run it, as his teams were able to generate steals out of it, too. Those teams would sometimes even go from man-to-man to zone or vice versa in the same possession. Other times the offense or the TV announcers couldn't tell if the team was in a zone or a man. It's effective logistically, with the added boon of confusing the offense.
Perhaps another perk of any zone defense (especially RP's unique one) is that teams aren't particularly accustomed to facing them as much (similar to pressing teams), and they can sometimes throw teams off in tournament situations. If I recall correctly, Syracuse squeaked into the 2018 NCAA Tournament with a losing conference record, and then managed to knock off three good teams, including Michigan State.
I just ran some quick numbers. In our seven wins this season, we're holding opponents to 57 points per game. That's fantastic. In five of those victories, the opponent failed to surpass 60 points, and the most any foe scored was 64 (that being Princeton). In the three losses, the opposing teams have averaged 83.6 points per contest.
In regard to Iona's three 80-point ventures, two were versus former RP assistants, and two were true road games. I didn't see the Hofstra game, although by most accounts that I've read online, it appeared to feature some poor perimeter defense by the Gaels. I've read on this board that the Santa Clara matchup was somewhat flukey, traveling across three-time zones and playing a late night game (that isn't to take away from Santa Clara or serve as a total excuse for Iona). We discussed the UNM game in that thread.
So through 10 games, there is precedent: you have to score 80-plus to beat the Gaels ;-) Personally, I generally don't like seeing the opposing team score in the 80s in a college game unless the team I'm rooting for is scoring about 120-plus--then I'll give it a pass, lol. I'm looking forward to the Gaels turning up the heat defensively in this tournament, with all of the good things such as back-tips, deflections, active hands, steals, forcing turnovers, communicating, blocking shots, altering shots, getting back in transition, and keeping teams off of the offensive glass. This team has played some really good defense this season, and I expect that to keep improving.
This is all true. And for those who wondered why we went zone so much, Pitino addressed this in the presser--he didn't think we were going to be able to guard them in man. Notice, too, that the zone was quite extended--it was a way to take away the 3, as NM hit a bunch early. NM's 3-point shooting deteriorated after that, and Pitino was willing to trade the high rate of 2s for the 3s so that we'd stay in the game (especially since we weren't making 3s ourselves).
Utah St is excellent from 3--one of the top teams in the country. If we get by SMU and face the Aggies, don't be shocked to see extended zone there too.
Iona was playing zone right from the start. They were not prepared to play it IMO as they were giving up wide open 3s which NM was hitting. They eventually mixed it up, but to me it helped NM get out to a big lead. I listened to Ken's video with Kevin Hamilton recapping the game and his opinion was that Iona probably should have played more Man.
This is all true. And for those who wondered why we went zone so much, Pitino addressed this in the presser--he didn't think we were going to be able to guard them in man. Notice, too, that the zone was quite extended--it was a way to take away the 3, as NM hit a bunch early. NM's 3-point shooting deteriorated after that, and Pitino was willing to trade the high rate of 2s for the 3s so that we'd stay in the game (especially since we weren't making 3s ourselves).
Utah St is excellent from 3--one of the top teams in the country. If we get by SMU and face the Aggies, don't be shocked to see extended zone there too.
Iona was playing zone right from the start. They were not prepared to play it IMO as they were giving up wide open 3s which NM was hitting. They eventually mixed it up, but to me it helped NM get out to a big lead. I listened to Ken's video with Kevin Hamilton recapping the game and his opinion was that Iona probably should have played more Man.
I dont think the intent was to stay in zone though. When we did our man press after early zones, House roasted us and the fouls mounted, so he went back to zone. But i agree with you, the very early zone didnt work.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Iona was playing zone right from the start. They were not prepared to play it IMO as they were giving up wide open 3s which NM was hitting. They eventually mixed it up, but to me it helped NM get out to a big lead. I listened to Ken's video with Kevin Hamilton recapping the game and his opinion was that Iona probably should have played more Man.
I dont think the intent was to stay in zone though. When we did our man press after early zones, House roasted us and the fouls mounted, so he went back to zone. But i agree with you, the very early zone didnt work.
I agree with both of you, the zone early didn't work. As broguy mentioned, it did help yield some open threes early, and some of that big lead. While watching it, I thought RP had maybe lost a bet to Richard to play a zone, or was perhaps throwing him a bone, lol. Though as you pointed out, that early half foul trouble played a factor, too--especially with DJ sitting out so much of the first half.
I dont think the intent was to stay in zone though. When we did our man press after early zones, House roasted us and the fouls mounted, so he went back to zone. But i agree with you, the very early zone didnt work.
I agree with both of you, the zone early didn't work. As broguy mentioned, it did help yield some open threes early, and some of that big lead. While watching it, I thought RP had maybe lost a bet to Richard to play a zone, or was perhaps throwing him a bone, lol. Though as you pointed out, that early half foul trouble played a factor, too--especially with DJ sitting out so much of the first half.
I think he was trying to throw as many curves in as he could. Zone is not part of the scout on Iona, Ayo had not ever played, and Quinn was not only back but played a decent amount. Anything to throw them off.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Iona was playing zone right from the start. They were not prepared to play it IMO as they were giving up wide open 3s which NM was hitting. They eventually mixed it up, but to me it helped NM get out to a big lead. I listened to Ken's video with Kevin Hamilton recapping the game and his opinion was that Iona probably should have played more Man.
I dont think the intent was to stay in zone though. When we did our man press after early zones, House roasted us and the fouls mounted, so he went back to zone. But i agree with you, the very early zone didnt work.
Interested to see how/if/when he uses it going forward. Do you break it out in MAAC play to confuse teams even when you have the much better athletes than the other 10 teams?
I dont think the intent was to stay in zone though. When we did our man press after early zones, House roasted us and the fouls mounted, so he went back to zone. But i agree with you, the very early zone didnt work.
Interested to see how/if/when he uses it going forward. Do you break it out in MAAC play to confuse teams even when you have the much better athletes than the other 10 teams?
Next time you see it will be NCAA Tourney, again as a nonscout wrinkle!
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
