CovCath actually switched to the zone in the middle of the 2nd quarter and not in the 2nd half.

I will only talk about Thelen conditioning that you commented about! You mentioned in your post how the Holmes players where "Over the Back" of the CovCath players all night long and my intent in posting this isn't to say why didn't the stripes call it but to say to you, have that happen to you all night long and see how tired you get. Jack is in great shape and in fact played more minutes than anyone for CovCath last night. Thelen conditioning is a non issue and you can take that one to the bank.

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/putting-money-where-his-mouth-is/12qqlpqs

I was very impressed with the discipline Holmes showed last night. They had very good ball movement and for the most part were patient on offense. As good as they have been over the last few years, those older teams would have shown some cracks after CovCath came back to tie up the game. This Holmes team did not.

 

CovCath looked very, very timid in the first half of the game. No one seemed willing to drive to the basket. Given CovCath's height advantage and depth on the bench, I would have expected CovCath to be more aggressive. This is a game that slipped right through CovCath's hands.

.........

That appears to be what they try to do. I am not sure, but I am guessing since they have Drew, Jake and Cubby in there, that is the intent.

 

I find it hard to believe that the CCH defenders are coached to funnel the offense into the lane. I don't care if you have Dwight Howard back there, it's not a good idea on D.

I find it hard to believe that the CCH defenders are coached to funnel the offense into the lane. I don't care if you have Dwight Howard back there, it's not a good idea on D.

 

Different philosophies on man to man as far as where help is supposed to be and where defenders are to funnel offense.

 

If CovCath is playing the true "pack line" team defense that Xavier has used the past few years they should be funneling offense to the middle and not allowing baseline drives.

 

Both systems have been effective but the key still lies in the execution and all five players on the court being on the same page.

Different philosophies on man to man as far as where help is supposed to be and where defenders are to funnel offense.

 

If CovCath is playing the true "pack line" team defense that Xavier has used the past few years they should be funneling offense to the middle and not allowing baseline drives.

 

Both systems have been effective but the key still lies in the execution and all five players on the court being on the same page.

 

I wasn't at the game, but I can totally see what you're saying. The Bulldogs are extremely effective in smoothly sliding to the basket from the baseline which can put the defense off balance at defending it. Forcing the Bulldogs to the middle to have both trees collapse on you seems to be a more likely effective approach, but like you said, the whole team needs to be on the same page to make it work.

Different philosophies on man to man as far as where help is supposed to be and where defenders are to funnel offense.

 

If CovCath is playing the true "pack line" team defense that Xavier has used the past few years they should be funneling offense to the middle and not allowing baseline drives.

 

Both systems have been effective but the key still lies in the execution and all five players on the court being on the same page.

 

These seems to be the defense that they try to employ. Thanks!

Which would work for a team like CovCath, IF everyone is playing aggressive. If they slack off, it results in easy baskets, little d-rebounding. No fouls in the first half, with this team, is an indicator that aggression was lacking in this game.

 

A lot of people have spoken about the lack of fouls called on CCH in the 1st half. I would also ask if there were any charges called in the game? I don't remember any in the first half at least. No blocking calls, no charges = no one shutting down the inside.

 

Coach L has enough on the bench that he should not have let that stand. My old coaches would have grabbed someone and said, 'Go foul someone, anyone and make it a hard one!".

 

For CovCath to get through the 9th, they are going to have to be aggressive. (Not the getting knocked out and requiring stitches aggrressive, mind you).

Which would work for a team like CovCath, IF everyone is playing aggressive. If they slack off, it results in easy baskets, little d-rebounding. No fouls in the first half, with this team, is an indicator that aggression was lacking in this game.

 

A lot of people have spoken about the lack of fouls called on CCH in the 1st half. I would also ask if there were any charges called in the game? I don't remember any in the first half at least. No blocking calls, no charges = no one shutting down the inside.

 

Coach L has enough on the bench that he should not have let that stand. My old coaches would have grabbed someone and said, 'Go foul someone, anyone and make it a hard one!".

 

For CovCath to get through the 9th, they are going to have to be aggressive. (Not the getting knocked out and requiring stitches aggrressive, mind you).

 

I agree 100% They were very timid in the first half, and although the intensity picked up in the second half, they did not play as aggressive as they have been. and on the play where Connelly got whacked, I do not even recall a foul on the play. The ref's I think would of let em play hard, if we tried. I think

There was no foul on that play. Three guys going up hard for a rebound. The ball went out on Connelly and he went to the floor. Bulldogs ball.

 

Yes, I do believe the refs were letting them play.

If I was CCH I wouldn't play one second of zone against Holmes until the regional final.