Speculations for Next Year

Discussion in 'Women’s Basketball' started by Dr. D, Mar 26, 2018.

  1. flash34

    flash34 1,000+ Posts

    Zone Defense. Good off-season subject. Since a lot of posters want to see Aston use this some next year.......thought I would jump into the fray early. And please don't research any of my old posts regarding zone defense as I am positive I will contradict myself now. Aston is old school by loving the man-to-man......that was what she was trained in. Me too. Especially if you have the players to do it well it is the best base defense. Even in those situations, there are times a zone can be a real weapon as a change of pace or to take a hot team off their run and make em think about how to attack it. A zone can really cover up a defensive deficiency, a foul-trouble situation or other. I remember one game late in the year where Aston came out in the third quarter in a zone and I couldn't believe it. It wasn't particularly effective.....and I don't remember there being a reason why she tried it. Playing zone with one or more small players out front or on the wing is not good. They simply pass it around and then with a very little space can shoot over your small players. And with small players, the passing lanes inside are open. If you know how to attack it and have someone who can get to the elbows inside the zone, or on the short corners, or way outside .............a zone will get you beat real quick. Also, rebounding is a typical deficiency with a zone. The thing is that a lot of teams don't have the personnel or skills or patience to beat it. A team with a lot of height and a little less quickness can be very effective in a zone. With height it is hard to get a good shot off at times........... and passing lanes have shrunk. With new personnel this year, we have lost a real small point guard(McCarty)...........and have picked up some REAL size inside (or perhaps on the wings) with Collier and Prince. With White, Olamide and Holmes in that mix, there is a lot of size there. So I think the zone will be more effective as a good change of pace this year. It will be interesting to see if Aston tries it. I don't want to get away from the base man-to-man, but mix in a little zone to see if the other team has the shooters and passers and patience to beat it.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  2. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    You’re absolutely right. Playing a zone with long players is a lot more effective because you can distort the passing lanes. So playing zone with players like Brooke at the top isn’t as effective. I would like to see Coach Aston have a game plan that focuses on the opposing teams weaknesses.

    If we’re playing a team like Baylor, I don’t want to see us being overly aggressive and jumping in the passing lanes like Texas always does the majority of the time. I would like to see Coach Aston use some zone or maybe even just play a sagging not as aggressive man-to-man. Make a team like Baylor that’s not a quality perimeter jump shooting team and strength is inside have to beat you by shooting the ball over the top.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited: May 8, 2018
  3. JoeDallas

    JoeDallas 1,000+ Posts

    I agree with flash34 and kurupt on all their points, but I'm not holding my breath. Many of us have been wanting a mix-up of defenses, and a good zone to go to when needed, but it never happens.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  4. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    Any chance we get to see video of this?

     
    • Like Like x 4
  5. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    Interestingly enough, this year Notre Dame demonstrated you can win national championships with a zone. I think our personnel cry out for more zone in the future. We have four bigs underneath who have to play. Two of them are freshmen who are the future of the team. They HAVE to play in order to develop the experience and skill to start carrying a major part of the load toward the end of the season. To my mind a zone would be easier for them on the defensive side, especially against quick tricky teams or outfits like Baylor with gifted large front court lineups.

    Also, I think the arrival of Danni is a clear message: the U.T. coaching staff weren't sure our whole guard corps would be championship caliber, so they decided to strengthen the situation. It wasn't a casual decision like :"Oh, here's another good player, what the heck!" because it creates another personnel log jam where some players won't get enough minutes to fully develop or build team chemistry. The staff wouldn't have done it unless they thought they needed to.
    I bet Danni starts.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  6. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Kirk Bohls' take on Danni Williams from today's AAS column:
    https://www.mystatesman.com/sports/...temporary-soccer-home/FOUa8CGBaZAMrbqBsVwUvI/
     
    • Like Like x 4
  7. Scamp

    Scamp 100+ Posts

     
    • Like Like x 4
  8. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

     
    • Like Like x 5
  9. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    LaShann is putting in the work and leading by example.

     
    • Like Like x 6
  10. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Congrats Destiny! Impressive

     
    • Like Like x 14
  11. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    geez, 4.0 GPA. That's impressive.

    I like seeing LaShann working on all of her shots, especially finishing with contact.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  12. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Not sure where to post this so I'll use this thread;

    Congrats to the team on their achievements in the classroom.





     
    • Like Like x 4
  13. Hornzupp

    Hornzupp 25+ Posts

    You've researched my 30 posts? I'm flattered. :)
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited: May 20, 2018
  14. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    I posted this on the Recruiting 2018 thread but it probably belongs here:

    I think the team's long term success depends on White and Collier playing a lot, starting this season. If Joyner Holmes doesn't significantly improve her offense, I don't think she should get the majority of playing time. Even if they have a rough start, it may be better in the long run to give the freshmen enough early game time to develop. They may not pan out, but if they don't, Texas is in a world of hurt over the next few years. It's ok with me to lose a few games early if it might pay dividends in March....As I've said before, I was shocked at Holmes' low skill level after she returned to action last season. It wasn't a matter of conditioning. Quite simply, she lacked shot making skills, even close to the basket. Sometimes her shooting and offensive footwork were so sloppy it seemed like she had regressed. She did not possess anything close to the finesse and skill level of the top front court players of Baylor, UConn, Notre Dame or Louisville. I like her and really wish her the best. Hopefully there will be a big improvement this year. But I don't assume she has a lock on her position.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  15. Zig72

    Zig72 500+ Posts

    I assume you mean Prince....not White. If indeed, Prince and Collier deliver what many expect, there should be little controversy over both playing a lot together.
     
  16. kurupt

    kurupt 1,000+ Posts

    I agree to an extent. There’s no question that Joyner has to improve offensively as a player. But offense alone shouldn’t necessarily dictate the impact a player can have. For example, Joyner is by far the best rebounder on the team. I’ve been watching some of the games from this past year recently and for all of the talk about the offense needing to be better it was actually the strength of this team. The players understanding spacing and playing free flowing offense was really good for the most part.

    Coach Aston does need to run a better offense against a zone IMO but overall I thought the offense was very good this year. Ironically the defense was the issue this year IMO. Texas couldn’t get important stops in games when they needed to. So with all that being said, I just don’t see anyway that Joyner isn’t the starter at the 4 position next year barring injury.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

     
  18. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    "White?" Did I say "White?" I'm more frazzled than I thought. Anyway, go with what I meant to say, not what I said.
     
  19. JoeDallas

    JoeDallas 1,000+ Posts

    I was wondering why you picked Collier over Prince. Who knows at this point between those two? But now I agree with completely with your post. I don't think Jatarie's playing time as at any risk. She was too good this year. But, IMO, the onus is on Joyner to get her shooting game to a higher level.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  20. Moooooo

    Moooooo 5,000+ Posts

    One of the hardest things for true freshmen post players to deal with in college is the physical play, and the strength required to be effective, especially in conference play. Joyner had the strength to more than holder her own two seasons ago. Jatarie was very effective last season against OSU's and OU's post players because of her skill and strength; but, having her 3 years in college (at least practicing and strength conditioning) is irreplaceable. I certainly don't expect Collier and Prince to do what Jatarie did last season as a redshirt junior.

    I don't know the plan for how Collier and Prince will be used this coming season. But, with Rellah and Audrey-Ann moving on, someone has to fill in for them. Don't want to forget about Aborowa, as she has gained a lot of valuable experience the past three seasons; and as a senior, will be relied upon to spell Jatarie.

    When you think all the way to 2019-20 with no Jatarie or Olamide, someone among Sedona and Charli will be expected to play Center alongside Joyner. So, I hope they get plenty of experience this coming season.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  21. DINO22

    DINO22 1,000+ Posts

    I have watched Prince several times. The thing I really like about her. She is a Leader already. She will tell you quickly where you need to be on the floor.
    She calls for the ball on Offense 2. I love that.
    Hookem'
     
    • Like Like x 2
  22. DFW_Horn

    DFW_Horn 2,500+ Posts

    I would think that Coach Aston laid out a plan to Sedona and Charli showing how they would be used together from Day 1 or I doubt Charli would've flipped to UT. Texas has benefitted from the last program who signed 2 posts in the Top 10 and then did not find a way to get both on the floor (2014 - A'ja Wilson and Jatarie White). While the situation is different (Alaina Coates was just finishing her freshman season at S Carolina), the coaches should have a plan in place to maximize opportunities for both and, more importantly, stick to it despite the bumps in the road when playing freshmen. We have all witnessed the jump in development/performance from season to season when players are getting minutes and staying motivated. Jatarie should not play more than 15-17 minutes against the weakest opponents on the schedule. She's a mature senior who will be needed as a leader and steadying presence when it's crunch time in big games.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  23. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Don't forget that Jordan also made a big jump in effectiveness last season primarily at the four. No reason to expect her to backslide her senior season. She may not start but she will be a part of the rotation.
     
  24. jusme828

    jusme828 2,500+ Posts

    Here's Sedona working!

     
    • Like Like x 5
  25. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    Although I've only seen videos of Sedona, I like her hard working personality combined with her ability to be goofy and have fun.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  26. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    I , too, have only seen videos of Sedona Prince working out, but the videos say two things to me. First, she needs to keep improving her strength conditioning, and she knows it and is doing something about it. Second, this is a young woman who wants to be a star in the big leagues and knows that to do that you have to keep developing your game. She impresses me.
     
    • Like Like x 6
    Last edited: May 22, 2018
  27. Dr. D

    Dr. D 250+ Posts

    My fixation with Collier and Prince stems from my hope that they can be instant contributors despite being freshmen. That's just a wish, of course, but a lot of other teams got that boost from frosh additions last season. We did not. After losing the heart of our offense with Brook and Ariel, Texas obviously needs other players to step up big time if we are to be an Elite Eight contender. Whether its from newcomers or from the current roster, we need extra juice. Otherwise it will be a disappointing season. Status quo performances won't do the trick. Last year I thought Patterson and Booth would be enough of an addition to take us to the Final Four, but that was wishful thinking. It would be immensely helpful if our now sophomore guards elevated to the level we expected of them when they arrived at Texas, or if one of the freshmen guards can play above her years.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited: May 22, 2018
  28. BabHorn

    BabHorn 10,000+ Posts

    It was easy to figure out. :smile1:
     
  29. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

    LaShann is an impressive athlete

     
    • Like Like x 5
  30. LutherIsMyDog

    LutherIsMyDog 1,000+ Posts

     
    • Like Like x 4

Share This Page