re: LSU Basketball - The Halfcourt Offense Myth

quote:

---

I noticed a vague understanding of what to do against zone but a hesitance to do what needed to be done.

---

quote:

---

And against man I noticed we ran alot of the same high post screen sets that USC ran but they seemed to run it with alot more sense of purpose

---

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but at times Hickey just seemed tentative at running the point. When he made some threes and lay-ups and got the crowd pumped he livened up, but overall I think he was a bit sub-par.
Maybe even he gets fed-up that with all his feeds/passes going nowhere except clanging off the rim, and his patient waiting for play set-up only to have the wrong guy in the wrong position as seconds wind down!

I just felt that Anthony wasn't on his game last night. I know he had some good stats, but he had 4 or 5 turnovers, which is really uncharacteristic. He has a good assist to turnover ratio up to now.

I think Ellington got in his head to some degree, because Ellington was just as fast and probably more agile. I don't think Anthony has faced anyone that mirrored his abilities and style as Ellington did, for a long time, if ever. It was difficult to press against him (Ellington) and the SC collapsing defense.
I think that's why Johnny didn't go to the press.

And playing with 4 fouls (some of them really stupid calls, but don't get me started on the refereeing) cramps his style. He can't be as aggressive, steals are gonna be called fouls.

Game loss isn't on Anthony, he played well in other ways. But I think Ellington and foul troubles took his game away last night.

When our "general" is a little low, our half court offense is too. There's no else to run it.

Great analysis Amos!