Another Look at the Game Winning Shot (In Pictures)

So I took another look at Hornsby's game winner and while CJJ and staff get a ton of flack for X's and O's, I thought the last of the Arkansas game was brilliantly drawn up and executed even better.



So let's take a look at the setup. As you'd expect, it's a 1-4 look with Gray as ball handler. Your shooters are outside the arc, with Martin in the post. On the surface, it's nothing to see. This has all the appearance of an iso or pick and roll for 2. But in reality, I think a two pointer is the last thing on CJJ's mind. You'll see why in a bit.





First, Gray runs a ton of time off the clock, the first sign that they are playing for one shot and one shot only, no putbacks are on the menu. Martin comes up to set his pick, completely clearing the arc. Now you have attention on arguably two of LSU's best scorers at the top of the arc, but it's just the beginning of the setup.



A little under 6 seconds left and the real play is set in motion. Notice the alignment of TQ and Hornsby on the wing and TQ creeping uphill. He and Hornsby are about to add a wrinkle to the play that will throw Arkansas for a loop and put even more stress around the ball.




Gray comes off the screen and suddenly TQ breaks for the top of the arc. This is merely a distraction though, he is at-best the 5th option on this play.

Now got all eyes and motion in one spot of the floor, between a possible NBA draft pick, a guy who just came off a triple double and a guy who's not only slashed Arkansas apart but is known for last second drives.

Meanwhile your best shooter is sliding into the corner while this misdirection is going on.

One note here, I don't think the play was designed to go this wide but credit to Portis for staying with Gray and almost disrupting it by forcing Gray into TQ's defender. No matter, at this point it's too late because...




...now the tension at the top of the arc has already drawn in three defenders and Gray has three solid options as he turns downhill:

Plan A). If Qualls leaves Hornsby to help (as he probably should), then that's all she wrote.
Plan B). If Qualls stays home, Gray already has position on any would-be defenders and its time to slash for the two
Plan C). If Gray slashes and Patterson's defender helps, then your last option is a guy who has buried 30 footers this game. That's your worst case scenario.

As I said before, Portis pushes Gray's drive wide so the one wildcard here is TQ's man going for the strip as Gray drives by. Had that happened and Qualls stayed home, you MIGHT still have Martin but it would be a difficult pass. Luckily Qualls bites, Gray gets the pass off and...




BANG. As I said at the beginning, it's clear that this play was a three or game winning layup. I applaud CJJ for having the balls to go all out and the smarts to get Portis the hell out of the post.