Bumblin' B's

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Grotberg will be hampered by only playing 22 games per year instead of 25, so GC is going to have to win the MWC a few times to get him some extra minutes.

[scottiedoug]

So is there a handicap for not having to bother playing defense?

[smedindy]

<under breath> Oh, no, here we go again </under breath>

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So is there a handicap for not having to bother playing defense?

Ironically, the top three teams in steals per game this year all run system ball.

[Ralph Turner]

I have not seen Puget Sound play, but what I glean from the discussions is that UPS (13.79 spg) and McMurry (13.78 spg) play a more aggressive up-tempo style and are #4 and #5 in D3 spg.

Bob Quillman was quite complimentary of UPS' aggressive style of play.

This should be interesting to follow.  McMurry is finishing the first year of the return of Assistant Coach Russell Vanlandingham to McMurry.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

An uptempo offense always starts with good defense, at least a successful one does.

[Knightstalker]

An uptempo offense always starts with good defense, at least a successful one does.

Which is why Rileys showtime Lakers were so good and the Loyola Marymount team was so good.

[Ralph Turner]

Exactly, it is in tempo.  You can play up-tempo offense and aggressive defense, especially if you do not let a team walk the ball up the court.

The idea is to shorten the offensive cycle (16 secs average instead of 34 secs average) so that you are getting back to play defense.  You are pushing the score to the high 90's.  That disrupts the team's sets.

Midwesterners do not seem to fancy the style of play aesthetically.  It also makes their half-court style vulnerable to dissolution and chaos.

However, the idea is to win games.  Retrospectively, it may be that the UPS game was the toughest challenge that IWU saw.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Retrospectively, it may be that the UPS game was the toughest challenge that IWU saw.

Although, a lot of that has to do with the way a game is called.  A typical agressive defense relies on the game being called liberally, with fewer fouls and more contact allowed.  UPS seemed to benefit from the stricter refs.  EVen that goes against the grain.

[northb]

So has anyone ever been very effective with this style of play at this level?

[njlincolnlion]

Congratulations to Lincoln University's  Kyle "Fase" Myrick on being named D3Hoops National Player of the Year.  Kyle and Coach Garfield Yuille has had a tremendous impact on Lincoln's Baskeball program.

It is well known that Kyle has had some difficulties in the past.  I'm sure he thanks Lincoln for the opportunity to play basketball. I'm equally sure D3 Basketball has benefitted from his play as much as he has benefitted from playing aganist great players and programs in D3.   Maybe the D3 gurus would know the answer, but when was the last time a D3 player, (or for that matter any college division) has led the nation in scoring, and was second in both assists and steals?  Kyle is a special person and I wish him much success in the future.

The upsets in the D1 tourney has me convinced even more, that there exists very fine lines between the "so called" power conferences and the other D1 conferences.  I would even suggest they would be very competitive games between D1 schools aganist D2 & D3 institutions.

Congratulations are also in order to the D3 Hoops family for giving us D3 Hoops "junkies" a wonderful ride this year.

I believe I read that some are predicting VA Wesleyan as the pre-season No. 1 next year and rightfully so.  Don't forget Lincoln who loses only Kyle (abeit a big loss), and may have some good players coming in.

[Ralph Turner]

Retrospectively, it may be that the UPS game was the toughest challenge that IWU saw.

Although, a lot of that has to do with the way a game is called.  A typical agressive defense relies on the game being called liberally, with fewer fouls and more contact allowed.  UPS seemed to benefit from the stricter refs.  EVen that goes against the grain.

I also think that very good players, with hands so quick that they can steal a ball without "mugging the player" require a very good referee.

From 1997-2000, McMurry had a guard named Daniel Martinez who led the country in steals.  (His 3-year total in D3 is 2nd; McMurry was provisional his freshman year so those stats don't count). 

Also, it takes a very good referee to call a clean block!

[Mr. Ypsi]

And, of course, where they REALLY earn their paychecks is charging vs. blocking.  I saw one this evening in D1 (UNC vs. George Mason, I think, but wouldn't swear to it).  The offensive player (let's say UNC) drove to the basket and launched a totally out-of-control lay-up.  He slammed into a defensive player, slamming him into the floor.  The blocking call was probably technically correct (the GM player moved), but I suspect that was self-survival instinct!  By the intent of the rule, I would judge it clearly an offensive foul.

Oh well, Big Blue is dead!  MSU can feel a bit less embarrassed about losing to George Mason now!  They are for real.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I just think its great that either George Mason or Wichita State will get to play for a trip to the final four.  That's how college basketball should be.

[Warren Thompson]

The upsets in the D1 tourney has me convinced even more, that there exists very fine lines between the "so called" power conferences and the other D1 conferences.  I would even suggest they would be very competitive games between D1 schools aganist D2 & D3 institutions.

Well, maybe, but only as long as the D3 teams stay away from extremely physical D1 teams such as Memphis (witness the pounding ... mugging Bucknell took yesterday).