MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Guilford has a lot of returning players in 2023-24 so they will probably have another great season.  I predict the Quakers will go 27-1 and be ranked #5 nationally.

Guilford, however, will probably NOT make the NCAA tournament due to all 8 UAA teams being selected.  (BTW, all 5 UAA teams picked this year are already out including Emory, a team we beat by 15 in Atlanta!  Some UAA selectees had losing conference records ... we were 13-3 with 2 close losses to #1 RMC.)

And yes, Guilford fans are not happy.

[Macon]

^^^ I hear and feel your pain for the Quakers.  If selected, I'm confident that they'd still be playing next weekend.  Going into next year, I have no doubt that GC will be preseason nationally ranked.  Likewise,  I think HSC will be as well and probably be ODAC favorites.   I read on the HSC site that most of their seniors and all starters will be back.  I'd love to see a fifth year for Mallory and Talbert.

[Macon]

RMC gives up only 22 points total to two quality playoff teams in the first half.  I'm not that smart,  so can someone explain to me what is RMC doing and how are they successfully executing it?  Obviously,  the players have bought into the system and have the skills to execute it.  Is there something unique that they're doing or is it simply the skill set that the players bring?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

RMC gives up only 22 points total to two quality playoff teams in the first half.  I'm not that smart,  so can someone explain to me what is RMC doing and how are they successfully executing it?  Obviously,  the players have bought into the system and have the skills to execute it.  Is there something unique that they're doing or is it simply the skill set that the players bring?

It's a little of both. As best I can tell, it's a very sophisticated version of a matchup zone where all the players are rotating to different positions in service of a few specific goals (no open threes, nothing near the rim). Depending on how the offense attacks it, they can also throw in wrinkles, like jumping passing lanes or traps, when appropriate.  My brother was a HS state champion in a fairly complex system, I had him watch the semifinal game from last year and he couldn't begin to figure the defense out.

[Macon]

^^^  Thanks for your insight.   Hopefully, like your brother,  that no else figures it out anytime soon.

[Macon]

Another issue of note,  RMC wins last night with no points from Talbert and only 14 minutes.   Watching the contest early on, his game seemed slightly off.  He had 4 turnovers,  totally uncharacteristic of Josh, some even the commentators didn't understand.   He seemed fine on the sideline, but in the post-game, Coach mentioned that Talbert tweeked his ankle.   Not sure when that happened (I'm guessing before the game),  but would explain his play.

[ronk]

RMC gives up only 22 points total to two quality playoff teams in the first half.  I'm not that smart,  so can someone explain to me what is RMC doing and how are they successfully executing it?  Obviously,  the players have bought into the system and have the skills to execute it.  Is there something unique that they're doing or is it simply the skill set that the players bring?

It's a little of both. As best I can tell, it's a very sophisticated version of a matchup zone where all the players are rotating to different positions in service of a few specific goals (no open threes, nothing near the rim). Depending on how the offense attacks it, they can also throw in wrinkles, like jumping passing lanes or traps, when appropriate.  My brother was a HS state champion in a fairly complex system, I had him watch the semifinal game from last year and he couldn't begin to figure the defense out.

Well, I was disappointed that we(Scranton) missed 5 open 3s in the 1st half, yet RMC banked 1 in from the top of the key and hit another as the shot clock was about to go off. May have been a closer game 
  But your points are well taken - good strategy with athleticism; those lob passes to the baseline were big also for RMC in the 1st half.   

[y_jack_lok]

RMC gives up only 22 points total to two quality playoff teams in the first half.  I'm not that smart,  so can someone explain to me what is RMC doing and how are they successfully executing it?  Obviously,  the players have bought into the system and have the skills to execute it.  Is there something unique that they're doing or is it simply the skill set that the players bring?

It's a little of both. As best I can tell, it's a very sophisticated version of a matchup zone where all the players are rotating to different positions in service of a few specific goals (no open threes, nothing near the rim). Depending on how the offense attacks it, they can also throw in wrinkles, like jumping passing lanes or traps, when appropriate.  My brother was a HS state champion in a fairly complex system, I had him watch the semifinal game from last year and he couldn't begin to figure the defense out.

Last season was a lot more of the 3-2 zone. This season has been a lot more man defense. They've thrown the zone in some most games, but probably no more than 25%.

Best way to get an answer to Macon's question -- ask Coach Merkle.

[Macon]

^^^  My original question wasn't specific to the zone, so I guess it's really two questions, how they play the zone and M2M.  Coach would certainly know, but wouldn't expect or want him to share any classified secrets.  Whatever they're doing, I hope it keeps going.

[y_jack_lok]

Guilford has a lot of returning players in 2023-24 so they will probably have another great season.  I predict the Quakers will go 27-1 and be ranked #5 nationally.

Guilford, however, will probably NOT make the NCAA tournament due to all 8 UAA teams being selected.  (BTW, all 5 UAA teams picked this year are already out including Emory, a team we beat by 15 in Atlanta!  Some UAA selectees had losing conference records ... we were 13-3 with 2 close losses to #1 RMC.)

And yes, Guilford fans are not happy.

If Guilford had been selected for what most knowledgeable observers believe was the final Pool C selection that went to Utica the Quakers could have been in the same pod (Rowan) that Utica was in as it is under 500 miles from Greensboro to Glassboro (NJ). Had that happened I feel pretty sure the Quakers would be in the Sweet Sixteen this coming weekend.

[y_jack_lok]

^^^  My original question wasn't specific to the zone, so I guess it's really two questions, how they play the zone and M2M.  Coach would certainly know, but wouldn't expect or want him to share any classified secrets.  Whatever they're doing, I hope it keeps going.

I know. Just wanted to point out to Ryan Scott that his observations re a matchup zone do not apply as much to the defense employed most often this season.

[Macon]

^^^  My original question wasn't specific to the zone, so I guess it's really two questions, how they play the zone and M2M.  Coach would certainly know, but wouldn't expect or want him to share any classified secrets.  Whatever they're doing, I hope it keeps going.

I know. Just wanted to point out to Ryan Scott that his observations re a matchup zone do not apply as much to the defense employed most often this season.

You are correct,  the zone hasn't been employed as much this season.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

More than any particular defense, it's RMC's ability to switch quickly among a number of defensive looks that's so dangerous. It's very hard for offenses to get into a rhythm in that scenario.

[rmc1982]

Got my tickets for Friday night!! Sorry I messed last weekend but I won't miss any more!! Hopefully all the way to Fort Wayne!! GO JACKETS!!

[Macon]

^^^  '82, have fun, can't wait to hear your game analysis.  Just saw that the game is sold out (no surprise there).  Go Jackets!