The Lincoln Log: How To Beat KSU
I mentioned in my evaluation of the conference race that tonight’s game in Lincoln was far from a lock for KSU and that it should begin a slide of three losses over their next six for the Wildcats as they work down the conference stretch.
It’s final from flyover country. Nebraska - 71 KSU - 64.
KSU shot 8 of 26 from three point land and turned it over 14 times. Beasley had a double-double, but it was of human dimensions, 17 and 10.
The key was defending Beasley. No shit, you just thought.
However, when I say defend Beasley, I mean play three on their other four. That’s what Nebraska did and that’s why a team of circus freaks: an Australian post, Whoopi Goldberg at SG, and Bushwick Bill of Geto Boys fame at point guard, beat KSU by 7.
We won’t go into Manhattan and win if we play anything like honest defensive basketball. Beasley is too physical for Atchley and too big and skilled for Gary Johnson. He’d foul out Damion James in a half.
My modest proposal:
Put our longest big (Atchley, spelled by Chapman and Pittman when we zone) behind him refusing an inch and another defender - any defender - fronting him. When I say fronting him, I mean standing with his ass touching Beasley’s thighs. When Beasley camps out at the three point line, trap him and get the ball out his hands. This arrangement also eliminates him from the offensive boards which is a crucial part of his game.
We should zone and man. In fact, we should switch it around constantly so KSU has trouble running set plays to address our Beasley gang bang. Morphing from a token zone press into our junk defense to burn their shot clock would be cute as well.
KSU will be jacked at home and their team will play with great confidence if Beasley scores 10 of their first 15. Completely eliminating their best option is a quick way to give them a gut check and if they struggle early to adjust that home crowd momentum can quickly turn to negative tension.
There’s an offensive piece to this, obviously, and the Huskers were very efficient in getting high percentage shots, but Nebraska won this game by denying the Wildcats their preferred gameplan for victory.
I’d like your thoughts…
February 20, 2008 at 9:29 pm
KSU is just a completely different team on the road. Moreso than most. The rest of their team will play better than they did tonight. If we can play like we did the past few games and Barnes comes up with a plan to contain Beasley, we definitely have a shot. We have to continue to play well because I expect a great effort from KSU and their crowd.
February 21, 2008 at 5:42 am
Nice call. I thought KSU would win this game. I do think we’ll turn KSU over all day long.
February 21, 2008 at 6:52 am
Good idea, but may not be enough on KSU’s home floor.
Against KU, Beasley didn’t score for at least the first 10 minutes of clock. Instead, Bill Walker was unconscious from 3, as was some point guard whose name is not worthy of recall.
I think we’re in for a road game like A&M, where we fall way behind very early and limp to the finish. But I’m OK with this, because we’ll sweep the rest and could take 7 of 10 from KSU on a neutral floor.
February 21, 2008 at 6:54 am
I think you’re right, but as Unbiased said, they are a completely different team in the Rotten Apple so I wouldn’t count on 8-26 from deep.
Damion James/Bill Walker matchup will be one to watch.
February 21, 2008 at 7:14 am
Are you suggesting a diamond and one, Mr. Valvano? Perhaps with Mason on him wherever he goes. I like where your head’s at.
It’s also important to keep Beasley and the Rest of the Cats off of the free throw line. They’re averaging 17 a contest and took just 7 last night. I think your proposal could limit that to the extent none of their perimeter guys went nuts getting to the hole. And hopefully none of them get hot shooting from deep. They all shoot at a modestly good clip from distance. Beasley is out of this world from deep over 41%.
We could also do what Cincy did to Kentrell Gransberry last night. Pressure man, and double Beasley whenever he catches, then deny first pass over and make him skip out of it. We could mix that in with a junk zone and take advantage of Michael’s propensity to turn the ball over. Good thoughts.
February 21, 2008 at 10:34 am
How do you think KSU will try to defend us?
February 21, 2008 at 11:37 am
I just hope for our guys sake that Bill Walker doesn’t piss himself again.
February 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I hope like hell they try to man us. The thought of Beasley picking up a couple cheap fouls hedging high ball screens is pretty appealing. As is the thought of him chasing Connor and Damion around the perimeter in general.
But alas I think we’ll see mostly zone with KSU trying to turn this thing into a grinder. We might even see some triagle and two so they can keep their bigs at home and have AJ and DJ marked at all times. I’m surprised more teams haven’t run more triangle against our starting personnel to cut off driving lanes and force Mason, James, and Atchley to hit jump shots. I believe Turgeon ran a little in the first game but didn’t need it because we weren’t running any offense vs man to begin with, so he went away from it. I was shocked TAMU didn’t play any in Austin especially when DJ was going off.
If you’re Texas you counter the triangle by moving Mason to the point and going into your double stack look using GJ and James to attack gaps in the zone after setting screens for the wing players.
But to answer your question, I think they’ll zone a heckuva lot.