More hoops
I'll have more on this later, but a theme from the players during today's media session was UCLA may be better off running motion offense rather than called plays.
Several of them -- Alfred Aboya, James Keefe and Darren Collison -- said the Bruins worked on it almost exclusively in Monday's practice, and they could be more effective in it than running traditional, called plays from the sideline.
That sounds like an enormous leap for Howland, no?
Has Howland ever run that offense before (like in his first two years)?
What is the revelation? Howland needs to learn to stop micro-managing the game. This isn't football!
That sounds like it might work better than CBH's pass around the perimeter, milk down the shot clock, and launch a low percentage trey mentality, particularly against the zone.
IIRC I believe Luc mentioned in an interview last year that the team never practices offense against the zone. I was shocked, as it seems to be one of our achilles heals. I'm surprised more teams don't zone us.
Oh how people forget where we've come from. Not long ago fans were pleading to get rid of Lavin and bring some structure to the program. We get just what we want and after 3 straight final fours due to CBH someone suggests that he stop micro-managing the game.
Ridiculous.
If my memory serves me correctly, Howland has ALWAYS run a motion offense, but over the past few seasons, his best players (top offensive threats) were better suited playing a different style. (I.e. with a great shooter in Afflalo, Howland ran a lot of plays having him come off screens. With KLove, Howland ran a lot of Hi-Lo post plays, screen n' rolls, etc.)
Now that he doesn't have that "go-to" scorer (Holiday could become this, but hasnt yet), Howland can go back to using his motion offense which should speed the game up in the offensive end and take advantage of his overall team speed/athleticism.
Looks like Howland has been reading the idiot's guide to coaching offense. The offense can't get any worse than it has been this year.
"Looks like Howland has been reading the idiot's guide to coaching offense."
Didn't realize Lavin has authored a book. Can't find it at Amazon.
"IIRC I believe Luc mentioned in an interview last year that the team never practices offense against the zone. I was shocked, as it seems to be one of our achilles heals. I'm surprised more teams don't zone us."
Why is that shocking? Against which team would he practice it? Howland would resign his position before ever running a zone defense. So I think it's only logical to assume he would never have his team practice a zone. If his players never set up in a zone formation, how would they practice against one?
"Looks like Howland has been reading the idiot's guide to coaching offense. The offense can't get any worse than it has been this year."
Wow. Yes we play hard defense, but 3 straight FF means he's doing something right on both ends of the floor. You're spoiled from our great teams of the last 3 years. But you forget who spoiled ya.
Didn't Steve Lavin run a variation of the motion offense called the "Flow"? Everyone saw how far that got him and the Bruins. If it ain't broke...
"IIRC I believe Luc mentioned in an interview last year that the team never practices offense against the zone. I was shocked, as it seems to be one of our achilles heals. I'm surprised more teams don't zone us."
"Why is that shocking? Against which team would he practice it? Howland would resign his position before ever running a zone defense. So I think it's only logical to assume he would never have his team practice a zone. If his players never set up in a zone formation, how would they practice against one?"
You have to be kidding me. So if Howland never runs a zone defense in the game the offense should never practice against one? If this is the case, no wonder we stink against the zone.
"You have to be kidding me. So if Howland never runs a zone defense in the game the offense should never practice against one? If this is the case, no wonder we stink against the zone."
I think Howland would acknowledge that his team would benefit from practicing against the zone. But I get the impression that in his mind, the benefit isn't enough to actually "pollute" his players' defensive development by actually running a zone D while under his watch. Not saying I agree or know any inside info. Just telling you my impression. Someone tell me if I'm wrong.
you are right
what does IIRC stand for?
"I think Howland would acknowledge that his team would benefit from practicing against the zone. But I get the impression that in his mind, the benefit isn't enough to actually "pollute" his players' defensive development by actually running a zone D while under his watch. Not saying I agree or know any inside info. Just telling you my impression. Someone tell me if I'm wrong."
That is ridiculous if this is the case. Why is Howland such a stubborn paranoid coach? Why do football teams run other teams offense/defense with their scout team? Zone defense is not rocket science. Get your second team or scrub team to run it. Even a basic 2-3. Practice against it. I guarantee that it will pay benefits. Every coach in our schedule should run zone against us.
If I Recall Correctly.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Howland paranoid. Otherwise, I agree with 9:48. Have the assistant coaches and team managers get out there if necessary. Just practice against it for crying out loud.
Brian, why are YOU paranoid? I post a response in defense of Coach Howland and derisive of those on this post who deride him and you pull it within 24 hours? There were also other posts on here yesterday defending Coach which you have now pulled as well. Why does the fact that there are a majority of Howland supporters out there threaten you? Why do you pull preferentially the posts of people defending Howland and his style? the worst word in my post was "idiot" referring to the idiot fans who post. Yet, the posts above referring to Howland as "idiot" you leave intact. Please, Brian, let us know what it is about Howland and his support that threatens you.
Those criticizing Howland must be new to UCLA. Learn your history before you speak and find out where we were before he got here. Howland will right the ship. No need to jump on him so early.