Here’s an educated guess. Coach Mike Krzyzewski can’t stand to give up 3-point shots, and Arizona is an extremely accurate (39.9 percent) team from 3-point range.
Part of the Wildcats’ success from 3-point range has come because opponents double team Williams (19.1 ppg) in the low post and he passes out to open teammates for easy shots on the perimeter.
So expect Krzyzewski to defend Williams with one low post player and encourage him not to foul in tonight's West Regional semifinal game (9:45 p.m., CBS). Krzyzewski has said Williams’ ability to get to the free throw line makes the entire Arizona team better because it puts the Wildcats in the bonus and double bonus quickly. So Duke probably won’t use the hack-a-Shaq game plan against Williams.
Guarding the 3-point arc first is a tried and true strategy for the Blue Devils and for other successful teams. Why did Duke have such good fortune against Herb Sendek and his Princeton-style offense? Because Krzyzewski was willing to give up an occasional backdoor layup and allow Cedric Simmons to go one-on-one in the post against Shelden Williams, as long as N.C. State didn’t make a bunch of threes.
How did Florida win back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007? Because Billy Donovan’s teams attempted a lot of threes and guarded the 3-point arc ferociously. Ohio State center Greg Oden scored at will in the low post in the 2007 title game, but Florida didn’t double team him and instead prevented the Buckeyes from shooting threes.
Williams is a different player from Oden and Simmons in that he has 3-point shooting skills as well. Mason Plumlee and whoever else guards Williams will need help when Williams ventures out to the perimeter.
But in the low post, Plumlee probably will be on his own as Duke tries to prevent a 3-point barrage like the one Michigan used to keep Sunday’s game close in the first half in Charlotte.
Ken Tysiac
Posts
5 comments:
Ken,
Derrick Williams is a sophomore. Not a senior. Do your homework.
Dook is done. GO ARIZONA!!!
Duke will defend the three and more than likely K will go right after Williams to reverse the trend and hope to get Williams in foul trouble. Other than that, its Williams vs Smith, Singler, Irving and Curry, Duke wins by 15!
Duke will attack the post off the bounce from all angles and get Williams (and Arizona's inferior pg) in foul trouble. Irving and Singler in p&r with Smith getting interior passes and Mason Plumlee cleaning up the boards. If AZ guards get in ft, look for Duke to run, maybe even using 3 or 4 guards.
Guaranteed Duke win, by at least 40. After seeing them absolutely manhandle Michigan on Sunday, I feel like they cant beat anyone by 40. I mean they absolutely destroyed Michigan - and the game wasnt even as close as the score suggested. GOOO DOOOK
Post a Comment