Providence Defense

[EastCoastXman]

So what are the predictions for the defense that Xavier will play on Saturday? In the last game against Providence it took 30 minutes and a 15 point deficit for the coaches to change to the zone. Will we see the feared XU zone in the first half, or will the team dig itself into another hole like they have been doing recently at home?

[XUFan09]

I'm guessing that there will be some switching. If Xavier had consistently played that 1-1-3 zone from the start, Ed Cooley would have made halftime adjustments that would have likely negated it (considering that he has the best 1-2 combo in the league).

[LA Muskie]

So what are the predictions for the defense that Xavier will play on Saturday?
If history is any indication, I predict none.

(Sorry, couldn't help myself. I'm still reeling from last night.)

[American X]

So what are the predictions for the defense that Xavier will play on Saturday? ?

Olé.

[LadyMuskie]

I don't think we've had a plan for defense yet this season, so why start now? Just throw everyone on the court, bark at them a couple of times, and then bench them when they mess it up!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Your post is funny but with your avatar it makes it absolutely hilarious.


Olé.

[EastCoastXman]

I guess the answer is that it took 20 minutes and an 8 point deficit to bring out the zone. Why not try it a few times in the first half just to mix things up?

[Titanxman04]

I guess the answer is that it took 20 minutes and an 8 point deficit to bring out the zone. Why not try it a few times in the first half just to mix things up?

I think an 8 point deficit is not a large enough hole to force a zone into the mix. Especially in the first half, X was more than capable of hitting a couple shots and being back in it immediately. Why give Providence more time to adjust, especially at half time, and work it out?

I think it worked so well in the second half at PC and then here at home for a couple of reasons. The first being is that you don't have 20 minutes in the closed space and a chalk board to figure it out and game plan for it. Second, it keeps you on your toes. PC knew that X would go to it eventually. It killed them last time and both coaches knew that it was in Xavier's bag for when they needed it.

In the second half, it was great to ensure some confusion and trouble for PC. It worked. Just because something works doesn't mean you pull it out immediately. Give the game time to settle in, find out who's hot and who's not. See if it's even needed or not. When the second half came around, the timing was right.

[Juice]

You guys realize that zone works against Providence because they are 296th in 3 point shooting percentage?

[Titanxman04]

You guys realize that zone works against Providence because they are 296th in 3 point shooting percentage?

Yeah, that too.

[XUFan09]

When they were playing in that zone, I kept marveling over how easily guys were semi-open for 3s. Providence just wasn't that willing to take the shots, though, and when they did, they didn't hit them at a good rate.

Clearly, a team with any good shooters would have eviscerated that zone, and even Providence started to figure it out in the third four-minute war of the second half, leading to Xavier's switch back to man-to-man. Still, it was good for a stretch of time and definitely more appropriate to throw in there in the second half when there was no time for halftime adjustments.

[mid major]

Olé.

Love the accent on the E. My high school Spanish teacher would be proud.