Before the first game I took a fairly detailed look at a few offensive sets for Baylor and ways to attack their zone. Instead of going through them again, I will post the link for those who would like to take another look or may have missed the first scout.
https://kansasstate.forums.rivals.com/threads/baylor-scout.87503/
Instead of going through specific plays, here are a few general things to look for on Saturday.
Manu Lecomte Off the Ball
Both Wade and Brown were really good in the game in Waco, but unlike at TCU, the Wildcats got solid contributions from others. Mawien scored 11, Diarra had 10 to go along with 6 assists and only 2 turnovers, and Wainright contributed 7 off the bench. K-State does not need anyone else to be special, they just need the other guys to be solid and finish the easy plays that are made available to them due to the attention on Wade and Brown.
https://kansasstate.forums.rivals.com/threads/baylor-scout.87503/
Instead of going through specific plays, here are a few general things to look for on Saturday.
Manu Lecomte Off the Ball
- I believe Baylor is at its best when they play Jake Lindsey at the point, and let Lecomte run off screens. Baylor's confidence level and swagger, as well as their energy on the defensive end, seems to be higher when he is making shots. K-State saw this first hand in the game in Waco. The Wildcats had a 16 point lead late in the first half and had held Lacomte scoreless. He made a 3 on a play where Barry was slow to close out to him and a 11-0 run followed for the Bears. Barry must get in his hop pocket on stay attached to him coming off the screens.
- When Lacomte starts low, and either Maston or Lual start high, look for Lacomte to set a back screen for the post, followed by him receiving a down screen.
- When Lecomte curls off a down screen, both the post defender and the defender guarding the passer have to be ready to help. This is something Butler did really well in the Elite 8 game against the Wildcats in 2010. They chased Pullen and Clemente around every screen and if they tried to curl into the lane, the man defending the passer slid over to cut them off.
- Baylor tends to pick and pop more with Lual than pick and roll. While he can shoot the three he would prefer to put the ball on the floor. In the first scout I point out how right handed he was. You can tell that is something he has worked on as he has started to go left more. Still, he is much stronger going right and when he does goes left he likes to spin back right for his shot.
- Defensively, he was the player that gave Wade the most trouble. Clark and Maston were not able to handle Wade on the perimeter and Wade abused Omot in the post. While Lual is not overly quick, his length allows him to contest an outside shot without having to crowd Wade. You are probably tired of hearing me say this, but I would set ball screens for Wade to force one of the other Baylor posts to defend him coming off the screen.
- Late in the game, Baylor began switching all screens. If they do this again, the K-State guards cannot get caught over dribbling. The more favorable matchup is Dean Wade in the post against the smaller defender. Make the next pass so the ball can get to a spot where the Wildcats can enter the post.
- In the first scout, I said Maston was a wildcard because he was just getting back into the fold coming off an injury. He is a guy capable of putting up big numbers both on the block and from the mid range. With him in the game, they have run some more traditional high/low sets. If he is playing well, a lineup of Lual and him could prevent the Wildcats from going small.
- Baylor killed OU in transition. Granted, OU made very little effort in getting back on defense, but transition defense has been an issue for K-State at times this year.
- The K-State bigs have to finish stronger at the rim against the length of Baylor. Dunk the ball please!!! And the KSU guards, specifically Diarra and Stokes, have to be careful of over penetrating and trying to score over much taller defenders. Penetrate to pitch.
- K-State must match the energy and toughness of Mark Vital. He is a guy KSU can allow to shoot from the outside, but must keep out of the paint and off the glass.
Both Wade and Brown were really good in the game in Waco, but unlike at TCU, the Wildcats got solid contributions from others. Mawien scored 11, Diarra had 10 to go along with 6 assists and only 2 turnovers, and Wainright contributed 7 off the bench. K-State does not need anyone else to be special, they just need the other guys to be solid and finish the easy plays that are made available to them due to the attention on Wade and Brown.
