I still can't believe I get to write this, but here it goes. First, when you are playing a team who shoots a lot of threes, it can be easy to let yourself do the same on the offensive end. K-State cannot get into a three point shooting contest with UMBC. The Wildcats advantage is in the paint and attacking the rim. Even if UMBC goes through a hot stretch were they make a few in a row, K-State needs to stay true to who they are and play to their strength. The Wildcats shot chart should have a lot of dots in the paint in this one.
With only having one day to prepare for UMBC, it could be advantageous that K-State just played Creighton as their styles of play are similar. Both want to spread the floor to open up driving lanes and then kick to open shooters if help comes. UMBC runs a lot of different sets, but many of them involve the same concepts with a lot of movement. K-State will see a lot of pick and pop, dribble hand offs followed by ball screens, and screen the screener actions.
Once again, K-State must be very good keeping the basketball in front of them and cannot over help. The Wildcats cannot get caught with multiple players sagging into the lane. Typically, as a guard drives into the lane, post players are taught to step just outside the lane to either draw his defender away from the basket or create an easier passing angle. With UMBC, it is not uncommon to see their post flare outside the three point line as their guards attack the paint.
Generally, when Akin (#30) is involved in a ball screen K-State is more likely to see a roll to the basket. With any other player, a ball screen followed by a pop is more likely. Assuming K-State is playing small again without Wade, they could choose to switch any screen one through four.
Offensive Sets
UMBC runs a few different sets that start with the guards in the corner and the four and five man at right and left elbows. Here is a look at a couple of those.
UMBC did not double the Virginia post players when they caught the ball on the block. K-State and Mawien should be prepared to see a double team, but if not, he needs to get a considerable amount of touches. And if they do double, Mawien should still not be ignored as a double team can open up things for others. If Wade does play, I don't see how UMBC cannot double him.
UMBC switched a lot of screens against Virginia and I would expect the same on Sunday. K-State needs to do a good job of recognizing mismatches and attack them. If Maura, who is listed at 5'8", gets switched onto Sneed, it should be an automatic look for Sneed in the post.
Final Thoughts
Outside of Nigel Johnson, the Virginia guards were not quick enough to beat UMBC off the dribble. K-State's guards are more athletic than Virginia's and need to make it a point to attack the paint. If UMBC hard hedges on ball screens, get the ball reversed and quickly look inside before their defense has a chance to recover.
This is a game K-State should win with or without Wade; however, if UMBC shoots 50% from three again it will be a struggle for the Wildcats. I'm not saying that overall K-State is a better defensive team than Virginia, but K-State may be more equipped than Virginia was to handle UMBC's style of play.
With only having one day to prepare for UMBC, it could be advantageous that K-State just played Creighton as their styles of play are similar. Both want to spread the floor to open up driving lanes and then kick to open shooters if help comes. UMBC runs a lot of different sets, but many of them involve the same concepts with a lot of movement. K-State will see a lot of pick and pop, dribble hand offs followed by ball screens, and screen the screener actions.
Once again, K-State must be very good keeping the basketball in front of them and cannot over help. The Wildcats cannot get caught with multiple players sagging into the lane. Typically, as a guard drives into the lane, post players are taught to step just outside the lane to either draw his defender away from the basket or create an easier passing angle. With UMBC, it is not uncommon to see their post flare outside the three point line as their guards attack the paint.
Generally, when Akin (#30) is involved in a ball screen K-State is more likely to see a roll to the basket. With any other player, a ball screen followed by a pop is more likely. Assuming K-State is playing small again without Wade, they could choose to switch any screen one through four.
Offensive Sets
UMBC runs a few different sets that start with the guards in the corner and the four and five man at right and left elbows. Here is a look at a couple of those.
- The four man on the right elbow steps out to set a ball screen for the point guard. After coming off the ball screen, the point guard executes a dribble hand off with the guard in the corner. After setting the ball screen, the four gets a flare screen from the five, and the five immediately follows with a ball screen for the guard who had just gotten the hand off. After setting the ball screen, the five rolls to the basket and is replaced on the perimeter by the point guard.
- The four man steps out to the wing for a pass from the point guard. The point guard follows his pass and fakes a hand off from the four. After cutting off the four, the point guard cuts back to the top and gets a hand off from the four. After the hand off, the four gets a flare screen from the five. The point guard swings the ball to the four. If he doesn't have a shot, he reverses the ball to the guard on the left wing and follows his pass for a pick and pop to the corner.
- The point guard runs a dribble hand off to the wing (typically Lyles #10) who gets a ball screen. Immediately after the ball screen, the four or five man sets a down screen for the point guard.
- The five and four man both set up high for a double ball screen for Lyles. The five man rolls to the basket and the four pops.
- Maura, the point guard, and Lyles start high, the three and four start in the corner, and the five man, usually Akin, starts near the block. Akin cuts to the top of the key and receives a pass from Maura. Maura follows his pass and cuts off the opposite side of Akin for a potential hand off. As soon as he clears, Lyles cuts off the other side of Akin for a hand off. If Lyles defender tries to cheat the hand off, he will stop just short of Akin and shoot the three.
- UMBC clears a side for either Lyles or Maura. If the five comes for a ball screen, look for the slip to the basket. If it is the four, look for a pop to the corner.
UMBC did not double the Virginia post players when they caught the ball on the block. K-State and Mawien should be prepared to see a double team, but if not, he needs to get a considerable amount of touches. And if they do double, Mawien should still not be ignored as a double team can open up things for others. If Wade does play, I don't see how UMBC cannot double him.
UMBC switched a lot of screens against Virginia and I would expect the same on Sunday. K-State needs to do a good job of recognizing mismatches and attack them. If Maura, who is listed at 5'8", gets switched onto Sneed, it should be an automatic look for Sneed in the post.
Final Thoughts
Outside of Nigel Johnson, the Virginia guards were not quick enough to beat UMBC off the dribble. K-State's guards are more athletic than Virginia's and need to make it a point to attack the paint. If UMBC hard hedges on ball screens, get the ball reversed and quickly look inside before their defense has a chance to recover.
This is a game K-State should win with or without Wade; however, if UMBC shoots 50% from three again it will be a struggle for the Wildcats. I'm not saying that overall K-State is a better defensive team than Virginia, but K-State may be more equipped than Virginia was to handle UMBC's style of play.
