I do not know his name and his assistants but UM's BB video coordinator, in my opinion, is doing a great job. Their job is to review all available video tape on an opponent, "slice and dice" those tapes down to one tape. In that condensed but detailed tape, the video guys select what they consider to be the opponent's strength and weakness of their team offense and defense. Also, individual player's strength and weakness on offense and defense. When done, the video coordinator meets with the head coach and his assistants to review this tape and comment on his teams observations. Then the coaching team develops the defensive and offensive game plan.
I do not post much, but those who have read my posts on basketball, know I do not get to caught up on individual play. I find it more interesting and fun to watch team play. After all, it is a team sport and in basketball there are 10 players trying to execute the team's overall game plan. Because of my background, for me, I watch all ten players. Though, depending on the TV crew, which tend to focus on the ball, there are times when it is difficult to do so.
Penn State had a very good defensive team plan for the Michigan game. They are known to be a "Straight Line Defense." That is a generic term for a defense which the primary principle is to stop an offensive player from directing diving to the rim or backboard without opposition. There were only two instances they gave up an unhindered drive to the rim or backboard. Smith got to the backboard early in the first half and he had a direct drive at he end of the first half but was called for a very "odd" offensive foul. All other drive attempts by various players were stopped short of the rim by driving. Either they had to pull up and shoot, or if they got closer to score they had utilize a "flip" shot. UM did get some assists to Dickinson of aborted drives. Penn States video team also identified who UM's most consistent 3 point shooters were. Livers had three 3 point attempts. only one was where he was not contested. Penn S. played him tight, "we'll let you try and drive to the rim but we are not going let you stand and shoot 3 pointers." it was interesting, that their video team also determined that Brown could go off with a series of successful 3 point shots. So they played him tight, not giving him space to shoot the three. UM was 5 for 14 in three point attempts. Brooks and Smith had two each and Johns had a 3 point shot from the corner. I may be wrong, but I think that was the only 3 point he has attempted thus far this season. Fortunately for UM, their video team Identified that Penn State was very weak defending low post players, something they probably saw in Penn State's Seton Hall game. Dickinson was the main benefactor of that vulnerability.
Michigan's main defensive plan was to pressure and challenge Penn States perimeter game. They held Penn State to 30% shooting Also, it was fun watching Smith play defense this game. The video group identified that the player Smith was assigned to guard was predominately right handed. He would go left but never more than two or three dribbles and would pass the ball. He would never drive to the basket with his left hand. So there was Smith, admittedly because of his small size will be challenged by bigger guards, hustling hard to over play that player's right hand. So much so, at times, he was practically guarding the guy's right side. An example of a player busting his butt to fulfill his role in the UM BB defensive game plan.
Michigan travels to Nebraska for the next game on Christmas day. What do you think both team's video group will come up with.
I do not post much, but those who have read my posts on basketball, know I do not get to caught up on individual play. I find it more interesting and fun to watch team play. After all, it is a team sport and in basketball there are 10 players trying to execute the team's overall game plan. Because of my background, for me, I watch all ten players. Though, depending on the TV crew, which tend to focus on the ball, there are times when it is difficult to do so.
Penn State had a very good defensive team plan for the Michigan game. They are known to be a "Straight Line Defense." That is a generic term for a defense which the primary principle is to stop an offensive player from directing diving to the rim or backboard without opposition. There were only two instances they gave up an unhindered drive to the rim or backboard. Smith got to the backboard early in the first half and he had a direct drive at he end of the first half but was called for a very "odd" offensive foul. All other drive attempts by various players were stopped short of the rim by driving. Either they had to pull up and shoot, or if they got closer to score they had utilize a "flip" shot. UM did get some assists to Dickinson of aborted drives. Penn States video team also identified who UM's most consistent 3 point shooters were. Livers had three 3 point attempts. only one was where he was not contested. Penn S. played him tight, "we'll let you try and drive to the rim but we are not going let you stand and shoot 3 pointers." it was interesting, that their video team also determined that Brown could go off with a series of successful 3 point shots. So they played him tight, not giving him space to shoot the three. UM was 5 for 14 in three point attempts. Brooks and Smith had two each and Johns had a 3 point shot from the corner. I may be wrong, but I think that was the only 3 point he has attempted thus far this season. Fortunately for UM, their video team Identified that Penn State was very weak defending low post players, something they probably saw in Penn State's Seton Hall game. Dickinson was the main benefactor of that vulnerability.
Michigan's main defensive plan was to pressure and challenge Penn States perimeter game. They held Penn State to 30% shooting Also, it was fun watching Smith play defense this game. The video group identified that the player Smith was assigned to guard was predominately right handed. He would go left but never more than two or three dribbles and would pass the ball. He would never drive to the basket with his left hand. So there was Smith, admittedly because of his small size will be challenged by bigger guards, hustling hard to over play that player's right hand. So much so, at times, he was practically guarding the guy's right side. An example of a player busting his butt to fulfill his role in the UM BB defensive game plan.
Michigan travels to Nebraska for the next game on Christmas day. What do you think both team's video group will come up with.
