DBP Newsletter #11
Zone Defense & Notes
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Zone Defense
Duke allowed 4 points on 15 total possessions of zone defense against Wake Forest and NC State (0.27 points per possession). Let’s take a look at some zone.
Duke extends the wings of the 2-3 zone in their initial alignment, helping to discourage passes to the wing (Mason Gillis is above the foul line to start). Wake executes their zone offense well, screening Tyrese at the top of the zone to open up the pass to the middle. Ngongba is there to challenge the turnaround jumper by Juke Harris in the high post. Although the shot bounces high off the back rim and drops in, the zone did a nice job forcing a contested two-point jump shot.
Tyrese, Kon, and Cooper communicate well as Wake reverses the ball - a Duke defender is there on the catch after each pass, while Pat stays big and wide in the middle. Tyrese nearly creates a turnover as the shot clock winds down, before Wake is forced to take a deep three, contested by Kon.
Duke executed well in their first possession of zone against NC State. As the clip freezes, watch Kon take the ball initially on the pass to the wing - his job is to guard the ball until Sion can bump him off. When Sion arrives, Kon can drop back. The Wolfpack are able to enter the ball into Huntley-Hatfield in the high post, who feeds Middlebrooks in the short corner. Khaman and Cooper immediately trap the ball, leading to a steal by Coop.
Tyrese and Sion do an excellent job denying the high post on this defensive possession. As the ball is reversed from the right wing, watch Sion front Huntley-Hatfield at the ACC logo. On the next ball reversal, Tyrese is able to deflect the entry pass for a turnover.
Another thing to point out is how well the zone moves as a unit - all five guys guarding the ball. With any pass or dribble, each defender adjusts his position relative to the ball - no one stands still. Marcus Hill drives Tyrese from the left wing and attempts a jumper from the elbow on the move - Rese challenges the shot and tracks down the loose the rebound, before getting some help from Kon to stay inbounds.
I love this final picture - arms are wide, hands are active, defenders can see both the ball and the man in their area (keep your backside to the baseline), and everyone is ready to move on the flight of the ball. Duke uses their length to narrow the passing lanes and, on this possession, contest a long missed three.
Notes
After halftime in Winston-Salem, Duke started 1 for 19 from the field, en route to scoring only 6 points in the first 12:22 of the second half. Wake Forest led 45-39 with 9:55 to go and, from that point, the Demon Deacons made just two field goals for the remainder of the game. Duke outscored Wake 23-11 to close.
NC State led 35-22 with 4:14 remaining in the first half. Duke closed the half with an 11-2 stretch, before starting 12-0 out of the locker room, totaling 23-2 over a 9:49 span. The Blue Devils then led 63-62 at the 4:21 mark, before closing the game 11-2.
Duke’s best lineup at Wake Forest was 2-Flagg/5-Proctor/7-Knueppel/18-Gillis/21-Ngongba in 10:41 on the court, posting a +20 (27-7).
The Blue Devils made 4 three-pointers against NC State, matching their fewest number of made threes in a game so far this season.1
In the last two games, Cooper Flagg scored 38 of his 52 points after halftime, combining to go 10 for 18 from the field and 16 for 19 from the line.
Thanks for reading, Go Duke!
Duke also made 4 three-pointers against Kentucky.
Sources