Pressing Purdue

[mathboy]

I get really nervous when I see the opponents start pressing us. Iowa seemed to be putting the pressure on this team, turning us over and then couldn't miss on the other end, shooting something like an incredible 78% for a bit. I thought, "Oh Boy, here it comes!".

The remarkable truth is we lead by 17 points at half time, and won by 14 points at the end. A 3 point difference! We scored 49 points in that second half vs 38 in the first. All that pressing and hot shooting by Iowa didn't really change the outcome. We just continued to score at will against what I thought was a tough press, full of uncalled fouls - "Just let'em play ref". I don't care to watch rough games with slapping and arm grabbing, but that one last night seemed to turn into one at times.

There was one play where Painter changed the way we brought the ball up. The guys got into some sort of diamond position, then passed without hesitation, hitting a streaking Mason Gillis for a dunk. It was like a machine, and seemed well practiced. Then we switched back to letting the PG slowly bring the ball up. It made me think that, just maybe, Painter is sand bagging his team a bit, holding back some plays for the NCAA. We might see it again if someone like Kansas tries to press us in the sweet sixteen.

 

[purduedavie]

Iowa pressing benefits the Boilers going forward, no doubt Purdue see’s it again. Purdue struggled a little last night, I’m sure Matt will point out the mistakes and guys like Smith, Loyer learn from it.

 

[depthcharge623]

I wasn’t able to watch much of the second half, but that reminds me of the Flying V!!!

 

[depthcharge623]

Quack…
Quack…
Quack quack…
Quack quack quack quack quack!!!!

 

[DrEss]

Smith did well early on with it, but he got gassed. Needed someone else to rely on for a little bit at least. But, as the OP said, Iowa only reduced the HT lead by 3, so maybe, despite their comeback, they got gassed too.

 

[bonefish1]

Iowa runs a good press. The two guys at the front are long and do a good job of directing the ball handler into trouble. If you're tentative and let the D dictate where to dribble or pass, you're playing into the press as opposed to making good quick decisions, attacking and forcing the press to adapt to you. Smith definitely struggles passing over the top of the press, but he's a good enough ball handler to dribble through it. The other guys just need to know where to be when the trap comes and he has to give it up.

 

[depthcharge623]

Smith did well early on with it, but he got gassed. Needed someone else to rely on for a little bit at least. But, as the OP said, Iowa only reduced the HT lead by 3, so maybe, despite their comeback, they got gassed too.

Didn’t he turn the ball over on our first or second possession in the second half because if a lazy pass against the press? And then another soon after (maybe that one was someone else)? Not criticizing him because he obviously did great overall, just pointing out what I remember.

As for the part about Iowa being gassed, my uneducated impression is that teams can’t keep a press up for very long due to foul trouble and/or fatigue. It usually seems to be employed strategically, often at the beginning of the game or half, and then abandoned until possibly the end of a game. So if Iowa did try to keep it up for the whole second half (I didn’t get to watch most of the second half) then it’s no surprise they got tired.

 

[Bleedinggoldandblack]

Iowa pressing benefits the Boilers going forward, no doubt Purdue see’s it again. Purdue struggled a little last night, I’m sure Matt will point out the mistakes and guys like Smith, Loyer learn from it.

Guys are growing learning as a team....last year just didn't feel like they really grew from it, they got a little better, bur this year we seem to grow leaps and bounds from wins and losses. Thought Braden was exceptional tonight.

 

[Do Dah Day]

Didn’t he turn the ball over on our first or second possession in the second half because if a lazy pass against the press? And then another soon after (maybe that one was someone else)? Not criticizing him because he obviously did great overall, just pointing out what I remember.

As for the part about Iowa being gassed, my uneducated impression is that teams can’t keep a press up for very long due to foul trouble and/or fatigue. It usually seems to be employed strategically, often at the beginning of the game or half, and then abandoned until possibly the end of a game. So if Iowa did try to keep it up for the whole second half (I didn’t get to watch most of the second half) then it’s no surprise they got tired.

Exactly right. People wonder why teams don't press us (or anyone else for that matter) the whole game. Because they would need to have 15 guys as good as their best 5 pressers. And even pressing for a few minutes can make a player's legs that tiny bit weaker and their shots that tiny inch shorter.

The one thing that bothered me against Iowa was that we entered the ball into the corner a few times. I didn't record the game to see why, but clearly, that is a major NO!!!

 

[Tommaker]

I get really nervous when I see the opponents start pressing us. Iowa seemed to be putting the pressure on this team, turning us over and then couldn't miss on the other end, shooting something like an incredible 78% for a bit. I thought, "Oh Boy, here it comes!".

The remarkable truth is we lead by 17 points at half time, and won by 14 points at the end. A 3 point difference! We scored 49 points in that second half vs 38 in the first. All that pressing and hot shooting by Iowa didn't really change the outcome. We just continued to score at will against what I thought was a tough press, full of uncalled fouls - "Just let'em play ref". I don't care to watch rough games with slapping and arm grabbing, but that one last night seemed to turn into one at times.

There was one play where Painter changed the way we brought the ball up. The guys got into some sort of diamond position, then passed without hesitation, hitting a streaking Mason Gillis for a dunk. It was like a machine, and seemed well practiced. Then we switched back to letting the PG slowly bring the ball up. It made me think that, just maybe, Painter is sand bagging his team a bit, holding back some plays for the NCAA. We might see it again if someone like Kansas tries to press us in the sweet sixteen.

clock. they press, it gets eaten.

 

[tjreese]

I get really nervous when I see the opponents start pressing us. Iowa seemed to be putting the pressure on this team, turning us over and then couldn't miss on the other end, shooting something like an incredible 78% for a bit. I thought, "Oh Boy, here it comes!".

The remarkable truth is we lead by 17 points at half time, and won by 14 points at the end. A 3 point difference! We scored 49 points in that second half vs 38 in the first. All that pressing and hot shooting by Iowa didn't really change the outcome. We just continued to score at will against what I thought was a tough press, full of uncalled fouls - "Just let'em play ref". I don't care to watch rough games with slapping and arm grabbing, but that one last night seemed to turn into one at times.

There was one play where Painter changed the way we brought the ball up. The guys got into some sort of diamond position, then passed without hesitation, hitting a streaking Mason Gillis for a dunk. It was like a machine, and seemed well practiced. Then we switched back to letting the PG slowly bring the ball up. It made me think that, just maybe, Painter is sand bagging his team a bit, holding back some plays for the NCAA. We might see it again if someone like Kansas tries to press us in the sweet sixteen.

I think you are describing when Zach was positioned down to screen for Braden (in the backcourt) since Iowa wanted someone else to get the ball and then Mason who was in the middle of the zone (which Purdue had moved people into before) caught the pass and was streaking down the court for a layup. I believe that was in their 1-2-2 where they matched up looking like Man with the defenders on the inside of the Purdue players they were defending rather than to the side and then once the ball was inbounded to just playing the 1-2-2 where at the start of the game they were diamond and one. Any odd front wants to push you to the sidelines whereas a 2-2-1 dependind on what position the 2s are desired to trap may push to the side or turn you inside to the other two with first pressure...both have a hole inside.

Fran and Matt know what each wants to do. Prior to Fran cranking up full pressure, there were times I thought a long pass to Zach where his defender was up much higher than he was...was available. Also, not once did Purdue use three players for reversal and then breaking it which said Matt thinks Braden can break this. Part of the problem, was Braden was really tired and that extra length and quickness became a problem. Maryland will be a huge game and no doubt they will 2-2-1 Purdue and try to make more individual D by Purdue players rather than against the team D by a lot of dribble drive perhaps or the concern for that leaving a bit more space for the 3. If Purdue gets Northwestern and Maryland...the Big Championship is pretty much over

 

[tjreese]

Iowa pressing benefits the Boilers going forward, no doubt Purdue see’s it again. Purdue struggled a little last night, I’m sure Matt will point out the mistakes and guys like Smith, Loyer learn from it.

THAT learning unlike a man press has a lot to do with the 3 people that are not guards as well...spacing...flashing...looking opposite...

 

[Dryfly88]

I think you are describing when Zach was positioned down to screen for Braden (in the backcourt) since Iowa wanted someone else to get the ball and then Mason who was in the middle of the zone (which Purdue had moved people into before) caught the pass and was streaking down the court for a layup. I believe that was in their 1-2-2 where they matched up looking like Man with the defenders on the inside of the Purdue players they were defending rather than to the side and then once the ball was inbounded to just playing the 1-2-2 where at the start of the game they were diamond and one. Any odd front wants to push you to the sidelines whereas a 2-2-1 dependind on what position the 2s are desired to trap may push to the side or turn you inside to the other two with first pressure...both have a hole inside.

Fran and Matt know what each wants to do. Prior to Fran cranking up full pressure, there were times I thought a long pass to Zach where his defender was up much higher than he was...was available. Also, not once did Purdue use three players for reversal and then breaking it which said Matt thinks Braden can break this. Part of the problem, was Braden was really tired and that extra length and quickness became a problem. Maryland will be a huge game and no doubt they will 2-2-1 Purdue and try to make more individual D by Purdue players rather than against the team D by a lot of dribble drive perhaps or the concern for that leaving a bit more space for the 3. If Purdue gets Northwestern and Maryland...the Big Championship is pretty much over

I agree Maryland will give us a good test at their place. I think it's the toughest game left.

 

[tjreese]

Exactly right. People wonder why teams don't press us (or anyone else for that matter) the whole game. Because they would need to have 15 guys as good as their best 5 pressers. And even pressing for a few minutes can make a player's legs that tiny bit weaker and their shots that tiny inch shorter.

The one thing that bothered me against Iowa was that we entered the ball into the corner a few times. I didn't record the game to see why, but clearly, that is a major NO!!!

The corner has shown up a few times this year and last...

 

[tjreese]

Didn’t he turn the ball over on our first or second possession in the second half because if a lazy pass against the press? And then another soon after (maybe that one was someone else)? Not criticizing him because he obviously did great overall, just pointing out what I remember.

As for the part about Iowa being gassed, my uneducated impression is that teams can’t keep a press up for very long due to foul trouble and/or fatigue. It usually seems to be employed strategically, often at the beginning of the game or half, and then abandoned until possibly the end of a game. So if Iowa did try to keep it up for the whole second half (I didn’t get to watch most of the second half) then it’s no surprise they got tired.

I think the first???? was the lazy pass and the second I think was a judgement error where he thought he could pass it a bit farther, but Iowa's length and quickness beat the pass. When it was below 3 minutes it basically was a game of 1) get across half court 2) don't turn it over and you can hand them the ball when the clock expires and you still win 3) no quick shots and be prepared to get fouled for proper players on the court and them hitting the FTs. Fletcher's shot on the baseline was one of those gray areas where hitting it provided more cushion and if missing it...allowed a few more seconds for Iowa.

 

[Gman544]

They did ok against the press and even attacked for scores until they got tired. That is what Iowa does. The reserves were not good last night losing some of the lead and our starters went back in still mentally tired. That's when more turnovers happened. Zach came to the rescue.

 

[icewind7]

I don't understand why other keep pressing us, and we don't press them as much?! What's the disadvantage of pressing? consume energy?

 

[Boiler8285]

Iowa runs a good press. The two guys at the front are long and do a good job of directing the ball handler into trouble. If you're tentative and let the D dictate where to dribble or pass, you're playing into the press as opposed to making good quick decisions, attacking and forcing the press to adapt to you. Smith definitely struggles passing over the top of the press, but he's a good enough ball handler to dribble through it. The other guys just need to know where to be when the trap comes and he has to give it up.

Too much dribble. I know Painter doesn't want to speed up the pace but would love to see quick passes and look to attack and make teams regret pressing. Painter prefers beating the press with the dribble which makes it tough when you only have one PG.

 

[tjreese]

I don't understand why other keep pressing us, and we don't press them as much?! What's the disadvantage of pressing? consume energy?

You are spreading your defense where the opposing team is no threat to score. teams that press assume the risk of spreading your D is less than the reward. Each team is different.

edit- below
To further that thought-I believe you will find most teams do NOT press early in the game due to that risk reward. There are a few teams that come out of the gate pressing, but most go to it when in a bit of trouble by being behind or a bit of trouble in not stopping the other team's O and want to increase tempo...but always a risk/reward thing.

 

[bonefish1]

I don't understand why other keep pressing us, and we don't press them as much?! What's the disadvantage of pressing? consume energy?

You have to practice a press and players need to know what they’re doing. Also helps to have length. A bad press leads to easy buckets.

 

[Dryfly88]

I don't understand why other keep pressing us, and we don't press them as much?! What's the disadvantage of pressing? consume energy?

Yes, energy consumption. We are either 1 or 2 in the country in offensive efficiency. It makes no sense to waste that much energy on full court press on defense. Play solid half court defense, don't turn the ball over on offense and we win.

 

[bonefish1]

Yes, energy consumption. We are either 1 or 2 in the country in offensive efficiency. It makes no sense to waste that much energy on full court press on defense. Play solid half court defense, don't turn the ball over on offense and we win.

We don’t have the size or athletes to press.

 

[Schmedly_Whiplash]

I don't understand why other keep pressing us, and we don't press them as much?! What's the disadvantage of pressing? consume energy?

Yes, and when you extend your defense 84' it becomes much easier for teams to attack the rim which in our case would have Zack defending it and potentially picking up fouls defending much faster players than he is. Bad situation to put him in.