Something I saw in the UK/UL game

[HillbillyCat]

I don't know if anybody else noticed this, but here goes:



Did anybody else notice the possibilities in our offensive sets when Morris and Woo were in the game at the same time. There were times when Woo was at the foul line on the offensive sets and this created about a dozen things that this team can do to make our offense better. First of all, he was setting high screens for Jodie and the others playing out high. Secondly, Woo can actually pick and roll off a screen out there and hit that 12 to 15 foot jump shot. Lastly, he creates openness for Morris underneath when he does these things. It was like a light coming on for me as to what Tubby can do with this. Bonuses to this are size underneath on defense and the fact that Woo can guard the opposing center tightly without worrying about Morris getting into foul trouble. All in all, I think I saw something today that I hadn't seen yet this year. I hope Tubby and his guys over there capitalize on our possibilities from here on out. I'm sure they will. You throw in the fact that Jodie is gaining confidence, Porter is looking good, Jasper is getting more games under his belt at point, and our defense is stellar, and we have the makings of a great year........getter done TUBBY!!!!!!!!.......the ingredients are there....bake the cake.............

[SamKat]

I would like to see it. Woo could contribute much more than he has in his UK stay.

Are you a coach or just a typical Wildcat fan like me? Occasionally I may get a good coaching idea, but this seems an astute observation, HillbillyCat.

[Will Lavender]

HillbillyCat wrote: I don't know if anybody else noticed this, but here goes:



Did anybody else notice the possibilities in our offensive sets when Morris and Woo were in the game at the same time. There were times when Woo was at the foul line on the offensive sets and this created about a dozen things that this team can do to make our offense better. First of all, he was setting high screens for Jodie and the others playing out high. Secondly, Woo can actually pick and roll off a screen out there and hit that 12 to 15 foot jump shot. Lastly, he creates openness for Morris underneath when he does these things. It was like a light coming on for me as to what Tubby can do with this. Bonuses to this are size underneath on defense and the fact that Woo can guard the opposing center tightly without worrying about Morris getting into foul trouble. All in all, I think I saw something today that I hadn't seen yet this year. I hope Tubby and his guys over there capitalize on our possibilities from here on out. I'm sure they will. You throw in the fact that Jodie is gaining confidence, Porter is looking good, Jasper is getting more games under his belt at point, and our defense is stellar, and we have the makings of a great year........getter done TUBBY!!!!!!!!.......the ingredients are there....bake the cake.............

Good post.

The best line-up of the day was in the game at the 10:00 mark to the 4:30 mark:

Porter/Bradley/Meeks/Woo/Morris

You make a good point about Woo's screening. Tubby said in his call-in show last week that Sheray and Woo set the best screens on the team; that's why the offense often runs well when those two are in there.

However, the problem is that Woo needs a lot of help to score. Unless he's hitting that 15-footer, he really has problems. So with Woo -- and with Sheray -- you're essentially playing 4-on-5 on offense. (Same with Jasper on the perimeter.)

This is the problem with our offense right now. Not enough playmakers. Too many holes offensively. Not enough scoring threats. Tubby's going to have to go Rich Brooks: get the best playmakers on the court and get them the ball at the right times in the sets. It looks like Jodie Meeks may be one of those guys.

Back to your point: I agree that Woo brings a dimension to the team that is interesting. I was baffled that his minutes started to dwindle after his great DePaul performance. Maybe yesterday's game will get him energized.

He just needs to be more aggressive. You've got to give the illusion that you're a threat or the defense just gives up on you and chokes the better players. Woo needs to look to SHOOT IT when he's in there -- or else, as Tubby said after a game earlier this year, just bowl over people down there. Do something to present yourself as a potential scorer.

Screening is nice, defense is nice, but made shots are the lifeblood of basketball.

[RV]

I've been saying this - not here of course ;)- for the last two years. Woo's spot is on the high post, not down on the blocks.

[ukbob]

RV wrote: I've been saying this - not here of course ;)- for the last two years. Woo's spot is on the high post, not down on the blocks.

Yep...and it is not a cooincidence that Woo has taken 3 jumpers from the 12-15 foot area and hit all 3.

If he could learn to be consistent out there he will help us a lot but he cannot totally disapear without contributing at all like he has in games. (That could be said for Perry as well)

If Woo comes in and grabs boards, sets solid screens(which he is best on the team at) and hustles, good things happen. If he scores at all, it is gravy, IMO.

[Caveman Catfan]

Tubby has confidence in Woo when Woo is facing the basket from about 12-15 feet. When Morris draws the double teams, it might be smart, in addition to having people set up on the three point line, to have Woo in the game at the free throw line. He catches and releases well when he is facing the basket.

[Realist]

The shot at the free throw line is highly dependent on the manpower and type of defense run by the opponent. It won't be available against everyone we play but when it is having Woo out there is a great option. I'd prefer him to shoot it from there over some of the forced shots our guards take. But, they've got to pass it to him like they did yesterday. In the past we've had guards who absolutely refused to pass him the ball under any circumstance. He's a decent shot from there and even if he misses we should have Morris, Perry, and the 2 guard crashing the boards.

[bret1555]

We should run the high post every time against the 2-3 Zone. . . Especially since we have trouble shooting teams out of it. UofL didn't runthe 2-3much, but I think the high post is the most effective offense against the zone. Especially if we run double screens on the baseline and bring the point over to a wing. . . It could be deadly, with Woo, Perry, or Thomas (all three are serviceable passers).

[RaleighCat]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Tubby has confidence in Woo when Woo is facing the basket from about 12-15 feet.

Only recently. I'm not going to debate ancient history, but I'm finally seeing Woo doing what he should've the past 4 years.

Biggest difference in Woo this year is his hands. In the Depaul game his ability to catch and finish was better than ever before. He's much more confident receiving the ball and making an offensive move. The jumper is a by-product of that confidence and being put in the right place offensively.

Woo is an absolute horse, physically. Big as a haystack. He blew me away in person at the UNC game. He'll never be the classic center that Tubby envisioned. He can be a very effective contributer for this team and we're starting to see it.