Coach ,

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s game. Today we have four more games to learn and grow from as coaches. Will we have any upsets today? If your bracket is like mine it has been destroyed with all of the high seeds advancing. 

Here are some things to watch for today and some things to study up to help us grown at our craft

Gonzaga vs. Creighton

This one is going to be two great offensive teams going toe to toe. The difference will be who will be able to get stops. Gonzaga has the better defense in this one. Both teams play a flow style with playing out of the 5 out with lots of Dribble Handoffs, Ball Screens, and misdirection actions. I know I will have my notepad out studying this game.

Gonzaga has four All American type players at their disposal: Andrew Timme, Corey Kisspert, Jalen Suggs, and Joe Ayayi

We have great resources available for you on both of these great programs.

Learn how Mark Few uses his posts in this Gonzaga Playbook

Creighton is allowing 60 points per game, and has played great defense in March Madness. Also, Creighton has held opponents to 35% in the NCAA Tournament. This must continue against Gonzaga. Creighton needs to play at a slow place to have a chance in this one and work the shot clock and score in late shot-clock situations. Coach McDermott runs some of the best 5 out actions in college basketball

More great play from Creighton in this Playbook 

USC vs. Oregon 

The battle of two Pac 12 teams. Dana Altman is a great X and O coach, everytime I watch his team’s play it is a clinic in itself. They have evolved over the years from his spread high post offense that he will still run but has found unique ways to get it into spread ball screens.

Dana Altman Playbook

USC has the Mobley brothers in the middle that are dominating the paint so far in the tournament and playing a stingy 2-3 zone. These two are no strangers to each other both being in the Pac 12. 

Baseline OB Set from USC to get # 4 Mobley a lob

Michigan vs. Florida State

Juwan Howard has Michigan back in the Sweet 16. Offensively Michigan will be using multiple ball screen actions to create an advantage against Florida State. They will use DHO in Ball Screens, Horns Actions, Drags and Double Drags in transition with Spain Action.

Juwan Howard Michigan Playbook 

Florida State will look to push the pace. They like to score within the first 7 seconds of the shot clock. Leonard Hamilton likes to mix up his looks defensively 

Coach Young breaking down the importance of their transition offense and how they want to score in the first 7 seconds

Charlton Young FSU Transition

UCLA vs. Alabama 

Alabama spreads the floor and looks to shoot a lot of 3’s their Dribble Drive Motion Offense presents many challenges versus UCLA. They will have to take away the 3 point line and when they do that Alabama will attack the rim and get to the free-throw line. 

Assistant Coach Charlie Henry breaking down their attack mindset in their Dribble Drive Attack Offense. 

Assistant Coach Charlie Henry Spread Offense

UCLA has had injuries to their rim protectors all year and have adapted to small ball. Will UCLA have enough rim protection to prevent Alabama from getting to the rim? If they help Alabama will kick to multiple players on the perimeter. UCLA will rely on Jaime Jacquez hot play in the tournament he has been dominant in their first 2 round wins.

Coach Cronin discusses the importance of communication on the defensive side of the floor. In the video clip below Coach Cronin discusses drills they use to help make his team better on the defensive side of the floor by communicating

Enjoy the games today as we count down to the Elite 8.

Lason, Leigh, Marc, and the Coaches Community of Coaches