Film Session: Rutgers
After a seven-point halftime deficit, Steve Pikiell and his Scarlet Knights busted out a matchup zone against the Hoosiers for the majority of the second half.
Indiana’s results against it were a mixed bag. While the Hoosiers were certainly prepared for a such a defense and had a number of set calls to counter it, Indiana also failed to execute and went stagnant on possessions, playing right into its opponent’s hands.
We’ll look at Indiana successes and failures against the zone in the latest edition of Film Session:
On Indiana’s second possession of the second half, Rutgers sets up in the zone. Indiana is ready with a play call. Xavier Johnson puts his thumb up and Miller Kopp also raises his palm up, perhaps to signify the “up” in matchup zone.
Johnson finds Thompson on the left elbow as Kopp and Parker Stewart spread to the opposite corners. From there, Thompson passes it back to Johnson and he sets a ball screen for him. Johnson drives left. Clifford Omoruyi comes off Jackson-Davis on the help at the rim and Johnson uses the opportunity to toss it up for Jackson-Davis. He gathers, goes to the opposite side of the rim and dunks it home.
Nice job by Indiana to spread out the zone right away, though this would be Jackson-Davis’ only basket against it all half.
Filed to: Rutgers Scarlet Knights