Posts Tagged “coach john calipari”

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Oct 22 2009

College Basketball Offenses – How the Dribble Drive Offense Works

Posted by admin in Kentucky Wildcats, john calipari, ncaa basketball, tags: , , , , , , , ,
Although Coach John Calipari is the college coach who has made the college basketball dribble drive offense a household term, current UMASS assistant Vance Walberg created the dribble drive offensive scheme when he was a high school and community college coach in Fresno City, CA. Calipari picked up the basic scheme of the offense from Walberg in 2003, and has refined his own variant of the offense. After the Memphis Tigers made it to the NCAA championship game in 2008 to lose to Kansas, the dribble drive became solidified as a bona fide college basketball offense.

What is the Dribble Drive College Basketball Offense

The dribble drive offense is referred to as a “Four Out” offensive scheme. That refers to only having one of the five players play in the post position near the basket with the other four being placed on the perimeter. The primary purpose of the offense is to maximize the number of points scored by possession through old-school three point plays on fouls on layups or three point shots. It differs from other similar schemes such as the motion offense that uses a series of player screens and the Princeton offense which uses players cutting towards the basket. The dribble drive relies on the point guard (normally) to drive to the basket. Depending on how the defense reacts to the drive, the point guard will do one of the following actions: 1 – Drive to the hoop in an attempt to score (and hopefully draw a foul), 2 – Pass to a perimeter player, or 3 – Pass to the post player. When a player on the perimeter receives a pass, they either shoot a 3 pointer or repeat the drive process. Where other college basketball offenses rely on set plays for a team to score when not in transition, the dribble drive relies on a framework for playes to create within in order to score.

What Kind of Players are Needed for the Dribble Drive?

The primary skill-set required in the dribble drive offense is the ability to drive to basket. The second most important offensive skill is the ability to knock down the three point shot. Without strong guards, teams can not typically play the offense well. Because the point guard typically drives into the thick of the defense or has defenders collapse to help defend the drive, a taller point guard or a guard who plays much taller than his height with a significant vertical leap is preferred. The two and three guard positions work better with a guard or wing who can knock down the long range jumper as a primary skill set and drive to the basket as a secondary skill. The PF or four-man has to be able to run the court unlike in other offensive schemes as well as know when he needs to hit the paint for rebounds and offense. The center, post position, or five man will also be looked upon to play the perimeter at times in the dribble drive.

Why is the Dribble Drive Popular?

Players enjoy playing the dribble drive because it most closely resembles what they will see in the NBA. They see the offense as a way to best develop their skill-sets to play at the next level without having to do so in the offseason. Players that have been able to play in the dribble drive at the college level have stated that they enjoy the offense because it allows them to create and rely on their skill to directly beat the opposition, however, it can make any personal weaknesses in players very evident where in traditional offenses these can be hidden eaiser. Add to the mix the fact that Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans were NBA lottery picks after one season of the dribble drive under Coach Cal, and its no wonder he was able to put together the number 1 2009 NCAA recruiting class at the University of Kentucky in less than six weeks.

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Jun 19 2009

Pre-Season 2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – June Edition

Posted by admin in ncaa basketball, tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kentucky Calipari Basketball

Kentucky Coach John Calipari

Now that the majority of the 2009 NCAA recruiting classes are set and we know who is going into the 2009 NBA draft, I figured it was time to put out my pre-season Top 25. We’ll see a little movement over the next few months depending on what Lance Stephenson decides to do and where the USC recruits end up, but the 2009-10 NCAA basketball  season does prove to be an exciting one!

 

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 1 Kansas
Bill Self is heading into the 200910 season fully loaded with his talent from last year as well as another great recruiting class headlined by star shooting guard, Xavier Henry. Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are back for another shot at the NCAA title, and the Jayhawks should repeat as Big 12 champions next season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 2 Kentucky
Its debatable on what the impact of Jodie Meeks not coming back to Kentucky for the 2009-10 season is going to be. He led the Wildcats and the SEC in scoring last season, but if the number 1 recruiting class of 2009 performs as expected, Coach John Calipari will have the Wildcats heading deep into the 2010 NCAA tournament next year! The Wildcats will have one of the strongest front courts in the country with Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins, and Daniel Orton to go with the top rated point guard prospect in the country, John Wall.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 3 Villanova
Scottie Reynolds returning to Nova with a great recruiting class is making the Wildcats the Big East favorite and a threat for the 2010 NCAA title!

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 4 Michigan State
The Spartans have three starters returning but will have a fight for the Big Ten title with Purdue and Ohio State.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 5 North Carolina

Ed Davis and Deon Thompson are back along with prize recruits John Henson and Leslie McDonald. This might be a bit high for the defending champs, but something tells me they’re going to be going deep again in the 2010 tourney!

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 6 Purdue
Purdue will be challenging Michigan State for the Big 10 title. They have all of their starters back along with JaJuan Johnson and will be a regular in the Top Ten during the 2009-10 season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 7 Texas
The Long Horns have a great recruiting class headed by Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton. They’re going to give Kansas a run for the Big 12 Title and will be a force to be reckoned with in the post season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 8 Duke
Duke is bringing back a solid core from last season’s team. Gerald Henderson will be missed and they may have a bit of trouble at the point initially, but the Blue Devils will be a top ten team next season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 9 West Virginia
West Virginia is led by point guard Joe Mazzulla and Devin Ebanks will be a first round pick in the 2010 or 2011 NBA draft. The mountaineers should go deeper in the post season in 2010 than last year and will be one of the powerhouses in the Big East in 2009-10.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 10- Ohio State
Ohio State lost B.J. Mullens to the 2009 NBA draft, but they have Evan Turner back as well as a number of other starters to go with David Lighty.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 11- Washington
Washington was able to sign the second best point guard in the 2009 NCAA basketball recruiting class in Abdul Gaddy who will complement Thomas at the 2 guard position while leading Washington in the 2009-10 season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 12 Oklahoma
Oklahoma had a strong recruiting year in 2009 and with Willie Warren coming back they will push Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma State in the Big 12.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 13 Tennessee
With Tyler Smith returning, Bruce Pearl has an experienced team heading in to the 2009-10 season. The Vols will be looking to keep Kentucky from going undefeated in SEC play next season and will be a top 15 team heading into the season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 14 Cal
The Cal Bears will be competing with Washington for the PAC-10’s top spot next season. UCLA could come into the mix as well depending on how quickly their 2009 recruiting class performs as well.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 15 Miss State
If Renardo Sidney can gain his eligibility, Mississippi State will be a Top 20 team all season and will be trying to give Kentucky a run for their money for the SEC overall and tournament titles.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 16 Connecticut
Stanley Robinson, Ater Majok, and Kemba Walker will be leading the Huskies to another season atop the Big East and a national ranking.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 17 Dayton
Dayton almost has their entire team back from last season’s that won 27 games and a NCAA tournament game. They will be vying for the A-10 championship and we’ll see them ranked the majority of the season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 18 Minnesota
Former Kentucky Wildcat coach Tubby Smith has his starters returning with a decent recruiting class. He’ll have a tough time trying to get past Ohio State, MSU, and Purdue, but the Gophers will be in the thick of the Big 10 race for the majority of the season.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 19 Butler
Butler could easily be ranked higher. They have everyone back from last season to include star Matt Howard.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 20 Oklahoma State
OSU has a great 2009 basketball recruiting class inbound in Travis Ford’s run and gun offense. They’ll score a lot of points, have fun, and just might pull some upsets along the way!

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 21 Michigan
DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris will be two of the leaders on the Wolverines squad next season. They could play up in the rankings once the season gets going.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 22 Missouri
The Tigers have a deep bench and will be dangerous again next season. Look for the team to take a bit time to gel after losing Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll, but will be clicking by tournament time.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 23 Louisville
Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings are going to be the “go to” players for Coach Rick Pitino next season. They have to perform to keep the Cards afloat in the Big East and the 2010 NCAA tournament.

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 24 Memphis
Coach Josh Pastner has been putting together a pretty impressive recruiting class after taking over from Coach John Calipari. Many have counted the Tigers out, but with their current recruiting crop, look for them to win more than 25 games next season!

2009 NCAA Basketball Rankings – No. 25 Siena
Siena has a majority of their core players coming back from last season. Losing Kenny Hasbrouck drops them a bit, so they eeked by Illinois to make Nr 25 on my rankings.

Close to Being Ranked:


Florida State – Solomon Alabi, Jordan Mercy, and Chris Singleton lead the Seminole front court along with incoming recruit Michael Snaer.

Illinois – The Fighting Illini have a great 2009 recruiting class. They just missed being in the top 25, but can quickly find themselves there once the season gets moving.

Georgetown – Georgetown was one of the disappointing teams of last season. With Greg Monroe back, the Hoyas should be able to build on the 2008-09 season and make it to the NCAA’s at the end of the year.

 

Refs:

http://kenpom.com/rate.php, http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/basketball/la-sp-renardo-sidney5-2009jun05,0,7406854.story, ttp://beyondthearc.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/17/1897733.aspx, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/162509-the-return-of-marcus-ginyard-your-2009-10-north-carolina-tar-heels, http://www.collegesports-fans.com/basketball-previews/2008-2009-previews/kansas-jayhawks-preview.html, http://www.zimbio.com/Chante+Black/news/PDWD71712ST/2009+Duke+Blue+Devils+Basketball+Recruiting, http://www.secsportsfan.com/2009-2010-kentucky-wildcats-basketball-preview.html,

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May 27 2009

2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Top Point Guard Recruits

Posted by admin in 2009 NCAA Recruiting, tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The Villanova Wildcats Have the Strongest Recruiting Class in the Big East for 2009

The Villanova Wildcats Have the Strongest Recruiting Class in the Big East for 2009

John Wall and Abdul Gaddy lead the crop of 2009 NCAA men’s basketball point guard recruits. Wall is clearly the number one prospect for the 2009-10 NCAA college basketball season with Gaddy, Bledsoe, Johnson, and Wayns being close to each other’s capability. Kentucky Wildcat coach, John Calipari did pull a coup with getting Bledsoe and Wall to join him at Kentucky, however, Wayns is in the third wave of extremely strong recruiting classes at Villanova and Johnson joins a Kansas Team that is predicted to reach the NCAA Final Four in 2010.

#1 2009 NCAA Basketball Recruit – PG – John Wall
College – Kentucky Wildcats
Ht: 6′4″
Wt: 185 lbs
Summary:
John Wall is the best point guard and overall player in the crop of 2009 NCAA men’s basketball recruits. A huge difference between Wall and Derek Rose and Tyreke Evans of the past two years under Coach Calipari, is that he is going to have a very deep supporting cast at Kentucky and may be able to do what Derek Rose could not-win the NCAA title!. John Wall should be fun to watch next season regardless before he goes to the NBA in 2010.

#2 2009 NCAA Basketball Recruit – PG – Abdul Gaddy

College – Washington

Ht: 6′3″

Wt: 170lbs

Summary: Abdul Gaddy chose to stay home and attend Washington after Arizona coach Lute Olson retired. Gaddy brings good size and great ball handling skills to a Washington team that can use his talents immediately. He’ll likely stay at least two seasons and attract more talent to the Northwest for his sophomore year. Definitely an impact player in the PAC-10 next season.

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