Posts Tagged “UMass Basketball”

Oct 24 2009

2009-10 Atlantic 10 Preseason Rankings and Previews

Posted by admin in Atlantic 10, NCAA Basketball Rankings, tags: , , , , , , ,

2009-10 Atlantic 10 Preseason Rankings and Previews
The Atlantic 10 had a strong season in 2008-09 with five teams finishing the season with more than 20 wins and Dayton pulling an upset of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. Xavier won the 2008-09 regular season, however, Dayton is favored to win this year. Many NCAA basketball preseason polls also have Dayton ranked in the top 20 heading into the basketball season.

Atlantic 10 2008-09 Final Standings:
Team                     A-10        Overall
Xavier                    12-4         27-8
Dayton                   11-5         27-8
Rhode Island            11-5        23-11
Temple                   11-5         22-12
Duquesne                9-7          21-13
La Salle                  9-7           18-13
Richmond                9-7           20-16
Saint Joseph’s          9-7           17-15
Saint Louis               8-8           18-14
Massachusetts         7-9           12-18
St. Bonaventure        6-10         15-15
Charlotte                 5-11         11-20
George Washington    4-12         10-18
Fordham                  1-15          3-25

#1 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Dayton

Dayton reached the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 1989-1990 season. They have 10 of their top 11 scorers back from last season and 4 of 5 starters. Forward Chris Wright is the lead returning scorer from last season at 13.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg.
#2 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Xavier

Xavier won their third consecutive Atlantic 10 championship last season and lost to Pitt in the Regional semi-firnals of the NCAA tournament. Their top three scorers are gone from last season and no returning player averaged in double digits for points. Guard Jordan Crawford is a transfer from Indiana and he is closest having scored at a 9.6 ppg clip during his freshman season at IU.

#3 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Duquesne

The Dukes won more than 20 games last season for the first time in 28 years. They will be trying to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in 33 years this season. The lead returning scorers are Damian Saunders at 13.1 ppg and 7.6 rpg and Bill Clark at 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 2.7 apg.

#4 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Richmod

Richmod won 20 games last year and made it to the College Basketball Invitational semi-finals. The Spiders will try to make the NCAA tournament this season and are led by returning guards Kevin Anderson (16.6 ppg) and David Gonzalvez (16.0 ppg).

#5 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – La Salle

Coach John Giannini has had the Explorers in the top half of the Atlantic 10 the past 4 seasons. Four players return who averaged double digits last season with Rodney Green scoring the most at 17.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 3.4 apg.

#6 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Massachusetts

Derek Kellogg has the Minutemen running the Dribble Drive, but has to improve on their 12 win season from last year. UMASS should have one of the biggest front courts in the Atlantic 10 this season, but will have to work to get into the upper half of the division.

#7 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Temple

The Owls lost Donte Christmas from last season and will be looking to Lavoy Allen (10.9 ppg) and Ryan Brooks (10.6 ppg) to help fill the void in scoring. Returning to the NCAA tournament is not out of the question for the Owls in 2010.

Atlantic 10 #8-14 Ranked Teams
#8 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Rhode Island

#9 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – Charlotte

#10 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – St. Bonaventure

#11 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team – St. Joseph’s

#12 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - St. Louis

#13 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - George Washington

#14 Atlantic 10 Basketball Team - Fordham

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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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