His game plans for both Nova and Creighton did not go well, and his lack of in game adjustments was not evident. Granted, both teams are very good; legit top 10 to 15 teams and if Creighton can continue to shoot the ball the way they have they’re very capable of a deep run.
Against Nova, Willard’s defensive scheme especially in 2nd half was just bizarre. I didn’t like the use of Shavar, and I don’t like keeping a rim protector like Gill out of the game. People will say he can’t defend 3 point shooting, blah blah blah, but Gill’s guy is Robinson Earl; he knocked down a couple of shots but we had more issues getting beat with backdoor cuts to the basket when Gill wasn’t in. That game was close enough that Gill could have taken away some of those points in the paint.
Against Creighton I think the slow down offense somewhat backfired since it clearly didn’t allow the team to get in any offensive flow all day. As for defense, I really don’t get what we are thinking here; you have to play a somewhat extended half court D to minimize the amount of open 3 pt looks. Let Gill float in the paint as the rim protector, force our guys to keep their man in front of them. Now, if it is true that both McKnight and Powell are somewhat banged up and you couldn’t play that way; maybe that explains it to a certain extent.
Willard had 2 games to win the Big East title outright this week and what kills you is that he allowed teams to beat us with their strengths. A shame.
Against Nova, Willard’s defensive scheme especially in 2nd half was just bizarre. I didn’t like the use of Shavar, and I don’t like keeping a rim protector like Gill out of the game. People will say he can’t defend 3 point shooting, blah blah blah, but Gill’s guy is Robinson Earl; he knocked down a couple of shots but we had more issues getting beat with backdoor cuts to the basket when Gill wasn’t in. That game was close enough that Gill could have taken away some of those points in the paint.
Against Creighton I think the slow down offense somewhat backfired since it clearly didn’t allow the team to get in any offensive flow all day. As for defense, I really don’t get what we are thinking here; you have to play a somewhat extended half court D to minimize the amount of open 3 pt looks. Let Gill float in the paint as the rim protector, force our guys to keep their man in front of them. Now, if it is true that both McKnight and Powell are somewhat banged up and you couldn’t play that way; maybe that explains it to a certain extent.
Willard had 2 games to win the Big East title outright this week and what kills you is that he allowed teams to beat us with their strengths. A shame.
