The pandemic has wrought the "Golden Age of Enlightenment" of Internet basketball teaching. Loyola Chicago Assistant Matt Gordon shares terrific information.
Here are my notes:
"Tied with Harvard for graduation success rate among student-athletes..."
"...number one in the country in transition offense..." (Mindset, excellence in transition is a counterweight to superior defenses in the halfcourt. Remember Dave Smart's musts on how they must take care of business.)
**During shell drills, they're allowed to transition into offense. Missouri Valley Conference is strong defensively, making transition critical.
"Teams...in our league...take away what you want to do."
"Fouling negates hustle." - Coach Majerus
Among the leaders in turnover percentage without fouling. "Looking for deflections...pressure the picked up dribble."
"Deflections cause doubt."
"Get downhill...defense is the admission ticket to the fast break."
"Show your hands..." (this is something we emphasize to prevent fouls)
"Reach for the lights..." (verticality)
"First three steps..." into full speed transition (a sprinting game)
Among the national leaders in not fouling...
"Promote the little things from film"
Be aggressive without fouling. (They do it.)
Hard running creates good angles and attack against stationary defenders.
"Pressure the defense constantly."
Team has unselfish guys who care about winning.
Use the Spurs "0.5 seconds" mentality to make decisions..."pass up a good shot for a better shot."
Aggressiveness creates long closeouts.
On the clips shown, Loyola has exemplary spacing.
Post guys, "Make and maintain contact." - Coach Majerus
Early offense actions
"You can always reject the ball screen..." (expanding concept IMO)
Because defenses are going under ball screens, they practice guards coming off into 3s.
"Movement...is the hardest thing to guard." ("Movement kills defenses.") In their clips, they do a great job filling, sinking, or lifting as needed.
Summary:
"Defense creates offense."
Don't foul. "Show your hands." ("Fouls negate hustle.")
Film reveals the little things. (Truth machine)
Hard running and ball movement = tough defensive angles, long closeouts.
Movement is the hardest thing to guard.
Novel concept to steal: Shell drill to initiate transition.
@mattcgordon
mgordon1@luc.edu
Lagniappe: If you have the guy, then SLOB Celtics corner 1 v 1
Lagniappe 2: Celtics Diamond
Off-ball screen for entry; off-ball screen to finish.