We're facing a team with more athleticism, more skill, and the top seed in the tournament with a multitude of scholarship players. What's the approach?
I'd encourage people to do their research, too.
1. Bring our best version. We're not showing up to make excuses or get to take pictures with the Dream Team. We're searching for hard to find answers. "This is how we win this game."
2. Pete Newell's "get more and better shots than our opponents" still applies. Newton's laws don't disappear because it's a title bout.
3. Better chance with a game in the 40s than 60s. Favor a rock fight over a track meet.
4. Get off to a good start. Don't get buried early. I remember pressing a more athletic team and having to take a timeout after a minute down 6-0. I literally apologized to the team.
5. More and better shots has to include winning on the boards. Consider only sending two to the offensive glass with three back to limit transition.
6. "Opponents get one bad shot." Championship games are played in big venues. Sometimes it's harder to shoot 3s in the wide open spaces.
7. Limit live ball turnovers that turn into layups. Somebody has to wear big-girl pants and bring the ball up against defensive pressure.
8. Consider going 'off the reservation'. We mixed in Triangle and 2. Even good teams can be confused. Take away open threes on a couple of shooters and get help from the interior defense. Make them play the infantry instead of cavalry and artillery.
9. Leverage our strengths. Score with PnR, our known quantity "horns sets", and maybe some iso of our star player.
10.Never foul jump shots. Part of "more and better shots" is avoiding bad fouls.
11.Get a little lucky and make a few 3s while our opponent doesn't have their best shooting night.
12. Get a break on a few Xs and Os they haven't seen. Arrange personnel as you see fit.
Good luck, Mr. Phelps.
