In Saturday’s game story about the UVa men’s basketball team’s 76-55 win against Oral Roberts, I wrote that there are “signs of a developing system. There is more screening action making its way on to the floor while the spacing continues to create opportunities. Plus, the Hoos have fed the post consistently.”

After spreading the floor and attacking with four guards frequently against Longwood and South Florida, partially out of necessity with limited post options, the Cavaliers have started to sprinkle in more modified Blocker/Mover style sets. This is creating movement with the guards working through off-ball screens, open shots, and post touches. Statistically, the Hoos shot 51.8% against Rider and 45.5% against Oral Roberts. Certainly, what we’ve seen in the latter games this week is not the full Tony Bennett offensive system from Washington State nor has it been picture perfect with execution and decision-making. One thing it has been, though? Progressing.

“We’re running some 3 out, 2 in. When you’ve got two power players and trying to get some touches [down there] and then we’re running some sets with it,” Bennett said. “It’s not what I’ve done typically in the past with as much motion probably and as much screening and all of that, but we’re just trying to get good spacing on the floor, give guys opportunities to use the dribble, and get some paint touches off the pass or the dribble. That’s sort of what we’re doing with some sets [mixed in]. Sometimes when we get going a little fast or we’re getting sloppy, we try to reel them in and get the right guys shots.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm and is filed under Men's Basketball, Tony Bennett, UVa Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.