I felt there was one coaching decision and 4 offensive possessions that were critical in helping Florida win the championship.
Florida 30- Houston 40- 16:43 to go- Clayton is offered ball screen, he dribbles the ball 13 time, drives into the lane and throws a wild pass to the perimeter that lands in the stands.
Florida 34- Houston 40- 14:28 to go- Clayton goes left, takes an off balance, fading 17 footer that misses.
Florida 34- Houston 44- 14:07 to go- Coach takes Clayton out of the game.
Florida 41- Houston 45- 12:06 to go- Clayton re-enters the game.
Florida 42- Houston 48- 11:07 to go- Instead of running a ball screen, Florida used Clayton as a decoy. Clayton dribbles off a ball screen, the screener pops.
Clayton (#1) passes back to #5. #5’s defender has helped on Clayton so he has to scramble back to guard.
Clayton screens for #3 to come up. Clayton’s defender is not decisive because hesitates to leave him. #3 comes up for a dribble handoff.
#3 is able to turn the corner off the dribble handoff because of the lack of decisive handling Clayton’s ball screens and #5’s defender not being in great position after helping on the initial ball screen. #3 gets to the basket, #4’s defender helps so #4 is left open and is fouled. #4 did not make either shot but the play showed that actions other than ball screens would help.
Florida 48- Houston 51- 7:06 to go- This is after the technical, so Florida coach had time to talk to players and set this up. They ran a horns set with #5 popping out for the ball.
Instead of Clayton going off the handoff for a jumper, Clayton curled to prevent the defender from getting thru. #3’s defender was late getting there and fouled Clayton to create and 1. Florida 51- Houston 51
It should be noted, when #3’s defender dropped to help that actually #3 was wide open for a three on the wing as they rose.
Florida 51- Houston 53- 6:12 to go- Florida started in a horns alignment again. This time instead of going off the ball, Clayton went off the other post. #2’s defender read the play and immediately dropped to cover Clayton on the cut.
Clayton’s defender got hung up as Clayton cut off #4’s screen and fell. Clayton’s defender was slow to get out to cover #2, who drove to the basket. Florida 53- Houston 53
Florida 57- Houston 60- 3:14 to go- Florida came out after a time out and ran this play for a three. They started in horns, with Clayton going away to set a stagger for #2.
#2 started up to use the stagger but curled around Clayton’s screen. If you watch the replay, #2 almost comes a complete stop to set a “hip screen” on Clayton’s defender.
Clayton wheels around and goes off #4’s screen for an open three. Florida 60- Houston 60.
It is very hard for a coach to take their star out, especially when they are losing. Clayton was struggling vs Houston defense. He was struggling because of a combination of Houston’s defense and Florida running ball screens after ball screen. Clayton showed signs of losing his composure. The coach took him out for just 2 minutes, but he came back in a different player- he was able to regroup.
Earlier this year, I was watching a game with a friend. One team went on a 6-0 run vs a very good team, then it became a 8-0. My friend exclaimed,”OMG, take a time out.” And they did.
They came out from the time out, and continued to be on a run. It was up to a 12-0 run. The “very good team” was running a form of 5 out, dribble drive like most high schools and college do today. The “very good team” could not buy a basket.
It was my turn now. I yelled,”PLEASE just run one set to help your team score.” They evidently didn’t hear me thru the TV screen and never did on their way to losing the game.
In the NCAA Men’s Championship game, I thought the Florida coach made some great adjustments offensively. By running some simple actions, he allowed his team to stay in the game.
Yep, it is still legal to run set plays in basketball!!!
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