NCAA Tournament Opening Games

My 5 favorite plays from the first games of the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 23, 2024

This is the best time of the year for coaches obsessed with X’s & O’s and basketball in general. There have been so many incredible games and plays so far with just 2 days completed, so trying to find my favorite 5 was pretty tough.

Throwback - Duquesne

Starting off with “Wide” action or a screen in the middle of the floor, both players then set a double ballscreen. Throwing the ball to the big and getting it back, this flows into what looks like to be a spread pick and roll.

Then after the pick and roll the roller fakes a pindown for the player in the corner who intentionally rejects toward the basket.

After opening up for a pass and handing it back to the point guard, the drive to baseline triggers the cutter in the lane to come off a throwback screen.

Tons of action in this set, one of my favorites of the tourney so far.

BOB Circle Elevator - Samford

I had to include this one here after it went viral on X, because this set was so awesome and run perfectly at the right time. It started off looking like a normal double screen play out of baseline out of bounds that basically every single team in college and NBA run. The first player here curls intentionally toward the lane looking like he might basket cut.

Then as the second player coming off the double clears the second screen, he screens his own man to not allow any help or switching out. As the first player curls inside he changes speed and comes through an elevator screen.

This concept of sitting to not allow a switch or screening your own man is not new, but I love how it played out in this set.

Pop Runner Special - Morehead State

Morehead State ran some really fun and intricate sets in their game against Illinois - highly recommend you check them out, I know I added them to my film list. Starting off with a ballscreen out of a Horns look and a pick and pop to the middle, the big fakes a ball reversal to setup a screen he can come off of.

After the big is covered in the post, the guard then comes off a ballscreen from the other side and look for a pick and pop pass again.

When the screen happens on the baseline their is a double screen for a baseline runner.

And this all ends with a downscreen in the middle of the floor for a shooter.

So many options and actions in this one, such a cool play.

Pitch Knicks Decoy - Wagner

A common set that alot of teams have run from Hoiberg’s time at Iowa State and with the Bulls, a sort of weave action up top that results in the point guard getting it back and receiving a ballscreen.

Wagner uses a cool counter for this play since the defense is expecting the big to go into a ballscreen, so as the screener lifts they swing it quickly to the wing.

This can open up baseline and quick drives while the other teams rim protection is not in position to help.

Throwback - Northwestern

Northwestern opened up overtime with a good throwback set using a Barkley, or a back down with a dribble into a post up. Here the big low fakes a ballscreen to open up the baseline drive into a post up.

Then as the ball is dribbled into the post, the opposite wing comes off the throwback (almost double throwback) looking for the shot.

I cannot wait to see what the rest of the tournament has to offer, if you see any plays or actions you want covered - let me know!

Enjoy

Coach Pyper

Half Court Hoops - Coach's Cut

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