Breaking Down KU's First Possession vs Memphis

Editors Note: Warden put this together last week and we plan on doing more things in a similar fashion going forward.  I wanted to bump it back to the top of the page since it went up late Friday and perhaps not everyone had the chance to check it out.  It's a little more on the strategic side and something that definitely adds to what we're all interested in here, Kansas basketball.   - Owen K

From sax solo:

(And is it me, or do we not discuss strategy much on RCT? I don’t hear Bill Self talk about it much after games either, in his very general and careful way of talking about the game.)

He's right, we don't.  I'd love to dive into it a little bit, just not sure where to start or what to focus on. So...

After thinking about different ways to bring it up and playing around with some different formats, I thought I'd give it a shot and see where it goes.  Going through the entire game isn't going to happen because I actually have a job (sorry, somebody has to think about the kids).  But maybe picking out a few plays and sharing is good enough to get the ball rolling?  Here's a quick look at what I think could be an interesting discussion starter.

Opening tip of the Memphis game and Kansas gets possession.  This is good for one really big reason, it's very likely this was a set play that was called in the locker room and set up in practice.  On Tuesday night, it worked to perfection.  

Taylor gets the ball to Marcus Morris on the wing with Markieff on the opposite high post.  This initial set opens up a lot of possibilities:

• Marcus squares up and shoots.
  
• Marcus drives to the basket, forcing either Reed's or Markieff's man to help which would open them up.
  
• Marcus drives to the basket and Memphis doesn't help allowing an open bucket.
  
• OR what actually happens.

This frame is a little late but Markieff stepped out and set a screen for Taylor to flare along the wing opposite the ball.  As Taylor came off the screen, Morningstar cut towards the basket and then rounds toward the top of the key.  This action is very important because it forces the man guarding Brady to make a decision.  Stay in the paint and be ready to help on a Taylor drive or stick with Brady as he heads toward the perimeter.  Morningstar being a pretty good 3 point shooter, adds a little pressure on the guy guarding him.  On this play he chooses to follow Brady.  Two other things to notice: 1) Markieff's man is probably too tight on him and 2) the guy guarding Reed sees the lane open and realizes he needs to move or Taylor's dunking the ball.

After Taylor beats his man, we see it all develop.  The guy guarding Markieff has no chance at stopping Taylor and Reed's man is caught in the middle because he's too far away from the basket in the second frame.  From here, Taylor has three great options:

1. Score
2. Kick it to a Morri who are coming down the lane (likely Marcus as he's on the opposite side and it's an easier angle)
3. Pass along the baseline to a wide open Reed for 3.  This option has the added benefit of the Morri already in position to crash the offensive boards and Morningstar at the top of key to slow down a Memphis fastbreak. 
   

Taylor chose option 3 and the Jayhawks started the game up 3-0.  This same situation occured at least two other times that I remember against Memphis.  The coaching staff likely noticed on film that Memphis does a poor job of seeing ball and man, so they took advantage. 

Update:  Video of play (in Sega Genesis form until I figure out a better way to do it)  Hints/Tips are always welcome because this is ugly.