Kansas Basketball: Ball Movement 101

Out of all the complaints levied against the Jayhawks this year, the carelessness seen in transition opportunities might be the most costly in the long run. A few weeks ago, we broke down how the team has looked in conference games and at possessions that were less than eight seconds. There was some good and bad things in the mix.

Very early in the game against Colorado, we saw three great examples of the things that have been discussed.  One was bad and two were close to perfect.  The bad was Tyshawn Taylor's charge on a 2 on 1 break opportunity where he could have pulled up for a short jumper, kicked the ball out to Reed, or pulled the ball out himself and waited for the calvary. 

On this one, Taylor was going a little too fast for himself and committed the foul.  If he makes it, we're cheering the aggressive play and when this happens, we're upset with the decision making.  Until he starts finishing better, I'm on the side of finding another option.

But how is this supposed to work?  Take a look at the Jayhawks following a Tyrel Reed rebound.

The Jayhawks are showing great spacing with a guard on each wing, a post heading to the block, and the other post player in trail position.  When the ball is passed to the wing, he's got a shot, drive, or entry pass to the block.

Ball to the wing and Taylor has a good look into the post but Colorado has it well defended with a defender on the bottom and the weak-side defender creeping into the paint.  Taylor swings the ball back to Reed and it goes to Morningstar on the opposite wing.

As the ball is swung around the perimeter, Markieff enters the block from the trail.  This gives Morningstar the choice of a shot or feeding the post.  Also notice Reed cutting to the weak side corner, opening up the top of the key for the backside post player to step out in the high/low scheme.

The ball is swung to the perimeter and the post player continues to fight for position, looking for the entry pass.  Colorado covers the interior well on this possession and the ball continues to move around the perimeter to Taylor.

In the final picture from this possession, we see a wide open Brady getting ready to make it rain.  His man was forced to drop all the way to the block on the backside to help against an entry from Taylor.  A Morri steps in front to set a quick screen and the result is a wide open shot.

The play described above and another 3 pointer off a defensive rebound in video form below.  These two videos make the turnovers or forced shots on fast breaks that much harder to stomach.

The Bad

If Taylor was a strong finisher, I'd love his decision here.  Unfortunately, from what we've seen he is not a strong finisher.  Where does everyone else stand?