Well, we know Izzo has a disdain for playing zone defense but after the Maryland debacle, we know that our guys are very weak against a zone press, zone defense, and at shooting free throws. There are about 50000+ coaches across the country who can bring Underwood and his staff up to speed on how to attack the first two problems, and likely the third also. These kids have too much talent to not swat zone defenses away like a gnat...yet they looked like they had just seen the rise of Godzilla when Maryland showed a zone. Zone presses and zone defenses need fast ball movement, a determination to get the ball in to a good passer in the lane (Giorgi), good perimeter shooters (Trent, Ayo, and Griff) and a presence at the rim (Kofi). This team is perfect to attack the zone defense yet they were clueless....and that is on BU only. Trying to drive the ball against a zone defense is suicide as the ball moves many times faster and makes them work a bit rather than stare into your frightened eyes. Those eyes should be lit up with opportunity as open shot opportunities are presented in spades everywhere. Against Maryland, heck, against any zone, the Illini seldom attempt to get the ball into the paint which is ALWAYS open and the key. It makes the defense collapse leaving open shooters, Geogi one on one, or Kofi going to the rim. I expect Izzo to at least present a zone for a try and I hope to see some sort of plan for the Illini to move the ball quickly to beat it either in full court or half court......it isn't rocket science.
