• Orange are well known for stifling defense
The last “zone” to get this much interest around Oklahoma was something Rod Serling created for television.
Syracuse’s 2-3 zone defense doesn’t go all the way back to the 1960s, but its acclaim in the college basketball world is equally renowned.
If a coach isn’t familiar with coaching zone defenses, he usually tries to find some video of the Orange. Or, perhaps, pick up a copy of “Jim Boeheim’s Complete Guide to the 2-3 Match-up Zone.”
“That’s how I learned it,” OU coach Jeff Capel said. “It said it shares some secrets.”
The Sooners (29-5) will find out how much the longtime Syracuse coach is willing to share for the sake of book and dvd sales when it faces the Orange (28-9) in NCAA Tournament’s South Region semifinal at 6:27 Friday night at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
There’s no doubt Syracuse’s vaunted defense will have a huge impact on the game. It did the last time the teams squared off.
In 2003, OU faced Syracuse with a trip to the Final Four at stake. Those hopes were dashed after the Sooners fell 63-47 and looked befuddled on the offensive end, shooting 31 percent.
Anything similar will end another OU season.
The zone’s major objective is to take away the paint. Friday it will try to suffocate Blake Griffin like a python.
Nothing new there. Every team the Sooners have faced over the last two seasons has done something designed to limit Griffin. Some have worked, most haven’t.
“We want to get the ball to Blake. If that means we have to force it then we will,” Capel said. “He’ll get touches. He may get them at different spots on the floor.”
Look for Griffin to get the ball a lot in the high post early in the game. But OU’s at its best when the 6-foot-10 forward is getting the ball in the low block. The Orange has the size and the muscle with Arinze Onuaku (6-9, 258 pounds) and Rick Jackson (6-9, 235) to bang with Griffin.
Determination alone won’t get Griffin in a position to score. It will take some outside shots falling.
“That’s always got to be how you soften up a zone,” OU guard Willie Warren said. “You’ve got to hit outside shots to open up the penetration.”
OU has been feast or famine in that regard. It shot 35.6 percent from long distance this season, but dipped to 10-for-31 (32.2 percent) against Morgan State and Michigan in the NCAA Tournament’s first and second round.
It’s doubtful that will be good enough to loosen up the Orange.
The challenges the Sooners have are difficult, but not unknown. They’re going to have to loosen the grip the Orange likes to put on the post.
“We’ll do some things to help us adjust,” Capel said. “Hopefully, we’ll make some shots in Memphis Friday and be effective against their zone.”
If not, it will be the last zone OU faces this season.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Beating the 'Cuse zone
- OU Sports
-
-
OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech
As Oklahoma’s players headed toward the exit at United Spirit Arena on Saturday night, most had dazed looks on their faces. The 65-47 loss to Texas Tech was something they didn’t see coming....
-
Husky challenge
No time might seem like a good time to face Connecticut. The Huskies are always terrific and this season will enter Lloyd Noble Center likely ranked No. 2 following Notre Dame’s Sunday loss to West Virginia....
-
Sooners put finishing touches on perfect opener
Oklahoma capped off a perfect opening weekend of softball on Sunday with an 11-1 victory over Kent State. The Sooners were led by another strong outing from pitcher Keilani Rickets and an offensive explosion by Allee Allen....
-
Illinois halts OU’s upset
ITHACA, N.Y. — Oklahoma was not upset at the National Duals on Sunday. It did, however, leave disappointed....
-
Sooners fall flat against Raiders
LUBBOCK, Texas — All that progress Oklahoma believes it has been making didn’t make the trip to Texas Tech on Saturday. The Sooners moonwalked their way to a 65-47 loss at United Spirit Arena that easily qualified as the season’s worst ...
-
Sooners narrowly avoid handing Tigers their first win in Big 12 play
Morgan Hook hit the free throws and Kaylon Williams blocked the shot, grabbed the rebound, got fouled and made one of two from the stripe to put the game away....
-
Winning is only option
Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....
-
Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals
Dual State is today....
-
Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor
Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....
-
Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10
OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech
