Kansas basketball coach Bill Self said Saturday that one of the biggest keys for Monday night’s game against Texas Tech was for the Jayhawks to find a way to get to the paint on offense.
However, that objective comes with one caveat — Don’t charge when you get there.
“I think that’s what they emphasize,” Self said of Texas Tech and head coach Mark Adams. “Mark does a good job. If you don’t play off two feet against them, you can charge four times in a half.”
The Jayhawks had plenty of charges called against them in [a 75-67 loss in Lubbock, Texas, back on Jan. 8,][1] and in addition to taking points off the board, the calls squashed any chance KU had at developing rhythm on offense and also added to Texas Tech’s momentum.
Leaving their feet without a plan was a problem for several Jayhawks in that game — and throughout the early portion of the season — but the stats show and Self has said that his team has improved significantly in that department of late.
Take Saturday’s tough win at K-State for example. KU was not called for a single charge in that game, and, in an area where it would’ve been real easy to commit one, KU senior Ochai Agbaji contorted his body and used his athleticism to avoid a charge on what proved to be the game-winning shot in the final 10 seconds.
We’ve really made it a point of emphasis to play off of two feet on our drives,” Self said. “Even though we’re not great at it, we’ve certainly been a heck of a lot better.”
Playing off of two feet typically allows players to gather and go up with more control. When you attack off of one foot, it’s usually from a running start and that can lead to players being more sped up and out of control. It also makes it easier for defenders to slide over to establish position in time to take the charge. When you go off of two feet, they don’t always have quite as good of a read on where you’re headed or how you plan to get there.
It’s no secret that defense is where the Red Raiders hang their hat. It’s been that way for years, and [even though Adams is in his first year as the team’s head coach,][2] he has been given credit as the architect of Tech’s stifling defense for the past several seasons.
“He wants to load up and swarm to the ball,” said Self, noting that Tech’s team defense and relentless effort is what makes the Red Raiders so tough to attack on offense. “The way teams guard in this league, there’s not going to be any pretty wins.”
No. 5 Kansas and No. 13 Texas Tech are slated for an 8 p.m. tipoff tonight from Allen Fieldhouse on ESPN.
Coaches: If you want to know how committed @TexasTechMBB is to team defense, watch this. It’s all in fun but you get the idea. No fun & games tonight as @KUHoops seeks revenge for their loss 16 days ago. Another neighborhood brawl in the @Big12Conference., pic.twitter.com/vcqanzUy66
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 24, 2022
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2022/jan/08/offensive-defensive-effort-sinks-no-6-kansas-75-67/
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2022/jan/07/kansas-basketball-coach-bill-self-sees-same-tough-/
