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The B1G Coach's Corner: Getting Open Looks

I want to introduce you all to a new segment I have been hoping to add to Off Tackle Empire for a while. Recently, I became pretty good friends with a former College Basketball Coach who was willing to give us some insights on things he saw interesting during the week. Since this is all new, we aren't sure exactly where this is going, but it's always fun to get a breakdown of what was good - or sometimes bad - from the weekend. He is still getting up to speed on how to post, so for now, I'm the publishing entity, but I think you all will really like this in the end. So, with no further ado, I'd like you to become acquainted with CoachEJ's Coach's Corner.

By Jesse Collins
Jonathan Daniel

By CoachEJ:

Big Ten Basketball Fans, I wanted to have the first installment of the B1G Coach's Corner look into Northwestern and how they were able to stay in the game against Minnesota. Ultimately, Deandre Mathieu from Minnesota attacking the rim, JerShon Cobb picking up his fourth foul midway through the Second Half and costly missed free throws did not allow Northwestern to pull out the win. However, Coach Collins was able to keep the Wildcats in the game by setting up shots for Cobb who had the hot hand during the game. As a coach you want to make adjustments to make sure your team is successful. Since Drew Crawford had a poor shooting night Collins found Cobb shots. Let's look at three plays for Cobb.

Play 1: Misdirection

The first play we are going to look at is a misdirection play. Usually good basketball has the ball being reversed. In this play Tre Demps #14 comes off the ball screen by Alex Olah #22.

Instead of trying to turn the corner 14 dribbles to the top of the key while 22 sets a down screen for Cobb. This misdirection catches the defense off guard and Cobb's defender goes under the screen which allows for an easy look for Cobb.

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Play 2: Ball Screen, Ball Reversal, and a Dribble Handoff

Sanjay Lumpkin #34 will get the ball reversal and dribble at Cobb. When Cobb gets the handoff, 34 does a great job of setting a screen for Cobb which allows him to turn the corner into a jump shot.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/749KFb59kT0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Play 3: Cobb in the Post

The first two plays allows Cobb to get open jump shots. This last play takes advantage of Cobb's size and gets him a look in the post. The play starts with 14 passing to Cobb. Cobb reverses the ball.

When the ball is reversed. 22 sets a flex cut for Cobb which allows him to get an open look in the post.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kPONufuPetQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cobb ended 8-13 from the field, 5-7 from 3 point range totaling 23 points. He was able to keep the Wildcats into the game. Coach Collins is doing a great job in Evanston.

[ed note: If you enjoyed this piece by CoachEJ, let him know in the comments. Ideas for other things you'd like more insight into? Deeper cuts on why something worked? Just say so and we'll try to go from there. Like I said in the intro, this thing has a lot of room to grow. - JC]