The new script had the Nittany Lions go on a 12-0 run to get the lead to two. When asked how this happened, in the “Defend the Block” podcast’s post-PSU recap, coach Dusty May said, “It was a number of things. We put them at the line, fouled them about 90 feet from the basket, and undisciplined mistakes. Once they got it within striking distance, they made some big shots and controlled tempo.”
Video session time
May also said that they’d be watching the video because there are growth opportunities. Let’s see the growth possibilities from the Nittany Lions' 12-0 run.
2-0 run: Ivan Juric free throws
Sophomore Morez Johnson, Jr., is called for his third foul in a battle in the post with freshman Ivan Juric because he had his left arm around Juric.
Lesson: Johnson didn’t get into ball deny position and should not have contested the pass because Juric was outside the paint and played him straight up.
2-0 run: Johnson gets fourth foul
The Nittany Lions switch to a 2-3 zone, and the ball rotates to Johnson’s side. Gayle starts his drive and Johnson has senior Josh Reed pinned. Reed moves to the ball side and locks arms with Johnson, who responds by throwing Reed off him for a foul and a seat on the bench.
Lesson: Commentator Donny Marshall said, “[Johnson] doesn’t need to do that. Just get in a good position. You don’t need to grapple with the arms. Be big. No one’s going to fight around you. Make your teammates find you. Don’t fight.
4-0 run: McKenney ignores his man
After Johnson’s foul, Reed is above the 3-point line and is guarded by McKenney, whose attention is on junior Freddie Dilione V, the dangerman. Dilione drives to the free-throw line, and Reed slips to the front of the rim. Dilione passes to sophomore Eli Rice, who shoots a 3 that grazes the rim, bounces off Mara’s hands to Reed for a layup.
Lesson: Don’t lose your man by chasing the ball. Trust your teammates.
7-0 run: Mara ignores his man
After a Wolverines possession come up empty, Juric, starting at the right block is guarded by Mara, sets a pick above the 3-point line for Freshman Melih Tunca, who is guarded by McKenney. McKenney fights over the Juric pick so Tunca can’t get into the lane and drifts right. Mara has sunk into the lane with eyes only on Tunca and the ball. Tunca finds Juric who shoots an in-rhythm 3-pointer.
Why Juric was so open is not a mystery. Mara plays drop coverage on pick and rolls, and he mechanically moves down the lane. Cason is on the ball side guarding Dilione and there was no way he was leaving him.
Lesson: Mara needs to see the play and realize that everyone is covered and no one is threatening the rim.
9-0 run: Foul 90 feet from your basket
Michigan ball and the Nittany Lions are in a 2-3 zone. Tschetter pump fakes his defender, drives the lane, gets doubled, and kicks out to Cason above the 3-point line. He ignores a WIDE OPEN McKenney and drives without much conviction and shoots it with even less so. Juric rebounds the ball after easily moving Mara under the rim. Gayle, instead of pressuring to prevent the outlet pass, reaches for the ball and gets called for it. Juric sinks two free throws.
Lesson: A) Cason, don’t ignore a wide-open teammate, especially to drive into a crowded lane; B) Mara, hold your position; C) Gayle, hands up to prevent the pass then hustle back to play defense.
9-0 run: Cadeau unforced turnover
After the free throws, Nittany Lions are in their 2-3 zone. May gives instructions to the players, as Cadeau slowly brings the ball up the court. When everyone has settled in their places, he Cadeau telegraphs a lob to Mara that Tunca deflects, and the ball goes the other way.
Lesson: A) Don’t make that pass. A simple lesson that maybe doesn’t need to be pointed out. But maybe it does. With several easy options, why make the most difficult ones. B) Zones aren’t beaten with the first pass. It’s beaten by ball movement. C) Times on your side. Throw it around a little.
12-0 run: Yax ignores Dilione
After five minutes of Yax gesticulating and refs staring at a courtside monitor, the inbound pass eventually finds Dilione who is guarded by Burnett. Juric sets a screen and Yax switches on to Dilione. Dilione passes to Tunca who drives the lane and is surrounded by Mara, McKenney, and Yax, so he kicks it out to a WIDE OPEN Dilione who swishes his 3.
Lesson: Don’t play “hero ball.” Yax follows the ball instead of sticking with the dangerman.
End of the Run: Spectacular alley-oop dunk by Mara
The run ends and all that’s left is 7:08 of either quietly freaking out on your couch or loudly crashing out at the TV.