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Three Key Scheme Elements that Helped State Beat SMU

NC State's 84-83 win over SMU is immediately one of my favorite basketball games in recent memory. The shot making from both teams hit an extreme, and there isn't much more entertaining than watching your team get on an absolute heater and beat a good team on the road. Because I'm a huge nerd, a number of adjustments and key schematic wins stood out from the second half rally and eventual close. Let's take a look at a key defensive adjustment and two key offensive sets that helped State clear the Mustangs.


I thought State’s defense improved in the second half, even as it gave up about the same number of points. The Pack was able to string together stops that eventually helped fuel a 21-4 run. The main reason is that it offered up fewer breakdowns. Defensive breakdowns were kind of the story on that end of the court in the first half. 


State debuted a new ball screen coverage against SMU. The primary defensive scheme all year has been the one-through-five switching, and Wade has used the hedge as a secondary option to cover ball screens, particularly when the matchups pose serious issues. State played drop coverage on 1-5 ball screens for the first time all year.


The guards had issues getting over some of the enormous screens from 7’2 Samet Yigitoglu. When you play drop coverage, you have to get over the screen and chase the ball off the perimeter, because the big has to stay in contact with the rolling offensive big. State gave up two threes off the dribble because the guard got stuck on the screen.


When the screen is set on Holloman, Lubin has to sink to contain the dribble and stay connected to the big on the roll. Essentially, he's temporarily guarding two player. When Holloman can't get around that screen, it basically hangs Lubin out to dry. He sinks with the big and the shooter gets a good look.
When the screen is set on Holloman, Lubin has to sink to contain the dribble and stay connected to the big on the roll. Essentially, he's temporarily guarding two player. When Holloman can't get around that screen, it basically hangs Lubin out to dry. He sinks with the big and the shooter gets a good look.
This time, Arceneaux gets over the screen fine, but Lubin comes off the ball too soon, turning his back to the dribble before Arceneaux has any chance to recover. You can even see Arceneaux get mad about it after the play. Lubin has to stay in the path of the dribble longer.
This time, Arceneaux gets over the screen fine, but Lubin comes off the ball too soon, turning his back to the dribble before Arceneaux has any chance to recover. You can even see Arceneaux get mad about it after the play. Lubin has to stay in the path of the dribble longer.

State got out of this in the second half, returning to hedging and switching screens primarily. Sagnia was good once again as a switch defender, and SMU had to work a little harder for points. The Mustangs still scored plenty of them because that offense is elite, but when State's rotations were good, it did force SMU to earn more. I didn't think this was a great defensive game, but you're going to have that sometimes. Inconsistent defense is just a part of this team. They made the right adjustments and I thought State contested shots at the rim well later in the game. The final note on the defense is just to give Tre Holloman flowers for handling Boopie Miller on that last possession. That was big time.


Speaking of the offense, Darrion Williams absolutely blew up from beyond the arc in Dallas, and his timely makes were a big reason State didn’t lose. He got several of them from some simplistic roll-replace style actions. With SMU hedging the ball screens, Wade and staff were able to manufacture some looks with the below play. Let's take a look.


It starts with a simple 4-out 1-5 ball screen. You can get to this multiple ways, and State got to it from a horns alignment here, but that's not super important. SMU is going to hedge the screen, so Yigitoglu is going to step out toward the ball and try to force it away from the rim.
It starts with a simple 4-out 1-5 ball screen. You can get to this multiple ways, and State got to it from a horns alignment here, but that's not super important. SMU is going to hedge the screen, so Yigitoglu is going to step out toward the ball and try to force it away from the rim.
Lubin rolls to the rim. Yigitoglu has forced the ball away with the hedge and will now recover back to Lubin. Note the guard attached to Williams. He has to come off Williams to pick up Lubin, an element of the hedge known as tagging the roller. SMU temporarily has two guys on the ball and nobody is covering Williams. This is the structural weakness of the hedge.
Lubin rolls to the rim. Yigitoglu has forced the ball away with the hedge and will now recover back to Lubin. Note the guard attached to Williams. He has to come off Williams to pick up Lubin, an element of the hedge known as tagging the roller. SMU temporarily has two guys on the ball and nobody is covering Williams. This is the structural weakness of the hedge.
Yigitoglu has to get all the way back to Lubin before the guard can rotate back to Williams, who has lifted to the perimeter. Copeland's pass beats rotation and gets an open look for Williams.
Yigitoglu has to get all the way back to Lubin before the guard can rotate back to Williams, who has lifted to the perimeter. Copeland's pass beats rotation and gets an open look for Williams.

Here it is in action. Williams hit two second half threes off this.
Here it is in action. Williams hit two second half threes off this.

This is a staple of most playbooks when you're seeing hedges from the defense. Keatts was a heavy user of it as well, although the location of the shooter is different here.


Later in the second half, State started spamming one of its go-to actions lately, the 1-2 ghost action. This has always been a piece of the offense, but its volume lately has really increased. It was the closer in the Pitt game and it was the closer again in Dallas. 


This is a great play for Copeland, who is really difficult to contain in space. It can get you a three from the actual ghost action, but more often it can create a switch and/or a ton of space to attack the paint. With a strong shooter in the strong corner, it can be tough to defend.


Lubin sets up in the dunker spot. Able/McNeil sprints to set a screen for Copeland. Arceneaux clears to the opposite corner.
Lubin sets up in the dunker spot. Able/McNeil sprints to set a screen for Copeland. Arceneaux clears to the opposite corner.
Able/McNeil will "ghost" the screen. He'll appear as if he's going to set a screen, but then pop hard to the wing.
Able/McNeil will "ghost" the screen. He'll appear as if he's going to set a screen, but then pop hard to the wing.
This can be effective in many ways. One component is the double gap it creates. Copeland drives to his right and you can see how much open space there is on the floor for him to use. SMU will see Darrion Williams in its nightmares, so they aren't too interested in leaving him to help in the gap. It allows Copeland to go to work.
This can be effective in many ways. One component is the double gap it creates. Copeland drives to his right and you can see how much open space there is on the floor for him to use. SMU will see Darrion Williams in its nightmares, so they aren't too interested in leaving him to help in the gap. It allows Copeland to go to work.

Here it is in action.


State runs the 1-2 ghost with McNeil. Copeland attacks and works his way to the rim. He drives into Yigitoglu, but finds Lubin who does an excellent job sliding opposite when the SMU giant helps on the ball.
State runs the 1-2 ghost with McNeil. Copeland attacks and works his way to the rim. He drives into Yigitoglu, but finds Lubin who does an excellent job sliding opposite when the SMU giant helps on the ball.
Here State runs the same thing with Matt Able, who was awesome in the second half. Boopie Miller tries to switch the screen while the other guy does not. The speed of the action can create some confusion for defenses, as it does here. Able comes open and Copeland finds him for his 878th assist of the night.
Here State runs the same thing with Matt Able, who was awesome in the second half. Boopie Miller tries to switch the screen while the other guy does not. The speed of the action can create some confusion for defenses, as it does here. Able comes open and Copeland finds him for his 878th assist of the night.

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