Game 10:
#11 J&W (7-2, RPI 5) vs Eureka (6-3, RPI 46), line J&W by 5
Another night where I had no concerns with the Per game, and Eureka barely attempts any 3s. The more I stick with the -2, the more I think it's just the best setting. Most teams don't have the shooters to make me change it, and even when they do, I can usually just get by with a -1.
Eureka is a rare team that plays a combo Press/Zone. That used to be a favorite of mine back in the day before the new engine. I don't really have a feel for the Zone anymore, but I always thought those two complemented each other nicely. Eureka's 40 team Spd probably isn't ideal for running it, as Spd is pretty important to both defenses. And having only 4 guards, 1 of which is an upperclassman, doesn't bode well for any type of Press. The 54 team Def absolutely helps though.
Eureka ran uptempo, perhaps to try to capitalize on their edge in Reb, but I don't think that was a good idea. I would absolutely never run uptempo against this JW defense unless it was with a major D1 team. Eureka only slightly won the battle on the glass and paid for it with 29 TOs and a 36-9 edge for JW in POT. We jumped out to a big lead early, 47-25 at the half, and cruised through the final half. Tolley had a nice game against the Zone, 26 points, 5 reb, 4 stl, 3 ast. Eureka actually tied us in bench points with 22 from backup SF
Gregory Hampton, but their starters only combined for 30 points.