Posted by Trentonjoe on 8/3/2017 12:08:00 PM (view original):
I don't know if these are "secrets" but at D1 I believe the following:

1. You can't really "hide" players. You still need 5 good defenders. You can get away with a low DEF, high scoring sub, but I try to limit my bench player(s) that are like that to 12-14 minutes a game.

2. Running the 2-3 is very hard at high D1 because the ideal SF in that defense will be HIGHLY recruited and in all honesty, your SF and PF both need to be REALLY good. Finding high BLK guys with 60+ guard skills isn't super easy.

3. Triangle works great with defensive oriented zone teams. You can take an offensive zero if he is a defensive stud. The 50 PER guard who would hurt you in flex or motion is an asset in triangle because you don't need or want him to score.

I agree with all this very much.

* Yes- It has happened plenty. I won my first with a zone team.
* OR is the zone master, IMO. and he could enlighten you more than I could.
* You can't have weak defenders, though. Many zones do it to hide weak defenders. In high D1 that won't win you a championship.
* I think it is effective slowing down quick press/ fastbreak type teams that win on athleticism and speed. In 3.0 with all the coin flips, it is actually a pretty good strategy against these types of teams because there are fewer 12 man teams & zone can keep you form tiring out while slowing down great drivers and athletes.