I'm attempting to build a dominant defensive team playing m2m. I'm focusing on defense and rebounding and sacrificing offense. My goal is to play a big ten style of basketball at the d3 level. Has anyone had success with this strategy or know of a coach that has had success with this strategy? I picked up this team (MSE) pre-update and now it seems this strategy may even be more viable (or less if other teams are switching to m2m and picking off all the best defensive players). Any input, even if you don't know anything about m2m, is appreciated.

EDIT: Keep in mind I'm working with a C+ prestige at d3.

I'm not uber-successful, but I have been to the NT six straight years in Wooden D3 (the War Zone), including five times making it at least to the second round, bowing out once in the sweet sixteen and once in the elite eight.

I try to run my team based on defense and rebounding, moreso the latter. I've found that with a speed/ath advantage and superior rebounding, you don't need a ton of def in man-to-man at D3. That might change in the new engine.

If I had any advice, it would be that my best teams had a lot of passing (minimize TOs if you're going to sacrifice some offense) and my bigs had a lot of ath.

Just my two cents, let me know how it works out for you, I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

Quote: Originally Posted By tkimble on 6/04/2010I'm attempting to build a dominant defensive team playing m2m. I'm focusing on defense and rebounding and sacrificing offense. My goal is to play a big ten style of basketball at the d3 level. Has anyone had success with this strategy or know of a coach that has had success with this strategy? I picked up this team (MSE) pre-update and now it seems this strategy may even be more viable (or less if other teams are switching to m2m and picking off all the best defensive players). Any input, even if you don't know anything about m2m, is appreciated.

EDIT: Keep in mind I'm working with a C+ prestige at d3

I know a coach like this. His name is Larry Brown. Unfortunatly he coaches in the NBA. Not sure if he coached DIV III.

Quote: Originally posted by ike1024 on 6/04/2010I'm not uber-successful, but I have been to the NT six straight years in Wooden D3 (the War Zone), including five times making it at least to the second round, bowing out once in the sweet sixteen and once in the elite eight.I try to run my team based on defense and rebounding, moreso the latter.  I've found that with a speed/ath advantage and superior rebounding, you don't need a ton of def in man-to-man at D3.  That might change in the new engine.If I had any advice, it would be that my best teams had a lot of passing (minimize TOs if you're going to sacrifice some offense) and my bigs had a lot of ath.  Just my two cents, let me know how it works out for you, I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

I really like the thought of high passing to eliminate TO's. It seems like minimal TO's, especially in a 43-42, would be critical when playing this style.

I used to focus on a style similar to Ike. I built fast, athletic teams that dominated the glass. Defense was not really a focus. Will be interesting to see how a team like this ends up fairing with the new engine.

Yeah I think this is more viable in the new engine. Defense rating matters more.

This should be interesting to see. I'm looking to build a similar team in dII next season, so let me know how this works out for you

so when building a team with athleticism and good passing, and probably low shooting/lp, which would be the best WIS offense?

Quote: Originally Posted By tkimble on 6/05/2010

Quote: Originally posted by ike1024 on 6/04/2010
I'm not uber-successful, but I have been to the NT six straight years in Wooden D3 (the War Zone), including five times making it at least to the second round, bowing out once in the sweet sixteen and once in the elite eight.

I try to run my team based on defense and rebounding, moreso the latter. I've found that with a speed/ath advantage and superior rebounding, you don't need a ton of def in man-to-man at D3. That might change in the new engine.

If I had any advice, it would be that my best teams had a lot of passing (minimize TOs if you're going to sacrifice some offense) and my bigs had a lot of ath.

Just my two cents, let me know how it works out for you, I'd be interested to see what you come up with.

I really like the thought of high passing to eliminate TO's. It seems like minimal TO's, especially in a 43-42, would be critical when playing this style.

If there was ever a team that I could use to prove how important passing is to this idea, it's my team. I have good defensive guards, and have mediocre overall defense. I have the best rebounding ratings in the World (I don't know if that's true, but take a look at mine and tell me if you think there's a better team in D3 after knowing that I start Clark at SF). I have decent per for D3. And this is arguably the worst passing team I've had in a long time.

With all those things, I would have thought this team would have been a top-ten type team. Dominating on the glass, fairly large ath/spd advantage in most games, almost 40% 3-pt shooting, and great perimeter defense should equal success, right? Well, I think the low passing has cost me, especially against pressing teams, and I'm likely going to be a mid-range seed. So, I think passing is very important.

Also, I may start recruiting better FT shooters. If you plan on grinding it out, that might be something else you want to look at.

One last thought that I hadn't really considered until now: in the new engine, def is more important, so it's going to be doubly important to teams like ours because of the likely number of close games we will play and the impact FTs have on close games.

Man, looks like I may have to adjust my style a bit, too.

Quote: Originally posted by dacj501 on 6/05/2010so when building a team with athleticism and good passing, and probably low shooting/lp, which would be the best WIS offense?

fastbreak...

Quote: Originally posted by tkimble on 6/05/2010

Quote: Originally posted by dacj501 on 6/05/2010so when building a team with athleticism and good passing, and probably low shooting/lp, which would be the best WIS offense?

fastbreak...

I like this idea a lot. FB works best off of turnovers and missed shots, so having a dominating defense "should" improve your offense.

Switch conferences before building this dominant team, please :p

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so if I've got this, to be successful with this type of team, we theorize that one simply needs at least 10 players with high values in ath, spd, defense and passing with big men that have excellent rebounding?

Sarcasm aside, I think the theory is that in the new engine it might be possible to sacrifice some speed for defense. It's like any team is going to be good without good players, it's just about the focus of ratings.

I would say ath/reb/def in that order for bigs and def/spd/pass for guards, at least if the plan is a good defensive and rebounding team. Just my thoughts.