We defended extremely well vs. South Florida - doubling the post entries and doubling the ball screen - our defensive rotation was really, really good.

Got me thinking...I wonder how many teams in the Big East defended them that way - Marquette, UC, WV have the horses to play one on one in the post - our posts aren't as big/bulky...So, we double the post and double the ball screens for USF point guard (man, he was quick), and take away their strengths.

So - I think our main advantage this weekend is that we'll probably guard UNC different than most of their opponents have done this year.  Why?  We have to - they are huge and if we let them pound it in with no double team - tough to beat them.  We're as fast on the perimeter as anyone left in the tourney - we can recover after doubling. 

I expect to see a definite defensive strategy from the start - set the tone and force them to do what they normally don't do.   Do we press/trap more now that UNC Pg is maybe out?

I wonder how they guard us - What if they try to double the ball screen  - Cooper could draw fouls on Henson and Zeller.  I think they play us one on one in the post.  We got some great looks with our guard cutting to the basket after delivering the entry pass (guard defender turns head to see the ball and we go).   Would UNC zone us?...we'll see.

Gotta love the chess playing by coaches this time of year.  I think our staff is excellent at preparing a defensive game plan.

Great points on the double-teams. It seemed like we were trying to double USF up top every time we could. Sometimes it leads to a bad foul 35 feet away from the basket, but boy has it been working.

UNC fouls less than almost every team in the country. They are actually #1 in the country in fewest ft's allowed, and fta/fga ratio. Their big guys are so long that they simply don't have to foul, they can just play off and block shots. 

With the size issue and potential foul trouble issue in mind, do you suppose Ethan gets 7-10 mins?

Their one weak link on defense is Marshall so while they are hurt greatly on offense by his injury they actually might be better defensively because of it.

I would use him in the middle of a 2-3 zone just to change things up and give bigs a rest.

I'm with you. I don't think the Bobcats are going to do anything too different than what got them there.

Easy, I'm not saying start him. If we happen to get in foul trouble, or get really gassed, in the middle of a 2-3 zone is a safe way to use him.

98% man to man, that's what got us here and like Coach said, "our calling card all year" - I'd assume we'd double the post and double the back-up point guards who will now run the show

The caution here is that UNC has the playmakers to exploit the dbl, unlike USF.

Maybe a possession or two of 2-3 just like did vs. Mich and USF to change the tempo and make them adjust.

MAYBE 2-3 if we get in big time foul trouble and need to hide someone defensively.

I do not like the 2-3 for rebounding purposes - heck even Syracuse has a negative rebounding margin during the year.  (they get outrebounded)

I do like the 2-3 when we trap the corners - all of our guards are good at covering gaps and anticipating the cross-court pass, which we leave open by design - then steal it....- but UNC is so freaking tall that their bigs may be able to pass over the top of the trap.