Wisconsin's End of Game Plays Analyzed

The simplest and most effective end of game plays usually involve some sort of 2-man isolation game with the ball in your best player's hands. I analyzed Pittsburgh's end of game play last month. We all know how execution is key especially late in games when so much is on the line.

In this UPS whiteboard segment from ESPN, Jay Bilas breaks down Wisconsin's end of game play executed against Texas (which they won) and against Purdue (which they lost). Watch the video and read my thoughts below,



The play is a simple one. It's just a high ball-screen and depending on how the defense chooses to defend it, Flowers and Butch will read and react. It is in fact, almost the same end of game play that Pittsburgh uses.

Texas decided to hedge and recover, unfortunately, they didn't recover in time. Purdue decided to switch and Flowers was able to get the favorable matchup against a slower defender, but he just couldn't make the layup.

My personal opinion is that you should switch all picks when defending end of game situations. I don't like the hedge because the hedge is a difficult technique to execute properly. If the man hedging doesn't do it properly, you'll end up with an open shot or layup. At least with the switch, you'll have a contested shot even though it maybe a mismatch between a quick guard and a slower defender.

For a new video on late clock strategies and end of game situations, take a look at Tom Crean's DVD on Winning Late Clock Plays and Strategies. As always, head over to the X's and O's Basketball forum to talk with other coaches about your favorite basketball topics.