Film Review: USC versus BYU (First 30 minutes)

After 30 minutes, I had seen enough. It was a slow and painful death for BYU, reminiscent of certain games during the Ollie era where you may be saying to yourself “Come on Kevin, adjust!” or “You know what, we are getting good shots, we just aren’t making them!”

This article is about USC, though, not about BYU or about Kevin-Ollie led teams (real quick though- we love you Kevin and thank you for the ring!!!).

I was impressed with USC for two main reasons:

1. They dictated tempo throughout the whole 30 minutes I watched. In the first half, they almost appeared stuck in the mud, playing at their own pace. While it wasn’t the prettiest thing, it definitely affected BYU and they started to slowly pull away from the Cougars. The very first possession of the second half, they pushed it hard off BYU’s first miss, scoring easily in transition. BYU immediately pushed it up the court thinking “oh this pace, great!” Nope. USC reeled it right back in and continued to dictate tempo.

2. They have a really good grasp on who they are for this early in the season, especially given the circumstances. Offensively, they want to play out of the midpost/elbow/block area and they run simple actions to get the ball there. There was rarely an ill-advised shot and most turnovers came off illegal screens. Defensively, they keep it relatively packed in and are in position to help with length and consistent feet movement.

They also have Evan Mobley who is really really talented...so I guess it’s three things.

The game comes extremely easy to the #3 ranked ESPN recruit. I know there have been Kevin Durant comparisons which seems a bit absurd because, you know, Durant is one of the most talented players to ever play, but I get why people may say it. He went 8-12 in 29 minutes in the win over BYU and everything just came so natural to him. There were times he even looked bored! There were also times where you would forget he was out there (Good or bad??)

Either way, the dude is good. And his supporting cast isn’t so bad either.

Let’s take a look!

#4 Evan Mobley - 7’0, 210 Freshmen 

16.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 67.7 FG%, 2-3 3PT

See above. #3 Ranked ESPN recruit

Can do it all → very good stroke from midrange and three; can put it on the deck; will bring it up in transition. A threat whenever he catches it. They love to throw it to him at the elbow.

Fake DHO and keep for a drive 

Looks bored at times...could lead to carelessness?

#13 Drew Peterson - 6’8, 185 Junior 

14.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 63.6 FG%, 5-8 3PT

Legitimate threat

Extremely impressed with him → main scorer early

Very good body control, very crafty, loves to back defender down into midpost area and then playmake off there

Good coming off ballscreens, especially at keeping defender “in jail”

Good catch and shoot shooter

Defended BYU’s best player

#2 Tahj Eaddy - 6’2, 165 Senior 

12.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, 54.2 FG%, 5-11 3PT

Senior from West Haven, CT!!

Very shifty and has a very sound pull-up game especially to his right

Can catch and shoot from three but I think he would rather playmake off dribble

#3 Isaiah Mobley - 6’10, 235 Sophomore 

10.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 44.4 FG%, 0-5 3PT

Evan’s older brother → there are going to be times where he does something and you say “this guy”

Will put it on the deck, get to his spot, jump stop and go up strong (charge/travel opportunities)

Doesn’t do anything that special just a big bruiser who rebounds well and finishes strong

#5 Isaiah White - 6’7, 205 Senior

8.3 PPG, 50.0 FG%, 1-4 3PT

Decent stroke but would be better if he set his feet

They will throw it into post to him

Physical driver

#1 Chevez Goodwin - 6’9, 215 Senior

6.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 52.9 FG%, 

Didn’t get to him in fim → Must have scored late

#20 Ethan Anderson - 6’1, 210 Sophomore 

6.7 PPG, 3.0 APG, 50.0 FG%, 3-7 3PT

Started and played 9 minutes

Not a great release

OFFENSE: 

USC was pretty simple with their actions. They love to get the ball in the midpost/elbow area or on the block and will do it for any one of their players. They have two different ways they do this. One is a block to block screen. The other is by having someone curl off Mobley at around the elbow and to the hoop. Mobley then extends his long arms and receives a pass for an isolation situation. Also, the occasional UCLA cut for either a post entry or elbow entry.

Another popular action is having either Mobley brother set a backscreen for someone and then go set a ballscreen for whoever has it. This makes it difficult on the big guarding either Mobley brother since they have to defend the backscreen and the ballscreen.

Couple of nice sets out of timeouts to keep your eyes peeled for:

1. Lob set for Mobley that is very similar to the one we have seen Hurley run for Bouknight.

2. Three-point set for Peterson

They crash offensive boards hard. Two offensive boards off free throw misses

DEFENSE:

To start, let me say this...BYU shot 7-30 from three. That’s not good. 

BUT! USC had a good game plan to handle BYU’s continuity ball screen offense. They consistently went over on screens and were pretty packed in in terms of helping. There was usually very good help on baseline drives. BYU had their most success on “empty ballscreens” aka when the guy setting the ball screen rolls, he is rolling towards an area where NO one else is...all three players are on the other side of the court. When BYU did this, it would leave either the roller open, the ballhandler a pullup/floater opportunity, or a kickout to someone who’s defender came ALL the way over to help.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

As has been mentioned by many writers, one of UConn’s biggest strengths this year is their depth, particularly in the backcourt. Top to bottom, UConn’s guards and wings are better than USC’s. I would think there will be many ballscreen sets with an emphasis on Bouknight and Gaffney really getting into the paint and into the teeth of the defense (this is where BYU had the most success in terms of open shots, not necessarily made shots). RJ Cole will be relied on as well to create on these ballscreens but his ability to stretch the defense will be critical tonight (along with Polley and Brendan Adams corner threes). As long as he stays out of foul trouble, this is a game where Cole can really show his professional scoring ability to UConn fans.

On the other side of the court, the biggest question I have is how our frontcourt matches up with the Mobley brothers. Evan is better than his older brother, but Isaiah is still a huge body and is definitely no slouch. We know what we’re getting with Whaley (amazingness), but this could be a game where UConn fans continue to fall in love with Sanogo due to his thick frame and actual ability to contribute on offense (unlike Josh, sorry Josh). I’m sure Hurley and staff are eager to see what the freshman can do against a talented frontcourt this early in the season.

Newcomers delight tonight.