The key to beating a 2-3 zone, even one as famous as Jim Boeheim’s version at Syracuse, is not a mystery. The soft spot of the zone is always the middle, in the paint, and 8-12 feet away from the basket. Cutting to the basket, exploiting the short corner, hi-lo action, and ball reversals are all more easily executed if a team can get the ball into this area of the defense.
However, getting to that part of the floor can prove difficult. This is especially true if the team playing zone is taller and longer than your team. With UNC’s starting five ranging from 6’0 to 6’8, Syracuse was definitely taller and longer. That did not matter as the Heels carved up the 12th best defense in the country.
UNC’s ball movement was exceptional, but I was surprised at just how poorly positioned Syracuse often found themselves. This was largely due to the Orange extending way out to the perimeter in an effort to contain the multiple Tar Heel shooting threats. North Carolina exploited the open space with aggressiveness, quickness, and lack of hesitation. Check out these 5 plays last night, using pictures and highlights, to see why UNC was so successful.
Cutting Cam
Note the Syracuse defense extending out on Joel Berry II and Kenny Williams. Syracuse’s Paschal Chukwu is alone and unafraid in the middle of the paint. Pinson has found an open space near the foul line, and Cameron Johnson is already starting to cut to the basket.
Berry finds Pinson, who gets within 6 feet of the basket before meeting any resistance. Both Maye (short corner) and Johnson (post) are open. This is a 3-on-1 fast break situation, in a half-court setting. Cam finishes with ease. (Kenny is 26 feet away from the basket, Marek Dolezaj never fully commits to helping).
Maye Turnaround Jump Shot
Again, Syracuse pushes out to the perimeter. Luke Maye is the only Tar Heel within 23 feet of the basket. The defense all have their hands by their sides, thus making any length advantage utterly useless. Pinson and Maye punish them.
Platek Corner 3
This was a direct result of not allowing Syracuse to get their defense set, Sterling Manley running the floor, and Theo Pinson driving to the rim. By this point in the game, UNC had made it known they were very comfortable with attacking the Orange. You see Manley beating his man down the court, and calling for the ball. This was after he blocked a shot on defense. Big man is learning!
Manley, still with his hands up attracts two defenders. Pinson, who received the ball in transition from Woods now has three options - drive, pass to Andrew Platek, or pass to Brandon Robinson. The entire Syracuse defense collapses as he penetrates. Platek knocks it down
Pinson Cutting
It was more of the same in the second half. Again, look how far Syracuse has extended their zone. Four of their five defenders are at, or above, the free throw line. Maye begins moving up the lane.
Cam finds Maye, who was in the short corner (again). Kenny Williams is set up in the corner, pulling his defender away from the play. Pinson sees the space, and begins cutting. Marek Dolezaj is completely lost. Again.
As Pinson gets the ball, there is not a defender within six feet of the basket. Maye pulls Chukwu away from the basket, and Dolezaj never sees Pinson. Theo finds the seam, and draws the and-1.
Manley Dunk
This is another example of UNC’s shooting prowess impacting the defense. Theo sets the screen just above the foul line. Kenny does not have a defender within 5 feet, as Joel reverses the ball.
This is supposed to be a 2-3 zone. With one shot fake, Kenny has turned it into a weird 3-2 and 2-1-2 hybrid (Pro Tip: that’s not a real defense). It should be pointed out that despite only making one three pointer all night, and being 25 feet away from the basket, Kenny has his defender jumping three feet in the air. Maye begins to move to open space near the short corner.
Maye receives the pass drawing the attention of two defenders. At this point, the Heels might as well be shooting fish in a barrel. Oshae Brissett is stuck between Pinson and Manley, and Tyus Battle never rotates down to help. In this case, Maye finds Pinson, who was wide-open after his initial screen he set for Williams. He then tips it to Manley. Sterling finishes the job.
There you have it. Five plays showing how UNC destroyed the Syracuse zone. With six players shooting 34% or better from deep, the Heels can stretch defenses unlike any recent Roy Williams team. The Heels are currently shooting 37.2% - just a shade under the 2012-2013 team’s 37.6%.
As teams extend themselves, these Heels are experienced and savvy enough to make quick reads and decisive movements into the paint. Against Syracuse, they repeatedly drew the defense away from the basket and ran offense through the short corner and free-throw line. Even on a night that saw Kenny Williams, Cam Johnson, and Joel Berry combine for 5-19 from three, UNC still found a way to put up 78 points.
They seized and controlled the initiative for most of the night, keeping the ‘Cuse back on their heels. The last minutes not withstanding, very few times did UNC get jittery or stagnant.
If they maintain that mentality, they will be one of the toughest teams to defeat in March.