Devonte Graham and Trae Young: A Duel of PGs without Back-Ups
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The KU-OU matchup hinges on two teams trying desperately not to have to play their backups at point guard.
Self has Devonte Graham-a waterbug that can shoot the 3, drive it, and draw fouls for 30-40 minutes.
Kruger has Trae Young–a waterbug that can shoot the 3, drive it, and draw fouls for 30-40 minutes.
Talk about symmetry.
Kruger was a point guard and played and assisted for a coach, Jack Hartman, who believed in letting one player dominate scoring, if that was one great player.
Self was a 2 guard and played and assisted for coaches that believed in diversity.
This KU-OU game is likely going to be about Kruger trying to turn it into a two player game to see if he can foul-up Devonte Graham, while Self is trying to make it a 5 player game and find a way to foul up Trae Young.
Self has be planning on Vick and Newman bringing the ball up the court a lot. He has to be scheming a lot of help defense and a lot of switching to keep Young from fouling Devonte up. If I were Self I would let Graham, Vick and Newman take turns guarding Young. Young probably has not faced this amount and diversity of length and quickness on the defensive end that can work him death on the offensive end, also.There should be a sign in the locker room: Attack Trae Young.
But Self has one more thing related to Young to worry about. The help and turn taking on Trae needs to keep him out front. Self doesn’t want Young slipping by Graham et al and challenging Udoka Azubuike for 40 minutes.
Its as simple as this: KU with Devonte and Doke playing aggressively for 35 minutes each and KU wins, assuming Vick, Newman and Svi bring their usual games.
Kruger?
Kruger has to hope KU blows cold and Young does not get fouled up. His dream come true is for Doke and Devonte to get fouled up.
Neither team has a backup capable of replacing half what the starting PGs supply their teams.
So: watch the penetrations of Devonte and Trae. The treys will be hard to stop.But its the one that can penetrate on the other and keep doing it that will foul the other up, and lead his team to victory.
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@jaybate-1.0 Thanks for a great synopsis. Cogent and (for you) terse. Rock Chalk!!
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Trae said part of the reason he wanted to go to OU so he could be the one who knocked Kansas off their title run streak. Hopefully, that is posted on a few lockers in the field house for a nice reminder.
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@Blown digital board now.
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U r welcome. Boom the Sooners.
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I was thinking Marcus Garrett would also get 6-8 minutes of defense on Young. That would give Graham some relief and put a really active defensive player on a really active offensive player.
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stoptheflop said:
I was thinking Marcus Garrett would also get 6-8 minutes of defense on Young. That would give Graham some relief and put a really active defensive player on a really active offensive player.
I like this idea. Garrett, at 6-5, rotates in at both wings 5 minutes each half (total 10 per half) and guards Trae. In each wing rotation, The first 2.5 DG stays at point: the second 2.5 DG exits and either Vick or Newman run point for 2.5. Then Garret takes 5 minute blow. Then repeat repeat substitution routine at other wing.
The idea is buy Devonte 5 min rest each half, and 5 more playing but not guarding Trae.
Keep the defensive pressure on Trae.
And switch in and out of M2M and a box and 1.
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Triangle and 2 with the 2 on Trae? Nah, I don’t think Trae can beat KU by himself and I wouldn’t want to get OU’s team going. But it would be fun to see on a possession or two to see how he handles it.
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I say Doke swats him into the bleachers
