re: I don't know about y'all but this South Carolina/Georgia fan is pulling hard for

quote:

---

One of the most classic weaknesses of the pack line is an offense that creates spacing and has elite three point shooting with great ball movement.

---

That's a weakness of any basketball defense. Every single one.

quote:

---

Nominally every defender should be inside the arc except the one attacking the ball handler, so quick ball movement and excellent outside shooting is a solid strategy to attack that defense.

---

They start there, but they are extremely well-coached D1 athletes that are moving with the pass in the air, so they typically can get out to contest at the line.

The way to get an actually open three is to beat someone off the dribble, kick it out and spin the ball quickly to the backside. Even then, because the defenders are packed in, their slide rotations are physically shorter, so they are in better position to contest if that happens. A 6'5" player can close out from the lane to the three point line in 3ish steps if he doesn't hesitate.

The teams that have historically given UVA trouble are teams with bigtime length and athleticism (ex. Duke, FSU this year).

ETA: As evidence, through March 25, 2019 (last time this LINK was updated), they were 2nd nationally in 3pt FG percentage defense.

impressive stat by UVA (didn't realize they were that good at three point defense) and kudos for defending your position

but with respect, the pack line has been documented to struggle with the 3 pointer before at the DI level, and I'll quote the following article written in 2014 about Xavier:

quote:

---

The packline defense was the brainchild of Dick Bennett when he coached at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. From there, Coach Bennett took the defense to the big time with Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and eventually to a 5/12 upset of Jason Kidd's California Bears. The packline shuts down the high octane Bears in much the same way the defense still functions today. Not insistent on creating turnovers, the defense instead focuses on forcing contested shots and sending five men to the defensive boards.

The packline (or, sometimes, pack line) is an imaginary line that traces the three point line, but about two feet inside it. All defenders, except for the one on the ball, stay inside that line and concentrate on cutting down passing angles, helping on driving opponents, and not allowing anyone to get to the baseline. The man on the ball pressures his man and tries to cut off good angles for a post entry pass. The focus of the defense is on rebounding and forcing every single shot inside the arc to be contested and not in good space. It is absolutely incumbent upon defenders to be in position to jump out to their man should he get the ball.

And therein lies the rub with the packline. Quick reversals or skip passes force players that had collapsed into the pack in the middle of lane to jump out to a shooter. Any hesitation, and the packline is completely destroyed by having two players outside the line (the original defender and one scrambling to jump out) or having no players outside the line if the original player recovers quickly and the new defender isn't fast enough on the way out. Either of those situations leads to a spot up shooter sitting outside the defense and having the time to take a three pointer. Again, defense doesn't greatly impact three point shooting percentage, but it does greatly impact opponents three point attempts.

This season, especially in conference play, teams are destroying Xavier from behind the arc. Since Chris Mack took over, the amount of opponents shots from behind the arc has been notably higher than Xavier allowed under previous coaches. Last season, teams took 38.5% of their shots against the Musketeers from deep. This year, opponents are taking 35%, 36.5% since conference play started. Teams are making their three pointers at a 35% rate, 39% in conference play. Obviously, that means the Musketeers are giving up a great deal points from behind the arc as teams are content to bomb them into submission. Even an absolutely dreadful DePaul team got off 22 threes on Wednesday night.

---

quote:

---

Especially considering that they’re towards the bottom of the pack in offensive efficiency.

---

This is very, very wrong. 2nd Nationally in Offensive Efficiency. They also don't foul a lot. They also have the 6th fewest fouls per game nationally and have solid depth, so not sure what team you've been watching.

Purdue did hit 14 threes. 10 from 1 player in a Curry-esque performance. AU probably needs 10+.

IMO, Auburn's road to victory comes from points off turnovers. Virginia doesn't turn it over much, so AU needs to make those count when it happens.

quote:

---

The pack line in general, but not Virginia’s pack line. They wouldn’t have won nearly as many games as they have if that were the case.

---

I'll accept your taking back of your "basic misunderstanding of the packline is evident" comment.


All I can really say at this point is we will see if their athleticism combined with this scheme can hold Auburn's three point attack. Already imagine Harper's drives inside are going to encounter a lot of problems, but I think Auburn will be able to get their open looks from beyond the arc. I've only watched UVA play in two games this year, their second loss to Duke and their win against Purdue. They got lit up from the three in both games, so their stats may tell a different story, but I am optimistic.