I also watched most of the USF game. Btw Mike O'Donnell the color guy was terrific. Knew both teams cold for a random non-conf game on ESPN+, the players and also the coaching tendencies. Paid attention to the lineups, the flow of the game, knew when to be critical, but also impressed.
Auburn went on a 15-0 run middle of the 2nd half, keyed mostly by their defense letting them get out into transition and semi-transition. That was the difference in the game. South Florida obviously isn't great (they've got one guy on offense), but we're going to need to execute on offense so we don't get bogged down by their D.
Team Fingerprint
High pressure D from their guards. They try to force turnovers and block shots to get out into transition (sound familiar?) They shade PnR screens and funnel into the middle help, where both Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler are competent getting switched onto smaller guys generally without fouling. They'll switch guards onto bigs at times, which we should punish if they do. The guards will then front, so we may have open lobs or dump-off. The Jasper/Kessler PnR defense is very good. They stay home on shooters, so they don't give up a lot of open 3's.
They press on and off, and they use different ones, and also ran a couple different zones including a 1-3-1, so it's a lot to prepare for. They played better D when not pressing against USF. They rotate their guys, play 10 deep, with a high bench min% nationally.
When not in transition, on offense they're pretty good at kicking out for 3's on closeout drives. Have to stay with shooters. They're not generally great shooters, but they do have 9 guys who have attempted 3's on the year. If their wings make 3's, they're hard to beat, but if they don't.... They run a lot of mediocre pick and roll, but Pearl can adjust. They attacked some weaknesses of USF's coverage in the 2nd half.
Scouting Report
Starters:
PG - Wendell Green - 5'11" - Transfer from Eastern Kentucky. Hasn't been distributing that well. Struggling with shot after being solid last year. Grabs and gos on defensive boards and is the key that gets them going with pace. Will get up and under guards on D.
2G - Zep Jasper - 6'1" - Senior glue guy. Passes a little, shoots a little. Keys their pressure defense. Lock-down smaller perimeter defender.
SF - Devan Cambridge - 6'6"- Has started last 2 games. Shoots a lot but has been off. Does almost nothing else on offense except catch lobs. Decent switchable wing on D.
PF - Jabari Smith - Top 10 recruit. 6'10", incredible athlete. Can shoot from 3. Cleans the glass. Blocks shots and disrupts offense. Can switch onto guards and contain them. When he has the ball have to keep him in front of you and make him shoot pull ups or attack his handle, but he's been red hot from 3. Had a couple real nice outlet passes. Color guy compared him to slightly smaller Evan Mobley and I see it.
C - Walker Kessler - 7'1" - Big body, can protect the rim and board. Somewhat invisible on offense (they need to find him more when he's got position). Will occasionally stretch floor but hasn't made any yet. Moves his feet pretty well on D, moves like he played volleyball growing up. He's going to be a problem for our offense, but hopefully won't be an issue getting our guys in foul trouble on the other end.
Rotation:
KD Johnson - Stocky guard. Offensive punch now off the bench. Has made a couple 3s in each game this year. Menace on D and draws a bunch of fouls on O. Will get downhill and finish strong (but not sure he can dunk).
Jaylin Williams - Bench big wing, but they play him at center in some smaller, switchable lineups. He can attack closeouts and pass a bit. Score in a few different ways. Nice bench piece.
Chris Moore - Didn't play much against USF. He's the 4th wing in the rotation. Good size, can draw fouls.
Dylan Cardwell - Bench big. Doesn't get a ton of minutes, but might against us. Wider than I remembered him to be. Can hit the offensive boards and block shots.
Reserves:
Lior Berman - High energy. Scrappy. You get it. Never shoots, but keeps the ball moving.
Injured:
Allen Flanigan
Interesting Stats
- 10th least opponent assists per field goal. Don't give up a lot of 3's and PnR switches encourages hero ball.
- 13th least non-steal turnovers committed rate, 153rd steal turnover rate. They don't throw the ball out of bounds, charge, or travel, but do cough up steals.
- 1st best opponent FT%. They either have gotten extremely lucky or only foul opponent bigs by design.
- 8th best block rate. Smith and Kessler are really big and long.
- 17/37 - 46%. The 3pt% of KD Johnson, Jabari Smith, and Zep Jasper.
- 6/46 - 14%. The 3pt% of everyone else on their roster.
