Do's and Don'ts

Temple's matchup zone presents more problems than any other defense. Here's a quick primer of what not to do against the Owls, and what to look for if you want to beat it: What not to do: Don't dribble too much, take the ball to the baseline unless you have a shot, stand around, make long passes such as cross-court passes or take quick shots. What to do: Be strong with the ball, hit the high post to collapse the zone, move the ball and yourself, make pass fakes to move the zone (watch how Pepe Sanchez will get his hands and body into passing lanes when a pass fake is made -- without the fake, he's gone for a lay-up), flash into open areas, dribble penetrate into the gaps of the zone (but not too far) and kick it to open shooters, be ready to shoot as the ball arrives, rebound the zone. Most importantly, hit open shots. There is a school of thought that you should take the ball right at Sanchez, attacking him off the dribble because he isn't as good making steals and creating havoc when he's on the ball. That is a huge risk, and is asking a lot of players to make that adjustment.

Why? To have Kenyon Martin swat your meager offering into the seats causes momentary embarrassment, and it may make you a little gun-shy when taking a shot, but you usually get the ball back.

But when Pepe Sanchez strips you of a ball still in your hands, or picks off a simple pass and takes it the other way, he strips you of your dignity. The implication is you're not strong enough to hang onto the ball or even make a simple pass. The swatted shot is sexier and gets on SportsCenter, but the Sanchez strip gets into your head and makes you tentative.

Temple's matchup zone does a number of things to you mentally. It can make you hesitant, overly cautious and unsure. It can make you rush passes and shots, for fear that any opening you see will soon disappear. Worst of all, the Temple zone makes you think, which can be fatal in a game of reaction and instinct.

Temple's matchup zone plays with man-to-man principles. The Owls do not just play an area, they "match up" in a man-to-man sense with any player that comes into their area. That's what makes a matchup zone tougher to spot, because it is played with strict man-to-man principles.

Temple's zone rotates very well, and moves as the ball moves. Therefore, it is constantly adjusting. It matches on the perimeter and funnels drives into certain areas, and plays angles very effectively.

The Owls have big shot-blockers, and the perimeter players often direct penetrating players right into them. The zone anticipates very well, and the weakside of the zone is very active and shifts alignment with speed and quickness. The weakside does not simply face the ball, but plays man principles as well. Openings close quickly, and opponents often rush shots because of that.

Most importantly, Temple believes in the zone, and they play it with confidence and aggressiveness. However, the guy that makes the zone go is Sanchez. He is able to help and recover better than any defender in the nation, and he reads the eyes of passers to get steals.

Because of Sanchez, the Temple zone has great backflow, which means that the zone comes from behind to get steals and knock-aways. If you are not strong with the ball, Temple will take it from you.