UMass Coach Thriving With 3-Guard Lineups

MassLive.com

http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/index.ssf/2012/12/umass_basketball_coach_derek_k_6.html

The University of Massachusetts has prided itself on length and up-tempo, fast-break basketball, but with the Minutemen not yet hitting their stride in transition, coach Derek Kellogg has turned to a different approach to get them going.

Instead of using longer players like struggling forward Raphiael Putney, Kellogg’s most successful lineup combinations have featured three of the team’s four “traditional” guards – Chaz Williams, Jesse Morgan, Freddie Riley and Trey Davis.

With three of them on the floor, the Minutemen have outscored opponents 207-168 in 92 minutes, 23 seconds. Over the other 352:37 this season, UMass has been outscored 809-802.

“I’m becoming a little more comfortable with that lineup or those lineups where we’re playing three traditional guards, Kellogg said. We’ve really kind of extended our lead at times or got the lead with those particular lineups in the game, so it’s something that we’re going to continue to look at.”

Despite the success, depth is the biggest obstacle preventing Kellogg from going to three-guard sets more often.

“The reality is that if we were deeper at the guard positions, I think it’d be more of an option, Kellogg said. With our depth being more kind of in that mid area, those kind of hybrid guys, it hasn’t given me as much latitude as far as playing three traditional guards for longer periods.”

UMass Coach Thriving With 3-Guard Lineups

MassLive.com

http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/index.ssf/2012/12/umass_basketball_coach_derek_k_6.html

The University of Massachusetts has prided itself on length and up-tempo, fast-break basketball, but with the Minutemen not yet hitting their stride in transition, coach Derek Kellogg has turned to a different approach to get them going.

Instead of using longer players like struggling forward Raphiael Putney, Kellogg’s most successful lineup combinations have featured three of the team’s four “traditional” guards – Chaz Williams, Jesse Morgan, Freddie Riley and Trey Davis.

With three of them on the floor, the Minutemen have outscored opponents 207-168 in 92 minutes, 23 seconds. Over the other 352:37 this season, UMass has been outscored 809-802.

“I’m becoming a little more comfortable with that lineup or those lineups where we’re playing three traditional guards, Kellogg said. We’ve really kind of extended our lead at times or got the lead with those particular lineups in the game, so it’s something that we’re going to continue to look at.”

Despite the success, depth is the biggest obstacle preventing Kellogg from going to three-guard sets more often.

“The reality is that if we were deeper at the guard positions, I think it’d be more of an option, Kellogg said. With our depth being more kind of in that mid area, those kind of hybrid guys, it hasn’t given me as much latitude as far as playing three traditional guards for longer periods.”