Miami vs. UConn: How Hurricanes’ offense can tilt Final Four with Huskies

After three years within the doldrums of the ACC, Miami revitalized its offense for the 2021-22 season. What had develop into a rote, high-volume pick-and-roll offense wanted some added punch. With a flexible assortment of on-ball creators, Miami shifted to extra 5-out appears to be like with veteran heart Sam Waardenburg because the floor-spacing large man.

Waardenburg’s gravity as a pick-and-pop shooter (41.8 p.c from three), mixed with the scoring punch of fellows like Isaiah Wong, Kam McGusty and Charlie Moore, shaped the strain level in opposition to opposing defenses. When the 6’10 Waardeburg engaged in handoff actions with one of many guards, defenses needed to decide their poison. Put two on the ball and permit an open pop? Drop and permit the pop? Switch and let Wong cook dinner 1-on-1? There weren’t a whole lot of good choices. As a end result, Miami’s top-20 offense ranked contained in the top-40 nationally in efficient taking pictures, 2-point share, and turnover share.

This season, Miami skilled a great little bit of roster turnover, together with the addition of heart Norchad Omier, an undersized but tenacious 5-man. Omier isn’t the identical kind of shooter as Waardenburg; nonetheless, what he lacks in stretch, Omier makes up for with dribble-handoff (DHO) playmaking and downhill drives. Those 5-out units have continued to hum, particularly with the arrival of Nijel Pack, probably the greatest shooters within the nation, and the event of Wooga Poplar, who’s rising as a nasty catch-and-go athlete on the wing.

Striking the best stability

Miami’s offense options 5 gamers who common above 4 three-point makes an attempt per 100 possessions and shot above 35 p.c from deep. Pack, in fact, leads the best way: 11.3 3-point makes an attempt per 100 possessions (54.7 p.c of Pack’s whole FGA) and 40.2 p.c taking pictures from past the arc. After a slow-ish begin to the season, Pack shot 44.1 p.c on his 3-point makes an attempt (6.4 3PA per sport) during the last 20 video games. During ACC play, Pack shot 43.3 p.c from deep, which ranked second within the league — behind solely Duke’s Dariq Whitehead.

The dude who ties all of this collectively, although, is likely one of the most versatile two-way forwards within the nation: Jordan Miller, a artful cutter, finisher, and passer. Miller’s connective passing and DHO creation efforts unlock an offense with a decentralized playmaking method. All six guys in Miami’s top-six, together with backup guard Bensley Joseph, can provoke offense, which frees Pack and Wong to do what they do greatest: get buckets. Two of these six, Miller and Omier, are 6’7 hybrid frontcourt gamers with an actual knack for faking handoffs and getting downhill.

Add it up — the spacing, the 5-out units, the a number of playmakers — and Miami’s offense begins to look fairly rattling harmful.

When Miami has the ball

Speaking of that lineup, the Hurricanes have an elite level differential with that group on the ground. According to CBB Analytics, the Canes are +208 in 458 minutes this season with Pack, Wong, Poplar, Miller and Omier on the ground collectively, outscoring opponents by 27.3 factors per 100 possessions (offensive score of 126.8 factors per 100 possessions). In 4 NCAA Tournament video games, Miami is +35 in 66 minutes with that crew on the ground, per Pivot Analysis.

Miami makes use of hyper-active pick-and-roll coverages on protection to unlock its transition offense, which is scoring 13.2 fast-break factors per 40 minutes (96th percentile nationally), in accordance with CBB Analytics.

During secondary conditions, when Miami is ready to push after a defensive rebound, the Hurricanes will look to Wong or Pack for early offense with drag ball screens from Omier. Nearly 40 p.c of Pack’s 3-pointers this season have come unassisted.

Miller can also be inspired to push in transition.

However, this staff is razor-sharp by way of its half-court execution, too. With that in thoughts, let’s check out a few units and actions that the Hurricanes wish to circulation into with their half-court offense.

5-Out

Miami runs a whole lot of various things out of its 5-out alignment, however one of many major reads begins with Wong spaced within the left nook. Once the ball is centered to Omier or Miller within the center third of the ground, Wong will set off “Zoom” or “Chicago” motion — coming off of a pindown and right into a DHO with the 4/5.

This motion helps Wong flip the nook and attempt to get into the paint. If the preliminary motion is roofed, although, Miami can circulation into its unfold pick-and-roll offense.

When an opposing protection begins to lean on these handoffs — anticipating the change earlier than it takes place — Omier and Miller will counter with faux DHO retains. This helps these guys preserve defenses off stability whereas working in the course of the ground, usually in opposition to slower defenders.

An after-timeout (ATO) counter to this 5-out preserve maneuver is to have the off-ball participant on the strong-side wing reduce backdoor when Omier or Miller dribble of their path. Here, Pack is roofed on his again reduce, however Miller sees the protection shifted and cuts proper in entrance of Taylor Hendricks for a layup.

Chop

One of the opposite methods Miami likes to get Wong transferring right into a ball display is with its “Chop” motion. This is a set that UNC has run lots beneath Hubert Davis — largely for Caleb Love.

This begins with Wong on the left facet of the ground, and the opposite off-ball guard/wing zippering up and receiving the preliminary go. As that occurs, Wong lifts up and off a pindown from the 4 to obtain a DHO from the opposite guard in movement. Wong collects the DHO and instantly flows right into a ball display from the 5 — with the 1 (Joseph) leaking again up the center of the ground.

It’s a whole lot of transferring elements, with a number of guys touching the ball. That’s robust to take care of.

Here’s that very same set with Virginia placing two on the ball and packing the paint, which opens up the skip go for Wong.

If Miami sneaks Miller to the strong-side block (on the best facet of the ground) — as a substitute of getting him on the left elbow to set the pindown for Wong, it is a inform: they need Miller to faux the DHO with Wong and look to assault. Here’s an ATO play vs. Wake Forest: Miller fakes and retains the DHO with Wong, which permits him to show the nook on Bobi Klintman and end on the rim.

Scissor Cuts

Another means for Miami to provoke with Omier or Miller within the center third comes from its scissor motion. On these performs, which Miami runs regularly, the purpose guard begins the play by passing out to the wing and reducing diagonally down by way of the lane — off of a bit of brush display from Omier. That’s instantly adopted by a second reduce from the off-ball reduce, who cuts diagonally in the other way, although as soon as once more utilizing Omier as a display. Once the ball is centered to Omier or Miller, the Hurricanes once more circulation into Zoom/Chicago motion: pindown right into a DHO.

With an expansion flooring and pindowns on either side, there’s room for Miller or Omier to as soon as once more work in isolation and look to assault 1-on-1. Omier, together with his energy and pace, is a tricky cowl within the center third of the ground.

Miller has scored on this precise look a number of occasions in wins over Indiana and Texas. Upon his arrival in Coral Gables final season, Miller rapidly established himself as a proficient staff and 1-on-1 defender, who may additionally assist hyperlink actions collectively on offense. This postseason, although, has seen Miller’s profile develop.

Dating again to the ACC Tournament, Miller is averaging 16.8 factors per sport on 11.0 discipline aim makes an attempt throughout six postseason contests, whereas taking pictures 63.6 p.c on 2-points makes an attempt. (During this six-game stretch, Miller additionally averaged 4.5 FTA, 2.8 assists and solely 0.8 TOV per sport.)

Chin – Floppy

Similar to that Scissor set, Miami will run single-double “Floppy” motion out of its Chin sequence.

As Pack crosses half-court, discover how he alerts together with his left hand, pointing to his precise chin. Pack passes off to Omier and cuts down; so, too, does Wong, although neither participant cuts throughout Omier in that scissor model. As Omier faces up, Pack switches sides of the ground and sprints off of two screens: Wong and Miller. Wong follows and cuts off a pindown from Harlond Beverly on the best facet. That’s the single-double setup for Floppy.

Pack makes use of the staggered screens and flows into unfold pick-and-roll with Omier. With Wake in drop protection and Tyree Appley displaced by Omier’s display, Pack has a runway to get to his floater.

Horns Twist: Old Trusty

When a number of the 5-out/handoff appears to be like aren’t hitting, Jim Larranaga will dial up his go-to pick-and-roll set for Wong. This is what Miami will go to when it’s decided to place the ball in Wong’s palms and let him create a shot: “Horns Twist.”

Twist is an easy pick-and-roll play out of a Horns set. It’s utilized by groups in any respect ranges, together with the NBA, when an offense needs to assault drop protection or get a swap for its major creator.

Wong will dribble up the ground and use the preliminary ball display from the 4 (Miller) transferring to his left. As quickly as Wong hits the left slot, he turns again to his most well-liked proper hand and makes use of a second ball display from the 5 — on this case, Anthony Walker. And with Wake in deep drop protection, Wong exits that Twist motion with a great have a look at the rim.

If Wong is ready to flip the nook, he can strain the rim for a layup or collapse the protection and hit a teammate for a layup or a kick-out 3.

If the protection needs to hedge the second display in opposition to Wong, he’s more than pleased to outlet the ball to Miller or Omier on the quick roll in house.

When issues regarded wobbly for Miami in opposition to Texas, with a ticket to the Final Four on the road, Larranaga known as Horns Twist 5 occasions for his senior guard. Miami scored on three of these possessions and drew a foul on one other.

Wong is a ridiculous midrange shot-maker. Over the final three seasons (100 video games), Wong shot 50.3 p.c on 2-point makes an attempt: 393 whole makes. According to Bart Torvik’s shot information, 314 of these 393 2-point discipline objectives have come unassisted: 79.9 p.c.

This isn’t the primary time Wong and Miami have spanned Horns Twist. During a comeback win over NC State final season, Miami ran the identical set on eight straight possessions, scoring seven occasions. It was large for Miami throughout a February victory over Wake Forest.

Texas defended the motion effectively, however with the display defender nearer to the extent and Wong in his bang, Miami was capable of unlock Omier for a lob end on the rim, too.

BLOB: Open The Screen Doors

When Miami is about to take the ball out from beneath the opponent’s basket, Wong turns into a major choice in a few completely different screen-the-screener (STS) baseline out-of-bounds (BLOB) performs.

The Hurricanes will arrange in a Box formation, with Wong on the block reverse of the participant passing the ball in.

Wong will set a fast diagonal display for Miller after which come off a pindown from Omier, seeking to rating — that’s the screen-the-screener motion. It’s a great way to create a clear catch-and-shoot jumper for Wong.

The Hurricanes run one other comparable BLOB Box play for Wong — with a slight twist. Once once more, Miami comes out within the Box, however as a substitute of screening diagonally, Wong units a again display for Pack after which comes off staggered screens from the 2 bigs, Miller and Omier.

This, too, is screen-the-screener motion for Wong; nonetheless, the Canes contain that second screener to offer Wong with a bit of further room.

Hedge that wager?

In every of the final two seasons, the Hurricanes have gone to no less than the Elite Eight whereas additionally having a protection outdoors the Top 100 in adjusted effectivity. Miami could be scored on; clearly, the protection has vulnerabilities.

Last yr’s staff was small however fast, so Miami leaned into being a tough hedge/entice protection by way of its pick-and-roll coverages. They used that method to drive turnovers (No. 10 nationally with a steal fee of 13.0 p.c) and kick-star their transition offense.

With Omier and Miller, Miami has two undersized, but extremely cellular, frontcourt gamers. As such, the Canes have continued to onerous hedge and entice on ball screens, although Omier gives some scheme versatility. He can even play on the stage or in drop, though that may get dicey at occasions given the dearth of measurement. Miller and Omier can each swap out and transfer vs. smaller gamers, however that’s robust for UConn’s measurement and motion.

When the entice hits, that method can set off Miami’s electrical transition offense.

However, it’s a dangerous path to stroll. Poplar and Miller can cowl a whole lot of floor on the again facet, but when Omier is attacking ball handlers 25+ ft from the rim, it may well put the protection in some dicey 3-on-4 situations.

Offenses can elevate Miami’s protection and use screening actions to get gamers behind the coverages. UConn likes to open up hi-lo actions for Adama Sanogo. Those appears to be like will likely be there.

Opponents have tried 3s at the next fee than Miami’s offense — 38.3 p.c to 34.4 p.c of discipline aim makes an attempt. The recovering rotations have to be tight in opposition to UConn’s military of 3-point bombers. Plus, it may well depart the rim uncovered. Over the final 5 video games, solely 26.6 p.c of opponent discipline aim makes an attempt have come on the rim, however they’ve related on 64.1 p.c of these appears to be like.

While Miami nonetheless includes a harmful transition offense, the Hurricanes don’t drive turnovers almost as regularly this season (18.0% TOV fee). Miami’s protection has rebounded the ball higher this season, too, because of Omier, who ranks Top 30 nationally in each offensive and defensive rebound fee (26.6 p.c), and a number of the extra standard coverages.

That stated, UConn is a special monster on the subject of the offensive glass: No. 2 nationally in offensive rebound fee, gathering 38.5 p.c of their misses. According to CBB Analytics, the Huskies common 4.7 put-back makes an attempt per sport (ninety fifth percentile), which interprets to 7.9 p.c of their whole makes an attempt (93rd percentile).

Sanogo, Donovan Clingan and Andre Jackson, who appears to at all times know the place Jordan Hawkins is for a kick-out go, are all terrors. If these put-back alternatives get Omier in foul hassle, Miami has a giant downside on its palms.

Clingan averages lower than 14 minutes per sport, however the 7-foot-2 rookie’s superior numbers are sick: 19.9 p.c offensive rebound fee, 5.5 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, 72.3 FG% on the rim and 53 dunks (4.3 per 40 minutes).

Wooga World: Catch-and-go, potential matchup with Hawkins

Poplar has stepped up with a a lot bigger position this season. His taking pictures line is fairly sick: 39 p.c from three, 54.9 p.c from two-point vary, and 86.7 p.c from the foul line. With his improved 3-point contact and willingness to let it fly, Poplar has became an ideal match round ball-dominant guards Wong and Pack. When Poplar’s man exhibits assistance on Wong across the nail, Poplar can house for kick-out alternatives. Wong and Miller have every assisted Poplar 20 occasions this season, per CBB Analytics.

The elevated shot quantity has additionally opened up different fruitful avenues of Poplar’s sport — specifically his means to catch-and-go, entering into gaps and attacking closeouts.

Poplar makes use of lengthy strides when going to the rim, getting skinny when he must and slithering into tight home windows. He additionally performs together with his head up, which units the stage for Poplar to seize the occasional second-side playmaking rep.

There’s a whole lot of room for progress for Poplar, however with this model of him totally operational: Miami has one other strain level on the rim and somebody that may be environment friendly with a lower-usage position.

Defensively, the UConn matchup will function a giant matchup for Poplar, too. It appears possible that Poplar will function the first matchup on Jordan Hawkins, the perfect motion shooter prospect for the 2023 NBA Draft. Hawkins is the entire bundle as an off-ball mover — continuous motor, environment friendly display utilization and an explosive leaper — and he performs in an offense that’s geared towards producing open appears to be like with inventive movement packages.

Crafted by head coach Mike Young, Virginia Tech is one other motion-heavy offense that options loads of dizzying off-ball units. During the 2 matchups with VT this season, Poplar served as the first chase defender on Hunter Cattoor, one other elite motion shooter (profession: 41.8 3P% on 600 3PA) and the closest facsimile of Hawkins within the ACC.

Cattoor shot the ball effectively vs. Miami in these two video games — 35 factors on 21 makes an attempt (8-of-16 3PA) — a few of which got here in opposition to so-so chase protection from Poplar.

Here, VT comes out in a Horns set, enters the ball to Cattoor on the elbow and runs Chicago/Zoom motion for Sean Pedulla popping out of the nook. After Cattoor pitches the ball to Pedulla, he followers out off of a flare display from Justyn Mutts, which catches Poplar.

The sophomore from Philly has the size and athleticism to function the first cowl for Hawkins, if Larranaga opts for that protection. However, he should do a greater job staying connected, navigating screens and avoiding falling for UConn’s dummy motion. That’s lots to ask. It’d be a significant project.

Poplar was in a position to make use of his instruments to get well on a few of his possessions in opposition to Cattoor and, in principle, put up a great contest. However, with shooters like Hawkins and Cattoor, defenders should keep connected and be of their airspace as quickly because the catch the ball. If the defender is getting as much as contest whereas the shooter is already within the air, it’s too late.

On this possession, the Hokies launch “Razor” motion out of Horns: again display from Cattoor into the elbow handoff.

There’s additionally the possibility that Poplar will get matched with Andre Jackson, however then that leaves Wong or Pack tasked with chasing Hawkins. Miller might be an attention-grabbing variable. Perhaps Poplar will get Hawkins and Miller takes Jackson, although that’s in all probability untenable with Wong left to defend the 6’8 stretch-4 Alex Karaban.

Given Poplar’s lower-usage position on offense, although, Miami may give him this job — do his greatest vs. Hawkins, empty the bucket on protection — after which let the opposite 4 guys attempt to carry the offense.

The Huskies have a plethora of choices and a blistering movement assault. They harm you in a wide range of methods, although for those who can restrict Hawkins it alters their half-court calculus.