Basketball junkies have sifted through tons of articles previewing or scouting the Final Four. Lucky for you, NBADraft.net was able to get scouting reports from top coaches around the country who either pulled off victories against a current Final Four team during the regular season or fell short in tough, physical matchups. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, these coaches (from the Big East, ACC, Big Ten and Horizon League, each from schools that had played at least two of the
Final Four teams) were able to give an overview of each teams strengths and weaknesses plus how they thought each team could get to Monday Night.
Duke Scouting Report:
Even though Duke has a good backcourt tandem of Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith, size is their biggest strength. As long as their frontline has stayed out of foul trouble, they have done a good job getting offensive rebounds. Kyle Singler has been solid during the second half of the year, so you can’t let him go off on you. They still have some weaknesses defensively, if you can stretch the floor by hitting outside jumpers. Once you stretch the floor, their big men are susceptible to getting beat off the dribble because of their lack of quickness.
How Duke Gets to Monday Night:
Since they won’t be able to get offensive rebounds at the same rate against West Virginia as they did against lesser competition, they will need a good shooting night to win this game. They probably can’t grind out a game against West Virginia and get the win, but they could out-shoot them. Defensively they may have to play some zone so they can challenge shooters and not have to worry about getting beat off the dribble.
West Virginia Scouting Report:
West Virginia’s biggest strength is its versatility and length. When the Mountaineers utilize their 1-3-1 zone, they slow you down and create turnovers. If Mazzulla is creating by getting to the rim they are really tough to beat. They do have one of the best players in the country in Da’Sean Butler, who can take over a game and hit big shots.
How West Virginia Gets to Monday Night:
To win this game, West Virginia will have to hit enough 3-pointers to make them dangerous off of the dribble. By doing this, they will stretch Duke out opening up driving lanes to take people off the bounce. Stretching the floor will also open up the curl cut causing easy layups. One coach I talked to did not see how Duke wins this game.
Butler Scouting Report:
Butler’s offense is about playing off ball screens. The Bulldogs set more ball screens per possession than 99 percent of teams in Division I. Butler has a good backcourt with Shelvin Mack and Gordon Hayward leading them, but Matt Howard gives them enough of a post presence to be a dangerous all-around offense. This team is more physical than you think, and that is why they turned Syracuse over so much. They don’t pressure the ball full court, as they pack the lane defensively, while still effectively challenging perimeter shooters.
How Butler Gets to Monday Night:
To beat Michigan State, they will have to rebound. They can match how physical Michigan State is but not the athleticism or height, so they will really have to fight. Butler shoots a lot of 3-pointers, so they will need to be able to get open shots or knock down tough ones. Defensively they can’t let Michigan State get into transition for easy open baskets. They are going to have to guard against a lot of sets and they need to deny Draymond Green at the top of the key because he is Michigan State’s best passer.
Michigan State Scouting Report:
If Izzo coaches a team, it’s going to rebound well. This team is no different. Offensively the Spartans are going to run set plays, and if the first set play doesn’t work, they are going to run another one. Since Lucas has been hurt, other players have really stepped up so they are almost like a new team right now. Lucious will really need to handle the ball, because Butler can really defend the dribbler. If they get into transition they are really good. Defensively, they also like to show a packed look in the key and they are very physical.
How Michigan State Gets to Monday Night:
If they do a good job guarding the 3-point line, it will be tough to beat Michigan State. Offensively, the Spartans’ transition game will be key, but they need Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers to continue to be dominant players. If Butler is not hitting 3s, look for a Michigan State victory.
I want to thank all of the coaches that helped with this report. They’ve given us an insiders perspective on what to watch for this weekend.
