I totally agree with you. Outside of rebounding, attacking their pressure to score is the key to the game. The funny thing is that we out rebounded them in both games last year. Our loses are a case of being lazy and weak against pressure (Letting your guard down). Last year we shot 59.1% from the floor and 60% from 3 (On 10 attempts) in the first game. We shot 48.4% in the Big East Tournament game, but only 20% from 3 (10 attempts). This tells us a two things.

1. If you attack their pressure you will get layups or wide open jump shots. One thing III is really good at is teaching his players to find open guys, and putting a good pass on them when they are open. It is so ridiculous that his teams are so good at this, but can be so lazy with the ball sometimes.

2. I have always looked at cincy's defense as shock and awe. They try to cause havoc in the first 10 secs to try to get you to throw the ball away. If you break their initial trap attempt they let up and will give you great looks. If you just get across half court and then try to start running offense they will reset and come back after you.

Their trap that they always do with us is a man press in which the second guy peels off his man and follows the ball handler all the way to the sideline. If you stop your dribble you are dead. The optimal way to handle it is to bait the trap guy to get to the point of no return, have your support man get to a middle place on the court. Once your support man is there pass it to him and he should just bust it straight down the middle and the team will have an automatic advantage. They also trap wings out of their 2-3 zone. Just be strong with the ball and hit the middle man. If the middle man is Otto he will be able to shoot, kick opposite for a 3, drive, or dump down.

The game will be about mental toughness, because they play really hard. I honestly don't think they have some amazing D that can't be scored against. They try to rattle you and take you out of your comfort zone. If III goes to the prevent offense approach at any point during this game we will get destroyed. In fact in the last two contest we have gotten double digit leads on them and then try to start running the clock out. If the guys need to be prepared for them to come after them, then they just need to be strong with the ball and take the open shots that they will be guaranteed to get.

Lets go fellas!!!!!