Inside the play: Utah State executes a lob

In the biggest game of BracketBusters weekend, I came away impressed with Utah State’s execution in the halfcourt. This play came early in the game and was a well designed play to take advantage of the defense focusing in on Utah State’s best player, Tai Wesley.

Wesley comes off a down screen to receive the pass from teammate James Walker. As he catches the ball, we see a backscreen on the opposite wing, set for Pooh Williams by Nate Bendall. A backscreen is probably the best way to get an alley oop facing a half court man to man defense, since it is the most likely way to get an offensive player moving toward the basket unguarded. The key is a well executed back screen to free up the intended player.