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Sports USA Radio
- By Grant Young
The UConn Huskies men's basketball team has established themselves as the preeminent force in college basketball, securing consecutive NCAA championships through their sophisticated and multifaceted offensive approach and college basketball practice plans. Esteemed coach Dan Hurley's offensive philosophy has transformed the Huskies into a juggernaut that opponents simply cannot contain.
UConn's offensive brilliance stems from their exceptional balance. Unlike teams that rely heavily on a single star player or particular offensive scheme, the Huskies deploy a fluid system that maximizes each player's strengths. Their inside-out approach creates defensive dilemmas for opponents who must contend with UConn's powerful post presence while simultaneously respecting their perimeter shooting.
Ball movement defines the Huskies' attack. Their willing passers consistently find the open man, resulting in high-percentage shots. UConn's offense functions less as five individuals and more as a cohesive unit with the basketball flowing naturally to create optimal scoring opportunities.
Their spacing and floor balance deserve particular recognition. The Huskies stretch defenses with shooters positioned strategically around the arc while maintaining threats near the basket. This spacing creates driving lanes and passing angles that allow UConn to attack from multiple positions on the floor.
Perhaps most impressive is UConn's adaptability. They can play uptempo or grind out possessions, dominate inside or rain threes, depending on matchups and game situations. This versatility makes them nearly impossible to prepare for and explains their sustained success across different tournament opponents.
With consecutive championships secured, UConn's offensive philosophy has established a modern blueprint for college basketball success—one built on balance, unselfishness, adaptability, and collective excellence rather than individual heroics.
UConn utilizes an extensive offensive playbook that they return to whenever they need to create offense. In his ‘UCONN Huskies Basketball Video Playbook’ clinic, Scott Peterman (who has coached at the NCAA Division 2, NAIA, and JUCO Levels as well as high school) details over 120 plays that UConn has used on offense. We have pulled five of them that you can install into your own basketball offense.
The first UConn offensive play we’re going to discuss starts with the ball handler bringing the ball up with their four teammates at the four corners of the paint. Both guards are on the blocks while the post players are at the elbows.
One guard back cuts to the far side corner while the other guard slips across the paint, where they will receive a back screen from the post player on the far side elbow. After that screen, that guard will flash to the wing, where they’ll get a pass from the ball handler.
Then that same post player will set a screen for the other post player at the other elbow, prompting the guard with the ball to come across the top of the key and look for the guard in the corner, the initial ball handler crashing to the paint, or the post player still at the elbow. And if a shot isn’t there, a pick and roll can then be run along the wing.
Chin Floppy
This next UConn set play starts with the ball handler dribbling along the wing before doing a dribble handoff with the corner guard who’s flashing up. At the same time, the post player on the near-side block cuts up to the elbow.
From there, the post player who’s at the weak side elbow sets a down screen for the wing in the other corner. The ball gets swung to this player, then the post player who cut up to the elbow sets a back screen for the initial ball handler while the other post player who started on the weak side elbow sets a ball screen.
Then the initial ball handler received a baseline screen, which should open them up on the weak side corner.
This next UConn play is called Delay Downslip, and starts with three wings and a primary ball handler with the center on the block.
The play begins with the center popping to the top of the key before receiving a pass from the ball handler. The ball handler then slips a down screen for the near wide wing player in the corner before cutting to the basket, ideally receiving a pass from the center and getting an easy layup.
Double Flare
The next play is called Double Flare, which begins with the ball handler along one wing before a guard in the far corner receives a double screen from the two post players, who are each positioned at the top of the key.
Once this guard receives the ball, the post player who set the first screen for them will pivot then set a second screen for the other post player who will be closer to the top of the key. While this is occurring, the initial ball handler and the other wing will exchange places on the weak side.
After receiving the screen, the post player can either cut to the basket or flare to the three-point line depending on their skill set or what becomes available.
The fifth and final UConn play we’re sharing is called Horns Flare, which begins with the two post players at the elbows and two guards along each wing. The ball handler will get a screen from the strong side post player at the elbow.
From there, that screener will receive a flare screen from the other post player at the other elbow. If this screen is overplayed, the one receiving the screen can cut toward the basket.
If not, a pick and roll will commence between the ball handler and the remaining post player at the elbow. Learn more and book this course.....
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