NCAA Tournament 2000 - Valparaiso playbook: Marching into March

Valparaiso playbook: Marching into March
Coach's Edge

Valparaiso won its sixth straight Mid-Continent Conference tournament and earned yet another ticket to the Big Dance. The Crusaders managed a Sweet 16 appearance two years ago, and coach Homer Drew hopes to duplicate that effort this season. But Valpo doesn't have the scoring punch this season, making execution the key to the Crusaders' success.

ANIMATE THIS PLAY DIAGRAM WITH SHOCKWAVE
(A) Valpo uses good spacing to get open shots for its shooters and spread the defense.
(B) Lubos Barton (15), the Crusaders' leading scorer, curls around a screen from Raitis Grafs (22) and pops out to the wing.

(C) With the ball in Barton's (15) hands, Jason Jenkins (44) flashes to the high post.
(D) Valpo is well-coached and plays good team basketball. When Jenkins gets the ball in the high post, he looks for Grafs (22) sealing his defender inside.


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