Photo By Ignacio Murillo | The Daily Mississippian
Jarvis Summers has established himself as legitimate scorer for Andy Kennedy, and now, Ole Miss is starting to take advantage of Summers’ offensive breakout season.
The Rebels have two scorers in Summers and Henderson, and Ole Miss can use them to force defenses into picking who they guard.
Late against Mercer, Ole Miss used a high ball screen from Demarco Cox to get Summers driving to the basket.
The key on this pick-and-roll is spacing. Marshall Henderson stands in the corner on the same side as Summers. Aaron Jones stands in the short corner, and LaDarius White is on the opposite wing.
With Summers driving on the same side as Henderson, it forces defense to decide whether to help off of Henderson, and potentially give him an open three, or to let Summers go one-on-one driving at their big man.
Cox set a great screen that took Summers’ man out of the play. There is now a huge opening in the middle of the lane for Cox to roll. Cox was slow with his roll, but there was an opportunity for a three-on-two with Jones and White on the near side of the court.
But they key here is Ole Miss’ big two. Mercer doesn’t help off of Henderson. Typically, no one will help off of Henderson. This gives Summers the one-on-one, and he uses his quickness on a spin move to get an open look that he knocked down.
Look at the opportunities for open shots. Cox is open for a seven footer. Jones is in position for an alley-oop. (Although Summers has struggled hooking up with Cox and Jones on lobs.) And LaDarius White is unguarded on the three-point line.
It is all because of great spacing, using Summers and Henderson on the same side and Mercer not helping off of Henderson.
Cox isn’t the ideal roll man, but he has shown the ability to finish when he catches the ball near the basket. Ole Miss could have an even more dangerous pick-and-roll if Anthony Perez ever gets going. His height and ability to shoot would make him a dangerous option to pop to the three-point line at the top of the key. But he has a long way to go in getting consistent productive minutes.
Sebastian Saiz, who sets a ton of ball screens, has shown the ability to knock down 15 footers. That could also provide another outlet on this pick-and-roll.
Ole Miss hasn’t run this pick-and-roll with Henderson in the corner very much this season, but it creates problems for the defense and opens up plenty of good looks for the offense.
Most defenses will not help off of Henderson, but if Summers continues his proficient play – especially on the pick-and-roll – defenses may start leaving Henderson with just enough to space to get an open three.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss men’s basketball, follow @Tyler_RSR and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
— Tyler Bischoff
tfbischo@go.olemiss.edu
