New 2-3 zone D innovative in NESCAC

Coach Bob Sheldon has implemented a new 2-3 zone defense to combat the trouble the men's basketball team has faced over the last few seasons. This new strategy could be difficult for Tufts' opponents to crack as no other team in the league utilized the scheme last year.

Senior co-captain Eric Mack explained the 2-3 defense as a variation from the original. A conventional 2-3 features two guards playing on opposite ends of the free throw line. The guards are generally responsible for defending the top of the key and wing areas around the three point line.

However, in Tufts' variation, the two top defenders are responsible for the top of the key and fronting opposing big men on the post.

Conventionally, there are two forwards playing on opposite ends of the lower box of the free throw key. Those two defenders generally cover the baseline, and are responsible for cutters and posting up forwards and centers who challenge the zone down low.

In Tufts' offense, the two forwards will still play a role in post defense, but are now responsible for the wing areas around the three point line.

The center will play the conventional role of posing a threat in the middle and essentially functioning as the last line of defense before an easy lay-up.

Since the team currently only plans to play seven to eight players on any given night, this defense will help limit fouls. Without the aggressive man-to-man defense the squad played last season, the tendency to commit petty reach in fouls may decrease.

In addition, sophomores Dan Martin (6'9") and Blaine Lay (6'7") provide height and reach that can stretch out opposing offenses outside of medium-range jump shots to longer more difficult attempts.

While Mack says he would like to lead the NESCAC in steals and, at a quick 5'8", has all the tools to do so, Sheldon and Mack both believe that the defense is not being implemented to create turnovers, but to disrupt opposing offenses and create a lower opposing shooting percentage.

The defense is formed so that teams should not be able to shoot over the zone. However, Sheldon admits that the one problem the team has faced so far is rebounding. In zone defenses, it is often difficult to stop penetration of tenacious offensive rebounders. In a man-to-man defense, a player is responsible for the person he is covering, but a zone involves more ad-libbing.