Tom Izzo Michigan State Zone Offense

Written by Wes Kosel

Wes Kosel will enter his first season as an Assistant Coach at Augustana University under Tom Billeter in 2016-2017. Kosel came to Sioux Falls after two season at Colorado College as the lead assistant. Kosel, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, served as an assistant coach at Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Texas Lutheran University from 2012-2014. Kosel graduated from the University of Kansas in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He also has a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Houston. While attending Kansas, Kosel served as an assistant coach at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. A life-long student of the game, Kosel honed his coaching skills by working summer camps for various programs in Texas, Colorado, Missouri, and New Mexico. Kosel also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Personal Trainer, both of which are certifications earned through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Kosel and his wife, Molly, live in Colorado Springs.

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Zone Offense

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July 27, 2016

Tom Izzo Michigan State Zone Offense by Wes Kosel

Here are two zone set plays that Tom Izzo used against Middle Tennessee State in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Izzo and the Spartans went 29-6 this season bringing Izzo’s record to 524 victories. Izzo played at Northern Michigan from 1973-1977 and was an assistant there from 1979-1983. He then moved on to be an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1983-1995 before taking over as head coach of the Spartans. He has taken his teams to the Final Four seven different times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2015). He won the NCAA Division 1 National Championship in 2000.

The video below shows how the Spartans got into the middle of the zone defense to score.

Tom Izzo Michigan State Zone Offense

Zone Step Out High PNR

The Spartans get a high ball screen against the zone by stepping out the 4 man to the perimeter. Once 1 is driving off of the ball screen and turns the corner, x4 has to help on the drive which forces a 2 v 1 situation in the lane. X5 has to decide whether to guard 4 rolling to the basket or guard 5 posting up on the right block. In the video, x5 hesitates and 1 throws to 5 for a layup. It is important that x2 and x3 are occupied with shooters.

Tom Izzo

Zone Short Corner Lob

This is a quick hitter that attacks the middle of the zone with dribble penetration. If the guard can get inside the lane (past x1 and x2), it puts pressure on x4 or x5 to step up and help. In the video, x5 steps up to help leaving 4 wide open for an alley-oop pass. If x5 would have stayed back, 1 could pull up for a jump shot in the lane.

Tom Izzo