Play Breakdown: The Manhattan Lob

Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

When news broke in March about Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello falsifying information about graduating on his resumé, many wondered what the future would hold for the Jaspers’ lead man. South Florida, who offered a multi-year contract to Masiello after the noise Manhattan made in the tournament by defeating the Louisville Cardinals, rescinded the aforementioned contract offer when they learnt about the fib. It almost cost Masiello his current position at Manhattan.

Luckily for Masiello, he was able to both earn his degree during the offseason and retain his job. The Jaspers and college basketball as a whole are better off because of this. The thirty-seven-year-old is an up and comer in the college ranks, and it won’t be long before he lands his first gig as the head of a power conference program.

The Jaspers are off to a shaky start this season, dropping their first two games to two tough teams in Florida State and UMass. The UMass loss will undoubtedly be a tough one to take after the Jaspers fought back to tie up the score at the buzzer and send the game to overtime.

After spending six seasons as a Louisville assistant coach under hall of fame head coach Rick Pitino, it’s safe to assume Masiello learned a slick set play or two from his mentor. Masiello’s play call at the end of regulation to tie the game was a thing of beauty.

Here’s how it happened.

Tyler Wilson comes across from the right to the left low block to set a back screen on Ashton Pankey’s man. Pankey cuts across the baseline out of the paint, drawing his defender with him. Wilson continues to move towards the opposite corner after setting the back screen, thus drawing his defender away from the rim as well.

While Wilson and Pankey are clearing out to make room for the play, Shane Richards steps up from the elbow to set a back screen on the wing to free Jermaine Lawrence for a cut to the rim. Lawrence’s man gets caught on the back screen, and Richards’ man gets caught ball watching. This gives Lawrence an uncontested run to the rim.

When Lawrence reaches the middle of the lane, Emmy Andujar lobs the ball inbounds directly to the front of the rim. Lawrence leaps up and slams the ball in just as the buzzer sounds.

Now watch the full play develop.

Masiello called a great play, and the Jaspers flawlessly executed it. The reason it works so well is because of spacing. Lawrence’s defender wasn’t in the right position, but the play isn’t made if Manhattan doesn’t properly space the floor, thus not allowing the Minutemen to sag off in the paint to prevent the lob.

Too bad for Masiello and his men, that was about the last positive thing to happen for them during this game. They fell 77-68 in overtime.