with Michael Huger,
Bowling Green State University Head Coach;
2018-19 finalist for the Hugh Durham, Ben Jobe, and Skip Prosser Man of the Year awards;
former Assistant Coach at Miami and George Mason (with Jim Larranaga);
as a player, played for Bowling Green (6th all time 3 pt FG% list) and then professionally in Europe
Michael Huger took over at Bowling Green in 2015 and has quickly guided them to over 100 wins in six seasons. His emphasis on playing fast in transition, coupled with a hard-nose defense, has made Bowling Green very successful. In this video, you'll get an open practice look at the hard-nose defense and transition offense that has helped Huger's team become a force in the MAC.
Defense
To win consistently, teams must get stops and take away their opponent's best offensive threat. The Falcons have been one of the better teams in the Mid-America Conference on the defensive end and have done that through applying tremendous pressure. In Shell Drill, the defense starts with a disadvantage, playing 4-on-5. In the half court, players must fly around and get into gaps to take away possible driving lanes and force opponents to kick the ball out or move the ball slowly around the perimeter.
As defenders get used to flying around the floor, a 5th player is added which will allow your team to simulate game-like pressure. In the half court, Coach Huger works on two different ball screen coverages: getting over the top, and icing the ball handler. In the 5v5 setting, the offense uses a traditional 4-out 1-in to simulate various driving actions. With an emphasis on jumping to gaps and meeting the shooter on the catch of the ball, Huger creates a smothering defensive culture!
Transition
An important element to Bowling Green's style of play is their transition offense. In a 5-on-0 setting, Coach Huger demonstrates how moving the basketball quickly up the floor and reversing the ball with three passes can create scoring opportunities for your post and perimeter players. Players must get out wide and spring from one end of the floor to the other to push the defense into a running game that will wear them down. By using at least three passes, the offense can use multiple actions, including dribble hand-offs and ball screens to get open 3-pointers.
Six Possession Game
In order to put everything together and prepare for opponents, Huger uses six possession games to help his players value each possession and get a feel for how runs are made. In a man-to-man segment, the Falcons run their ball screen offense and look to attack the rim, creating opportunities to get to the free throw line. Using a points per possession scoring system, players can only score in the half court, but work to get quick outlets in order to push the ball in the open court. In their zone segment, Coach Huger's players look to attack the post, both low block and high post, to create open 3-point shots.
With an emphasis on hard-nose defense and out-working their opponents, Coach Huger has created a winning culture at Bowling Green. This open practice video is sure to give you a few ball screen sets, half court defensive drills, and individual breakdown drills to help your post players master footwork around the rim.
109 minutes. 2021.