3-2?

I noticed a new zone defense in tonight's Coppin State game -- a 3-2 (or maybe a 1-2-2) where the defender on top shadowed the ball and created doubles on the wings. For the offense, from on top, it has some of the features of a 1-3-1. But it's not as vulnerable down low because there are two defenders on the blocks. It's also not as vulnerable to dribble penetration if a defender gets beat off the dribble outside. Coppin State had a lot of trouble with it at the end of the first half (I got into the game late and missed the first 10 minutes -- so maybe Coppin State had trouble with it before that). Interestingly, Coppin State ran the same zone themselves at the start of the second half. I think this could work well against Indiana next week. I saw a little of Indiana's game with Loyola, and Loyola's 1-3-1 gave Indiana a lot of trouble, creating turnover after turnover. Loyola often switched from the 1-3-1 into man during a possession, and I think that switch in looks also was a problem for Indiana. That same trick probably won't fool Indiana quite as well again, but maybe the 3-2 will cause them some problems with its pressure on the perimeter.