Fundamental Basketball, A Beautiful (and Collegiate) Thing

People always say that one of the main reasons they like college basketball over pro ball is because it's a more fundamentally sound game.  

Typically, I tend to find that line of reasoning rather tired.  Maybe it's because I'm jaded, coming from a school in Syracuse where one-on-one ball is not only often practiced, but seemingly encouraged.  I wouldn't say I'm Billy Packer, but I watch enough college ball to know that, just like they do in the pro's, there are teams that don't play "team" ball.  

But, every once in a while, you'll see a play that will make you smile.  That is, if well-designed plays against number one ranked teams in college basketball do it for you.  Whatever it says about me, I grinned.

After Gerald Henderson hit a jump shot (seemed to me like it was the first of the night for him) on the previous possession, the Demon Deacons found themselves not in possession of the lead for the first time in the second half.  A Duke traveling call later, Wake inbounded the ball to James Johnson for a game winning layup.  Yes, layup.  In its description, doesn't sound too pretty?  Sounds more like just awful defense from Duke, not smile-inducing fundamental play.

However, take a look at the highlights.

Who ever is doing this highlight says something like, "where's the defense?", but that's not the issue.  What happened here was, Wake coach Dino Gaudio drew up a gorgeous play.  

Basically, everyone in the gym thought Jeff Teague was getting the ball, so the play should appear to be setting screens for some sort of shot for the number 2 ACC scorer.  And, at first, that's what you get. 

Four players spaced evenly, lined up parallel to the basket, from side to side.  Teague started closest to the benches which had him furtherest away from the inbounder.  He ran through the lane, off screen after screen, and as he got through the second, the would-be third screener popped towards the basket.  The genius in the play is in its deception, obviously.  All of the Duke players so blindly concerned with Teague, they forgot one of the most important tenets of the game:  protect your own basket.  

Is it the most gorgeous thing you'll ever lay eyes on?  I should hope not.  But, it does reinforce the idea that college basketball is fundamental basketball.  If only for a night.