It seems to me that the team that dictates the style of play in a game has a much better chance of winning. Think back on those Loyola Marymount teams from the early 90s that pressed and ran and scared the pants off of more talented squads in the NCAA Tourney. No one was ready for them. Think of the RUN-TMC era squads that would at times feature Rod Higgins at center. Nellie-coached teams have been characteristically unorthodox and make the opposition uncomfortable, forcing up the pace when the other team wants to slow it down, to have forwards handling the ball and to come at you from all directions, to bring something that the opposition just cannot regularly prepare for. It doesn't always work, but it certainly is interesting.
Journalist/Author Malcolm Gladwell has an interesting article in the latest issue of the New Yorker entitled: How David Beats Goliath: when underdogs break the rules. I never thought I would find an article that details the story of a Jr. High School aged girls' basketball team to be even remotely interesting, but this one is definitely worth the (rather lengthy) read. The short story: if you aren't better than your opponent, don't try to beat them at their game. Make them play yours. It's got some local angles; the team was from Redwood City. Also featured: a where_is_he_now sighting of former 49er great running back Roger Craig.