UW-Madison game thread

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't understand this either.  Duke has many one-and-dones that are able to grasp the scheme...so learning the principles of the defense in and of itself cannot be that hard (nor is most defenses that are out there). 

So the root cause has to be
1. Players are not athletic enough to execute the scheme (will that improve?)
2. Instruction on proper way to play defense is not being executed (hard for fans to know)
3. Instruction on proper way to play defense is not being effectively conveyed (hard for fans to know)
4. System is no good (likely not the issue in and of itself)

Duke becoming a one and done factory is fairly recent and they've had defensive issues the past few years. Honestly #s 1 through 3 have elements of truth. I think Wojo is already addressing issue 1 with next year's class. Lots of long, athletic and defensive minded recruits. Number 2 I think is being addressed. Wojos recruits seem to have a lot higher basketball IQ. Number 3 will hopefully get addressed. I agree with others that a grizzled veteran assistant could really help Wojo.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Let's not get carried away. We're talking about a man-to-man defensive system. This isn't Al Saunders' 700-page NFL playbook. It should absolutely NOT take multiple seasons for players to master the defensive philosophies. By game 10 of the season, players should have a solid grasp on things and we shouldn't be seeing the constant breakdowns game after game, especially considering most of these guys were in this system last season. Concepts like help side D, switching off-ball screens, etc are taught at the middle school level, if not sooner.

We have different definitions of the word master. Players should have a grasp of the system by now. Wojo has failed in this regard. But if you stick with the system it gives the players a chance to improve and eventually master it. If you switch every year than the players don't have that chance. Some coaches like Buzz can do that. Wojo can't, he's a system coach. Like most coaches.

[brewcity77]

One thing is certain...this will be a long 9-day stretch. That next game can't come soon enough.

[RJax55]

One thing is certain...this will be a long 9-day stretch. That next game can't come soon enough.

Agree, but its longer. Until the Big East opener. These two buy games coming up will tell us very little.

[brewcity77]

Agree, but its longer. Until the Big East opener. These two buy games coming up will tell us very little.

No, but they'll change the conversation.