SOTG Chi State

[Dr. Blackheart]

Our defensive problems seem to stem from Howard and Rowsey not being tall enough. Were you able to coach height in any of your girls? Did any of them grow a few inches while under your tutelage? If you could literally "coach them up" about 3-4 inches, I'm sure the staff would appreciate it.

Per KPom:
The Midgets: Average height was 74.7" (341 rank). Adj. DE was 95.5 (55 rank). 
This season: Average height is 76.3" (268 rank).  Adj. DE is 102.6 (152 rank).

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What does height have to do with their inability to stop dribble penetration.  I can see it having an impact on the entry passing but that is just one of the breakdowns we seem to have.

Less room for error.  Taller guards have the ability to make up poor on ball defense with their height and length. Strength and lateral quickness are also factors that hold the two back

[GGGG]

Less room for error.  Taller guards have the ability to make up poor on ball defense with their height and length. Strength and lateral quickness are also factors that hold the two back

Yep.  And I wouldn't say that either Markus or Rowsey are stellar with their lateral quickness.

I think JB once posted something about team height being the most important factor when it comes to defense.  The fact is that our best offensive team struggles defensively, while our best defensive lineup would struggle to score.

[mikekinsellaMVP]

Per KPom:
The Midgets: Average height was 74.7" (341 rank). Adj. DE was 95.5 (55 rank). 
This season: Average height is 76.3" (268 rank).  Adj. DE is 102.6 (152 rank).

Ha!  I was just about to ask: "Does anybody remember what defensive scheme Buzz ran with the midgets and how effective it was?"

I do think it's also worth pointing out that team ranked 305 in adjusted tempo.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Per KPom:
The Midgets: Average height was 74.7" (341 rank). Adj. DE was 95.5 (55 rank). 
This season: Average height is 76.3" (268 rank).  Adj. DE is 102.6 (152 rank).

Yep.  Height isnt everything.  It's a problem for this team but certainly wouldnt fix everything that's wrong with the defense. Goes to show again that Buzz is a mad genius at times. Great at finding schemes to work with the personnel he has. Something he definitely is much better at than Wojo.

The fact is that our best offensive team struggles defensively, while our best defensive lineup would struggle to score.

This is the crux of our teams issue.  Markus, Rowdy, Cain,  Elliott, Sacar, and John are all "one way players" at the moment. I would say that only Sam and Matt are equally good on both offense and defense.  I think it is more likely that Sacar and the freshmen improve their offense than the midgets improve their defense.

[brewcity77]

Did I seriously need to use teal on a post about literally coaching height? Weak sauce, Scoop. 

[tower912]

Buzz took a weakness and made it a strength.    He had his guards playing higher than anyone had ever seen.    Pressured the crap out of opposing guards and made the entry passes difficult.    It helped that Acker and Cubillan were both very good on ball defenders for their size.   Buzz had quickness at all 5 positions and forced other teams to adjust to his line up, taking opponents out of their comfort zone.    And he had Warriors.   Not a midget year memory, but I can recall Crowder beating up on Drummond.   

But there were still times when MU under Buzz had their defense shredded, leading to wailing and gnashing of teeth and internet screeds. 

[GGGG]

Buzz took a weakness and made it a strength.    He had his guards playing higher than anyone had ever seen.    Pressured the crap out of opposing guards and made the entry passes difficult.    It helped that Acker and Cubillan were both very good on ball defenders for their size.   Buzz had quickness at all 5 positions and forced other teams to adjust to his line up, taking opponents out of their comfort zone.    And he had Warriors.   Not a midget year memory, but I can recall Crowder beating up on Drummond.   

But there were still times when MU under Buzz had their defense shredded, leading to wailing and gnashing of teeth and internet screeds. 

Oh yeah.  "Why is Otule defending so out from the basket?" was a common theme.

[tower912]

Or the last minute loss to Wake (?), Vandy (?) when Otule doubled the ball, his man rolled, the rotation was late and Otule's man hit the game winner.