59 %

[Jay Bee]

FG% isn't the relevant metric. Sure, 59% is bad no matter what, but why are we talking about such a strange % that lacks much meaning or comparability between teams/players/etc?

#FGpercentageIsIrrelevant

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It's a fair question if another coach could do better with this group. The answer is most definitely yes. I love Wojo but he's nowhere near the best coach in Division 1. But I think there is a ceiling on this group. Without harming the offense (for example sitting Howard and playing Elliott would make this a much better defensive team), I think the best this team could hope for is between 100-125 in defensive efficiency. Totally made up numbers on my part, just guessing

[Stretchdeltsig]

I think Buzz could do better.   I think Buzz is a better coach.    However, Buzz never had a team this young.      This small, sure.   But stronger and more experienced.    One of the virtues of recruiting JUCO's with chips on their shoulders.   
    But seriously, look at the personnel.    9 players.   2<6' guards who play a ton of minutes because they are great shooters.    Two rail thin freshmen who are average height for their position.    1 6'5 SF who is actually a pretty solid on-ball defender, but frequently guarding bigger players.  Sam, who is a 6'7/6'8 PF who is very good on position, but not fleet of foot.   Two freshmen bigs.   Harry is a sophomore in eligibility, but he has played the same number of games as Theo.     And Matt,  a hardworking, serviceable big who also dominates no one physically.       
   MU is young.    The youngest in the Big East.    7 freshmen and sophomores.    MU's two starting guards may be the smallest duo in all of D1.   Certainly the smallest in a power conference.   Elliott and Cain are certainly showing signs that they are better defenders, but there are times, like last night, they are going to be physically dominated.   Physics.   Sam and Sacar are decent but not dominant.    The bigs played well against SH, which was running post ups to their bigs, struggled against the pick and roll and switches of Butler. 
   Do I think this collection of talent could be more consistent on defense with a different scheme?   With this roster, not huge improvement.     I think there are small changes that could be made, particularly to the weakside rotation on the high pick and roll.     But to do that, you might have to play two bigs at the same time or be willing to give up more open 3's.    To play two bigs, you might hurt the offensive flow. 
        That is why Wojo is going to keep rolling Harry out there.   If his offensive game takes off and he is able to play more minutes, it changes the potential personnel packages for defense.    Imagine Harry hitting 3's.    Now picture him being used similar to how Sam is or Henry was used.      Imagine this meaning that you could play him and Theo together 15 minutes a game.    Imagine, when Harry hedges on the high screen, it is Theo waiting for the roller instead of Rowsey.    Might that not impact the defense?
    But in the end, there are only so many options with a 9 man roster.   There aren't ways to hide two small, poor defending guards.   There aren't ways to magically make freshmen play like seniors.

You certainly are a wordy Debbie downer!

[MU82]

I think the defense will be better next year.  Rowsey graduating will do nothing but help on the defensive end.

Agreed. And yet it will be fun to read over and over again next season how much we Scoopers miss Rowsey!

[brewcity77]

Agreed. And yet it will be fun to read over and over again next season how much we Scoopers miss Rowsey!

I'm sure both will be true. Less Rowsey almost has to improve the defense. Maybe moreso less Rowsey and Howard together. But we'll also miss having that kind of shot maker. Just like how we miss this year what Reinhardt and JJ brought in terms of getting to the basket, or Luke's low post offense.