Defense

[downtown85]

I thought the defense looked pretty good at times tonight with Otule patrolling the paint.  St Johns was tentative when trying to dribble drive. I think our half court defense looks a helluva lot better with him in the game.

The only problem is that he doesn't appear able to play more minutes. 

[PE8983]

Defense in the second half was atrocious.  Layup after layup after layup.  Fouled out three guys, shoot a bunch more free throws and lose bad on your home floor. 

[downtown85]

I would argue that the turnovers made the defense look atrocious.  But when Otule was in, they looked better.

[CTWarrior]

Agree, turnovers made the defense look bad.  But we are the kings of working hard on defense but giving up a wide open 3 or layup with less than 5 on the shot clock.  If you are patient against us, you get a good shot.

[Warrior1]

Our defense wasn't bad tonight. Turnovers caused many of the break away.. and there were a lot! of turnovers. We brought them down into the shot clock and made them force a lot of shots.

The one thing I didn't like and was driving me crazy was number 3 on St. Johns would drive in, and we would collapse on to him. The guy was like Acker size, and was not going to shoot. I saw Buzz yelling about this as soon as it happened, but our guys continued out of habit of doubling I assume. Our players need to figure out better when a double is necessary down low because their height challenged was not about to take on Otule, and would dribble out or pass and then we are out of position on D.