Buzz defensive prowess..

[CAGASS24]

Watching inside MU BBall right now... Buzz just said that throughout the whole Gtown game, they didn't give up a single back door cut basket.  To me, against a top 15 opponent that relies very very heavily on that play, from each position, to shut that down speaks volumes about the staff AND the players defensive strategy, execution, and ability.

Onward and upward!!!!

[tower912]

But.....but.....Buzz is  a terrible defensive coach....

[Silkk the Shaka]

But.....but.....Buzz is  a terrible defensive coach....

Yet another myth that is slowly fading into Bolivian.

[GGGG]

But.....but.....Buzz is  a terrible defensive coach....

I will admit, I was one of those worrying about our defensive game plan for the last couple of years.  But now that he has the horses in place to do what he wants to do, I completely see where he is going.

[JD]

I always thought of Buzz as a (Mike D'Antoni) type of a coach.  All offense, and could give a F less about D. 

I was wrong.  It's exciting to watch this team play D.  I don't think i've ever cared about watching any team play defense, but i must say, Marquette has changed my mind this year.

[Brewtown Andy]

Watching inside MU BBall right now... Buzz just said that throughout the whole Gtown game, they didn't give up a single back door cut basket.  To me, against a top 15 opponent that relies very very heavily on that play, from each position, to shut that down speaks volumes about the staff AND the players defensive strategy, execution, and ability.

Onward and upward!!!!

MU had at least one bucket of their own on a back door cut, too.

[MUMac]

I know I took some abuse defending his philosophy.  I always defended it.  I felt the criticism that he did not teach d were unwaranted.  He does.  It is a different d than most play.  I think, being smaller, it is the right style to play.  It leaves you succeptible to 3's, but he uses an inside out defensive approach.

[hairy worthen]

I will admit, I was one of those worrying about our defensive game plan for the last couple of years.  But now that he has the horses in place to do what he wants to do, I completely see where he is going.

See, maybe you really do need to give him 5 years before judging

[CTWarrior]

My biggest concern with our defensive style is that we are often in poor position to secure defensive rebounds.  Given our roster, it is certainly an effective style for us.  

The best thing I've noticed during championship week more than ever watching other teams play, is how fast we are transitioning from defense to offense.  I don't know how many times I've watched whatever team I was rooting for in a game and wondered, "Why aren't they RUNNING?"  after they got a steal or rebound.

[MUMac]

My biggest concern with our defensive style is that we are often in poor position to secure defensive rebounds.  Given our roster, it is certainly an effective style for us.  

The best thing I've noticed during championship week more than ever watching other teams play, is how fast we are transitioning from defense to offense.  I don't know how many times I've watched whatever team I was rooting for in a game and wondered, "Why aren't they RUNNING?"  after they got a steal or rebound.

That MU transitioning also helps with the defensive boards.  Many times, the other team sends 2 or more back on D, rather than contest the rebound.

Love how MU is always looking for the break.  After a steal, rebound, made basket ... damn impressive.

[UticaBusBarn]

Any way one looks at Coach Williams's four years as the Warriors CEO, one cannot help but be impressed with his growth. He learned from him mistakes, rarely made the same error twice and adjusted for his weaknesses.

One might say he has held himself accountable.

[UticaBusBarn]

Any way one looks at Coach Williams's four years as the Warriors CEO, one cannot help but be impressed with his growth. He learned from him mistakes, rarely made the same error twice and adjusted for his weaknesses.

One might say he has held himself accountable.

[Henry Sugar]

Let's be honest.  Buzz's first three years... the defense was bad and getting worse every year.  There's no sugarcoating it. 

It's been really nice seeing a good defensive team on the court this year.  Also, Marquette is currently #19 in the defensive rankings.  Here are the average defensive rankings for teams advancing in the tournament. 

1st Round game   34.3
Sweet Sixteen   25.6
Elite Eight   19.9
Final Four   16.6

[mu03eng]

Let's be honest.  Buzz's first three years... the defense was bad and getting worse every year.  There's no sugarcoating it. 

It's been really nice seeing a good defensive team on the court this year.  Also, Marquette is currently #19 in the defensive rankings.  Here are the average defensive rankings for teams advancing in the tournament. 

1st Round game   34.3
Sweet Sixteen   25.6
Elite Eight   19.9
Final Four   16.6

So do you think Buzz changed his philosophy?  Or is it a case of it taking a couple of years to get the right pieces in place and getting practice time with it?

[MUMac]

So do you think Buzz changed his philosophy?  Or is it a case of it taking a couple of years to get the right pieces in place and getting practice time with it?

The latter.  That had been my point in the discussions with Henry when he used his statistics.  Statistics tell a story, they do not determine the story, though.  Henry used those stats to support the premise that Buzz did not emphasize defense.  That was not true then and not true now.  MU now has players who have been in the program for 3 years.  Able to understand and execute better than in the past.  Understand the rotations.  

[Silkk the Shaka]

Let's be honest.  Buzz's first three years... the defense was bad and getting worse every year.  There's no sugarcoating it. 

It's been really nice seeing a good defensive team on the court this year.  Also, Marquette is currently #19 in the defensive rankings.  Here are the average defensive rankings for teams advancing in the tournament. 

1st Round game   34.3
Sweet Sixteen   25.6
Elite Eight   19.9
Final Four   16.6

I agree that the defense was our weak point the first three years.  However, I don't think it's because Buzz wasn't emphasizing defense or that his schemes sucked.  The roster faced nearly a complete turnover every year, and along with it a need to shift defensive philosophies to maximize each roster's potential.  The first year with the three amigos he shifted the philosophy from what they were used to playing the three years prior.  This new defense stressed a lack of fouls to a.) keep our best players on the court since the roster was the opposite of deep, and b.) make more free throws than the opponent attempted.  I think that was the right philosophy for the makeup of that team, but again it was a colossal shift from the hacking defense employed their first three years here.  The second year with Lazar, Cubillan, Acker, Butler and DJO featured a defensive scheme that focused on harassing the three point line with the goal of making way more threes than the opponent, but with three guards and two small forwards on the court the middle was inevitably going to be exploited.  Again, that was the correct defensive philosophy for the roster limitations, and again it was a large shift from the previous philosophy.  Last year was the greatest defensive philosophy shift of them all.  We extended pressure well beyond the three point line and relied heavily on rotations while funneling ball handlers to a shot blocker.  This was the first time Buzz had a complete and diverse roster, so it was the first time it made sense to employ a defensive scheme that I feel will be the calling card of the MU program until he leaves.  However, there were again a lot of newcomers, and again it was a major shift, so there were growing pains.  Rotations were a half step slow, but it wasn't for a lack of effort on the team's part or lack of caring about defense on Buzz' part.  This year, with a more mature roster that has had a full year to play in the same defensive system, we are starting to reap the benefits of what was sewn last year.  Next year's defense has the potential to be even better if Otule and Gardner can stay healthy.  A big front line does wonders for a pressure defense that thrives off of turnovers.  I have a feeling the defense will actually improve from its current state next year but the offense will drop off a bit with the absence of DJO and Crowder.  We will remain a top 15 team overall.  Good times to be a warrior fan.

[Henry Sugar]

The latter.  That had been my point in the discussions with Henry when he used his statistics.  Statistics tell a story, they do not determine the story, though.  Henry used those stats to support the premise that Buzz did not emphasize defense.  That was not true then and not true now.  MU now has players who have been in the program for 3 years.  Able to understand and execute better than in the past.  Understand the rotations.  

Of course it's not true.  Also, that was never my contention.

My premise was that Buzz was emphasizing the WRONG aspects of defense (not fouling) instead of the most important aspect of defense (eFG%).  The numbers back that up until this year.

I have also frequently maintained that I do not know enough about basketball to properly understand why the defense was not good.  However, my point was that it doesn't matter because the defense was still not good.

Color me happy as a clam that the defense is good this year.

[Henry Sugar]

Also, in case anyone is interested, here are the average rankings for offenses in the NCAA tourney.

1st Round game   31.4
Sweet Sixteen   21.9
Elite Eight   15.0
Final Four   15.3

Marquette is ranked #25.  I have not done any of the numbers on total pomeroy ranking or combination offense/defense.  Regardless, it's fair to say that against the averages, Marquette has an Elite Eight level defense and a 1st Round/S16 level offense.

[Golden Avalanche]

Watching inside MU BBall right now... Buzz just said that throughout the whole Gtown game, they didn't give up a single back door cut basket.  To me, against a top 15 opponent that relies very very heavily on that play, from each position, to shut that down speaks volumes about the staff AND the players defensive strategy, execution, and ability.

Onward and upward!!!!

I mentioned that during the game to my buddy.

It is extremely rare, no matter the score, to see a GU game where they don't convert a single back door cut.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I mentioned that during the game to my buddy.

It is extremely rare, no matter the score, to see a GU game where they don't convert a single back door cut.

JWilson's freakish wingspan has caused all sorts of fits for many teams. One big difference this season is the press.  Gtown struggled with it all game, started their slow developing offense 10-12 seconds into the shot clock at best or turned it over on a steal that put MU quickly into transition.  Other teams struggled with his athleticism in the lane.  That said, others like UC exploited MU in the paint without Otule.  JWilson and Vander though are built for Buzz's D.

[MUMac]

Of course it's not true.  Also, that was never my contention.

My premise was that Buzz was emphasizing the WRONG aspects of defense (not fouling) instead of the most important aspect of defense (eFG%).  The numbers back that up until this year.

I have also frequently maintained that I do not know enough about basketball to properly understand why the defense was not good.  However, my point was that it doesn't matter because the defense was still not good.

Color me happy as a clam that the defense is good this year.

It was in the threads about Buzz's lack of defensive philosophy.  I stated it was the personnel, not the philosophy.  You brought up the stats, to which I stated that I understand you're a stats geek, but there are things beyond the stats.  I recall it very vividly.  I stand by my comments then and now.

[CTWarrior]

Also, in case anyone is interested, here are the average rankings for offenses in the NCAA tourney.

1st Round game   31.4

How can the average rate for the first round be 31.4?  If the 64 best offensive teams in the country were playing in the first round the average would be 32.5.

[Henry Sugar]

It was in the threads about Buzz's lack of defensive philosophy.  I stated it was the personnel, not the philosophy.  You brought up the stats, to which I stated that I understand you're a stats geek, but there are things beyond the stats.  I recall it very vividly.  I stand by my comments then and now.

Okay, you're right.  Feel better about yourself?

[Henry Sugar]

How can the average rate for the first round be 31.4?  If the 64 best offensive teams in the country were playing in the first round the average would be 32.5.

The 64 teams in the NCAA tournament are not the 64 best offensive (or defensive) teams in the country.  Obvious, but I wasn't making myself clear.

The numbers listed are the average pomeroy rankings on offense (or defense) for teams that win their first game, make it to the S16, etc.

[tower912]

IMO, the improvement this year is due to the fact that for the majority of the roster, this was not their first year in the system.   There seems to be a learning curve for this defense.      Last year (?), at the beginning of the year, we had 4 guys with >150 minutes of D1 experience.       This year, we had 7.