Can We Learn Defense?

[Tugg Speedman]

This is shaping up as one of the best offensive MU teams all-time.  They can flat out score.

But in some stretches MU's defense is flat out horrible?

So, can we learn defense in time to start winning conference games?  Or, are we going to have to outscore everyone to win?

[Newsdreams]

This is shaping up as one of the best offensive MU teams all-time.  They can flat out score.

But in some stretches MU's defense is flat out horrible?

So, can we learn defense in time to start winning conference games?  Or, are we going to have to outscore everyone to win?

Always need to in order to win.

[real chili 83]

Or, are we going to have to outscore everyone to win?

Yes, we need to outscore to win.  Probably in every game.  I predict if we outscore our opponents, we will win NC!!!!

[Newsdreams]

Yes, we need to outscore to win.  Probably in every game.  I predict if we outscore our opponents, we will win NC!!!!

So true!

[NickelDimer]

This is shaping up as one of the best offensive MU teams all-time.  They can flat out score.

But in some stretches MU's defense is flat out horrible?

So, can we learn defense in time to start winning conference games?  Or, are we going to have to outscore everyone to win?

Sloooow down. You're basing this on what again?

[MarquetteDano]

Thus far this team plays at a very high tempo.  Don't let the score fool you.  Our offense isn't as good as the score indicates and our defense isn't as bad as the score looks either.

Both our offense and defense need work.  I would agree though I am more concerned about our defensive rebounding and team defense.

But this team is not as good offensively as the Three Amigos last year nor 2003.  It isn't as good as offense as the midget/Lazar team either.

[MuMark]

It's a better offense then last year.

Last years offense wasn't very good at all......mostly because of turnovers and mediocre 3 point shooting.. 

Offense last year was 116th in efficiency per Pomeroy.....

[Daniel]

Defense is key.  We haven't seen a good defensive team yet under Wojo.  Hope we get this together this year because the Big East at the top is a BEast.

[Tugg Speedman]

It's a better offense then last year.

Last years offense wasn't very good at all......mostly because of turnovers and mediocre 3 point shooting.. 

Offense last year was 116th in efficiency per Pomeroy.....

This ...

Ok we can quibble about my statement that this is one of the best offensive teams we have ever seen.  But, their can be little argument that this year's team is much better offensively that last year's team.

Now it's up to Wojo to teach them to play defense.

[GGGG]

Defense was still poor v. HBU.  Rotations and close outs continue to be problems.  Good teams will exploit this.

[NotAnAlum]

I was going to ask the same question.  And can we please skip the cute little comments and focus on the question because it is very important.
It would seem that we have the necessary talent level to play defense, at least perimeter D.  Both our centers seem to be kind of foot slow particularly for the Big East but those kind of guys do fine in the Big 10.  We've got decent length particularly JJJ and Hanni.
Wojo was supposed to be a defense guy so its hard to believe his practices don't emphasize D.  It seems to me that we have a real probably to communicating on D and to rotating fast enough.  I remember Buzz in one of his Marq revealed segments screaming at the team about the rotations "not being fast enough".  Is there not that kind of pressure to rotate to the correct position quickly so our guys don't focus on improving.  It seems like over and over again as a opponent dribbles past a pick we end up it 2 guys following the ball.  I saw several time last night where 3 guys ended up on the ball so there have to be 2 opponents open.  Our guys also seem to lose their man as he moves without the ball.  Is this a matter of taking the wrong path around screens; is it not enough experience to anticipate; is it not enough effort.
I watched Providence beat Memphis Friday night by going into a 3 quarter zone trap and then zone in the half court.  It was very effective.  Is it easier for team with a lot of "new " parts (like Prov and us) to play a zone?  I realize that it hurts rebounding because you have no assignment to box out but it doesn't seem we make use of boxing our man out much anyway.  How much could it hurt us?  With our depth we ought to be able to play a very active zone trap.  At least the opponent would have less time to carve us up in the half court.
Got to do something.  I don't think we are that talented to rely on simply out scoring decent opponents.
Thoughts?

[GGGG]

My thought is that Wojo doesn't want to play zone because it will hurt the transition game.  But a lot of the problems on the defensive end seem very fundamental to me.  Buzz's problems were more of a scheme that over-extended and teams took advantage of that.  And you mentioned, Wojo's guys seem to lose people or rotate too slow.  (And Rowsey has been a problem, which is why he might be sitting.)

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I honestly thought the defense was better last night. They shot 43% for the night, 41% from 2, and I don't think they took many open shots. The hit 10 threes but I don't recall many of them being wide open. I saw a lot of deep threes with a man on them. Not much more you can do defensively on those.

Those saying that "off pick and rolls we had two guys following the ball" that's the correct defensive move. The big man follows the balll handler and uses his length to deny any interior passes, negating the open man. The ball handler either has to drive, shoot, or kick out at which point the big man rotates back to his man. Luke has been slow in his rotation back and gets too many bump fouls out on the perimeter. I saw one of those bump fouls but not any easy shots off of the pick and roll last night.

All that being said, we are not a good defensive team. I think we will be trying to win shootouts more than rock fights. Would like to see more pressure on defense. I think the less time we allow opponents to run their half court offense, the more likely we are to get a stop.

[Newsdreams]

Maybe it was me but I saw them missing many open shots. I think we are lacking quickness from our bigs on D and communication on whether defending through screens or switching. But that is just me looking at the game.

[Let's Go Warriors]

In timeouts wojo was begging them to play better d. And yet it was very poor in a lot of cases. He never defined in any way to the players what he meant...

They look confused on d and the defensive intensity is lackluster at best.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

In timeouts wojo was begging them to play better d. And yet it was very poor in a lot of cases. He never defined in any way to the players what he meant...

You were in the huddle?

[Let's Go Warriors]

They showed the entirety of 2 huddles on fs2 broadcast.

[warriorchick]

They showed the entirety of 2 huddles on fs2 broadcast.

Maybe he didn't go into detail because cameras were present.

[Let's Go Warriors]

Whatever the case it's not working. I hope it does work out I truly do.

If he is and it's still not working...

Or if he isnt...

Not sure which is worse.

This level of defense will not hold up in the big East. I'm hoping it improves.

[GoldenDieners32]

We have to be able to play defense. I highly doubt we will put up a 100 against seton hall, butler, nova, and Xavier.

[wadesworld]

They showed the entirety of 2 huddles on fs2 broadcast.

That was not anywhere near the entirety.

[Loose Cannon]

You were in the huddle?

Overnight at the Holiday Express.

[tower912]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6aVbxKf1WM

Need more of this.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

They showed the entirety of 2 huddles on fs2 broadcast.

Was at the game so I didn't watch the broadcast, so I might be wrong. But if it was one of those inside the huddles...they never show the entire huddle, not even close. They just show the rah rah stuff.

[cheebs09]

Was at the game so I didn't watch the broadcast, so I might be wrong. But if it was one of those inside the huddles...they never show the entire huddle, not even close. They just show the rah rah stuff.

I feel this is one of the biggest criticisms of Wojo and it's like nails on a chalkboard reading it. Heck, half the time I think the commentator says they aren't allowed to show any comments on strategy. It's just a part of the broadcast that is fun for the viewer to see, but we aren't hearing anything they talk about X's & O's.