Defensive Efficiency Trends

[MUMountin]

We got used to saying for most of this season that "they are who they are"--in other words, great offensively, but bad defensively--but is this still true?  Clearly, we are no defensive dynamo squad, but it feels like we've been hustling more and playing more respectable defense in the last four games--I'm wondering for all of you advanced stat guys out there whether that has actually been born out in the numbers recently.

Someone posted earlier today that our KenPom defensive efficiency number has actually risen recently (up to 140, I believe--I thought it used to be in the 200s).  My guess is that this may be the result of the changes made after the Georgetown game (but maybe earlier?).   I'm wondering with a bit of a sample size now over the last four games, how our recent defensive efficiency would actually stack up.  In other words, if we take out the earlier season defensive woes from the equation, is our current defensive efficiency actually much more respectable than that middle-of-the-D1 pack number. 

Are there trends in our game-by-game defensive efficiency that suggest that we are actually becoming more respectable?

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

No

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

We shot 75%? In the second half last night n lost the second half.

[BM1090]

No

Yes. There are. We were ranked about 165 2 weeks ago. We are now 140. We let up less than 1 PPP against X (game 1) and SJU. Just barely over 1 PPP against Providence. The first game against Butler was just slightly over 1 PPP as well (68 points in 66 possessions)

4 of our past 6 games have been good/respectable defensive performances. The only 2 exceptions are last night (didn't matter because our offense was lights out) and @ Georgetown.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Yes. There are. We were ranked about 165 2 weeks ago. We are now 140. We let up less than 1 PPP against X (game 1) and SJU. Just barely over 1 PPP against Providence. The first game against Butler was just slightly over 1 PPP as well (68 points in 66 possessions)

Ok i can agree with this.  Yes our offense let us down in butler n provi x 2

4 of our past 6 games have been good/respectable defensive performances. The only 2 exceptions are last night (didn't matter because our offense was lights out) and @ Georgetown.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Still play really bad defense too often tho

[GGGG]

"Getting more respectable?"

Yes, in the sense we have gotten the prostitute to stop walking the streets and to focus on doing private web-cam shows instead.  It may be more respectable, but doesn't really meet the definition of "respectable."

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

"Getting more respectable?"

Yes, in the sense we have gotten the prostitute to stop walking the streets and to focus on doing private web-cam shows instead.  It may be more respectable, but doesn't really meet the definition of "respectable."

This ☝️☝☝☝

I guess i just cant get the vision of Luke trying to defend xaviers high ball screens last night out of my head

[g0lden3agle]

I guess i just cant get the vision of Luke trying to defend xaviers high ball screens last night out of my head

I thought this was Luke's high ball screen defense yet.

[VegasWarrior77]

Still play really bad defense too often tho

Thank You Captain Obvious...

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

This ☝️☝☝☝

I guess i just cant get the vision of Luke trying to defend xaviers high ball screens last night out of my head

I'll need to rewatch but I don't think Xavier scored anytime Luke defended a high ball screen.

A big going out to defend a high ball screen and leaving their man is not bad defense as long as they stop the penetration, deny the pass to the post and don't foul.