Is the defense worse than last year?

[94Warrior]

Unbelievable! 
If you hit 12 of your first 13, including your first 6 threes, you shouldn't be up 2 at half!!!
Frustrating!

[Bad_Reporter]

Rowsey and Howard have been playing subpar.  Emphasis on Rowsey

When will Marcus learn he cannot run out of bounce on the baseline and then catch the ball first?

[brewcity77]

It's...interesting. At times the defense looks much better. Then it all falls apart. Consistency is a huge problem.

[jeffreyweee]

We lost 2 of our better defenders. We start 2 5'8 guards. We start a big who can't move his feet on screens. We have no rim protector. All our athletic wings that should be good defenders are offensive liabilities.

What makes you think we should be able to stop anyone?

[94Warrior]

They are both matadors on defense. 
I don't care if you score 25, if you give up 25.
Have some pride.

[Daniel]

Defesene is key.   This is 4th Season under Wojo, and we have not played adequate defense yet.  Do we only recruit kids who cannot learn or execute defense?  Or can we not teach it. 

Need to resolve this now.

[94Warrior]

We lost 2 of our better defenders. We start 2 5'8 guards. We start a big who can't move his feet on screens. We have no rim protector. All our athletic wings that should be good defenders are offensive liabilities.

What makes you think we should be able to stop anyone?

I can't argue with any of this.

[wadesworld]

When a kid is hitting from 30 feet and quick enough to split double teams you're going to have trouble defending. Once Waters's prayers stop falling the defense will look much better.

[Cooby Snacks]

I can't believe carrying bricks during shuffle drills hasn't fixed everything.

[wadesworld]

It's also difficult to defend when the opponent's point guard is allowed to change the ball's direction 3 times in a single dribble. Every dribble is a carry. Reminds me of Providence's point guard.

[cheese ball chaser]

When a kid is hitting from 30 feet and quick enough to split double teams you're going to have trouble defending. Once Waters's prayers stop falling the defense will look much better.

I keep telling myself they'll stop and they just don't...

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

The problem in the first half was turnovers

[wadesworld]

The problem in the first half was turnovers

Yup.

I keep telling myself they'll stop and they just don't...

Also yup. Some of the defense is actually pretty dang good and he just makes some prayers.

[brewcity77]

The problem in the first half was turnovers

Turnovers killed us. That and Waters.

[94Warrior]

The defense of Elliott and Anim changed this game.  Elliott needs to play more.

[skianth16]

It's also difficult to defend when the opponent's point guard is allowed to change the ball's direction 3 times in a single dribble. Every dribble is a carry. Reminds me of Providence's point guard.

While I do agree with this, there are much bigger problems defensively than Waters being allowed to carry. Wojo needs to buckle down and get this fixed before we get to conference play.

[cheese ball chaser]

The defense of Elliott and Anim changed this game.  Elliott needs to play more.

I fully agree that Elliott needs more minutes. Kid was a stud today...

[#TheThing]

Unbelievable! 
If you hit 12 of your first 13, including your first 6 threes, you shouldn't be up 2 at half!!!
Frustrating!

I don't think so.  We shot ourselves out of the lead to some extent.  A lot of missed shots at the end and we don't take care of the ball that well.  Defense is somewhat dictated by how effective the offense is and how good you are at protecting the ball.  If you turn the ball over and it leads to fast breaks, is that really on the defense?

Good win for the team.  2-1, I will take it.

[wadesworld]

While I do agree with this, there are much bigger problems defensively than Waters being allowed to carry. Wojo needs to buckle down and get this fixed before we get to conference play.

When a guy is as hot as Waters is it's tough.  Wojo tried a few different things and the guy just made tough shots and split the defenders.  He was small and quick enough to do that.

The defense is definitely better this year.  But the offense is definitely worse.

[warriorchick]

Marquette's motto:

The best defense is a good offense.

[MattyWarrior]

Surprised GE is ahead of Cain this early, kid really hustles and looks comfortable out there,can't
wait to see what the Harry Cat brings to the table

[Big tuna]

Unsolved mystery of the universe is how our coach Wojo, who made defense his calling card can't teach it. And apparently can't find anyone to teach it for him.

[LAZER]

When a guy is as hot as Waters is it's tough.  Wojo tried a few different things and the guy just made tough shots and split the defenders.  He was small and quick enough to do that.

The defense is definitely better this year.  But the offense is definitely worse.

You really think the defense is better?

[wadesworld]

You really think the defense is better?

Absolutely.  We've played 5 games so far.  2 have been against top 4 seed type teams, 2 against bubble teams, and 1 against a cupcake.

[forgetful]

It's also difficult to defend when the opponent's point guard is allowed to change the ball's direction 3 times in a single dribble. Every dribble is a carry. Reminds me of Providence's point guard.

I kept noticing the same thing.  He'd essentially do a shot fake at times and keep dribbling.  A bit over the top illegal.