Is the defense worse than last year?

[brewcity77]

You really think the defense is better?

I'd second that. No one will confuse this with a top-25 defense, but top-100 is possible. That would be a big improvement.

[esotericmindguy]

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

A stud? This board is incredible when it comes to overhyping performances. Then when he plays the same vs. better competition everyone will say he's regressed. He doesn't play more because he's not very good yet. He and Cain are crazy athletic, but aren't ready. Unfortunately they're forced into action. Wilson would be a great backup on this team n

[Daniel]

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.

Either we recruit 100% of players who cannot learn or execute defense, or .......staff cannot teach it.

[cheese ball chaser]

A stud? This board is incredible when it comes to overhyping performances. Then when he plays the same vs. better competition everyone will say he's regressed. He doesn't play more because he's not very good yet. He and Cain are crazy athletic, but aren't ready. Unfortunately they're forced into action. Wilson would be a great backup on this team n

I'm overhyping performances because no one else on our team outside of our top 3 have been producing offense. I'm allowed to overhype.

[jsglow]

We're in November and we've played a very challenging schedule.  Yes, the defense is better.  And it'll continue to improve from here, especially as we add some size at the #2 with Sacar, Elliott and Haani getting more minutes.

[rocket surgeon]

that "tripping foul" on doogie was bull gas.  the guy ran into doogie's foot.  why do i bring this up?  fortunately it didn't end up hurting us in this game, but it's calls like those we cannot afford.  the refs have to be a little better than that-simple missed call should have been a non-call or a travel.

now this is tripping-you decide

[Loose Cannon]

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?

With this analysis, how many more wins do you see us having at the end of the season.

[Jockey]

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?

Yup. The guy scoring 25 a game has been awful. We'd be 5-0 without him.

[NorthernDancerColt]

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.

Why not look at the flipside? Who knew that the defensive-minded, offensively challenged scrapper could recruit such highly-skilled shooters? Then run such a smooth, well-oiled offense producing so many good shots from the right people on the right part of the floor?

Greg Elliott's  athleticism and wingspan obviously helps his D, but....wow...the dive for that loose ball gave me the shivers. Heart and effort plus ability? The sky is the limit...on both ends of the floor for GE!

[MarquetteDano]

This team will not be good at defense.  That said,  unless Froling is absolutely useless on D we will be better than last year.

Let's remember that Pomeroy had us ranked 165th in the country last year.  I assume that is the worst defensive Marquette team maybe ever.  Certainly since the 80's.

If we could just be inside the Top 100 that will be an accomplishment.  And strangely a huge move in the right direction versus last year.

[muwarrior69]

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

I may be wrong, but our best defenders are our frosh. This is going to be an interesting year. Do we live or die by our shooting or do we start to win because our frosh gain in experience and give us more stops.

[tower912]

Bring back Derrick Wilson and Chris Otule!    Because everybody loved how they played defense, took care of the ball, and were poor on offense.   

[fjm]

We've played the toughest nonbuy game schedule in the country and here we are talking about our trash defense...

[jsglow]

We've played the toughest nonbuy game schedule in the country and here we are talking about our trash defense...

I know, hey?  And as Elliott and Sacar get more comfortable in the offense, they become better 2 way players.  Another key.  Sammy needs to stay on the floor.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

I know, hey?  And as Elliott and Sacar get more comfortable in the offense, they become better 2 way players.  Another key.  Sammy needs to stay on the floor.

I agree that Elliott and Sacar are better two way players and should help the D as the season goes on.  Can anyone comment on Joey Hauser's defensive ability?   Next year we lose Rowsey so we should be better defensively as guards and we add Joey. 

[LAZER]

We've played the toughest nonbuy game schedule in the country and here we are talking about our trash defense...

What's wrong with discussing the defense? Are we not allowed to be critical?

[We R Final Four]

I agree that Elliott and Sacar are better two way players and should help the D as the season goes on.  Can anyone comment on Joey Hauser's defensive ability?   Next year we lose Rowsey so we should be better defensively as guards and we add Joey.

Joey is a bigger version of Sam—but very similar in all aspects of his game.
Very smart, savvy, high IQ, very good outside shooter, probably better down low.
JH can defend 3, 4 and 5 in the same way that Sam can. Is Sam a lockdown down defender?.......no. But he's smart and tough and has a nose for the ball. More of the same from JH.

[Big tuna]

MU basketball playing in the 80's, shooting 3's, scoring machine is very entertaining. However although we will win games, we are certain to lose a bundle by lack of defense.
This current formula, 5 years running, will not win championships.  A shift of philosophy may be needed? I do agree the Sacir and the freshman class are getting after it, hopefully signs of a shift of emphasis.  Just saying.
Best to all on this Thanksgiving.

[GGGG]

Worse than last year?  No.  The good news is that there are better individual defenders that can be put on the floor. Sacar and Elliott for instance.

[MU82]

I'd second that. No one will confuse this with a top-25 defense, but top-100 is possible. That would be a big improvement.

I agree with brew and wades. The defense is definitely better. Still not as good as it needs to be - and hopefully will be - but yes, better.

[brewcity77]

I may be wrong, but our best defenders are our frosh. This is going to be an interesting year. Do we live or die by our shooting or do we start to win because our frosh gain in experience and give us more stops.

Some of them are. Cain can cause problems with his length, but he's far from polished. John is a double-edged sword. He has the physicality to be a defensive beast, but his over-physical nature leads to fouls that allow teams to exploit him.

Elliott, for my money, is the best of the freshmen so far. Athleticism, sneaky length, quickness, and generally stays home so he doesn't get burned as easily as some of our other defenders. That said, I think Sam and Matt have also been very good. TAMU might be able to give a better breakdown on a defensive ppp basis, but those three have been the ones that stood out most at times.

[GE911]

Is the defense bad becuase of personnel or becuase of the philosophy?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Is the defense bad becuase of personnel or becuase of the philosophy?

Probably some of both. But you're not going to find many philosophies that can hide two 5"10 turnstiles

[skianth16]

Bring back Derrick Wilson and Chris Otule!    Because everybody loved how they played defense, took care of the ball, and were poor on offense.   

Amen. By many standards, it seems this would be a common philosophy lately. We're so spoiled by offensive output that we take 20 and 30 point outings for granted now. A guy has long arms and goes to the floor once, and all of a sudden he's s star. Crazy times...

[wadesworld]

Amen. By many standards, it seems this would be a common philosophy lately. We're so spoiled by offensive output that we take 20 and 30 point outings for granted now. A guy has long arms and goes to the floor once, and all of a sudden he's s star. Crazy times...

Or some of us understand there's more that goes into a basketball game than looking at the score column of a box score.

Not sure anybody is confusing Elliott for a current star. But maybe?