Post defense and rebounding

[Aircraftcarrier]

This is the second year in a row that MU has not had a post defender or a good rebounder that can play. Until Shaka brings someone in that can do these two things MU will not be successful. Sheek is a good player but he will be a freshman next season and is very thin. Shaka needs to bring in a one year player to fill this role.

[tower912]

Ben Gold was the best defender on the team last season. Shut down multiple high profile bigs.

As to last night, the team defense in the second half was abysmal all around.   Inability to slow down Gunn became the domino that broke down everything else.

[panda]

Ben Gold was the best defender on the team last season. Shut down multiple high profile bigs.

It's a big problem when Ben gold is your best/only perimeter defender

[Aircraftcarrier]

Ben Gold was the best defender on the team last season. Shut down multiple high profile bigs.

As to last night, the team defense in the second half was abysmal all around.   Inability to slow down Gunn became the domino that broke down everything else.

that is the problem. If Gold is  your best post defender and rebounder you have a problem. Benson was 8-9 last night. Ejifor was 8-11. They made Payne from Seton Hall look like an All American. He had 14 points and 22 rebounds.Brennan from Villanova was I think 6-7 from the floor. If you can't see the problem you don't know ball and I can't help you.

[tower912]

Ben Gold has been more nicked up by injuries the last two seasons than anybody I can remember.  Shin splits, broken finger, rib injury, sprained ankle.  Before he started getting beat up last season he had really good defensive games against Wisconsin, Georgetown, Maryland, Creighton.  And, according to the coaches, he held the guy he was guarding to the lowest shooting percentage of anybody on the team.  His defensive improvement really started midway through his sophomore season when he started understanding help and traps.
  This season, often he has been so busy trying to cover other mistakes that he has looked like a one armed wallpaper hanger, leading to him being out of position.
  The overall team defense has been a constant source of frustration.  Ben trying to cover for other horrible switches, help, angles has led to him being equally bad.

[tower912]

that is the problem. If Gold is  your best post defender and rebounder you have a problem. Benson was 8-9 last night. Ejifor was 8-11. They made Payne from Seton Hall look like an All American. He had 14 points and 22 rebounds.Brennan from Villanova was I think 6-7 from the floor. If you can't see the problem you don't know ball and I can't help you.

And Ben barely played last night or against Villanova.  He didn't play against SJU.  And yet you blame him. 

Parham is playing a lot of small ball 5, which is a bad fit.  Yes, Hamilton and Clark have ample room for improvement.  Who is arguing anything  different?   But the only way out is through.  The only way to improve is to play.

[Aircraftcarrier]

And Ben barely played last night or against Villanova.  He didn't play against SJU.  And yet you blame him. 

Parham is playing a lot of small ball 5, which is a bad fit.  Yes, Hamilton and Clark have ample room for improvement.  Who is arguing anything  different?   But the only way out is through.  The only way to improve is to play.

Did Ben play against Georgetown, Purdue,Oklahoma and Wisconsin? Look it up and look at the opponents big man results. MU got destroyed. Ben should not be guarding a 5 man in the post.He gets punished.against the good teams.

[mileskishnish72]

.  The only way to improve is to play.

Hopefully somewhere else.

[tower912]

Did Ben play against Georgetown, Purdue,Oklahoma and Wisconsin? Look it up and look at the opponents big man results. MU got destroyed. Ben should not be guarding a 5 man in the post.He gets punished.against the good teams.

Like he got destroyed by Ejiofor late last season.  The problem isn't Ben.  Look at the lack of containment on the perimeter.   Royce is no Joplin on the defensive end either.  Ben can't 'do his work early' defending the post because there is yet another guard driving in a straight line to the basket.  Or another blown switch leading to an alley oop.

For me, the team defense is the most puzzling part of this season.  Ben is part of that, but he is a deck chair on the Titanic of the defensive issues.

[Aircraftcarrier]

Like he got destroyed by Ejiofor late last season.  The problem isn't Ben.  Look at the lack of containment on the perimeter.   Royce is no Joplin on the defensive end either.  Ben can't 'do his work early' defending the post because there is yet another guard driving in a straight line to the basket.  Or another blown switch leading to an alley oop.

For me, the team defense is the most puzzling part of this season.  Ben is part of that, but he is a deck chair on the Titanic of the defensive issues.

Thanks for proving my point. MU has no rim protector or rebounding big. The point is if Gold is the best person you have in that capacity you have a big problem against high major teams. I feel bad for Ben that he is put in that situation. It is totally unfair to him. MU is not a good team this year. Has a lot of youth but if this team had a big that could rebound they probably would have 4 more wins.

[Jay Bee]

Thanks for proving my point.

Ehhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

[79Warrior]

Ehhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

Exactly. Tower is correct in his analysis.

[Aircraftcarrier]

Ehhh, I think he's saying the defense is so broken that it would be difficult for any 'rim protector' to do a good job.  Things are breaking down so badly far away from the basket that we're f**k at that point.

of course the defense is bad, but there is no one to protect the rim like MU had when McIlvaine was here. MU gave up 15 offensive rebounds which let to how many 2nd chance points? And still only lost by 5. I can't believe people are denying the fact that MU doesn't have a big problem at the 5 spot. One scholarship left as of now and they want a combo guard. Seriously?

[Aircraftcarrier]

Exactly. Tower is correct in his analysis.

DePaul had 15 offensive rebounds. MU can't rebound. It has been a problem for two years. What was the excuse last year. Our perimeter was pretty good.

[tower912]

I saw an offense bog down  in the second half last night.  I saw a PG frustrated and sometimes out of control forcing things.

So, NJ has growing to do.  Right now, his back ups are Sean and Tre.

Caedin, Josh, and Sheek clearly have improving to do, also. 

If there is only one portal transfer, give me an experienced guard.  Guard play is more important, IMO.

And MU has had rebounding problems throughout Shaka's tenure.  The team goes as guard play goes

[MuggsyB]

And Ben barely played last night or against Villanova.  He didn't play against SJU.  And yet you blame him. 

Parham is playing a lot of small ball 5, which is a bad fit.  Yes, Hamilton and Clark have ample room for improvement.  Who is arguing anything  different?   But the only way out is through.  The only way to improve is to play.

Of course they have ample room for improvement.  Right now they're not really playable.

[tower912]

Of course they have ample room for improvement.  Right now they're not really playable.

But it is also not possible to only play 6 guys.  And if the season is written off, then it is irresponsible to not play them and let them learn through doing.

[Jay Bee]

DePaul had 15 offensive rebounds. MU can't rebound. It has been a problem for two years. What was the excuse last year. Our perimeter was pretty good.

Two years? No. Always.

Look at Shaka's career. If you want good defensive rebounding, you've got the wrong coach. NEVER happens.

[tower912]

DePaul had 15 offensive rebounds. MU can't rebound. It has been a problem for two years. What was the excuse last year. Our perimeter was pretty good.

Last season's downward spiral began when Stevie got banged up (surgery), Chase injured his thumb (surgery), and Ben's injuries (shin splints, broken finger) stacked up.   

For fun, name all of the MU teams over the years that have been successful with average guard play but really good post play. 

MU, like all teams, needs good guard play and enough versatile players up front.  It is possible to win a lot with merely adequate play up front if the guards are good enough.   It is nearly impossible to win with average guard play.   

So, if there are no more departures and therefore only room for one player to come in, I want a guard with size and experience playing point.

[Aircraftcarrier]

Two years? No. Always.

Look at Shaka's career. If you want good defensive rebounding, you've got the wrong coach. NEVER happens.

I am not going to tell you who said this to me.I said to this person last week the team is playing better.The person said we need two bigs to really compete.

[Jay Bee]

I am not going to tell you who said this to me.I said to this person last week the team is playing better.The person said we need two bigs to really compete.

Oh. Well, that settles it! lol, wtf??

Bruh, Shaka's BEST def reb team ever — many moons ago - was ranked #147.

[connie]

For me, the team defense is the most puzzling part of this season.  Ben is part of that, but he is a deck chair on the Titanic of the defensive issues.

I think the explanation is that this team doesn't have the talent needed to defend as the scheme demands. When your justification is that "Ben is the best defender on the team" that should require some examination of the "team."  I think it faint praise.  Again, this was something that was obviously coming--although I think the scale of the defensive collapse is even more surprising than the offensive.

[Aircraftcarrier]

I think the explanation is that this team doesn't have the talent needed to defend as the scheme demands. When your justification is that "Ben is the best defender on the team" that should require some examination of the "team."  I think it faint praise.  Again, this was something that was obviously coming--although I think the scale of the defensive collapse is even more surprising than the offensive.

good post Connie. 10 of the 14 scholarship players are freshman and sophomore's. Difficult to win with that mix especially when your upperclassman aren't producing

[Aircraftcarrier]

Oh. Well, that settles it! lol, wtf??

Bruh, Shaka's BEST def reb team ever — many moons ago - was ranked #147.

well good luck going forward then in the Big East. Going to get there brains beat in with the front court they have now.

[MuggsyB]

We also don't have guys that attack the offensive glass.  When was the last time we scored off an offensive rebound?  I'm watching a UCONN team that would be losing big to G-Town if they're weren't pursuing the rock off the glass.