Doin' The Splits: You like that D?

[Jay Bee]

OK.. regular season is over and I'm just looking at some random data. Not sure I have any real insight here, it's just somewhat interesting to me.

Although the offense was even worse than I thought it would be, most of us knew there was a risk with our floor looking waaaay lower than in the recent past coming into this season. The defense, however, was a bit of a shock for much of the year. Of course, we've been much better on that side of the floor, but our p1ss poor defense shut us out of a lot of potential victories.

Average efficiency went up to 108.5 this season in DI bball. Quite a jump from 106.2 in the previous season. Everything was a bit better - eFG%, to% rate down, OR% up, FTrate up.

MU's OE (unadjusted): in wins, we were at 113.4. In losses, 101.0. Looks like a sizable difference, but check this out:

MU's DE: in wins, 91.2. In losses, 116.2. Crazy GAP.

We won 2 games when our defensive efficiency was greater than 1.00 (Southern - who cares; and the Providence OT game).

However, we only lost 3 games when our DE was less than the national average: At UCONN (106.6) and home duds to DePaul (98.0) and disgusting Dayton (95.7). In those losses, our offense was putrid (83.2, 80.6 and 88.2, respectively).

As we look forward to our final game(s) of the season, I'm hoping for some good d (pawz). X can hit the triple, so how they do there may decide the winner in this one. #pray

[brewcity77]

Filtered back to Jan 21, we are ranked #33 in T-Rank with the 10th best defense in the country. Only a 5-5 record, but clearly playing better and the defensive improvement is better than I could've expected.

[MU82]

I appreciate the data JB and brew are providing, but it only supports what anybody with eyes already knew:

We obviously have played much, much better the last 6-8 weeks, and especially the last month. Anybody who denies that just enjoys being negative.

Still no reason to avoid bringing in good contributors via the portal, though. April's gonna be a helluvan interesting month.

[GoldenEagles03]

I appreciate the data JB and brew are providing, but it only supports what anybody with eyes already knew:

We obviously have played much, much better the last 6-8 weeks, and especially the last month. Anybody who denies that just enjoys being negative.

Still no reason to avoid bringing in good contributors via the portal, though. April's gonna be a helluvan interesting month.

That it will!

Also, I would say the last 6-8 weeks have given even more reason to use the portal. We know what we've got with these young guys who have gotten hot over the last month+. The potential to be very good. Gotta get the help to be very good!

I think it will be interesting, as you say, but I also think it will be incredibly fun and satisfying to see the staff realize these new avenues to success.

[NotAnAlum]

Totally agree.
The best chance to retain Nigel and Stevens is to show them you are willing and ab$e to add the pieces that will allow them to win next year