Is our defense any better this year?

[MrTbone]

We still give up a ton of points per game. Last year we gave up 73.8ppg which ranked 213 in D1. This year, we give up 71.9ppg which lands us at a cool 158th. So 55 spots better with a 1.9ppg improvement.

By the numbers and anecdotally we are better but it still feels pretty sieve-like. Two years ago we were 41st in the country giving up only 61.2ppg. I have a hard time believing that opponents magically figured our D out to the tune of 10ppg. It's baffling to me.

 

[Marley13]

Giving up 40-50 points a half is a problem.

 

[MrTbone]

Giving up 40-50 points a half is a problem.

Broadly speaking, yes.

 

[fan2011]

A 40 point half at our current tempo would only have been a 34 point half with our tempo 2 years ago.

Looking at pure points is misleading. We are playing faster than we ever have under Mooney. In A10 play, we have had the second highest tempo in the conference! We average over 72 possessions in conference this year, compared to just 62 possession 2 years ago and 68 possessions last year. Those extra possessions, both on offense and defense, mean higher scoring.

Looking at efficiency, points allowed per possession, gives a much better idea of how good our defense is. This year we are allowing 1.00, last year we allowed 1.06. Over a 72 possession game thats 72 vs 76 points. With our tempo two years ago we would only be allowing 62 points per game.

 

[SFspidur]

We play at a much faster tempo than we used to, so that's going to result in more possessions, and thus more points. Adjusting for tempo, KenPom has our defensive efficiency ranked 99th...not as good as the 52nd of two years ago, but much better than last year's 192nd ranking and pretty respectable overall.

Edit: Too slow to beat fan2011...

 

[MrTbone]

It does make for more exciting games...

 

[Marley13]

Unless of course we score over 45. And that happens how often?

 

[SpiderK]

We are playing 4 guards with a great passing center. When TJ rebounds the ball or a guard gets a long rebound, we had better be pushing it up the floor fast to beat the opponents bigger men. I think we are doing that much better than we ever have. We get in trouble in the half court offense when, like last year, two of the people out there cannot or will not score. Of course our starting 5 have to rest, but Mooney needs to be more aware of who he has out on the floor at any one time. Make sure at least 4 are a threat to score.

 

[Eight Legger]

Combo of our faster style and the shorter shot clock.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Being smaller, quicker then last year, I would measure defense by increased steals, turnovers
created, and opponents 3 pt shooting percentage. Giving up points in paint and losing rebound
battle should be a given with 4 guard defense. What is not a stat but one I enjoy, is our scrappy
attitude and toughness. That was missing last year.

 

[coachfezz]

A 40 point half at our current tempo would only have been a 34 point half with our tempo 2 years ago.

Looking at pure points is misleading. We are playing faster than we ever have under Mooney. In A10 play, we have had the second highest tempo in the conference! We average over 72 possessions in conference this year, compared to just 62 possession 2 years ago and 68 possessions last year. Those extra possessions, both on offense and defense, mean higher scoring.

Looking at efficiency, points allowed per possession, gives a much better idea of how good our defense is. This year we are allowing 1.00, last year we allowed 1.06. Over a 72 possession game thats 72 vs 76 points. With our tempo two years ago we would only be allowing 62 points per game.

Yes

 

[coachfezz]

It is about scoring high points, push ball when available and quickninto secondsry break, THEN set offense with defense scrap dive chest out chin tucked

 

[97spiderfan]

Combo of our faster style and the shorter shot clock.[/QUOT

From just watching the game, I think our defense is better. We are contesting most every shot, getting more stops when we need them, there are less wide open 3's.

Buck and JJ make a huge difference. They have largely replaced Deion and Trey from last year, problems A and 1A with our defense last year.

We still have some guys that our not good defenders, notably Marshall Wood, whose entry into the game guarentees at least one "and 1" bucket and a couple offensive rebounds because he has no earthly idea on how to box out.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Our defense is not better this year, but our offense is better - so sometimes that can hide our defense issues. When you win a game 101-90 at home vs one of the worse teams in the league in Duquesne - the answer on our defense is easy.

But honestly - since we are playing a small lineup, we really have no other choice. Our best chance to win is outscore people, rather than try to stop them. I don't like it personally, but I do believe it is our best option at this point. And when the guys are hitting shots - we are tough to beat. But against good opponents or in a tourney situation where you have to play 2-3 games in a row - it is tough to stay hot all 2-3 games on tired legs. That is where defense can come into play.

 

[SFspidur]

Our offensive efficiency is actually worse this year...we're ranked 131st this year, with 108 points per 100 possessions while we were 41st with 112.5 points per 100 possessions last year.

So, no, it's the exact opposite...our defense is better and our offense is worse, while we're playing at a slightly faster tempo.

(We're giving up 102 points per 100 possessions this year, compared to 104.8 last year.)

 

[fan2011]

Our defense is not better this year, but our offense is better - so sometimes that can hide our defense issues. When you win a game 101-90 at home vs one of the worse teams in the league in Duquesne - the answer on our defense is easy.

But honestly - since we are playing a small lineup, we really have no other choice. Our best chance to win is outscore people, rather than try to stop them. I don't like it personally, but I do believe it is our best option at this point. And when the guys are hitting shots - we are tough to beat. But against good opponents or in a tourney situation where you have to play 2-3 games in a row - it is tough to stay hot all 2-3 games on tired legs. That is where defense can come into play.

Yeah, this is not right. Last year we shot the ball better, had fewer turnovers, had more offensive rebounds and got to the free throw line more. We did everything better on offense last year, but our defense was really, really bad.

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

Yeah, this is not right. Last year we shot the ball better, had fewer turnovers, had more offensive rebounds and got to the free throw line more. We did everything better on offense last year, but our defense was really, really bad.

When needed a stop last year---we never seemed to get it. Started w/ the JMU game and went right through the A-10 opener vs. STJ. This year, we when needed a stop, we usually get it.

 

[97spiderfan]

When needed a stop last year---we never seemed to get it. Started w/ the JMU game and went right through the A-10 opener vs. STJ. This year, we when needed a stop, we usually get it.

Exactly. When you said we never seemed to get it, I think last year, we actually never (I mean ever) made a stop at a critical time.

As for our offense, we are not a good 3 point shooting team. I wish Mooney would realize this and stop jacking up 20 plus per game. With our passing, cuts, and TJ operating out of the high post, we are getting much easier scoring opportunities than shooting the 3 ball.

 

[spiders13]

We certainly seem to be much better this year. I also feel like we are really hustling more and getting after the ball on both ends. I think this has to do with the grind it mentality the team seems to have adapted.

 

[SpiderK]

Our offensive efficiency is actually worse this year...we're ranked 131st this year, with 108 points per 100 possessions while we were 41st with 112.5 points per 100 possessions last year.

So, no, it's the exact opposite...our defense is better and our offense is worse, while we're playing at a slightly faster tempo.

(We're giving up 102 points per 100 possessions this year, compared to 104.8 last year.)

Exactly. When you said we never seemed to get it, I think last year, we actually never (I mean ever) made a stop at a critical time.

As for our offense, we are not a good 3 point shooting team. I wish Mooney would realize this and stop jacking up 20 plus per game. With our passing, cuts, and TJ operating out of the high post, we are getting much easier scoring opportunities than shooting the 3 ball.

I agree, so far we have been a poor 3 point shooting team. They can all shoot lights out in warm ups, but so far have not been able to take that to game time. TJ gives us a lot of open shots from the arc with his passing, but only SDJ is dependable.
Spider13 hit the nail on the head. It's our all around hustle and activity on the boards that have made the difference. Also we start five people that can score rather than 3.

 

[spider fan]

We've gotten so good offensively that Papa John's is actively considering raising the threshold of giving away an 8 inch cheese pizza to those occasions when we score over 80 points instead of the current 70 points.................

As informed below and is the actual case it is McDonald's giving away free fries if we score over 70 and has nothing to do with Papa John's and pizza....................

 

[wr70beh]

We've gotten so good offensively that Papa John's is actively considering raising the threshold of giving away an 8 inch cheese pizza to those occasions when we score over 80 points instead of the current 70 points.................

They don't even do that anymore. MCDONALD'S now gives out a large fry if we go over 70. Bada-ba-BA-ba.

 

[SFspidur]

The Papa John's promo is 50% off when we win.

 

[spider fan]

Man I must have overdosed on fries and pizzas and both of you are correct. Have to have Ryan Butler hit a half court shot or have a grandson catch one of the red balls thrown into the stands to get any pizza....................

 

[MrTbone]

Exactly. When you said we never seemed to get it, I think last year, we actually never (I mean ever) made a stop at a critical time.

As for our offense, we are not a good 3 point shooting team. I wish Mooney would realize this and stop jacking up 20 plus per game. With our passing, cuts, and TJ operating out of the high post, we are getting much easier scoring opportunities than shooting the 3 ball.

Part of being a good inside scoring team is having the credible threat of hitting the 3 ball. We aren't great but I think we look like we can hit it, and probably can if we are left open to do it. So we may have to toss a decent number of threes to avoid the defense packing the paint on us.

 

[Spider_Byte]

The Papa John's promo is 50% off when we win.

And I've used it 14 times this year....

 

[spider fan]

And I've used it 14 times this year....

That rocks.........glad to hear it...........

 

[Spider_Byte]

And I've used it 14 times this year....

That rocks.........glad to hear it...........

Its also too much pizza for my belly...

 

[wr70beh]

And I've used it 14 times this year....

I haven't used it once. I don't like to be told I have to order pizza THAT DAY to get a discount. I never know when I have a hankering for pizza.

 

[coachfezz]

When needed a stop last year---we never seemed to get it. Started w/ the JMU game and went right through the A-10 opener vs. STJ. This year, we when needed a stop, we usually get it.

Myfriend this is perfect evaluation about getting the stop.