I said something to this effect about 1-2 months ago where I view defense as mostly having that pride and competitive edge that no one is going to allow someone to dunk the ball on them, make easy 3’s, or drive past you for a lay-up with some element of coaching. I thinker spiderman, correctly commented that there’s a component of athleticism too in the equation. So my question is which aspect are we mostly lacking on the defense this year: pride/competitive edge mentality, coaching, or athleticism?
I would say all of it.
maybe this is where we can solve some of our issues. Beagle is a good player. but I don't think he's been as effective as he can be playing the 5. play him at the 4 with Walz. rebounding and interior defense should improve. rotate Soulis in too if he's healthy.
I hear you 97 about the physicality piece. I think we were all hopeful about this when we heard interviews over the summer about physicality of practice, the scrimmage, and emphasis on rebounding. Sounds like we do a decent enough job with defense rebounding % based on the stats from fan2011 but you can only rebound missed shots, and we are letting our opponents score more this year.
I think Mooney said with Soulis back now, he might try and go with 2 big men, so we will see. The issue that I think this bring to the table is while that might make us better on defense, Walz and Beagle both play the 5 out of the high post on offense. So, one of them would have to play out of their natural position on offense. I would hope that would be Walz, I want him down low and out of the high post where he is not much of a threat outside of an occasional back door cut.
Then so be it. Try anything.
Given how our season is going, trying anything different with our lineup is worthwhile in my opinion. Would like to see more Walz and Beagle playing together. Even having a bigger lineup of AP, Beagle/Nescovic, & Walz/Beagle during the games.
Was thinking it might be time to try a basic zone. But, I don't know what could help our offense, which is by far our biggest problem.
Agreed. We need to do something different because what we are doing is not working.
Good point. I know last offseason, we would see clips in practice of Noyes, just sliding next to Dji or Bigs going directly to the hoop. I think even sman pointed it out. And voila, Noyes did not have the ability to beat guys off the dribble or keep guys in front of him. Yes, how quick did Graham look against D2 pickle university. Not very. So who the hell was guarding him in the practice clips
offensively, we desperately need AP to start performing. or stop shooting. one or the other.
might be right. but there's a reason almost nobody runs a 2-3 at this level. you can't cover. and it makes rebounding really hard. this isn't high school.
The internal clapback from the administration is real. Their decisions can't stand on their own merits, so they will do everything they can to attack the messenger personally. That is the cost you will bear if you mount some type of external organized pressure to the regime.
I wonder, if I put up a billboard in late February congratulating Mooney on 2024-2025 COY, what percentage would be mad, what percentage would laugh, and what percentage would genuinely congratulate him?
Put me down in the who cares category. And If I am not mistaken, did not someone do this?
Yes, Grant spearheaded it.
I mean Grant/TJ did this as payback for the original billboard, even put it in the same location. I give them them credit for some A plus trolling. A mocking Mooney COY at the same location this year would certainly then troll the original troll.
Beagle has small hands. Last thing I want him doing is touching the ball a lot and passing out of the high post. Put Walz there if you care about ball security.
agreed. Beagle has a better low post game anyway. not sure what Walz' strength is on the offensive end.
Other than Moon trying different lineups, what else has he done differently this year? He’s pretty much wedded to his system. 20 years of very little adaptation.
AP shooting is bad fo sho. Let him rebound, I don’t think his D is awful. I have no idea where the upgrade is. Tanner hasn’t shown it, maybe Dusan. At least Roche hits threes.
Strictly an at distance observation. I can objectively say he has difficulty holding onto the ball.
