Defensive Potential Of This Year’s Team

[navery12]

I expect the defense to be different. For the first time in several years, there's nobody who can high hedge. So we will likely stay in drop coverage. That simplifies the roles. Some of our 3 point defense woes come from that challenges the 3 and 4 have covering the paint when we hedge. That will make it easier for Stewart and also for someone like Mullins.

Not sure how that will manifest. Stewart is better defending 4s than 3s. Ball got better and physically should be outstanding, so there's hope. Silas should be a big upgrade. AK is AK.

We've run the high hedge every year, and we did it last year with Tarris Reed Jr. We're very likely going to be doing the same thing next year, in large part because it's incredibly successful

 

[CL82]

For the first time in several years, there's nobody who can high hedge. So we will likely stay in drop coverage

 

[uh-no]

Hurley had those guys playing very good defense vs Florida in the tournament. I know SJ was a part of that, but still they improved quite a bit. So I am hopeful.

god man. losing that game was devastating

 

[caw]

I used to laugh out loud when teams would get into the paint, see DC and just turn around. Except Illinois of course. But I also laughed out loud at that.

Illinois really proved the thesis that teams shouldn’t attack Clingan. He was so dominant and still is, I think he has an outside shot at threatening Wemby and Chet for DPoY.

We ended up at 75. I think our worst was around 100. I think top-25 is very realistic with a solid Demary and an improved Solo and Stewart and Reed

I want to say the worst defensive ranking in Kenpom was around 125-130 in the midst of McNeeley being out, Karaban in his funk and Diarra getting hurt.

 

[HuskyHawk]

We've run the high hedge every year, and we did it last year with Tarris Reed Jr. We're very likely going to be doing the same thing next year, in large part because it's incredibly successful

No I'm not sure. I simply think we will do it less. Clingan almost never did it. I expect Reibe may be similar. Reed did it a lot less than Johnson or Sanogo. If we get a new mobile 5 in the portal and Dan decides that Reibe is best as a big stretch 4, then we'd see it more.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Illinois really proved the thesis that teams shouldn’t attack Clingan. He was so dominant and still is, I think he has an outside shot at threatening Wemby and Chet for DPoY.



I want to say the worst defensive ranking in Kenpom was around 125-130 in the midst of McNeeley being out, Karaban in his funk and Diarra getting hurt.

Yea I think we were in the 120s at some point. A fair amount of volatility in the 70-130 range as the spread is only about 3 pts/100 poss. A few good/bad games results in a lot of movement.

 

[Lafayette]

Suffice to say a low point @ Seton Hall but this year we seem to have more defensive minded incoming players so signs point to top 30 at least.

 

[CL82]

No I'm not sure. I simply think we will do it less. Clingan almost never did it. I expect Reibe may be similar. Reed did it a lot less than Johnson or Sanogo. If we get a new mobile 5 in the portal and Dan decides that Reibe is best as a big stretch 4, then we'd see it more.

I think it's a central principle of his defensive scheme and he's unlikely to abandon it. I would like to see us using it less often. I kind of see it like a change up. Throw one in every once in a while and people will look bad as they try to adapt. Throw it every pitch and it's batting practice. If you're running the hard hedge, every play, you're going get beat at the basket a lot, particularly by teams that are familiar with you.

But I fully acknowledge that Hurley and staff know infinitely more about basketball than I ever will.

 

[Hurleyman216]

I’ll be shocked if we’re not a top 10-15 defense by the end of the year. The staff is prioritizing this.

 

[jibsey]

I’ll be shocked if we’re not a top 10-15 defense by the end of the year. The staff is prioritizing this.

I hope so

 

[uconnfan68]

We need a top 25 defense if we want to win a title. We'll have the best offense in the country. We really, really need Stew and Ross to become defensive stoppers. Solo needs to keep improving on that end too. We can't just have Demary Jr be the only guy out there with elite defense

And we can't keep trying high hedges with guys that aren't Whaley.