How Much Better Can This Team Get On Defense?

[BBallF]

I will start out by saying that this may be our best and deepest defensive team ever, top to bottom, which statement may be inaccurate because it is actually equivocal. We have our starting 5, with the best defensive backcourt in the country with KK, a joyous disruptive PG opponent, and Azzi, a textbook lock down defender. Then we have an incredible shot blocker, defender and rebounder in Sarah, Serah at 6'4.5", a solid presence in the post, and then "all over the place" Ash.

For first substitutions at present, we bring in Blanca and Kayleigh. Kayleigh is a very strong back up defensive guard and Blanca is just a game changer and game breaker who I think defies comparisons because of her strength, size, length and anticipation. We then have , right now, 6'5" Jana come in underneath who is improving every game, Allie, a much improved defender, a good rebounding Caroline and an athletic and pesky Kelis. We have the luxury of our starters even being able to rest, no small asset when the defense is pressing and swarming. It's a very talented, strong and deep defensive team who have thrived on close outs, preventing easy shots when possible, great switches, deflections, steals, and double teams.

Usually, the post season metamorphosis includes a ratcheting down on defense. This team is starting from such a high bar on defense that it is hard to imagine what it will look like. Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut by tourney time but this year's team is deeper, bigger and, yes, even better on defense. I know that is controversial because of Paige but I think it is a fact.

So I ask this one compound question- How do we get even better on defense and how much better can we realistically get?

 

[jcoton56]

Patterson is a solid rebounder as well, with a high motor. Her best days are ahead of her. From what I remember Morgan was quite a disrupter, aways in the middle of things. Maybe not this year, but Gandy going be a factor - hard to push around according to her teammates. Most of all they can bring that D to any gym in the country.

 

[BBallF]

Patterson is a solid rebounder as well, with a high motor. Her best days are ahead of her. From what I remember Morgan was quite a disrupter, aways in the middle of things. Maybe not this year, but Gandy going be a factor - hard to push around according to her teammates. Most of all they can bring that D to any gym in the country.

Morgan was a very disruptive defender as a frosh. Her size at 6'2"' and her basketball instincts were very valuable defensive attributes. She would fit in perfectly with this team.

 

[Bills Fan]

I will start out by saying that this may be our best and deepest defensive team ever, top to bottom, which statement may be inaccurate because it is actually equivocal. We have our starting 5, with the best defensive backcourt in the country with KK, a joyous disruptive PG opponent, and Azzi, a textbook lock down defender. Then we have an incredible shot blocker, defender and rebounder in Sarah, Serah at 6'4.5", a solid presence in the post, and then "all over the place" Ash.

For first substitutions at present, we bring in Blanca and Kayleigh. Kayleigh is a very strong back up defensive guard and Blanca is just a game changer and game breaker who I think defies comparisons because of her strength, size, length and anticipation. We then have , right now, 6'5" Jana come in underneath who is improving every game, Allie, a much improved defender, a good rebounding Caroline and an athletic and pesky Kelis. We have the luxury of our starters even being able to rest, no small asset when the defense is pressing and swarming. It's a very talented, strong and deep defensive team who have thrived on close outs, preventing easy shots when possible, great switches, deflections, steals, and double teams.

Usually, the post season metamorphosis includes a ratcheting down on defense. This team is starting from such a high bar on defense that it is hard to imagine what it will look like. Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut by tourney time but this year's team is deeper, bigger and, yes, even better on defense. I know that is controversial because of Paige but I think it is a fact.

So I ask this one compound question- How do we get even better on defense and how much better can we realistically get?

I don't think we can get any significant improvement from our "top 6"; the starters and Blanca.
I think it starts to go down a tad when K9 replaces KK, Azzi or Ash. It decreases in effectiveness more as Jana, then Allie, then CD then Kelis sub in for any of the top 6. Don't get me wrong, because it is still good once the top 6 depart, but it is just not anywhere close to what it is with any combo of the top 6, with the biggest differences being speed and anticipation. Just look at how games end with the top 6 sitting on the bench. At that point we have above average "D", while our 1st Qtr "D" is at a great, maybe all-time best, level.

 

[Boreifs]

Morgan was a very disruptive defender as a frosh. Her size at 6'2"' and her basketball instincts were very valuable defensive attributes. She would fit in perfectly with this team.

Once she is healthy, she is very likely going to be part of the rotation.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Coordination across the front line can and will get better I believe.

 

[DefenseBB]

For the most part we have cut down on "silly fouls" but we will improve as Blanca improves. Not quite sure why @jcoton56 mentions Ayanna in this thread but let me send out a subtle reminder-Ayanna was 3rd of 178 players I tracked in 2022-23 in fouls per minute. In 303 min of floor time she committed 49 fouls or 1 every 6.11 minutes and 11 seconds. This year she has 4 fouls in 42 min 1 every 10 1/2 minutes, better but still not great and not reliable as a defender against elite teams. She's really not part of the rotation so I am not thinking she will really be a factor. Jana does have to cut down on her silly fouls, especially the moving screen fouls she has been getting. Last year she committed 77 fouls in 638 min of floor time or 1 every 8 min and 20 seconds, this year she has 13 in 98 or 1 every 7 min 36 seconds. Not great.

So I agree with Rocky, better communication and more focus from the front court will improve our already great defense.

 

[TheGOAT23]

Someone, please send Jana and Serah some Bill Russell footage. 😆 Just being near most of their opponents will make them change their shot. You don’t need to block every shot or bail them out. So much flopping going on these days. Also, I believe that Jana can’t stop her momentum when trying to set a pick or screen. If UCONNs defense can ramp up some more, awesome!

 

[Stinger92860]

So I ask this one compound question- How do we get even better on defense and how much better can we realistically get?

Better could possibly be 40 minutes of full court pressure using 10+ players on D. No one else is that deep.

 

[MSGRET]

Someone, please send Jana and Serah some Bill Russell footage. 😆 Just being near most of their opponents will make them change their shot. You don’t need to block every shot or bail them out. So much flopping going on these days. Also, I believe that Jana can’t stop her momentum when trying to set a pick or screen. If UCONNs defense can ramp up some more, awesome!

Many times on the screens set by Jana the other offensive player has not given the time for her to be completely set. KK has been the one that seems to be out of control due to not letting not only Jana but many of the others the time to set legal screens.

 

[CL82]

How Much Better Can This Team Get On Defense?​

Hard to say, but I am patiently waiting for them to pitch a shut out.

 

[huskyd]

I will start out by saying that this may be our best and deepest defensive team ever, top to bottom, which statement may be inaccurate because it is actually equivocal. We have our starting 5, with the best defensive backcourt in the country with KK, a joyous disruptive PG opponent, and Azzi, a textbook lock down defender. Then we have an incredible shot blocker, defender and rebounder in Sarah, Serah at 6'4.5", a solid presence in the post, and then "all over the place" Ash.

For first substitutions at present, we bring in Blanca and Kayleigh. Kayleigh is a very strong back up defensive guard and Blanca is just a game changer and game breaker who I think defies comparisons because of her strength, size, length and anticipation. We then have , right now, 6'5" Jana come in underneath who is improving every game, Allie, a much improved defender, a good rebounding Caroline and an athletic and pesky Kelis. We have the luxury of our starters even being able to rest, no small asset when the defense is pressing and swarming. It's a very talented, strong and deep defensive team who have thrived on close outs, preventing easy shots when possible, great switches, deflections, steals, and double teams.

Usually, the post season metamorphosis includes a ratcheting down on defense. This team is starting from such a high bar on defense that it is hard to imagine what it will look like. Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut by tourney time but this year's team is deeper, bigger and, yes, even better on defense. I know that is controversial because of Paige but I think it is a fact.

So I ask this one compound question- How do we get even better on defense and how much better can we realistically get?

Clearly to get better we have to be armed: pistols, whips, spurs on the sneaks. We might also consider cannibalism of the standouts on the opposing team. Motto: "Not just beaten but eaten."
These are just a few realistic suggestions, OR we can just keep doing what we're doing--being the best at what's permitted.

 

[BBallF]

Once she is healthy, she is very likely going to be part of the rotation.

Geno really liked her last year. She is a real talent. I just wish she had been more aggressive offensively.

 

[BBallF]

I don't think we can get any significant improvement from our "top 6"; the starters and Blanca.
I think it starts to go down a tad when K9 replaces KK, Azzi or Ash. It decreases in effectiveness more as Jana, then Allie, then CD then Kelis sub in for any of the top 6. Don't get me wrong, because it is still good once the top 6 depart, but it is just not anywhere close to what it is with any combo of the top 6, with the biggest differences being speed and anticipation. Just look at how games end with the top 6 sitting on the bench. At that point we have above average "D", while our 1st Qtr "D" is at a great, maybe all-time best, level.

My only point of departure is about Blanca. I think she will significantly improve her defense by March. She has a huge upside and she is just still getting used to playing faster on defense but slower on offense and to American foul calling. She seems to have figured out that slowing down her drive moves has increased her efficiency and due to her size she can still get her shot off.

On defense, she is far better than she was in the first few games and is relying more on her length to get her hands in clean to deflect or steal. The thing about her is that she can go coast to coast from a steal even through traffic. She has changed games already by her defense, including USC, and she will only get better as we go along. She is truly the X factor as oldude said but I also think in some games she will be the factor.

 

[BBallF]

How Much Better Can This Team Get On Defense?​

Hard to say, but I am patiently waiting for them to purchase a shut out.

You may see a shut out for a quarter one of these days.

 

[BBallF]

Many times on the screens set by Jana the other offensive player has not given the time for her to be completely set. KK has been the one that seems to be out of control due to not letting not only Jana but many of the others the time to set legal screens.

Yup. That is the key. The dribbler has to patiently run her man off the pick. The picker shouldn't and can't move.

 

[BBallF]

Better could possibly be 40 minutes of full court pressure using 10+ players on D. No one else is that deep.

I think you will see it once Geno becomes comfortable with the performance of the second string players other than Blanca, K9 and hopefully Jana soon. Jana is a project on defense but as pointed out above, you don't have to try to block every shot. A miss and rebound is better than a block out of bounds.

 

[FanSince17]

My only point of departure is about Blanca. I think she will significantly improve her defense by March. She has a huge upside and she is just still getting used to playing faster on defense but slower on offense and to American foul calling. She seems to have figured out that slowing down her drive moves has increased her efficiency and due to her size she can still get her shot off.

On defense, she is far better than she was in the first few games and is relying more on her length to get her hands in clean to deflect or steal. The thing about her is that she can go coast to coast from a steal even through traffic. She has changed games already by her defense, including USC, and she will only get better as we go along. She is truly the X factor as oldude said but I also think in some games she will be the factor.

Imagine throwing the ball in and having people in your mug 94 feet away from the basket.
I add 5 inches to women’s heights to put it in perspective. So Paige would be 6’5” if she was a man. So imagine being a man and having someone 6'7", long, quick, athletic at the top of the press- Blanca. Wow.

 

[DEpup]

I will start out by saying that this may be our best and deepest defensive team ever, top to bottom, which statement may be inaccurate because it is actually equivocal. We have our starting 5, with the best defensive backcourt in the country with KK, a joyous disruptive PG opponent, and Azzi, a textbook lock down defender. Then we have an incredible shot blocker, defender and rebounder in Sarah, Serah at 6'4.5", a solid presence in the post, and then "all over the place" Ash.

For first substitutions at present, we bring in Blanca and Kayleigh. Kayleigh is a very strong back up defensive guard and Blanca is just a game changer and game breaker who I think defies comparisons because of her strength, size, length and anticipation. We then have , right now, 6'5" Jana come in underneath who is improving every game, Allie, a much improved defender, a good rebounding Caroline and an athletic and pesky Kelis. We have the luxury of our starters even being able to rest, no small asset when the defense is pressing and swarming. It's a very talented, strong and deep defensive team who have thrived on close outs, preventing easy shots when possible, great switches, deflections, steals, and double teams.

Usually, the post season metamorphosis includes a ratcheting down on defense. This team is starting from such a high bar on defense that it is hard to imagine what it will look like. Last year's team was a defensive juggernaut by tourney time but this year's team is deeper, bigger and, yes, even better on defense. I know that is controversial because of Paige but I think it is a fact.

So I ask this one compound question- How do we get even better on defense and how much better can we realistically get?

I think we get better on defense by:

1. Serah continuing to ramp up her rebounds and blocks as she is seeming to gain more and more confidence
2. Jana improving her defending without fouling so she can get more minutes
3. Continuing to reduce the difference between the starters and the first off bench group on defense--it could be completely seamless by March

 

[Charliebball]

They don't need to get much better...........they do need to maintain their current defensive effectiveness and intensity for four quarters against top ten teams and that's not easy.......

 

[BBallF]

Imagine throwing the ball in and having people in your mug 94 feet away from the basket.
I add 5 inches to women’s heights to put it in perspective. So Paige would be 6’5” if she was a man. So imagine being a man and having someone 6'7", long, quick, athletic at the top of the press- Blanca. Wow.

Right, with a wing span of someone 6'10'' I would estimate using your analogy. Her length is both deceptive and lethal.

 

[Doctor G]

The coaches are far from done coaching. The defense will continue to get better at taking angles, rotation, knowing each other, trapping, closing out, and clogging passing lanes. In addition, this is a young team. Many of the players are only just beginning to become rigorous at knowing and following the scout, and they are still learning to play complete games as a unit. By the middle of February this squad will not just be frightening but actually deeper (if you can imagine) and more experienced at reading situations, actions and plays. Who knows what additional defensive chaos and mismatches the coaching staff will spring upon the world come March Madness?

As a side note, while it's not something I typically look at during the game, I could not help but notice that the defense had plenty of holes during the game that USC could have exploited if that team had actually been coached on read and react offense or if the Trojans had a true point guard that could read and then penetrate to score or dish (see Hanna Hidalgo, Aari MacDonald types). Often, Jazz read the floor but nobody else understood the read at the same time so with no cutter to pass to she ended up having to dribble into a so-so shot. Other than Jazz or Kennedy, few of the USC players knew when to attack and their bigs -- perhaps intimidated by the chaos of the press or perhaps just overmatched or perhaps lacking in-game coaching -- often ended up picking up their dribble without threatening the hoop or missing the opportunity to hit the cutter, thus failing to stress/trouble UConn's well-coached rotation.

 

[oldude]

UConn has been using some form of man-to-man pressure for much of the season. Against USC, Geno dusted off one of his very favorite pressure defenses, the diamond press, otherwise known as a 1-2-1-1 press. The key to running an effective diamond press is having a long, athletic player, with great hands and quickness on the point of the press.

In past seasons, Aubrey Griffin was one of the very best defenders UConn had as the point on the press. Paige also did a pretty effective job. Against USC it appears that Geno has found yet another player who will cause absolute havoc as the point on the diamond press, and that would be Blanca.

Against USC, UConn forced 20 turnovers with Blanca leading the team with 4 steals, several of which were on the diamond press. I expect to see a lot more of this defensive pressure as the season goes on.