Lock Down D

[AllHusky]

Watching Florida dismantle Tennessee today and I wondered, will we be able to play smothering Defense on another team by seasons end? To my mind, Hassan the only one capable of it right now. Others are making progress. Our 3 point defense also showing some promise.

Suppose these next 3 games will be a measuring stick, but I just wonder if D can progress far enough to be a weapon.

 

[jibsey]

Let’s look at it another way, rebounding. Last year we were dominant in assists and rebounds. Our assists and offense are fine and with McNeeley back I have no concerns.
Can we rebound enough especially on defense to not give teams second chance baskets and trips to the line?
I like what Johnson gives us on offense at times but right now we need Reed out there minimum 30 minutes per game. That will keep us from getting killed down low but foul trouble for Reed if he’s playing that much is worrying. At Johnson’s length I don’t understand why he is out guarding at the 3 point line so often. Can someone explain that?

 

[husky429]

I don't think we have the personnel to be a top-10 defense. Just not enough speed and skill on the perimeter. I do think we have the personnel to be a top-50 defense if these guys put in the work.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

Our best path to winning will be by out scoring other teams. It won't be because of our Defense.
This team is very similar to last years Alabama team (which made the final four). A Top 5 offense with a 100+ defense.

 

[jibsey]

Our best path to winning will be by out scoring other teams. It won't be because of our Defense.
This team is very similar to last years Alabama team (which made the final four). A Top 5 offense with a 100+ defense.

It ain’t enough. Those 20-0 and 30-0 runs we went on in the second half last year won’t happen this year without much better D and in close games that becomes losses. Hurley knows this and has to instill it.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I don't think we have the personnel to be a top-10 defense. Just not enough speed and skill on the perimeter. I do think we have the personnel to be a top-50 defense if these guys put in the work.

Agree that getting up into the 20’s defensively is a bridge to far. But we do have enough talent if it continues to improve to get it to at least a respectable number.

I find it interesting that some of the problem is really basic stuff. Weak side help and recover stuff that all these guys should have some basic understanding of that coming from the high level high school programs they came from.

Ball is a mystery to me. He is long, great leaping ability, not super fast or quick but better than average in both areas. But he struggles so much on just the basics.

Don’t want to get on him too much but a player with his overall skill set should be able to be a decent defensive player.

The famous quote, I think from Lombardi fits “the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary”.

We all know Hurley is making it a focus so it may take another month or so but I think we will be a better defensive team by mid February. Not having Liam will not make the job easier but it will be interesting to see how they guard Dixon on the perimeter tonight.

Would love to see Johnson give it a try but I am concerned with how crafty Dixon is with his head fakes and Johnson’s propensity to bite on them at least when he is close to the basket. But a player with Samson’s, skills length and quickness should be able to really impact Dixon on the perimeter.

Looking foward to how we defend tonight especially how we cover Dixon.

 

[Waquoit]

I think we need to shoot better from 3.

 

[husky429]

Would love to see Johnson give it a try but I am concerned with how crafty Dixon is with his head fakes and Johnson’s propensity to bite on them at least when he is close to the basket. But a player with Samson’s, skills length and quickness should be able to really impact Dixon on the perimeter.

Looking foward to how we defend tonight especially how we cover Dixon.

Dixon is 40lbs heavier and more agile than Samson with an absurd BBIQ. This is going to be a game where Samson needs to be 150% locked in to not foul out. He's staring down his kyrptonite.

 

[imno1]

I think we need to shoot better from 3.

The last 3 games we are over 45% from beyond the arc and 37% ytd. Our offense Is humming. It‘s our D that needs vast improvement.

 

[Waquoit]

The last 3 games we are over 45% from beyond the arc

And we won. That's what I'm saying. 37% isn't good enough.

 

[Pmurph678]

We get so few stops we don’t even get much transition offense.

Better D will mean better O too.

 

[gtcam]

Let’s look at it another way, rebounding. Last year we were dominant in assists and rebounds. Our assists and offense are fine and with McNeeley back I have no concerns.
Can we rebound enough especially on defense to not give teams second chance baskets and trips to the line?
I like what Johnson gives us on offense at times but right now we need Reed out there minimum 30 minutes per game. That will keep us from getting killed down low but foul trouble for Reed if he’s playing that much is worrying. At Johnson’s length I don’t understand why he is out guarding at the 3 point line so often. Can someone explain that?

UConn has always had guards who will mix it up and get in position for a rebound. This season UConn only has HD that will do so. Ball should but doesn't. UConn misses that luxury.

 

[GlastonTim]

I think Reed Jr. and Stew cover Dixon. Samson and Singare cover Boakye. Samson will be a foul machine against Dixon.

 

[Punkbo]

And we won. That's what I'm saying. 37% isn't good enough.

This is a strange comment. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the last two years we shot around 37% and won national championships. It would be great if we shot 45% all of the time, but this is not one of our bigger problems.

 

[ctchamps]

This is a strange comment. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the last two years we shot around 37% and won national championships. It would be great if we shot 45% all of the time, but this is not one of our bigger problems.

He’s saying the way our defense is we probably need to shoot 45% or better to insure we win.

 

[willie99]

I happen to think we're pretty good. We have speed, size, hops, shot blockers....

We get everyone’s best game, bar none

Not sure what more can be expected on January 8th

Enjoy the ride people

 

[bendm]

Our best path to winning will be by out scoring other teams. It won't be because of our Defense.
This team is very similar to last years Alabama team (which made the final four). A Top 5 offense with a 100+ defense.

Love the theory but are we close to last years bama team when it comes to 3P shooting? I guess it doesn’t matter if we’re still the #2 offense.

 

[RuffRuff]

Love the theory but are we close to last years bama team when it comes to 3P shooting? I guess it doesn’t matter if we’re still the #2 offense.

Interesting analogy indeed. That team was able to dial the defense up in spots, as they outshot the opposition. It was interesting watching Shaka last night - down the stretch he was mixing in defenses to throw Gtown off, flashing zones that flipped into man. Will be curious if Danny plays that card under the expectation that we keep it close with offense, then confuse the opposition in small stretches to build leads.

 

[jibsey]

So the thing here is, and yes I am rationalizing a bit is that a loss should it occur is not an indicator for this team. McNeeley is an essential piece who missing diminishes our ability to win by 50% minimum. Away game, hang in there, keep it close without him is not so terrible. This won’t fly with all of you who are win or else types but that’s my take.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

So the thing here is, and yes I am rationalizing a bit is that a loss should it occur is not an indicator for this team. McNeeley is an essential piece who missing diminishes our ability to win by 50% minimum. Away game, hang in there, keep it close without him is not so terrible. This won’t fly with all of you who are win or else types but that’s my take.

I wouldn't call it rationalizing. Villanova's on a heater and UConn is missing a key - some might say the key - piece. Road conference games are always tough. Kentucky went to unranked Georgia and got pumped last night. It happens. This will be a big test but the sky won't be falling if they lose, despite what some will inevitably say.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Love the theory but are we close to last years bama team when it comes to 3P shooting? I guess it doesn’t matter if we’re still the #2 offense.

Short answer: Yes.

Essentially same %, and if you round, they averaged 11 3pt made per game. We're at 10.

 

[Fishy]

Watching Florida dismantle Tennessee today and I wondered, will we be able to play smothering Defense on another team by seasons end? To my mind, Hassan the only one capable of it right now. Others are making progress. Our 3 point defense also showing some promise.

Suppose these next 3 games will be a measuring stick, but I just wonder if D can progress far enough to be a weapon.

No.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Watching Florida dismantle Tennessee today and I wondered, will we be able to play smothering Defense on another team by seasons end? To my mind, Hassan the only one capable of it right now. Others are making progress. Our 3 point defense also showing some promise.

Suppose these next 3 games will be a measuring stick, but I just wonder if D can progress far enough to be a weapon.

This is a very telling game on where we are especially without McNeelegy

 

[JustbrewitMan]

This is a very telling game on where we are especially without McNeelegy

I know this was just an innocent typo, but it made me LOL. Look out for @HooperScooper