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Message: [QUOTE="Hey Adrien!, post: 4608241, member: 5787"] IMO, generating steals is just one part of many parts that make a defense elite. For example, UConn's steal rate ranks 175th in the nation, which is about D1 median. When I think about our defense, I think about how hard it is for teams to take quality shots: like Miami is a great offense but their shot selection was so questionable against us. When they took quality shots, they were often rushed. That's what I love about UConn's defense: through effort, scheme, athletic ability and rotations, it's like six defenders are on the court. Especially in college, when teams overpursue for steals and fail, that exposes their defense. St. John's comes to mind: they are a pain and the butt, but I don't think they had a great defense under Anderson. Iowa State is another team like that. Missouri is another team: elite steal rate, but if your team can handle it, then no problem, just move the ball well and find the open man, which is something UConn is [I]very [/I]good at. On my watch, I think Trammell is the only player who really sells our for steals while Butler gets steals just as an outcome based on playing hard-as-nails D. And then you got lengthy, versatile defenders like Mensah/Arop/Johnson take up space and make you [I]feel [/I]like they are always on the right spot. Houston plays that style, so does UCLA... Thanks, SDSU has been one of my favorite mid-majors for a while and I like recording their marquee games: Boise State v SDSU was probably the last game of theirs that I watched as I really like both teams and coaches. The thing that comes to mind is their excellence on the boards at both ends. SDSU is very committed on the offensive glass, especially since they play with two bigs close to the hoop. Considering that, I can see transition opportunities most available when Bradley attacks and misses at the rim since likely three Aztecs will be within 12 feet of the bucket leaving for juicy transition opportunities. Those tend to happen more with Clingan at the 5 since he is such a good rebounder and his size allows him to see up the court to find the trailers. [/QUOTE]

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