What's the Number one goal of Geno's defense?

[PhillyCoach]

Most of the longtime posters know this answer. Shut down their top scorer!! Of course, communicating more, switching faster, quick double teams, get back quick to stop the breaks---are all necessary too. However, from what Geno tells us--stopping the best player is paramount.
The post game thread on the SJU game had too many posters commenting that Aubrey was invisible, inconsistent, and not doing much. IMHO those posters are looking at the points scored too much. Aubrey shut down SJU best player. And here is the added bonus to stopping the best player. Yes, the player that the opposing team relies on, looks to lead, and is necessary to win any game. The bonus is the opposing team gets very depressed and listless when their leader is sputtering. Heavens, who is going to take those important shots? Who can make those tough shots? Yes, the top scorer that Aubrey shut down big time. How many tipped balls did Aubrey have? She is everywhere and she is by far the fastest, quickest, and most athletic player on the team. The intensity and energy necessary to shut down the best player is very high level. Invisible? I was watching a whirlwind.
By the way, Nika is right behind Aubrey in the intensity and effort. In fact, UConn's defense is big time this year. Almost every player is outstanding.

 

[Performance]

Well said Philly coach!!

 

[jabstep]

Keep the player in front of you
Switch on the screens
Help the guard when the forward posts her up after the switch
Hands straight up and don't lean into the player when they drive
Box out and rebound
Work hard everyone can do that

 

[Boreifs]

Most of the longtime posters know this answer. Shut down their top scorer!! Of course, communicating more, switching faster, quick double teams, get back quick to stop the breaks---are all necessary too. However, from what Geno tells us--stopping the best player is paramount.
The post game thread on the SJU game had too many posters commenting that Aubrey was invisible, inconsistent, and not doing much. IMHO those posters are looking at the points scored too much. Aubrey shut down SJU best player. And here is the added bonus to stopping the best player. Yes, the player that the opposing team relies on, looks to lead, and is necessary to win any game. The bonus is the opposing team gets very depressed and listless when their leader is sputtering. Heavens, who is going to take those important shots? Who can make those tough shots? Yes, the top scorer that Aubrey shut down big time. How many tipped balls did Aubrey have? She is everywhere and she is by far the fastest, quickest, and most athletic player on the team. The intensity and energy necessary to shut down the best player is very high level. Invisible? I was watching a whirlwind.
By the way, Nika is right behind Aubrey in the intensity and effort. In fact, UConn's defense is big time this year. Almost every player is outstanding.

Aubrey and Nika are the best defenders since Gabby and Kia. Very rarely does a team have the luxury of one, let alone two.

 

[Zarathustra]

Win the game!

 

[visitingcock]

1. Prevent your opponent from scoring?

2. force turnovers and score off them?

 

[JonathanXIV]

1. Prevent your opponent from scoring?

2. force turnovers and score off them?

Kidding aside, I think the goal of any top defense is making it hard for the opponent to score (don't see a lot of shutouts in basketball). Limit the best shooters from shooting, and make everyone take less than optimal shots.

 

[huskeynut]

Take the top scorer out of their comfort zone. If a 3 point shooter, push them out a foot or so beyond the normal spot.

Post players have their favorite spots and moves. Work to move them off those spots. Anticipate moves and keep your feet moving.

A player that likes to go to the right, force them to go left.

Switch defenders. UConn does that well with an opponent's guards.

 

[Kat]

I have seen Geno during practices, exhorting his players to force the opposition into making an extra pass. The idea being that the more times they pass, the more opportunities for a steal, a mistake, or a bad/rushed shot. Oddly enough, the Huskies will often make that extra pass, trying to ensure that every shot made is from a good position. Perhaps that explains some of the turnovers but it also explains why the Huskies' shooting percentage is always better than their opponent's percentage.

 

[Urshurak]

I’m gonna go with “stop the other team from scoring.”

 

[RogueDave]

Add healthy Azzi to that too…Aaliyah defends well on point guards to post player’s…

 

[VaConnFan11]

The #1 goal of any basketball defense is to force the other team to take bad shots or no shots.

 

[Bigboote]

It's still early, but she has my vote for Big East defensive player of the year.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Keep the player in front of you
Switch on the screens
Help the guard when the forward posts her up after the switch
Hands straight up and don't lean into the player when they drive
Box out and rebound
Work hard everyone can do that

Constant communication

 

[JellyBean]

Most of the longtime posters know this answer. Shut down their top scorer!! Of course, communicating more, switching faster, quick double teams, get back quick to stop the breaks---are all necessary too. However, from what Geno tells us--stopping the best player is paramount.
The post game thread on the SJU game had too many posters commenting that Aubrey was invisible, inconsistent, and not doing much. IMHO those posters are looking at the points scored too much. Aubrey shut down SJU best player. And here is the added bonus to stopping the best player. Yes, the player that the opposing team relies on, looks to lead, and is necessary to win any game. The bonus is the opposing team gets very depressed and listless when their leader is sputtering. Heavens, who is going to take those important shots? Who can make those tough shots? Yes, the top scorer that Aubrey shut down big time. How many tipped balls did Aubrey have? She is everywhere and she is by far the fastest, quickest, and most athletic player on the team. The intensity and energy necessary to shut down the best player is very high level. Invisible? I was watching a whirlwind.
By the way, Nika is right behind Aubrey in the intensity and effort. In fact, UConn's defense is big time this year. Almost every player is outstanding.

Well said!! Stopping or making the other team's best player night uncomfortable is the ultimate goal of the defense. Nobody really stops anyone but you can make that other team's best offensive player work hard for their shots.

 

[TheObvious]

Create chaos so opponents can't get into any kind of offensive rhythm.

 

[Kaizen]

No fouls .................