Defense! Great subject! I earned my keep on defense. “Game plan - within first-minute knee cap your opponent and accept whatever the ref gives you. After that, it’s easy money!” From 8th grade, I never played a game without a cup or mouthpiece. lol
It’s hard not to listen to @Texas-Hawk-10 being pessimistic about this team. So many apparent weak defensive players and we don’t have the post swatter to equalize things. Hunter is maybe the worst footer we’ve ever had on defense. If the coaches can get a 10% defensive improvement out of him, we will probably win 2 -3 more games during the year.
I think Self overcompensated focusing only on trey shooting stats in the portal. I’m amazed he abandoned his claim to be a defensive-minded coach. At least I get to watch all the McCullar critics crap their britches next year when we don’t have him playing monster man.
If ever there was a reason for Self to convert to zone in November… it is this year. Come on, Bill! You proved the critics wrong when you modified your hi-lo and embraced a 4-1 offense.
Anyone want to bet the over/under, us versus opponents free throw totals next year? We need all these guards because we are going to have serious foul issues.
If Self doesn’t like my zone idea… how about he builds this team as a pressing team. Mask our weaknesses by trying to exhaust our opponents. Go from running 8 guys to running 11 or 12. There have been a lot of teams that suck at half-court defense but improved their stats by pressing.
I hope Juan isn’t played 38+ minutes per game this year. I’m starting to think his exhaustion is cumulative over the years.
I love KJ… but he really needs to toughen up. All those muscles on such a polite player. If he could become an alpha defender, I’d upgrade my current team defense projection up from “sucks” to “respectable.” He should be watching Dennis Rodman tape all summer to learn how to rebound and defend.