Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones:
Is this year's team good enough to cut down the nets still in April?
I'm not sure with the defensive struggles as of late, but we'll see what happens. The good thing is that there doesn't appear to be any teams in college hoops head and shoulders above everyone else, so anything is possible. I'd still put KU in that top tier of teams, however, even with the defensive struggles as of late. Udoka was a raw talent, but his presence is going to be sorely missed through conference play. [Reply]
Villanova was 5th last year in adjusted defense. We are currently 29th. Last year we were 3rd.
We lost guys who were known as weak defenders: Ellis, Greene and Selden (kind of)
Makes very little sense to me. I think, a little bit of it is an anomaly. I expect our defensive efficiency to improve but maybe the loss of Jamari Traylor was bigger than we thought. And maybe Ellis and Selden were better defenders than we thought?
I have no idea how Ellis and Selden would be better defenders than Josh Jackson. Maybe it's just defensive positioning. That is a staple of a Bill Self defense. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Villanova was 5th last year in adjusted defense. We are currently 29th. Last year we were 3rd.
We lost guys who were known as weak defenders: Ellis, Greene and Selden (kind of)
Makes very little sense to me. I think, a little bit of it is an anomaly. I expect our defensive efficiency to improve but maybe the loss of Jamari Traylor was bigger than we thought. And maybe Ellis and Selden were better defenders than we thought?
I have no idea how Ellis and Selden would be better defenders than Josh Jackson. Maybe it's just defensive positioning. That is a staple of a Bill Self defense.
A lot of it is that Lucas was good most of last year, and was PURE GARBAGE until the last few games.
That and we are bad rebounders in the 4 out formation which we didn't do much of until last year. It may get better. Self's teams always do after Christmas, but typically it is on the offensive end not the defensive end, but If Lucas can get back to last year's defensive productivity, we may be OK. [Reply]
Svi going from 12 to 26 minutes a game has a lot to do with the defensive slip. Not a Roy Williams-bad defense, but definitely not a Bill Self lockdown team. Also, while Ellis wasn't a great defensive player due to his size and lack of aggressiveness... he was very good with his positioning as an upperclassman... Bragg\Vick\Doke just aren't as efficient. Bragg has been a massive disappointment, thusfar.
To me, the biggest disappointment on this team to date is Svi. The guy can shoot, but it appears that's all he can do. At 6'8", I believe he got zero, ZERO, rebounds in the KSU game. That's beyond horrible. Heck, you'd pretty much have to go out of your way to avoid a loose ball rebound.......and he did.
Plus, he's just a horrible passer. Can't tell you how many times he's passed the ball to the defender RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM! AAnd lastly, he cannot guard anyone. Seems like all he wants to do is stand around the 3-point line and shoot. Wow, way to give it up for the team, Svi!
Frankly, I'd bench the guy until he decided to play defense. Hells/bells, give me Lightfoot or ANYONE else who might give a rats ass about hustle and solid team play. Time to get down and dirty, Svi. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Meatloaf:
To me, the biggest disappointment on this team to date is Svi. The guy can shoot, but it appears that's all he can do. At 6'8", I believe he got zero, ZERO, rebounds in the KSU game. That's beyond horrible. Heck, you'd pretty much have to go out of your way to avoid a loose ball rebound.......and he did.
Plus, he's just a horrible passer. Can't tell you how many times he's passed the ball to the defender RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM! AAnd lastly, he cannot guard anyone. Seems like all he wants to do is stand around the 3-point line and shoot. Wow, way to give it up for the team, Svi!
Frankly, I'd bench the guy until he decided to play defense. Hells/bells, give me Lightfoot or ANYONE else who might give a rats ass about hustle and solid team play. Time to get down and dirty, Svi.
He can also drive to the basket. I'm telling you, he has to be one of the best finishers when he does decide to go to the rim. I don't know why he likes to either pull up from midrange (sometimes) or not try to drive to the rim at all. He's pretty good at it. But, he does lack the other skills that some of our other guys have defensively and he's a pretty bad rebounder for his size. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
He can also drive to the basket. I'm telling you, he has to be one of the best finishers when he does decide to go to the rim. I don't know why he likes to either pull up from midrange (sometimes) or not try to drive to the rim at all. He's pretty good at it. But, he does lack the other skills that some of our other guys have defensively and he's a pretty bad rebounder for his size.
You're correct, BWillie, he has definitely improved in taking the ball to the hoop and finishing. I just hate seeing such athletic talent go to waste on the defensive end. He's big enough to make a difference out there, but it just seems like he really doesn't want to "mix it up".
C'mon, Svi, get in there and assert yourself!!! [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
There isn't much more to it right now, only that the players know.
Well, you were right last time. I forget what it was, so hopefully you are right. He's probably just opening his recruitment as he knows Romar is probably getting canned and daddy gotta find a new job. [Reply]