Defense the entire key for MBB

**clonedude** · 11-21-2011, 07:25 PM

This entire year for MBB will hinge on our defense IMO. If we play super tough defense, everything else will fall in line. If we don't, then we're going to be pretty average.

Reason being.... we will be nearly unstoppable if we're running and gunning. Running will eliminate the need for a PG too. And the best way for us to run is to create turnovers or missed shots defensively.

If we play poor defensively, and the opponent shoots a good FG % because of it, it will completely turn us almost exclusively into a half court offense.... which we are NOT good at whatsoever.

I have some concerns about not having a PG and our lack of offensive execution, but I think all that would be solved if we can just get the tempo going. That all starts on the defensive end. Against Drake we played some of the worst defense I've seen... Drake shot well... and we never could get running.

**LtRaczack** · 11-21-2011, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by clonedude

This entire year for MBB will hinge on our defense IMO. If we play super tough defense, everything else will fall in line. If we don't, then we're going to be pretty average.

Reason being.... we will be nearly unstoppable if we're running and gunning. Running will eliminate the need for a PG too. And the best way for us to run is to create turnovers or missed shots defensively.

If we play poor defensively, and the opponent shoots a good FG % because of it, it will completely turn us almost exclusively into a half court offense.... which we are NOT good at whatsoever.

I have some concerns about not having a PG and our lack of offensive execution, but I think all that would be solved if we can just get the tempo going. That all starts on the defensive end. Against Drake we played some of the worst defense I've seen... Drake shot well... and we never could get running.

Funny that reminds me of Johnny Orr's best teams. The very best ones could play defense by forcing turnovers and using the fast break before another team could set up defense.

**marothisu** · 11-21-2011, 09:02 PM

It's true of almost any team really, when you think about it. Defense creates offense...it's kind of like how in football the running game opens up the passing game (but not totally the same thing). Cause missed shots and the opposing team will continue missing shots while the team playing the defense can open up the fast break.

For this reason, I'm actually not a fan of Big 10 play. Most force turnovers or missed shots and just slowly take it up the court instead of looking for fast break opportunities.

IMO, defense will win us games as long as we create fast break opportunities and don't always try and play GMac ball and slow things down so much.

**GrindingAway** · 11-21-2011, 09:09 PM

I completely agree that if our defense can hold the other team to less points than we score we will be fine.

(actually this as a good post sorry to be a smart ***)

**acqflisu** · 11-21-2011, 09:09 PM

Agree about the value of good defense, but turnovers have a huge impact and need to improve as well.

**cyclones500** · 11-21-2011, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by LtRaczack

Funny that reminds me of Johnny Orr's best teams. The very best ones could play defense by forcing turnovers and using the fast break before another team could set up defense.

True.

If you add rebounding to it (Orr's teams weren't always consistent at that, and sometimes bad), initiating transition is effective and exciting, especially if you may have some half-court flaws (size; solid point guard).

Anyone else watch Missouri demolish Notre Dame today? Similar situation there. Tough defense led to fast breaks, and the floodgates opened. But it wasn't entirely dependent on getting steals, either.

Not exactly the same subject, but related: Based on very early results, it's looking apparent that ISU should fare better when scoring 80-plus instead of games in the 60s. But defense has to be a key ingredient; if it's based entirely on trying to outscore the opponent, losing 92-88 is no better than 67-63 (although it can be more fun to watch)

**zach** · 11-21-2011, 09:16 PM

I was at the game Sunday. The first half was terrible. Everyone sitting around me kept yelling, "Come on D." Finally, there was more energy in the second half and they played better. McGee and Babb impressed me the most of the new guys as far as energy and interacting during with the team during time outs and such.

Maybe someone can clarify for me, however, the basketball players hardly ever looked at each or communicated with each other before the game in warm ups and at time out. It is like each of the players were out there for themselves and trying to be cool..even Bubu does it. Only exception I would say was Scotty, Babb and McGee.

Compare that to football players where everyone is talking and pumped up and communicating.

Not a lot of interaction with each BB player. Has it always been this in MBB where everyone looks to be cooler than the other. I admit I could be way off here, but at a glance, those guys are not interacting as a team.

Any thoughts?

Z

**CycloneErik** · 11-21-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by zach

I was at the game Sunday. The first half was terrible. Everyone sitting around me kept yelling, "Come on D." Finally, there was more energy in the second half and they played better. McGee and Babb impressed me the most of the new guys as far as energy and interacting during with the team during time outs and such.

Maybe someone can clarify for me, however, the basketball players hardly ever looked at each or communicated with each other before the game in warm ups and at time out. It is like each of the players were out there for themselves and trying to be cool..even Bubu does it. Only exception I would say was Scotty, Babb and McGee.

Compare that to football players where everyone is talking and pumped up and communicating.

Not a lot of interaction with each BB player. Has it always been this in MBB where everyone looks to be cooler than the other. I admit I could be way off here, but at a glance, those guys are not interacting as a team.

Any thoughts?

Z

On replays, you can see Hoiberg making symbols with his hands that seem to be exhorting the guys to talk and communicate. I get the feeling that's a work in progress right now.

**marothisu** · 11-21-2011, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

On replays, you can see Hoiberg making symbols with his hands that seem to be exhorting the guys to talk and communicate. I get the feeling that's a work in progress right now.

Yeah, they kept showing it on the TV broadcast that Fred kept making those hand signals "COMMUNICATE"

They should really listen to him on the communication thing more. You know, he only played in the NBA for 10 seasons.

I hope they don't think they can use Fred for his "connections." The situation like "Coach knows everyone in the NBA. I just have to play well for myself and he'll let em know."

**Doc** · 11-21-2011, 11:18 PM

Nobody took over 9 shots in our last game and we had 25 assists.

Let's not get too worked up because our guys don't talk to each other in warmups or because we think they're just trying to showcase their skills.

**jay moe** · 11-22-2011, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by clonedude

This entire year for MBB will hinge on our defense IMO. If we play super tough defense, everything else will fall in line. If we don't, then we're going to be pretty average.

Reason being.... we will be nearly unstoppable if we're running and gunning. Running will eliminate the need for a PG too. And the best way for us to run is to create turnovers or missed shots defensively.

If we play poor defensively, and the opponent shoots a good FG % because of it, it will completely turn us almost exclusively into a half court offense.... which we are NOT good at whatsoever.

I have some concerns about not having a PG and our lack of offensive execution, but I think all that would be solved if we can just get the tempo going. That all starts on the defensive end. Against Drake we played some of the worst defense I've seen... Drake shot well... and we never could get running.

You are correct sir.

**Wesley** · 11-23-2011, 07:40 AM

"This is not intramurals in the Big 12. We need to play defense."

"Defense? Defense? What defense?"

**Psiclone** · 11-23-2011, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Doc

Nobody took over 9 shots in our last game and we had 25 assists.

Let's not get too worked up because our guys don't talk to each other in warmups or because we think they're just trying to showcase their skills.

Allen took 16 shots, way too many, particularly with his current shooting percentage. Some of them need to go to White.

**woodie** · 11-23-2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Psiclone

Allen took 16 shots, way too many, particularly with his current shooting percentage. Some of them need to go to White.

coach hoiberg needs to pull the maury john defense out of his bag of tricks.COACH JOHN USED "THE BELLY BUTTON DEFENSE!!!!"his teams were fun to watch both at drake and at iowa state. it was too bad he died too early in his career at iowa state. he was a complete coach.....and his teams were fun to watch....

**acgclone** · 11-23-2011, 07:57 AM

From what I've seen so far, without major improvement on the defensive end, I see this team finishing somewhere around 6-3 at home in the B12 and 1-8'ish on the road in conference play.

You're just not going to win many road games playing below average D in the B12. When the shots aren't falling like they do at home and the opposing crowd isn't helping you, you have to get defensive stops.