Baylor Loss Thread

[Clone_12]

Last night was one of the worst defensive performances we've had in years statistically (allowed 1.37points/possession)...pretty disappointing considering 1 more stop could've been the difference between winning that game in regulation.

If we could've just avoided 1 of our 792 defensive breakdowns that lead to a layup we could've won that game. You would expect this group of upperclassmen that made it a point to focus on defense in the offseason to be more locked in mentally by mid-February..

 

[allfourcy]

It doesn't have to be "on" anybody. We're not an elite team.

We don't need to blame anybody for us not being a Top 10 team. But we need to thank a bunch of people for us being a Top 25 team. Hoiberg. Prohm. The players.

Agree. We have 4 road big12 losses. 3 in OT, and one where we had a last second 3 to win the game. If we have KU or Baylor's depth, we probably win 2 or 3 of those. Yes we have Georges and Monte, they are so good that people are just frustrated because we don't quite have a complete team to get it done. Watching Brice Johnson with 18 pts and 11 rebounds in ONE HALF tonight just makes me shake my head thinking we were that highly ranked when all we have is McKay for that position. And I disagree we were elite last year, or we wouldn't have lost to UAB, but we did have Hogue, BDJ, and Naz. There are so many teams that are going to be better on the boards when we get to the big dance, if not scoring punch inside. It is what it is people. Agree, no one to blame.

 

[CycloneErik]

Last night was one of the worst defensive performances we've had in years statistically (allowed 1.37points/possession)...pretty disappointing considering 1 more stop could've been the difference between winning that game in regulation.

If we could've just avoided 1 of our 792 defensive breakdowns that lead to a layup we could've won that game. You would expect this group of upperclassmen that made it a point to focus on defense in the offseason to be more locked in mentally by mid-February..

I want to find a way to disagree, but yes, that would be a reasonable expectation.
Even being a mediocre defensive team has us rolling through the top 5 all year long.

 

[isufbcurt]

Last night was one of the worst defensive performances we've had in years statistically (allowed 1.37points/possession)...pretty disappointing considering 1 more stop could've been the difference between winning that game in regulation.

If we could've just avoided 1 of our 792 defensive breakdowns that lead to a layup we could've won that game. You would expect this group of upperclassmen that made it a point to focus on defense in the offseason to be more locked in mentally by mid-February..

Why would you expect that? Their entire career up until Prohm got here defense was way down on the list of important items. That was engrained in them and it wasn't going to be magically changed in 1 year especially when there are depth issues and they are scared to foul out.

 

[Clone_12]

Why would you expect that? Their entire career up until Prohm got here defense was way down on the list of important items. That was engrained in them and it wasn't going to be magically changed in 1 year especially when there are depth issues and they are scared to foul out.

These are 20-22 year olds...1 year is enough to see improvement if it's something that's focused on.

I never thought they'd be a great defensive team...but I sure as heck thought we'd see more improvement than we have. It's been a focus for this group since October. I don't believe that's being unrealistic. Last night we gave up more points per possession than we have since December 1st, 2004. (btw that was the 82-99 loss to UNI at the UNI-Dome where Homan caused a skirmish which resulted in Morgan and McDermott going at it).

This group IS capable of playing decent defense. They've done it throughout the year (just not consistently)...last night was breakdown after breakdown after breakdown though...whether it be due to not hustling back, not stopping dribble penetration, being slow to close out on shooters, or completely losing guys in the zone. It wasn't because we were scared of committing fouls, or not deep enough.

 

[Cycl1]

Why would you expect that? Their entire career up until Prohm got here defense was way down on the list of important items. That was engrained in them and it wasn't going to be magically changed in 1 year especially when there are depth issues and they are scared to foul out.

Thomas improved a ton.

 

[Clone_12]

Thomas improved a ton.

Completely agree. Niang has improved defensively as well.

 

[isufbcurt]

Thomas improved a ton.

Completely agree. Niang has improved defensively as well.

I agree and that wasn't my point really. My point was that defense has been an after thought (barely worked on in practice) until Prohm got here. Our defense wasn't going to magically turn into Virginia caliber in one year. Yes a few players are better and as a team our defensive ranking is better than years past but it is still no where it needs to be. When this team decides to play tough defense they are as good as anyone (see the last couple Baylor possessions in regulation). I have trouble blaming Prohm for not being able to change in 9 months what was previously taught to the players over years.

 

[Wesley]

They also ****** away a late lead at KSU and were run out of the gym in Waco the last week of the season. If Naz doesn't hit the 3 vs OSU that team rides a 3 game losing streak into the Big XII's. But Naz hit the shot, that team found its mojo vs K State in the Big XII tournament and went to the Sweet 16. At some point this team needs to find its mojo but last night's result hardly is a predictor of what might happen in March. See last year for further proof...

Georges is our mojo. Tell Monte.

 

[Wesley]

Last night was one of the worst defensive performances we've had in years statistically (allowed 1.37points/possession)...pretty disappointing considering 1 more stop could've been the difference between winning that game in regulation. If we could've just avoided 1 of our 792 defensive breakdowns that lead to a layup we could've won that game. You would expect this group of upperclassmen that made it a point to focus on defense in the offseason to be more locked in mentally by mid-February..

McKay is out of position a lot of the plays on defense especially in the first half. Only when he becomes the tornado and covers a lot of ground does his defense become great. Matt and Georges try to make up for his bad positioning on defense.

 

[Clone_12]

I agree and that wasn't my point really. My point was that defense has been an after thought (barely worked on in practice) until Prohm got here. Our defense wasn't going to magically turn into Virginia caliber in one year. Yes a few players are better and as a team our defensive ranking is better than years past but it is still no where it needs to be. When this team decides to play tough defense they are as good as anyone (see the last couple Baylor possessions in regulation). I have trouble blaming Prohm for not being able to change in 9 months what was previously taught to the players over years.

I agree with everything in this post...I don't expect us to be at virginia's level defensively or even close...I do expect us to be better than we were Tuesday though.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I agree with everything in this post...I don't expect us to be at virginia's level defensively or even close...I do expect us to be better than we were Tuesday though.

Our defense was good enough to win that game that's all I care about.

 

[Clone_12]

Our defense was good enough to win that game that's all I care about.

We lost though, and our defense was the main reason why. Clearly it wasn't good enough.