Matchup zone is the best defense in basketball. No problem with Buzz forcing the guys to run it, even though we don't quite have the talent for it.

HotardRat said:

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Matchup zone is the best defense in basketball. No problem with Buzz forcing the guys to run it, even though we don't quite have the talent for it.

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Yeah, they've really improved over the last month since the overplayed dribble drive too much. They were holding teams to 27% 3FG. We shot a higher 3FG% than LSU tonight. Just needed to manage LSU's desperation press late in the game better. Don't dribble into a trap.

A lot of the kind of hybrid/matchup zones are easy to break down when you're fresh and you're thinking clearly, but as the game goes on and you wear down mentally and physically they tend to get better. You see that a lot with Baylor and Syracuse some years where they get dissected early, but the defense seems to get better as the game goes along.

LSU carved us up early on last night, but then started turning the ball over.

LSU is currently ranked #5 on Kenpom in adjusted offensive efficiency. They and Gonzaga are the most offensively skilled teams that we had yet faced this season (Zags are currently ranked #1 on offense). Our defense did force 19 turnovers which is a lot, but give LSU some credit. That team is an elite scoring team.

South Carolina is currently ranked #187 on Kenpom in adjusted offensive efficiency. So don't be shocked if on Saturday our defense is holding the Gamecocks to a lot less points.

I thought they played okay. In the first half, LSU seemed to hit everything. Not sure if that was because of poor defense or just hot shooting. I figured there was no way they were going to continue shooting like they were. Better defense in the 2nd?

Overall, I think the team is actually playing about where I had hoped at the beginning of the year. It's really good to see the team make a huge leap in how they are playing. Next year, there shouldn't be such a big learning curve so we should be a lot better.

Also LSU's size, or lack thereof in the middle, actually gave us problems. They were really able to space the floor with all five guys for most of the time which is going to give any kind of defense fits.

LSU was 15 for 22 from inside the arc (68%).

the defensive glass is a problem. 1 was watching rebounds come down.

After a poorly conceived OP, this turned into a really good thread. Thanks gentlemen!

bobinator said:

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It's something we're very bad at, and something they're very good at.

But yes, Flagg didn't seem like he wanted to scrap in there for rebounds. Nebo did, and I actually thought Chandler and Jackson had great effort on the boards as well, but as a team we got destroyed on the defensive glass last night.

Actually did pretty well at the other end though.

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Miller had limited minutes and he has been one of our most consistent rebounders lately. Not sure if his minutes were because of what LSU brought to the table but he did not see much action once he left the floor in the 2nd half.

bobinator said:

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But yes, Flagg didn't seem like he wanted to scrap in there for rebounds.

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He's rebounding at "freshman DJ Hogg" rates. Below "freshman John Walker" rates.

Rebounding cost us a W against LSU....

Love the journey though with Buzz at the wheel!

6 points in 28 seconds at the end of regulation is a backbreaker!

The defense will be the only thing that keeps us in games as wells a rebounding. It looks good when we make shots but that's not going to happen game in game out. Buzz wants to win the offensive and defensive rebounding because he knows that's our calling card. During BCG days, they were not only great at defense and rebounding, they shot the ball well. That's the major glaring difference between the two. Next year watch out!