Defense

[broth87]

3 straight games we've struggled defensively. Teams are getting into the lane at will, driving and scoring, driving and kicking for wide open threes. Our defensive efficiency was top 15 going into Maryland. We've fallen out of the top 25 since. Until this team makes a team wide re-commitment to getting stops and getting after people, it's gonna continue to be a monumental struggle and we'll get beat a couple of times. Our rotations are slow or non-existent, our had court trap has suddenly become very pedestrian and ineffective.
The good news is we've seen this team be very good defensively. That tells me this all can be corrected with effort and attention to detail. We should also be favored in every game the rest of the way. If we can correct it, and I mean before we go to happy valley, we can run the remaining games out and take the conference. But to me it's all gonna come down to the defensive end of the court.

 

[StormHawk42]

Fatigue. The break is much needed. Gotta get through PSU first.

 

[hawk-i bob]

A lot of the defense intensity tonite was dictated by the way the game was being called...both ends both teams. I totally support the freedom of movement thing....but it just seemed tonite there were strange calls....and then no calls. That's was my feeling anyway.

 

[HerkysDad]

I did not see many hands up and in the face of the opposing players like I have in other games. Not sure if it is fatigue or what. This really disrupted Penn State and caused them to have a terrible shooting game. I don't mean blocking shots or even attempting to, just disrupting th vision of the offensive players for shot or assist attempts.