Our Defense

[zagco]

About 3 years ago, Zagco was exasperated with our defense, especially with respect to giving up record 3-point nights to our conference foes. Last year, he started seeing things in our defensive movement and alignment that made him feel better. This year, he really started feeling good in the Oklahoma State game. Tonight, watching the Cougar game, he's damn near crying tears of joy.

Until proven otherwise, Zagco thinks we have a tremendous defense. We are sooooooooo good at knocking away balls in the key, and we are getting out and using our length to cause almost constant problems with passing lanes. Really, really impressive!

[TuckC]

too much length inside and too much athleticism on the arc. If our wing guards (Daye, Ira) stay out of foul trouble, it's tough to get by.

[Spokanicoug]

No denying the GU talent, but the Cougs have missed a TON of wide-open 3s.

[ZagLawGrad]

No denying the GU talent, but the Cougs have missed a TON of wide-open 3s.

And a bunch of 2's

[zagco]

Lmao!

[Zag4Hire]

About 3 years ago, Zagco was exasperated with our defense, especially with respect to giving up record 3-point nights to our conference foes. Last year, he started seeing things in our defensive movement and alignment that made him feel better. This year, he really started feeling good in the Oklahoma State game. Tonight, watching the Cougar game, he's damn near crying tears of joy.

Until proven otherwise, Zagco thinks we have a tremendous defense. We are sooooooooo good at knocking away balls in the key, and we are getting out and using our length to cause almost constant problems with passing lanes. Really, really impressive!

I was hoping to post a thread regarding this topic. Can anybody (Bob?Native?Reno?Angelo?Reborn) explain the sudden development of defensive prowess? I mean it was only last year that I believed our defense to be average at best. Now it completely feeds into the fast break offense. If anything, we really look like Tennessee of last year: fast, play long/quick/aggressive on offense, etc. The only thing is the Zags might be just a bit better with the shooting and offensive depth. Seriously, pass the Kool-Aid!

[gamagin]

Zag4Hire

I was hoping to post a thread regarding this topic. Can anybody (Bob?Native?Reno?Angelo?Reborn) explain the sudden development of defensive prowess? I mean it was only last year that I believed our defense to be average at best. Now it completely feeds into the fast break offense. If anything, we really look like Tennessee of last year: fast, play long/quick/aggressive on offense, etc. The only thing is the Zags might be just a bit better with the shooting and offensive depth. Seriously, pass the Kool-Aid!

you can trace this to coach Ray Giacoletti (sp?)

[RenoZag]

A lot of folks on this board last year said Coach G would be a key cog in the coaching staff because of his proficiency as a defensive specialist. It didn't seem to be the case in the 07 - 08 season. This year appears to be a different story. GU has done a great job of forcing turnovers, contesting shots, making the opposition work harder for their points.

I'm not an X and O's guy; to me, the defensive results are summed up in one word:

Hustle.


P.S. Teams that go deep in the Big Dance usually sparkle on BOTH sides of the ball. I'm not ready to think the Bulldogs are Final Four bound but it's really encouraging to see their defensive hustle rewarded with steals, turnovers, lower opposition FG % and so forth

[Zag4Hire]

you can trace this to coach Ray Giacoletti (sp?)

I might have guessed that since he is the latest addition to the coaching staff and he was looking mighty spiff in the brown suit. That half court trap is mad sick with Downs playing the ball! Feeling a tad nostalgic: Could you imagine the squad if we had 3/4 the defense of this squad with Ammo, JP, etc.?

Quick game note as well: I thought a few of the calls on GU on defense were nitpicking. They played great on-ball defense.

[MedZag]

I'm not an X and O's guy; to me, the defensive results are summed up in one word:

Hustle.

Ditto. D is all about not just effort but a concerted focus on unrelenting effort. However I don't think its all just like a switch was flipped, I think our deep bench and numerous offensive weapons this year are also key. They allow everyone on the team to go all out on D without having to save as much for O. The years when our team was realistically 6 players deep that was not the case.

[Zag4Hire]

I couldn't help but clap when Sorenson slapped a ball away that went out of bounds. Also Gray had a great hustle play late. Excellent point, Reno. Also I was hoping IRA! would have gotten that flush late...it would have been over half the Wazzu defense.

[TuckC]

We probably would have beaten Butler!

[zagfan24]

Depth

Ray G, Hustle, and most importantly -- Depth.

There were way too many instances last year of shutting down a team over the first 30 seconds of the shot clock, and then tired legs giving in and somebody getting an easy bucket or open look right at the end. This year, we have the depth to keep legs fresher, which means defensive intensity that lasts not only further into the game, but deeper into each possession.

Also, the depth provides a little incentive to keep hustling on D...lest someone find a seat right next to Giacoletti.

[NevadaZag]

Quick game note as well: I thought a few of the calls on GU on defense were nitpicking. They played great on-ball defense.

I hate complaining about calls, but there were some really ticky tacky fouls in the first half, and only against the Zags. Grrr. Didn't matter though, as it shouldn't.

[MickMick]

Zags are still stuck with the stereotype of playing bad defense. It is up to us fans to challenge this notion when we see it.

They are not clones from years past.