Myron Medcalf calling out our porous defense

[thespywhozaggedme]

Since the team's win over Arizona in the Maui Invitational last month, Gonzaga has surrendered 82.8 points per game. North Carolina made 55 percent of its shots outside the paint on Saturday, per ESPN Stats & Info. The Bulldogs have a fleet of playmakers, but a Gonzaga team that started the day ranked first in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom.com has failed to play with the defensive discipline that fueled its predecessors.
Gonzaga's rise from mid-major king to perennial national power is tied to its defensive ascent. The Bulldogs have finished within the top 30 in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom.com the past six seasons, a stretch that featured an Elite Eight run in 2015 and an appearance in the national title game in 2017.

They've lost that defensive mojo. Before Saturday, Gonzaga had not allowed 100-plus points in regulation since a 2007 road loss to Virginia.

This is unlike Mark Few's program. Yes, the eventual returns of Tillie and Crandall should help. But the team's defensive lapses have followed the Bulldogs all season. Those problems cost them a neutral-site win when they squandered a late lead against Tennessee last weekend in Phoenix, and they were never competitive Saturday against North Carolina, which made 52 percent of its 3-pointers.

Gonzaga won't compete for a national title unless the team addresses its defensive problems.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25542885/why-gonzaga-ucla-syracuse-concerned

[WBM]

I read that this afternoon, too, and I thought it was pretty convincing. I have been more and more impressed with our defense these last several years, and it is the thing I believe is holding us back from reaching our potential (above injuries, obviously) right now.

I really didn't get to see much from Crandall, but I've seen other posters who are hopeful he can be a boon to our defense when he returns. Obviously Tillie will help, too. We have a lot of time to grow, but I do worry that we will be training against WCC opponents, most of whom are not high caliber teams.

[Zags11]

Shhh you'll offend people.

[jazzdelmar]

Indeed. That sky is cracking wide open. Don’t look.

Shhh you'll offend people.

[willandi]

Geno's being injured has hurt the perimeter defense.

[JPtheBeasta]

Poor defense is in part due to lack of depth. I’m not worried.... yet. (Although I have thought since the pre-season that a lack of a Karnowski-like presence in the middle is keeping this from being a complete team).

[MontanaCoyote]

OK, but nothing new! A quick look at posts on this board, game thread and post game, affirmed the lack of D, not only for the NC game but as a precursor for the season to come.

The question remains. Can the Zags get good enough on D to beat the Dukes, Tennessee’s, NC’s and Kansas’ of this world.
That IS THE Question!

[TexasZagFan]

OK, but nothing new! A quick look at posts on this board, game thread and post game, affirmed the lack of D, not only for the NC game but as a precursor for the season to come.

The question remains. Can the Zags get good enough on D to beat the Dukes, Tennessee’s, NC’s and Kansas’ of this world.
That IS THE Question!

Not if our starters continue to average 30+ minutes a game. It's a long season, and fatigue leads to mental errors as the game gets down to crunch time. Getting Killian and Geno back soon will solidify the rotation.

[MontanaCoyote]

Poor defense is in part due to lack of depth. I’m not worried.... yet. (Although I have thought since the pre-season that a lack of a Karnowski-like presence in the middle is keeping this from being a complete team).

So have I, and posted it as well. Nicknamed Karno “The Presence” simply because his presence, in, of and by itself changed
Everything. Remember the line, “You need taxi fare to get around him.” We do miss that........ a lot.

[MDABE80]

Zags yielding 78.8 Ppg.Ranked 305th in points allowed. This article was published earlier in the post game thoughts.

[bartruff1]

duh

[raise the zag]

Geno's being injured has hurt the perimeter defense.

As I've posted ad nauseum, Geno was instantly our best, most creative defender on the perimeter.

His ball handling is suspect, but he gets in a defensive stance and commits to plugging the lane.

He is a pretty good slasher too.

If his shooting comes around, will be such a difference maker by season's end.

[MontanaCoyote]

As I've posted ad nauseum, Geno was instantly our best, most creative defender on the perimeter.

His ball handling is suspect, but he gets in a defensive stance and commits to plugging the lane.

He is a pretty good slasher too.

If his shooting comes around, will be such a difference maker by season's end.

I thought you said you were done posting until...........!? Welcome back!

[JPtheBeasta]

So have I, and posted it as well. Nicknamed Karno “The Presence” simply because his presence, in, of and by itself changed
Everything. Remember the line, “You need taxi fare to get around him.” We do miss that........ a lot.

Agreed. Even JW3’s contributions would be welcome right now.

[Outraged]

We just need to get in position under the basket. We need to get in front of the ball. We need to follow for 2nd chance opportunities. We need to communicate.