Defense

[mat1992 2,239]

Last year, we averaged 74.6 points per game and allowed 69.3 points per game. We shot 31.2 percent from beyond the arc, 68.5 percent from the line and 45 percent from the field. We allowed teams to shoot just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc and 41.7 percent overall.

This year, we are average 77.7 points per game in conference (5th in CAA) and 76.8 ppg overall (4th). Defensively, we allow 70.9ppg (3rd) overall and 75.6 points per game in conference (5th). Now that's a huge difference and the CAA has some exceptional offensive teams but we also played poor defensively in the CAA, which is why we finished 8-10 instead of 11-7 as we did last season. It's just strange that our defense went from allowing 68.5 points per game overall to 70.9 and 75.6ppg in conference play. Losing John Davis and William Adala Moto should not have meant that our defense would slip that much. So there are a couple of factors I think that hurt us.

Offensively, we are fine, shooting 47.3 percent from the floor in conference and 46.9% overall. Our free throw shooting has really slipped lately, to 68.7 percent overall and 68.2% in conference. But the last five minutes of games, we must be in the high fifties. Three-point shooting percentage is much better than last season with 36.6% overall and 35.3% in the CAA. 

But defensive stats are interesting. We allow 42.9 percent shooting from the field overall (1st in CAA) but in conference that number is way up to 46.4%, which must be the worst number for a Skerry-coached team. We are also pretty bad against the 3 in conference (35.3%) and a serviceable 33.7 percent (2nd) overall in 3pt defense. That's not a good sign against W&M for the third time but we've had trouble against just about everybody on D from 3pt.

Why are we so bad in defense in the conference? W&M always has good shooters. You are not going to completely shut them down. We gave up 80 points in both games against last season, so you basically have to score 85+ to beat them.

But again, why are we worse than last season? I think moving EK to the power forward spot didn't work out and while Justin may not have been ready, at least Justin is 6-7 and has more length than Eddie. He's a bit more athletic even though had some great weakside blocks this season. I get it, we had no choice with just 3 post players and Eddie is certainly not a point guard.

Playing Justin at the center meant you didn't have a rim protector. Alex really isn't that either but at least he defends the post. Tunstall was limited with injury issues but he can be a rim protector.

On the perimeter, Zane got a lot of playing time this season and for good reason but he's not exactly Morman or even Starr. I think Brian improved defensively this season but he struggles at times against quick guards (Hofstra, Drexel, etc.). Zane and Gorham could be stars in this league but I wonder about their potential is defensively. Justin should be much better at power forward next season defensively. The kid really goes after rebounds and if he gets to around 240 of muscle, he could be a double-digit rebound guy (15-10?). Defensively, he has to defend the post better but he won't have to defend Knight, Brantley (when he plays center) or Harris. Even bigs like Eric Carter and Austin Williams give him trouble. That's where Sanders comes in and maybe Solomon O. if he's ready.

Instead of going after a small forward in recruiting, maybe we go after a combo guard or a 2/3 like Zane. Move Zane to the 3. Defensively, that might be his best position and he should stil average 20+ppg next season. Teams will focus on him so you need to find another guard that can put the ball in the basket But you add a quicker 6-2 or 6-3 shooting guard that can defend the perimeter and hopefully a very good grand transfer point guard.

I think we need to get quicker and more athletic on the perimeter. Starr, Morsell and Martin are fine athletically but we certainly missed Morman's defense late. But Deshaun wasn't exactly a lock down defender this season as he was last year. McNeill is pretty long but no super athletic either.

Just a thought that it's difficult to find two-way players and it's tough to win with guys that can play D but no O or guys that are good on O but not on D. You have to play both ends. Finding guys that can do both and are leaders, well then you have your title.

[TSU88 1,074]

Biggest need with the 2 remaining ships is a quality PG. Otherwise, we’re looking at an untested freshman in Dottin & a thoroughly disappointing Prophete.

 I suspect the 2nd ship will be either a small forward or a combo guard. As you know, we’ve offered a bunch of JUCO’s, as well as some HS kids. We could also wait around for a grad transfer 

[mat1992 2,239]

Of course, we need a point guard but that doesn't solve the D issues. Not sure what that has to do with the defense. Kind of important that we find some guys that can defend because we've done nothing but complain about shooting and now it's the D.