Should our Defensive Philosphy

http://cnnsi.com/2012/writers/luke_winn/05/14/defending.three/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_wr_a3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



I wonder if we would become a better defensive team by doing this. Of course better athletes make it easier but Wisconson and St. Louis have comparable athletes to BYU.

If you don't think the long twos-vs.-threes argument is important, consider this: While Wisconsin held its opponents to just 0.807 points per possession on three-point attempts -- an amazingly efficient rate -- it allowed just 0.628 PPP on long twos. There's a reason Ryan charts and cherishes the two-point jumpers UW forces outside the paint. The odds on getting beat from that area are miniscule.



Tactically, how is this accomplished? Majerus has a few key points of emphasis, the first being in transition, where he sends three players back -- but not all of them into the paint. "A lot of times they go to the three-point line," he said, "and then identify guys we want to make bounce it." Certain elite shooters are given an absolutely-no-catch-and-shoot designation, with penalty of benching for allowing it to happen.

On screen-and-rolls with a dangerous shooter, Majerus is willing to concede the drive-to-midrange option as opposed to giving up the long-range shot. He has the Billikens defend the pick-and-roll seven different ways based on his studies of current and former NBA coaches he admires -- Don Nelson, Del Harris, George Karl, Tom Thibodeau and Gregg Popovich. "A lot of college coaches have a condescending attitude toward the NBA," Majerus said. "I do not. I think the NBA guys actually do a lot better job than we do at defending in critical situations."



At Wisconsin, Ryan said, "the idea is not to let shooters get comfortable behind a screen." While the Badgers' hedging strategy in the pick-and-roll varies depending on the opponent, he estimates that the on-ball defender goes over 90 percent of screens to avoid as many pull-up threes as possible. On drives to the rim, they never same-side help off of a shooter, which would allow catch-and-shoot opportunities; the help has to rotate over from the back side. On kick-outs, they emphasize running shooters off the three-point line. "If someone is going to get a three against us," Ryan says, "we want them shooting on the move."

IMO, BYU's problems weren't on the defensive end. They were on the offensive end where we struggled to consistently make outside shots.

IMO last year we were good on D and average on O. We should try to improve both but with the apparent depth of athletes on the perimeter I think we have a chance to be great defensive. If we can maintain an average offense we would come out ahead.

Our defense was average most times and showed flashes of brilliance when the right players/mix was on the court.



Our offense was one-sided, inconsistent and predictable.