Maybe changing up defense at times would help disrupt their rhythm but down our 7 footer along with foul calls like these is going to affect their ability to play defense.
We weren’t a good defensive team even with Handlogten, who is not a defensive juggernaut, so we can’t really use that as an excuse for today. CU was insanely efficient and wouldn’t miss, but our defense has been objectively below par all season.
Among our returning players ( I hope) the best defenders are Aberdeen and Haugh. Would have loved to have seen Aberdeen (rested after only playing 12 minutes) on Simpson (also rested after picking up his 4th foul). Depending on who else returns or transfers in, I suspect we will still be an offense first roster, but should be able to be more varied with our defense
A bit perplexed as to why Aberdeen wasn’t on Simpson there, or maybe even Kugel. Pullin was my favorite player on the team but not the one I wanted man up with Simpson with the game on the line.
That doesn't take into account a number of things like his rebounding and the 5 more fouls he gives us. The 5 fouls in particular and lack thereof create ripple effects in how we defend and sub going forward, especially given Condon did eventually foul out.
At least someone was calling the horrific officiating out. 2 of those plays were offensive fouls on Colorado, one should have been a no-call, clean block, and the last one should have been a no-call on Clayton.
Why would it make a difference? Simpson would have just put his elbow into Aberdeen's chest and pushed him off too. Clear Offensive foul. UF should have been shooting free-throws for the win.
I’m a known analytics hater, so I don’t know the advanced stats on our defense. I hear people tell me it’s bad so I guess they look at metrics. To my eye test, however, I think our guys are excellent defenders. Micah used to get called for a lot of bs fouls, IMO. I don’t think our defense was elite, but hey… you can’t be elite at everything. We were elite in other categories like rebounding. If it were possible, I’d run it back next year with this same exact roster and be quite happy. Unfortunately, we know ZP and Tyrese are out of eligibility, Kugs and DA may hit the warp zone, and Micah might not be ready by the time the season starts. Sucks, because I like this team a lot. Last few years, I wasn’t upset to lose most players that left. I’m legit sad this year.
Pullen played some intense minutes in our comeback (34 in total), so Aberdeen or even Kugel would have made the most sense looking for a 6 second defensive stop
The refs called a foul (with Micah out , we could hardly afford) if we got into a defensive stance. It’s easy to shoot that well when we aren t allowed to play defense
No offense, but just kind of at a loss at the idea this team wasn’t sub-par defensively. Yes, metrics would definitely say that, so do my eyes. I loved this team as well, offense was incredible, great on the boards, but objectively bad at getting stops.
Our defense was sub par by any metrics or eye test, IMO. The ONLY thing we did well defensively was offensive rebounding. Our guards are terrible at stopping penetration and any guard that wants to get in the lane, or to the basket, could easily do so. As good as WC was offensively, he was just as terrible defensively. Defense is all about the want to, and unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of that, IMO.
Handlogten definitely would have been the best matchup against their big guy. Would he have been a huge difference, or would he have just gotten in foul trouble himself? Kind of unknowable. But at least you have your best C in there and 5 more fouls to give. Going into the tourney I argued it shouldn’t be devastating to our chances given how solid the freshmen had been in the rotation, but CO’s big caused us serious problems, so in that particular matchup it was tough with Samuel the only guy that could really body him up. In a tight high scoring game he might have made the difference in a few more stops or grabbed rebounds. But it is what it is.
I like you, Keefer, but I have a pet peeve against people who “Come on Man” me then talk to me like nothing happened. Was no reason for the negativity.
???? I responded by telling you how I felt about our D. You said that you thought our guys were "excellent defenders", I don't agree with that at all, thus my reason for the "come on man". Don't take things so personal. There are roughly 8 billion people on earth and you don't know which one I am. Don't let my dumbass opinion ruffle your feathers.
