Defense

[WoodlandWarrior]

I know the shot clock has changed the game and many fans enjoy the uptempo game, but I appreciate a hard nosed defensive effort. We had that with Donewald, who in turn learned from Bobby Knight. Our team lacks toughness, allows too many offensive boards from opponents, too much penetration, and cannot defend the three point shot. We’ve had too many misses on big men over the years —— Strandmark, Carlwell, “King David”, etc when we need a true center who can average 8 points and 6 boards per game. We also need a true point guard and somebody who can shoot 40% on threes over the course of a season. The current player mix is clearly not the answer and I look forward to a new start. If we are swept by Bradley that will be the final straw.

 

[ricohill]

I just looked.

In MVC only games we are 8th in FG percentage defense. 210 nationally out of 351 in FG percentage defense (does not include last night).

Overall in Kenpom - 9 of 10 MVC teams in defensive efficiency. 199th overall.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

 

[WoodlandWarrior]

I’m watching the rebroadcast of the Northern Iowa game now and notice several scenarios where our 6’6” guys are late getting to the perimeter to defend the three point shot. It happened twice in the 2nd half with Green hitting consecutive 3s and Chastain as the closest defender. A few moments later Goldman hits a 3 from the wing with Tinsley coming up late to defend. How and why are Chastain and Tinsley out so far from the basket? Where are our guards if not on the perimiter wings? Are other teams picks more effective than our own in freeing shooters?

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

A big part of playing great defense is being athletic, determined and mentally focused/tough. I often hear on this site how athletic this team is and it is a bit perplexing. This team has pockets of 'athleticism" but overall I do not see this ISU team being a meaningfully above average athletic Division 1 basketball team. Following is my take on current players and would be interested to hear if others differ.

"Athletic"
Milik
Fayne
Chastain

Average basketball athleticism
Copeland
Jefferson
Idowu (whole lot of brute strength and potential looks to be there to improve his athleticism)
Tinsley (struggled with this one maybe athletic?...looks the part and on a very rare occasion turns "athletic" but a vast majority of the time just makes average athletic plays)
Bruninga

below average basketball athleticism
Gassman
Evans (could be in the average?) Key is quick on his shot (quick release) and crafty but not fast..I do recall many athletic looking plays from Evans.
Hein (struggled with this one..could be in the average?) . Hustles 120 percent but seems to lack quickness and hops

So if this is remotely accurate then ISU seems to be about an average athletic d1 bball team.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

A big part of playing great defense is being athletic, determined and mentally focused/tough. I often hear on this site how athletic this team is and it is a bit perplexing. This team has pockets of 'athleticism" but overall I do not see this ISU team being a meaningfully above average athletic Division 1 basketball team. Following is my take on current players and would be interested to hear if others differ.

"Athletic"
Milik
Fayne
Chastain

Average basketball athleticism
Copeland
Jefferson
Idowu (whole lot of brute strength and potential looks to be there to improve his athleticism)
Tinsley (struggled with this one maybe athletic?...looks the part and on a very rare occasion turns "athletic" but a vast majority of the time just makes average athletic plays)
Bruninga

below average basketball athleticism
Gassman
Evans (could be in the average?) Key is quick on his shot (quick release) and crafty but not fast..I do recall many athletic looking plays from Evans.
Hein (struggled with this one..could be in the average?) . Hustles 120 percent but seems to lack quickness and hops

So if this is remotely accurate then ISU seems to be about an average athletic d1 bball team.

I'm going to assume that "athletic" is above average. I am not an actuary but if we take do some simple quick math of minutes played and consider the impact of those who play in most game, isu would be considered "above average ".

 

[Hamdonger]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

Hi JSN. But then peeps criticize Dan for taking Milik out because he's not completely sold out on the effort end...which includes BOTH physical and mental.

You bring up an excellent point though. Dan's teams get good when they buy in defensively. It's DM's sweet spot as a coach.

Unfortunately been mostly burnt chocolate chip cookies so far this year. Last night certainly included...although VERY hard to defend the entire perimeter out to 25 feet. The boys from two years ago would have figured it out though.

Don't know if it's Dan or the players or a combo of both or neither. Throw some darts and let me know cause i sure don't know.

 

[stats]

I know the shot clock has changed the game and many fans enjoy the uptempo game, but I appreciate a hard nosed defensive effort. We had that with Donewald, who in turn learned from Bobby Knight.

I enjoy defense as well. I wish they still had the 5 second call. You don't see teams pressure the ball handler very much, but you often see a guy dribble the ball out top for 10 or 15 seconds before they make their move.

 

[redbirdron1]

Dan and his staff get a failing grade this year for this D.

Way too many open perimeter shots, period.
Way too many baseline and open drives to the hoop.

I'll keep saying it - for Dan to salvage long term employment at this size university he must
begin to focus on the D specialists while recruiting. Another has said, these R one trick ponies
but that is not the case. These kids R athletic, maybe not all flashy kids who shoot from downtown
but I tire of that focus on offense. Give me a Bruninga or 2 on the squad for the deep threat and make
the rest all kids from AAU's who R top flight kids who pride themselves in stopping their man every time
down the floor. That's your identity!

Mindset change needed for most on this board and our staff.

 

[JHBird]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

His defensive pedigree took an assistant's job at U of Michigan. I doubt we'll ever play defense like we did a few years ago...
Without Chastain in the lineup we would be notoriously bad. We need three of him in the lineup. Hopefully Keith Fisher plays like him next year.

 

[HT59]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

:text-+1:

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I thought Dan has a defensive pedigree? I wouldn't know it by watching these guys (minus Chastain). I just dont understand why this team hasnt bought into defense. We are a very talented and athletic team. Seems like an effort thing....which comes from the top down

A big part of playing great defense is being athletic, determined and mentally focused/tough. I often hear on this site how athletic this team is and it is a bit perplexing. This team has pockets of 'athleticism" but overall I do not see this ISU team being a meaningfully above average athletic Division 1 basketball team. Following is my take on current players and would be interested to hear if others differ.

"Athletic"
Milik
Fayne
Chastain

Average basketball athleticism
Copeland
Jefferson
Idowu (whole lot of brute strength and potential looks to be there to improve his athleticism)
Tinsley (struggled with this one maybe athletic?...looks the part and on a very rare occasion turns "athletic" but a vast majority of the time just makes average athletic plays)
Bruninga

below average basketball athleticism
Gassman
Evans (could be in the average?) Key is quick on his shot (quick release) and crafty but not fast..I do recall many athletic looking plays from Evans.
Hein (struggled with this one..could be in the average?) . Hustles 120 percent but seems to lack quickness and hops

So if this is remotely accurate then ISU seems to be about an average athletic d1 bball team.

I'm going to assume that "athletic" is above average. I am not an actuary but if we take do some simple quick math of minutes played and consider the impact of those who play in most game, isu would be considered "above average ".

.

But every d1 team has a couple of athletic players so ISU is no different than the norm and that is my point...pockets of athleticism on the ISU team but nothing special by d1 standards

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

A big part of playing great defense is being athletic, determined and mentally focused/tough. I often hear on this site how athletic this team is and it is a bit perplexing. This team has pockets of 'athleticism" but overall I do not see this ISU team being a meaningfully above average athletic Division 1 basketball team. Following is my take on current players and would be interested to hear if others differ.

"Athletic"
Milik
Fayne
Chastain

Average basketball athleticism
Copeland
Jefferson
Idowu (whole lot of brute strength and potential looks to be there to improve his athleticism)
Tinsley (struggled with this one maybe athletic?...looks the part and on a very rare occasion turns "athletic" but a vast majority of the time just makes average athletic plays)
Bruninga

below average basketball athleticism
Gassman
Evans (could be in the average?) Key is quick on his shot (quick release) and crafty but not fast..I do recall many athletic looking plays from Evans.
Hein (struggled with this one..could be in the average?) . Hustles 120 percent but seems to lack quickness and hops

So if this is remotely accurate then ISU seems to be about an average athletic d1 bball team.

I'm going to assume that "athletic" is above average. I am not an actuary but if we take do some simple quick math of minutes played and consider the impact of those who play in most game, isu would be considered "above average ".

.

But every d1 team has a couple of athletic players so ISU is no different than the norm and that is my point...pockets of athleticism on the ISU team but nothing special by d1 standards

Fair point