As bad as our current starting backcourt is, our interior def and rebounding is worse

[007]

We have one, he just doesn't play and he does nothing else.

Prolly why he doesn't play.

Although I think we might benefit from him being out there 5ish minutes per game just to make teams have to think about the paint.

If Red starts playing more zone, that seems like it would be a better fit for NM. But court/game awareness and reaction speed will always be an issue.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If Red starts playing more zone, that seems like it would be a better fit for NM. But court/game awareness and reaction speed will always be an issue.

I am curious to see how McCleod would handle some zone and a little bit of press.

My expectations aren't high, but there could be a worthwhile changeup there.

 

[Newhouser]

We don’t have any shot blockers. Donnie is athletic but doesn’t really have a feel for it. We don’t have any good on the ball defenders who can create chaos or are anticipatory in the passing lanes. Opponents can essentially pick who they want to attack on D.

A team better than Albany last night most likely blows us out. Donnie got those 4 open 3s, Cuffe got 2 open 3s. Our size seemed to overwhelm them initially but they outrebounded us in the 2H and they also didn’t turn the ball over in the 2H. We had 6 2nd half TOs

I can't think of one block this year where our defender was actually looking at and challenging the shot taker. The few blocks we have are all from behind.

 

[007]

I am curious to see how McCleod would handle some zone and a little bit of press.

My expectations aren't high, but there could be a worthwhile changeup there.

Yeah, I would like to see what he could do in a limited role in the middle of the zone. Limit his responsibilities to rim protection and rebounding. That would put a ton of pressure on the forwards to cover additional ground.

Gonna guess that the staff has thought of that and tried it in practice.

 

[djcon57]

Remember when people here said steals were overrated?

 

[djcon57]

I'm just going to disagree. Donnie gets balls ripped out of his hands at least 3 times a game. Getting position against someone boxing you out is definitely another indication of toughness, or where it may be lacking. Offensive shot making skill is not toughness.

He has the highest TRB% for a starter since Sidibe in 19-20, not sure how you can disagree with that?

 

[NineOneSeven]

We had 1 steal last night...ONE?
Add 3 blocks.

That's not how we used to play defense. Used to thrive on 7-8 blocks, similar amount of steals per game as a team.

I know it's a different defense, but they need to contest shots better. And causing turnovers or outright steals usually results in better shot selection when they get out on the break.

Against a smaller, slower, downright worse Albany team.

 

[Orangefizz]

We actually rebound well.

Don't want to pile on but it all comes down to Carlos getting abused but playing 35 mpg.

No we actually do not rebound well. In fact I have not seen one above the rim rebound this season. It’s a disaster