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[QUOTE="SUFan44, post: 5577218, member: 39"]
The most encouraging thing about the start to the season is our play on the defensive end of the ball.

I had my reservations about how it would translate against top teams, but last night showed that it can be effective against anyone we play. And defense travels -- on the road, when you aren't shooting the ball well, it will keep you in games.

As of today, according to KenPom, we are #1 in the COUNTRY in effective field goal percentage defense at 37.0%. We are 23rd in the country in turnover percentage defense. And 49th overall in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Just to put that into perspective, last year we were 152nd in defensive efficiency and 275th in effective FG% defense. We have not had this good a defense since 2018-19 when we underachieved (IMO) and stunk at the end of the season (in no small part due to our point guard play).

Granted those numbers could normalize in the next week with the games against Kansas, Tennessee and whoever we play in the 3rd game in Vegas, but I am extremely encouraged by the effort, cohesion, and overall aptitude we are showing at that end of the floor.
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