Our defensive problems come down to 1 thing

[IthacaMatt]

The SECOND offensive rebound. Statistically speaking, after reading all these posts - and just going by the "looks test", our defense comes down to this. We are great at stealing the ball, blocking shots, intimidating around the basket and challenging three's. We do all of that well. We can even afford to give up a first offensive rebound, but it's the SECOND offensive rebound that kills us.

If we can't get the defensive board after a second miss, then it's almost automatic that the other team is going to score on their third try. I've seen this happen so many times, not just this season, but over the years and years of watching the zone.

I was watching the 2003 team against Michigan State on ESPN before the game last night, and it was the same thing we saw against G'town a couple hours later - they got offensive rebound after offensive rebound and that kid Chris Hill hit TEN threes against the zone, and guess what, we still won. But it's that 2nd offensive rebound that almost always results in points by bucket or foul for the other team.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

We should tell the guys to just allow the first...and then try really hard for the second rebound then...

 

[IthacaMatt]

We should tell the guys to just allow the first...and then try really hard for the second rebound then...

What I'm saying is that we often survive the first offensive rebound given up, and block the follow up shot or make them miss. But if a team gets the second offensive rebound, their likelihood of scoring increases by an enormous amount, not just an incremental percentage, and usually the result is a foul inside. I'd love to see some stats on that.

 

[LennX6]

The SECOND offensive rebound. Statistically speaking, after reading all these posts - and just going by the "looks test", our defense comes down to this. We are great at stealing the ball, blocking shots, intimidating around the basket and challenging three's. We do all of that well. We can even afford to give up a first offensive rebound, but it's the SECOND offensive rebound that kills us.

If we can't get the defensive board after a second miss, then it's almost automatic that the other team is going to score on their third try. I've seen this happen so many times, not just this season, but over the years and years of watching the zone.

I was watching the 2003 team against Michigan State on ESPN before the game last night, and it was the same thing we saw against G'town a couple hours later - they got offensive rebound after offensive rebound and that kid Chris Hill hit TEN threes against the zone, and guess what, we still won. But it's that 2nd offensive rebound that almost always results in points by bucket or foul for the other team.

That is the one thing consistent over the last 10 years...1. Blown layups 2. Opponents hitting from 30, even banking them in 3. Inability to D-rebound Used to be a fourth but it kinda went away until it has popped up this year, losing 90% of the 50-50 balls. Yet we still win. Go figure.

 

[baggerbob]

Our problem is we are playing 2 small forwards most of the time and both are at the bottom of the list in small forwards syracuse has had for rebounding. Jim made the decision early in the year that if Rak wasn't playing well he sat and CJ would play. It would have been better when he pulled Rak to have played Keita some at the 4 and used Rak along with Keita to backup Melo. CJ is a nice player but will never be a good rebounder and with Kris its too late for him to suddenly become a good rebounder.