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[QUOTE="Cheriehoop, post: 5227574, member: 127"]
Like many players, they can show their athleticism more on offense than defense especially when young and adjusting to college game speed early in the season. Defense needs to be not just individual but a team effort - weak links like poor hedging, late helping, missed doubling etc can hurt the entire team. Getting back in defensive position not being flat footed can be a conditioning issue, lack of focus, the old ’I need to pace myself” etc especially if facing full court pressure offensively throughout a game.

I notice players sometimes running down court with their eyes forward losing track of the opponents, ball behind them and then turning and stopping, leaving them flat footed thus unable to adjust to quick moves that the opponent makes towards the basket. Coaches will address the defensive issues and hopefully find answers. Developing all the player’s ball handling and bb IQ, is key. Knowing to adjust to where the opponents are heading on offense can be more important than getting back quickly with your back to them and then trying to adjust. You need to be in good defensive position to react and keep them in front of you. Lots of new players In different roles than last year, new additions, and a player returning from a tough injury makes it difficult to assess if it’s a basic athleticism issue or normal adjustment period with all the changes this year. I don’t see a huge long jumping-jack blocking center who can erase defensive miscues but we haven’t had one in years and still been very successful. We’ll know more soon. Go SU!
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