Theories for Why Baylor Basketball's Defense Isn't Good Enough

Our guards are not quick enough to stop fast guards from getting to the basket and there is little help with our no middle defense.

chorne68 said:

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Our guards are not quick enough to stop fast guards from getting to the basket and there is little help with our no middle defense.

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That's a bingo - you nailed it

One word, Tang!

Walter is a great player in offense but he presses hard up top and gets beat on the dribble fairly easily.

Drew might need to consider adding back the zone for stretches of the game.

Over the last 2-3 seasons we have lost several great defensive players: Davion, Teague, Vital, Butler, Sochan.

We have replaced them with average to bad defensive players in the past 2-3 recruiting classes.

Sure a defensive guru might help, but it's more of a personnel issue. No coach can magically turn a bad defender into an elite defender.

As fans we also need to be realistic and realize our national championship team was one of the best college basketball teams of all time. It's unrealistic to compare any team moving forward to that bunch.

JP1037 said:

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Walter is a great player in offense but he presses hard up top and gets beat on the dribble fairly easily.

Drew might need to consider adding back the zone for stretches of the game.

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I have noticed this with Nunn too. They both have the potential to be a very good defensive players but they are overrunning angles. This is a coaching adjustment that needs to happen.

Nunn was completely overmatched against Duke and Michigan St. That has to change. If it continues we're better off starting Love at least he brings instant offensive. Nunn is bringing nothing offensively or defensively. And this is coming from someone who prefers Love as our 6th man

Agreed, we need more from Nunn. If replacing him in the rotation not sure Grimes or Miro would be any better at this point, though. Love is a one-dimensional player and is best in his current 6th man role

Tonight will tell me a lot about any adjustments defensively that have been made since the Michigan St and Duke games and what to expect as we start conference play. I've watched Cornell several times. They run the pick-and-roll and backdoor plays on offense as well as any Kansas team I've seen, without the size and speed, of course. Syracuse and George Mason stopped those with reasonable effectiveness. If we stop it, we should glide to a victory. If we don't, then our offense better be clicking on all cylinders.