You guys don?t have a game thread for the Penn State game going on right now?

[SpartyNash]

I agree the defense is better. The defensive numbers last year I think were very good (especially opponents FG%), but it seemed like JJJ's shot blocking made that deceptively so. There were more breakdowns last year and maybe an overreliance on the bailout block. Also the team's desire to block shots last year often put them in not great rebounding position and they seemed to give up a lot of offensive rebounds. Don't have the numbers in front of me, but I am guessing they are ahead of last year's as well.

Playing good defense without fouling and not giving them those hidden points at the FT line is probably also a contributing factor. It seems like we're fouling less this year (again don't have the numbers in front of me).

I totally agree on the fouling. Not looking at numbers either but perception wise I think we’ve done a good job of staying out of foul trouble compared to most years (knock on wood). This also may be partly due to TV Ted Valentine no longer reffing big ten games.

 

[gotime909]

I’ve been super impressed with McQuaid. He’s been playing great d and hitting his open 3’s. Been keeping his head up while dribble driving this year more too.

 

[Spartanmack]

a lot to agree with here - seems like we've regained that toughness that leads to dominant rebounding margins. They're playing team defense focusing on making teams take bad shots and less on contesting shots and giving up position.

the dual impact of Ted Valentine changing conferences and Ed Hightower retiring in 2013 have to be good for us. I hated watching games ref'd by either of those a-holes.

to me, it still looks like McQuaid has his head down when he dribbles but his defense has been phenomenal and he's shooting really well.

getting Langford and Ahrens back will be big but bigger than that to me, is keeping Winston healthy - as much as everyone has improved, he's by far the most important guy on the roster.