Death By 3's

Fact: We are not a good defensive team.

Fact: We are ranked 343 our of 343 teams in giving up 3FGA

Fact: We have 0 good, let alone elite defenders

Fact: Our defense, more than our struggling offense, is our biggest problem so far this year

Watching the games, the thing that jumps out the most is that we cannot stay in front of anyone defensively.  It is astonishing.  The result is that we are allowing our opponents to take over 44.3% of their shots from 3.  And in EVERY SINGLE GAME this season our opponents have attempted more 3’s, as a percentage of their shots, than they average for the season.

Ahem, Columbia, jesus.  The problem I believe is largely rooted in personal.  Arcidiacono is playing 84.8% of possible minutes so far this season, and he is our worst on ball defender.  His minutes may dip some, but he is our only real ball handler, so he has to be on the court.  Looking around at our other players, does anyone really stand out as an above average defender?  Sure, Sutton does, but Jay still keeps him on the bench for most of the game.  Bell seems like he is an above average defender, but not when he is playing down low, which he has to do from time to time.

The only option really left is to change up our defensive methodology, something that Jay has rarely done over the years.  However, considering how awful we have been at giving up 3 pt. attempts it might behoove him to make some adjustments.  Generally the 2-3 zone results in opponents shooting outside shots more frequently than against man to man schemes, but at least they generally get a hand in the guy’s face.  For now we are left with watching Arcidiacono/Hilliard/Chennault get blown by, and as the help defense arrives the ball is getting kicked out and passed around till someone has a wide open look.  Get used to it, because its going to be there all season long unless we make some changes.