The Defense
Neither Seton Hall nor Depaul is expected to finish toward the top of the Big East this year. But both came into their SU games with winning streaks, the Hall sporting an 11-1 record. And in totally stifling both teams, while winning easily, the Orange looked like they might actually deserve the number one ranking they currently hold. I recently posted about their bench, and in both of these games the bench played a big role, particularly in the closing minutes of the first half, when Cuse pulled away as they other teams tired. Waiters, Fair and Southerland continue to make big contributions on the offensive end, all of them coming off the bench.
But as important a role as the bench has played, the real reason the team has dominated so far this season is the defense. This year the zone looks as strong as it has ever looked in Boeheim’s long tenure. And the big difference this year is that the D is generating turnovers, both from
steals, and from blocks. The numbers tell the story: Cuse leads the country in total steals, and steals per game. In the GW game I saw a few weeks ago, Waiters alone had six steals. Right now they are averaging over eleven per game. And they are third in the country in blocked shots per game, the big reason being the emergence of Fab Melo as a force inside. (This is such a dramatic change from last year, it deserves its own posting.) In the last two games alone, Fab has sixteen blocks. It’s tough for the opponents to score when they can’t even get a shot off.
And while we’re talking numbers, we’ll add one that is not just a defensive number, but it’s the turnover margin. Not only is the zone generating lots of turnovers, but the Orange guards are protecting the ball pretty well, and the result is a plus eight per game advantage in the turnover
department. And related to that number is their assist-to-turnover ratio, which is number eight in the country. This is really new territory for the Orange, because as good as their D has been in recent years, they weren’t always great at protecting the ball. But playing great defense, and not turning the ball over is a recipe for success. No doubt.
The other good thing about playing great defense is that it’s easier to be consistent. The Orange are going to have games this year when no one shoots well. In fact, they had that kind of game against Seton Hall. Against the Hall they shot under fifty percent, and only 15 percent from three-point range: they went 2 for 13 from outside the arc. But that hardly mattered when they held Seton Hall to fifteen first half points, and generated twenty-three turnovers on the night. Many of those turnovers led to easy scoring opportunities – layups or open jumpers. And in the end, no one cared that the outside shooting was so cold; the game was a blow-out. So on nights when there are guys hitting their threes, and the offense is clicking, they are going to be very tough. But even on nights when the shooters go cold, the defense can keep them in the game, and even generate the offense that the team needs.
So just like two years ago, there are high expectations for this team. Let’s hope everyone stays healthy, and that no more scandalous revelations pop up to distract the team and the coaches from the rest of the season. Go Orange.
But as important a role as the bench has played, the real reason the team has dominated so far this season is the defense. This year the zone looks as strong as it has ever looked in Boeheim’s long tenure. And the big difference this year is that the D is generating turnovers, both from
steals, and from blocks. The numbers tell the story: Cuse leads the country in total steals, and steals per game. In the GW game I saw a few weeks ago, Waiters alone had six steals. Right now they are averaging over eleven per game. And they are third in the country in blocked shots per game, the big reason being the emergence of Fab Melo as a force inside. (This is such a dramatic change from last year, it deserves its own posting.) In the last two games alone, Fab has sixteen blocks. It’s tough for the opponents to score when they can’t even get a shot off.
And while we’re talking numbers, we’ll add one that is not just a defensive number, but it’s the turnover margin. Not only is the zone generating lots of turnovers, but the Orange guards are protecting the ball pretty well, and the result is a plus eight per game advantage in the turnover
department. And related to that number is their assist-to-turnover ratio, which is number eight in the country. This is really new territory for the Orange, because as good as their D has been in recent years, they weren’t always great at protecting the ball. But playing great defense, and not turning the ball over is a recipe for success. No doubt.
The other good thing about playing great defense is that it’s easier to be consistent. The Orange are going to have games this year when no one shoots well. In fact, they had that kind of game against Seton Hall. Against the Hall they shot under fifty percent, and only 15 percent from three-point range: they went 2 for 13 from outside the arc. But that hardly mattered when they held Seton Hall to fifteen first half points, and generated twenty-three turnovers on the night. Many of those turnovers led to easy scoring opportunities – layups or open jumpers. And in the end, no one cared that the outside shooting was so cold; the game was a blow-out. So on nights when there are guys hitting their threes, and the offense is clicking, they are going to be very tough. But even on nights when the shooters go cold, the defense can keep them in the game, and even generate the offense that the team needs.
So just like two years ago, there are high expectations for this team. Let’s hope everyone stays healthy, and that no more scandalous revelations pop up to distract the team and the coaches from the rest of the season. Go Orange.
posted by pops | 5:14 PM
3 Comments:
That win over Seton Hall suddenly looks like a quality win, after the Hall dispatched UConn last night. Watching the Orange completely dominate Seton Hall, I just figured The Hall had run up eleven wins against really weak teams, and were about to melt down from the heat of conference play. Guess not. Of course, Calhoun wasn’t on the bench, and UConn never plays nearly as well without him; but still, they are a top-ten team that lost by double digits.And I guess anything can happen in conference play, which makes the two conference wins look even better in retrospect.
Berg,
Great analysis and forecast for our Orange Team.
I was equally surprised at the SH/UConn results. I thought was just a door mat in the BE. I guess not.
You usually say you like the the Cuse to be humbled so they do not lose a round 1 or 2 game in the NCAA. I think that moment will come but barring a 2 game losing streak they are headed for a 1 seed (at worst 2 seed) this March.
Let the games continue.
Go Cuse.
G-Man
Berg,
As G-man stated - great analysis! While I have been hoping to have someone step into a go-to guy role (e.g. a Kemba Walker, Carmelo Anthony, etc.) this has become a very exciting team. You never know who is going to be hot and there are so many moving parts. It's just been fun watching them develop.
Great being with everyone on Sunday - Go Orange!
Chipper
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