...I didn't feel like engaging the arguments over here but the schedule hid some of the defensive shortcomings at times because the overall defensive number would be passable but the performance relative to that team's other opponents would be bad. This is currently the 29th most efficient offensive team in the country scoring 114.1 points per 100 possessions. Last year's team was 17th nationally and scored 115 points per 100 possessions. Defensively this team is 122nd nationally giving up 102.5 points per 100 possessions while last year's group was 54th nationally, giving up 96.1 points per 100 possessions. Given the make up of the team having a top 30 offense is getting close to where the ceiling probably should be, it is a poor defense that is hurting the team. I think some of it is personnel, some of it is inexperience and some of it is effort (which also falls under personnel and inexperience). While I don't disagree with Chris that the effort isn't great, I think that at the college level effort on D has far less to do with making a choice about how hard you play and has a lot more to do with your comfort and experience while you are out there and creating a favorable situation for yourself through scheme/scouting. A guy can play with high effort but if he's stuck in long close outs or trying to cover a guy he can't he's going to have a hard time talking through everything that is happening and showing that energy because he's regularly disadvantaged. ** Edited by Cvillehoops13 at 2/17/2023, 8:47:34 AM