Best defensive team in recorded history

[Rush2112 UK]

We're probably watching it.

The NCAA has recorded defensive FG% stats since 1978. Stanford holds the record; they held opponents to 35.2% in 1999-00. Nearly halfway through the regular season, these Cats are currently at 29.7%. It's not far-fetched that they could keep that figure in the low 30s and shatter the record. Also, it's a good bet that if they play 40 games, they'll record over 320 blocks, which (at their current clip of 8.2 pg) would be good for 2nd all time behind the 2012 Cats.

That combination would be the best ever, and by a considerable margin.

All kinds of history is up for grabs this season. We're so lucky to be Kentucky fans!

 

[Smashcat]

Isn't it odd the stats start in 1978?

 

[FtWorthCat]

Well, according to Jon Scott's site, our 1949 team held their opponents to 23.8% field goal shooting for the season. It's a good thing too, because they only shot 32.8% themselves.

1948-49 Stats

 

[ednunn]

Yet Stanford won no title. Just win the last game

 

[docholiday51]

This seems like a good thread to ask this question;

Do you ever remember a season where there were so many halftime scores in the teens or lower?

Think of some of the halftime scores we have seen this year,not only in our games but all across college basketball.

Is it good defense,bad offense or just bad basketball in general?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by ednunn:
Yet Stanford won no title. Just win the last game

This isn't Stanford. Our players are SLIGHTLY better quality.

 

[mj2k10]

Originally posted by docholiday51:

This seems like a good thread to ask this question;

Do you ever remember a season where there were so many halftime scores in the teens or lower?

Think of some of the halftime scores we have seen this year,not only in our games but all across college basketball.

Is it good defense,bad offense or just bad basketball in general?

It's mainly officiating.

College basketball is at the same point the NBA was at in the late 90's. Or where football was at in the 70's, when bump and run defensive tactics made passing the ball almost impossible. Scoring is at an all-time low (lower than the stall-ball era of the early 80's, when there was no shot-clock or 3 point line) because the game is being officiated in a way that rewards physical play on defense, making it very difficult to get any quality shots. It snowballs even more because teams recruit for that, looking more for big strong athletes who can play that physical D than for guys with a lot of basketball skill.

The predominant style has become completely halfcourt- a low possession game with incredibly few FG attempts for either team. It's an easy way for coaches to control the game, and to make most games close. Play at a slow pace, play fiercely aggressive D (in other words., foul a lot, because you know they won't call all of them), hope to hit some 3's.

It's an ugly, boring style of play, and it's not going to get better until the officials allow less physicality by defensive players.

 

[tbone.ky]

Originally posted by docholiday51:

This seems like a good thread to ask this question;

Do you ever remember a season where there were so many halftime scores in the teens or lower?

Think of some of the halftime scores we have seen this year,not only in our games but all across college basketball.

Is it good defense,bad offense or just bad basketball in general?

Great question and I don't have an answer. The only logical explanation I can come up with is that elite players, and playmakers, don't stick around for more than 2 years unlike early 90's; 80's; and prior years, before placing their name in the draft. It is what it is.

 

[Mojocat]

Originally posted by mj2k10:

Originally posted by docholiday51:

Is it good defense,bad offense or just bad basketball in general?

It's mainly officiating.

College basketball is at the same point the NBA was at in the late 90's....

The predominant style has become completely halfcourt- a low possession game with incredibly few FG attempts for either team. It's an easy way for coaches to control the game....

It's an ugly, boring style of play, and it's not going to get better until the officials allow less physicality by defensive players.

Yep, this is it. I blame the Big East.

 

[wildcatsboston1984]

Originally posted by FtWorthCat:

Well, according to Jon Scott's site, our 1949 team held their opponents to 23.8% field goal shooting for the season. It's a good thing too, because they only shot 32.8% themselves.

And they won the championship that year? That's an embarrassment to the game that year if true

 

[blubo]

Originally posted by mj2k10:

Originally posted by docholiday51:

Is it good defense,bad offense or just bad basketball in general?
It's mainly officiating.

College basketball is at the same point the NBA was at in the late 90's....

The predominant style has become completely halfcourt- a low possession game with incredibly few FG attempts for either team. It's an easy way for coaches to control the game....

It's an ugly, boring style of play, and it's not going to get better until the officials allow less physicality by defensive players.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

nail on head. it's thus far noticeably worse this year. " easy way for coaches to control the game". i think it's more so an easy way for refs to control the game, if you get my drift. the game is at a point now where the refs could call a foul on nearly every dribble. obviously the powers that be have decided to change the game into a full contact sport.

 

[mbc82584]

They should just make the shot clock 25 seconds, and BOOM scoring goes up by 25%.

Plus, the game would be more fun to watch, it would dial back the "35 seconds of hacking", and would require coaches to recruit players with more basketball skill instead of football skill.

 

[uk78]

I like the way the game is now. What is wrong with defense? The NBA is often a bore fest and it is so often true, that you can skip the whole game until the last 5 minutes. Actually, the Euro rules seem to be the best of all.

 

[docholiday51]

Good points raised on the reasons for such low scoring this year.Last year we had the emphasis on hand checking and a tweak(such a great word) in how the block/charge was called,but for the most part college basketball has gone away from that now.

I think to some extent college basketball has become a game of 3's or highlight dunks,everybody on every team is shooting 3's but only 2 or 3 kids per team(in most cases) can make a decent %. If not a 3 then a dunk where you get fouled and shoot 55% from the line.

One reason we are as good as we are is that Lyles and Booker have good mid range games.

It is just very odd that as you scan thru scores on any given day you see 'good', sometimes ranked, teams with halftime scores in the teens and end game scores in the 30's or low 40's