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Worst defensive team since Pitino’s first bunch?

We out rebounded them, made more free throws, better 3 point % with 10 made, had a guy with a triple double….and flat out got smacked because our lack of defense.

For the most part they are doing what they can do to try and win.

They know they cannot stay in front of the guards right now so forcing threes.

It worked vs Tennessee. The Arkansas goes 13/25 (33% prior) and Ole Miss 13/30 (35% prior). 26/55 in two games. Meanwhile with no ball pressure weve forced 13 turnovers in 3 games...1 tonight...1...absolutely insane for this level of ball.

All that explains while despite shooting 20/44 from 3 and rebounding respectfully in past two games, we've still been punked.

Edit- on top of all of the above we are 46/34 in AvT in past 3 games. 10/13 AvT from guard spot...what a train wreck.
 
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I have said this team reminds me so much of that team. Not very athletic and played below the rim but managed a 14-14 record
 
I can't remember any Pitino or Tubby teams being this bad. Clyde played too slow for us to be this bad. Last year and 9-16 were pretty bad, but I don't know how they'd compare.
 
For the most part they are doing what they can do to try and win.

They know they cannot stay in front of the guards right now so forcing threes.

It worked vs Tennessee. The Arkansas goes 13/25 (33% prior) and Ole Miss 13/30 (35% prior). 26/55 in two games. Meanwhile with no ball pressure weve forced 13 turnovers in 3 games...1 tonight...1...absolutely insane for this level of ball.

All that explains while despite shooting 20/44 from 3 and rebounding respectfully in past two games, we've still been punked.

Edit- on top of all of the above we are 46/34 in AvT in past 3 games. 10/13 AvT from guard spot...what a train wreck.
Zone imo is only option at this point
 
This team is not playing to their abilities.

Granted their abilities are limited. But they aren’t doing their best.

The phrase “leave it all on the floor” just does not apply.

There’s simply no excuse for this.

I hated everything about how Tubby coached. But you never saw a Tubby team not try.
 
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Looked up a few stats… efg% allowed, rebound margin, and turnovers forced per game. Thought these were interesting.
89-90…54.0%…-8 rebound margin…21.2 turnovers forced
23-24…49.6%…+1 rebound margin…11.8 turnovers forced
24-25…49.5%….+5 rebound margin….9.7 turnovers forced

So while 89-90 allowed a really high shooting percentage and got killed on the glass, they did at least force a lot of turnovers. And this year’s team vs last year’s team… not much difference, but this year’s team wins 2/3 of the categories.
 
There's a glimmer of hope. The last so many minutes of the ole miss game...we full court pressed, just once though, that was so effective that the ball got in bounds and caused a time out for ole miss. We tried it again, but ole miss got through it......so I dunno.

A lot of the fundamentals of basketball are taught early and get glanced over by any sharp shooter or high flying dunker....
 
The worst defense since last year. Can't forget how awful that defense was...the best play from that defense was Sheppard getting a few steals per game. Otherwise it seemed like everybody scored 90 or 95+ on us. And last years defense was probably one of UKs tallest with three 7 footers and still couldn't stop anybody.
 
Their defense is so bad, it already has Pope rethinking analytics. There are some guys that can play better defense, but collectively they have been horrible. Is it coaching? Technique? Or desire? I have seen Jaxson look totally uninspired to play defense. Brea....wow! The next time he plays defense will be his first. If it is effort then that is concerning seeing that this is a veteran team and they refuse to play defense.
 
I’d have to look at the stats but that’s what my gut tells me
Our team this season is the most unathletic bunch since Pitino's first team. Pope & Pitino both inherited a mess. Pitino took over a program with only 7 scholarship players and that had just been crucified with NCAA probation. Pope took over a program with zero players on the roster & was 2 wins & 7 losses in our last 9 post season games & probably doesn't have a future NBA player on it's roster. The players on our current team just doesn't have the quickness to defend.
 
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