By the Numbers-Defense

[ZorkClone]

Is ISU’s defense better? I am using Torvik for the source of most of these stats.

1. Effective Field Goal % Defense
a. This year will be a 5-year low in opponents FG %



2. Forced Turnover Rate
a. This year would be a 5-year high in forced turnover percentage



3. Opp. Off. Rebound Rate
a. We are having an uptick in Opp. off Rebounding rate.



4. Opp. FT Rate
a. We are fouling more witch I would equate to a higher-pressure defense.





Summary: While still not an elite defensive team, we are making strides in some areas to be pretty good. Our ball pressure is resulting in a lower opponent fg% and a higher forced turnover rate. Of course, these stats for this year contain many cupcakes so we will have to see how this all shakes out, but I see promising trends.

 

[acoustimac]

Seeing the team records along side this is interesting as well.
21-22. 28-7 Big 12 semis, Sweet 16
22-23. 22-10 Big 12 finals, 1st round
23-24. 21-12 Big 12 finals, 2nd round
24-25. 23-12 Big 12 quarterfinal, 1st round
25-26. 12-0

 

[Die4Cy]

Incomplete data for this year with a higher percentage of tomato cans in the averages at this point of the season. These numbers will change, but the defense has been outstanding at a championship level every night out.

 

[MJ271]

For a more direct comparison, here are non-conference numbers from last year vs. this year. Maybe not directly comparable because of UConn and South Carolina on the schedule last year, dragging numbers down, but still probably more comparable.

Interesting that the defensive component numbers are better in 3/4 categories, but the overall defensive efficiency is worse, due to the higher opponent free-throw rate. That might be a sign of more aggression on the defensive end.



Anecdotally, I feel like I've seen the defense this season be significantly better in stretches, but it hasn't really come through for full games against good opponents yet. The thing that really stuck out to me in this comparison is that the offense is on a whole other level from last season, at least so far.

 

[VeloClone]

When this team gets up by a lot they call off the dogs and are content to trade baskets. Not ideal, but human nature. I wouldn't read too much into the lapses. The problem is if it becomes a habit and then they need to defend for 40. We will see, they are 12-0 so not much to complain about to this point.

 

[acoustimac]

When this team gets up by a lot they call off the dogs and are content to trade baskets. Not ideal, but human nature. I wouldn't read too much into the lapses. The problem is if it becomes a habit and then they need to defend for 40. We will see, they are 12-0 so not much to complain about to this point.

Good point. When I look at Iowa's comeback I think that will be a good learning point for this team. If they can figure out how to keep their foot on their opponent's throat it will be huge.